Daily editorial vocabulary · 31 October 2026
The Hindu editorial, 31 October 2026
What today's editorials said in short, then 10 hard words with the meaning they have in that sentence. Select any word on this page to see how ftak explains it.
Beyond gullibility: On digital arrest scams
At an October 29 hearing the Chief Justice was exasperated that people still fall for 'digital arrest' scams, which have cost about ₹800 crore this year. The editorial says fear of the police explains this better than gullibility. It welcomes the RBI's directions on mule accounts and the Court's push for bank compensation, but warns that long holds could punish small account holders. It wants India to press Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, where many scam compounds run.
Read the full editorial on The HinduSuboptimal outcomes: On social security boards for unorganised, gig, platform workers
A year after the Code on Social Security took effect, the Labour Ministry has set up national boards for unorganised workers and for gig and platform workers. The editorial welcomes this but says the Union Government controls both boards, with little room for Opposition-side unions or Opposition-ruled States. These workers are over 92% of the workforce and remain far from real social security, so it asks the Centre to bring unions and States on board.
Read the full editorial on The HinduVocabulary from the editorials
1.exasperation (noun)
strong annoyance at something that keeps happening despite your efforts
“…Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s exasperation…”
Similar: frustration, irritation
2.gullibility (noun)
the habit of believing what you are told too easily, which makes you easy to trick
“…this is not merely about gullibility…”
Similar: naivety, credulity
3.defer (verb)
to give way to someone's authority (here not 'postpone', which is the other meaning)
“…defer to or fear law enforcement…”
Similar: submit, yield
4.high-handed (adjective)
using power without caring about what others think or what is fair
“…widely seen as high-handed towards ordinary citizens…”
Similar: overbearing, arrogant
5.implausible (adjective)
hard to believe; not likely to be true
“…cannot be that implausible for many…”
Similar: unlikely, far-fetched
6.duping (verb)
tricking someone, usually to get money out of them
“…laundering their proceeds after duping victims…”
Similar: cheating, deceiving
7.recourse (noun)
a way of getting help or a remedy when something has gone wrong
“…coerced into making transfers without any recourse…”
Similar: remedy, option
8.patronage (noun)
protection or support from someone powerful (here officials shielding the scam compounds)
“…thrived due to some degree of official patronage…”
Similar: protection, backing
9.clout (noun)
the power to influence what others do
“…India must use its clout to pressure these regimes…”
Similar: influence, leverage
10.slew (noun)
a large number of something
“…recommended a slew of measures…”
Similar: raft, host
Reading the full editorial? Tap any word for its meaning in context.
ftak is a free Chrome extension: select a word on any page, including The Hindu, and get the meaning that fits the sentence, plus UPSC past questions.
Add to Chrome, it's free