What to Read in The Hindu Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1 : Power and prestige: On the Delhi Assembly elections 2025

 

• Delhi remains a Union Territory with restricted legislative and executive authority.
• The power struggle between the Lieutenant Governor and the elected government is a long-standing issue.

• Despite its limited powers, Delhi's elections are as prestigious as state elections.
• As the capital city, it hosts a large and diverse population drawn by employment and commerce.

• Class and welfare concerns have become key electoral issues, overtaking identity politics.
• Rapid urbanization has created stark economic contrasts, from elite neighborhoods to slums.
• The city has a growing middle class beyond government employment, including business owners and service sector workers.

• AAP: Built its base among middle and lower-class voters through welfare policies and clean governance image.
• BJP: Traditionally strong at the national level but has struggled in Delhi Assembly elections. Focused on countering AAP’s welfare agenda.
• Congress: Attempting to regain lost support but struggling to assert dominance.

• Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia’s arrests in the liquor policy case have weakened AAP’s anti-corruption stance.
• Atishi, acting as a “stand-in” CM, has reinforced AAP’s welfare-focused campaign.

• Campaigns have been marred by mudslinging rather than substantive discussions on key issues.
• Air pollution remains a major crisis, yet political parties have not offered clear solutions.

Conclusion

As Delhi votes, the key question remains whether the past voting pattern—BJP at the Centre and AAP in the Assembly—will continue. While AAP has doubled down on its welfare-driven approach, its credibility has been shaken. The BJP and Congress have attempted to capitalize on this but face their own challenges. Ultimately, voters must choose leaders who prioritize governance over divisive politics and address Delhi’s pressing civic concerns.

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Editorial 2 : Learning steps: On the Union Budget and education

• ₹500 crore allocated for an AI Centre of Excellence for education.
• Broadband connectivity for schools and expansion of five third-generation IITs.
• Increased funding for Indian knowledge systems.

• 7% increase in higher education funding compared to last year’s revised estimates.
• However, the actual expenditure in 2023-24 was 10% more than the 2025-26 Budget estimates.
• UGC reforms (four-year degree programs, multi-institution courses, bi-annual admissions) need more funding, which Budget 2025 does not fully address.

• Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) levels have improved post-pandemic.
• However, India is still far from achieving full FLN, a 2026-27 target under NIPUN Bharat.

• ₹11,000 crore increase in allocation (16% rise from 2024-25 RE).
• However, as a percentage of the total Budget, the increase is just 0.12 percentage points, taking it to 1.55%.
• Higher education allocation remains unchanged at 0.99% of the total Budget.

• 5+3+3+4 system aims to prioritize early education up to Class 3.
• However, pre-Class 1 education is handled by underpaid and overburdened anganwadi workers who often lack proper training.
• This critical gap in early education could slow down India’s progress toward full FLN.

Conclusion

Budget 2025 has made positive strides in education, with increased allocations and a push for AI, broadband, and IIT expansions. However, gaps remain in funding UGC reforms, early childhood education, and FLN implementation. Achieving full FLN is essential for developing a skilled workforce and leveraging India's demographic dividend. Going forward, the government must strengthen school education investments and address structural gaps to meet the country’s long-term educational goals. Time is of the essence.