The Hindu Must Read Articles 1 April 2025: Here is the list of the most important and must-read articles for UPSC from today’s Hindu newspaper. Get in-depth analysis of all topics from The Hindu.

The Hindu Must Read Articles 1 April 2025
Topic | Context/News | Relevant GS Paper | Key Points to Study |
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Waqf Act & Amendment | Opposition accuses government of spreading fear over new Waqf Bill | GS-2 (Governance) | – Waqf meaning and significance – Waqf Act 1995 & Amendments – Role of Waqf Boards, Central Waqf Council – Concerns over transparency, land disputes |
India–Bangladesh Relations | Return of Bangladeshis after clampdowns | GS-2 (IR) | – Historical & cultural ties – Border issues & migration – River disputes (e.g., Teesta) – Trade, development cooperation |
HAL and U.S. Media Allegations | Govt. denies reports of HAL supplying sensitive tech to Russia | Prelims | – Role of HAL in India’s defence sector – Major aircrafts produced – Defence export policies |
El Niño & Monsoon Forecast | IMD predicts warm summer, low El Niño chance | GS-1 (Geography) | – El Niño/La Niña mechanism – Impact on Indian monsoon & agriculture – Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) |
Western Ghats Rainfall Study | 800-year monsoon trend study published | GS-1 (Geography) | – Western Ghats: biodiversity & ecology – Monsoon variability and climate history |
Forest Rights Act (FRA) | Rights groups urge Centre to defend FRA in SC | GS-2 (Governance) | – FRA 2006 provisions & Gram Sabha role – Rights of forest dwellers – Implementation issues, court cases |
India-U.S. Tri-service Exercise | Conducted April 1–13 | GS-2 (IR) | – Strategic importance of tri-service drills – India–U.S. defence agreements (LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA) – Indo-Pacific cooperation |
Tourism Ministry Fund Utilization | Panel criticizes under-utilization | GS-3 (Economy) | – PRASAD & Swadesh Darshan schemes – Importance of tourism for GDP & jobs – PPP model in tourism |
NITI Aayog State Finances Portal | Portal launch announced | GS-3 (Economy) | – Role of NITI Aayog – State finance indicators (debt, deficits) – Cooperative federalism |
India’s Russian Crude Oil Strategy | Managing U.S. sanctions while importing Russian oil | GS-3 (Economy) | – India’s energy security – Impact of global oil sanctions – Diversification of oil imports |
Quantum Science Year | Declared International Year | GS-3 (S&T) | – Basics of quantum tech – India’s National Quantum Mission – Applications: computing, encryption |
Russia–Ukraine Conflict & Trump’s Remarks | Criticism of Zelenskyy, Putin amid truce delay | GS-2 (IR) | – Russia-Ukraine war impact – NATO, U.S. foreign policy – Arms & energy geopolitics |
U.S. Visa Vetting Policy | Clarification on revocation reports | GS-2 (IR) | – U.S. visa policies – Indian diaspora – Bilateral people-to-people ties |
NEP 2020 Implementation | Editorial on policy practice gap | GS-2 (Education) | – NEP 2020 vision & objectives – School curriculum, teacher training – Implementation status |
Population Count Debate | Opinion piece on moving beyond census numbers | GS-2 (Society) | – India’s population policy – Census methodology – Link to planning, resource distribution |
Tensions in the Arctic | Geopolitical tensions & environmental issues | GS-2 / GS-3 | – Arctic geopolitics – India’s Arctic Policy – Climate change effects |
Farm Tariff Policy | Lower tariffs seen as threat to farmers | GS-3 (Agriculture) | – MSP system – Import/export tariff policies – WTO compliance issues |
GS Paper 2 – Governance, Polity, International Relations
1. Waqf Bill & Waqf Act
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Issue: Opposition raises concerns over recent Waqf Bill amendments.
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Topics to Study:
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What is Waqf and its significance?
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Provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995.
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Key changes in the Waqf Amendment Bills (2013, 2023).
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Role of Waqf Boards, Central Waqf Council.
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Criticism: Land encroachment and transparency issues.
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2. India–Bangladesh Relations
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Context: Return of Bangladeshis due to internal clampdowns.
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Topics to Study:
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The focus is on historical ties and border management.
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The issues of river water sharing and migration are being addressed.
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India plays a significant role in providing developmental aid to Bangladesh.
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There are bilateral forums such as the Joint Consultative Commission (JCC).
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3. HAL and Technology Transfer Allegations
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Context: Govt. rejects U.S. media report on HAL’s alleged tech transfer to Russia.
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Prelims Focus:
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Know about HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited): history, key products, and strategic role.
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This article discusses India’s defense export policies and its international obligations.
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4. Forest Rights Act (FRA)
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Context: Rights bodies urge the Center to defend the FRA before the SC.
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Topics to Study:
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Forest Rights Act, 2006: Provisions, beneficiaries.
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The role of Gram Sabhas is crucial in implementation.
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There are challenges in judicial scrutiny and implementation.
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5. India–U.S. Defence Relations
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Topic: Tri-service exercise (April 1–13)
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Focus:
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India-U.S. defense cooperation frameworks (COMCASA, BECA, LEMOA).
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The importance of tri-service exercises for interoperability cannot be overstated.
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GS Paper 1 – Geography, Society
1. Monsoon Forecast & El Niño
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Context: IMD predicts a warmer summer and a low El Niño probability.
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Topics to Study:
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El Niño/La Niña: Mechanism, differences, and Indian monsoon impact.
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Role of Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD).
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There is a link to climate change, agriculture, and water resources.
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2. Western Ghats Rainfall Study
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Topic: 800-year monsoon rainfall trend.
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Relevance:
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The topic of discussion is climatic history and monsoon variability.
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Western Ghats:Â Biodiversity hotspot, ecological significance.
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GS Paper 3 – Economy, Science & Tech, Environment
1. Tourism Ministry Fund Utilization
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Context: Panel criticizes underutilization.
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Topics to Study:
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Schemes like PRASAD and Swadesh Darshan.
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The role of public-private partnerships in tourism is significant.
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2. NITI Aayog Portal on State Finances
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Focus:
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Fiscal indicators:Â debt-GSDP ratio, revenue deficits.
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The role of NITI Aayog in cooperative federalism is significant.
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3. Russian Crude Oil Sanctions
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Context: India’s oil purchases amid U.S. sanctions.
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Topics to Study:
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This is India’s energy security strategy.
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The impact of geopolitics on crude supply and price stability is significant.
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Science and Technology
1. International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
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Topics:
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There is quantum computing and quantum communication.
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India’s initiatives: National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NMQTA).
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World Affairs
1. Trump’s Remarks on Zelenskyy & Putin
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Context: Delay in truce over Russia-Ukraine conflict.
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Focus:
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Global impact of the Russia-Ukraine war.
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The article discusses the dynamics of U.S. foreign policy and the role of NATO.
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2. U.S. Visa Vetting Reports
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Topic: U.S. reaffirms strict vetting.
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Relevance:
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This article discusses visa policies and their bilateral implications.
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The Indian diaspora is facing significant issues.
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Editorial/Opinion
1. NEP 2020—Policy to Practice
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Focus:
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Implementation status of National Education Policy (NEP).
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There are challenges in curriculum reform, vocational training, and teacher training.
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2. Thinking Beyond Population Count
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Context: debates on demographic dividends and census delays.
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Topics:
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The article discusses India’s population policy and census methodology.
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Link with economic planning.
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3. No to Regression
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Likely Context: Social justice, rights, or economic policies.
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Please review any recent discussions on legislative or judicial regression.
1. Tensions in the Arctic
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Topics:
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The topic of discussion is Arctic geopolitics, climate change, and militarization.
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Role of the Arctic Council, India’s Arctic Policy.
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