6th December, 2025

1 Extemporize (बिना तैय ारी िोलना / तत्क्षण कहना)

★ Meaning: To speak or perform without preparation; improvise.

SYNONYMS EXAMPLE

● Improvise ● When the teleprompter failed, she

● Ad-lib extemporized flawlessly.
● Wing

ANTONYMS

● Rehearse
● Script
● Prepare
 2 Abrogate (समाप्त करना, रद्द करना)

★ Meaning: To officially end or abolish a law, rule, or

agreement.

SYNONYMS
EXAMPLE
● Repeal
● The treaty was abrogated
● Rescind
unilaterally, triggering diplomatic
● Nullify
backlash.
ANTONYMS

● Institute
● Enact
● Ratify
 3 Fulminate (कड़ी ननिंद ा करना, फट पडना)

★ Meaning: To loudly protest or strongly criticize; to

explode (figuratively or literally).

SYNONYMS EXAMPLE

● Rail ● The editorials fulminated against

● Declaim government overreach in surveillance.
● Denounce

ANTONYMS

● Approve
● Support
● Endorse
 4 Lachesis (ज़ीवन की लिंिाई तय करने वाला (काल्पननक
शक्तत))
★ Meaning: In Greek mythology, one of the three Fates
who measures the thread of life.

SYNONYMS EXAMPLE

● Fate ● He believed Lachesis had already

● Destiny measured his thread of life.
● Providence

ANTONYMS

● Chaos
● Coincidence
● Randomness
 5 Reify (अमत
ू त च़ीज़ को ठोस/वास्तववक िनाना)

★ Meaning: To make something abstract feel real or

concrete.

SYNONYMS EXAMPLE

● Materialize ● The model reifies complex human

● Objectify emotions into visual form.
● Embody

ANTONYMS

● Abstract
● Obscure
● Conceal
 6 Adscititious (िाहरी रूप से जोडा गया, अनतररतत)

★ Meaning: Added from outside; not original; additional

or supplementary.
EXAMPLE
SYNONYMS

● Supplementary ● The chapter includes adscititious

● Appended data to support the main argument.
● Adjunct

ANTONYMS

● Inherent
● Integral
● Innate
 7 Funambulist (रस्स़ी पर चलने वाला कलाकार; नट)

★ Meaning: A tightrope walker; someone who walks on

a rope for performance.

SYNONYMS EXAMPLE
● A political leader today must be a
● Tightrope walker
funambulist, balancing conflicting
● Acrobat interests.
● Balancer

ANTONYMS

● Grounded
● Static
● Immobile
 8 Susurration ( फुसफुसाहट, ध़ीम़ी आवाज़)

★ Meaning: A soft whispering, rustling, or murmuring

sound.

SYNONYMS EXAMPLE

● Whisper ● The susurration of leaves lulled him

● Murmur into a brief nap.
● Rustle

ANTONYMS

● Roar
● Clamor
● Bellow
9 Interregnum (राजाओिं के ि़ीच का समय, अिंतराल
काल)
★ Meaning: A period when normal government or
leadership is suspended

SYNONYMS EXAMPLE
● The interregnum between two
● Interval
governments led to administrative
● Hiatus confusion.
● Breach

ANTONYMS

● Continuity
● Dynasty
● Succession
 (सवतकायतकतात; हर तरह का काम करने वाला
10 Factotum व्यक्तत)

★ Meaning: A person who does many different types of work;

jack-of-all-trades.

SYNONYMS EXAMPLE

● Handyman ● As a startup employee, he acted as

● Generalist a factotum for all departments.
● Assistant

ANTONYMS

● Specialist
● Technician
● Consultant
One-word substitute:
1 Linguist – Expert in languages.
Example: The linguist knew ten languages.
2 Polyglot – One who speaks many languages.
Example: The ambassador is a polyglot.
3 Monolingual – One who knows only one language.
Example: He remained monolingual all his life.
4 Amnesty – General pardon for political offenders.
Example: The government declared amnesty for rebels.
 Phrasal Verbs:
1 Bring down – Reduce / overthrow.
Example:The scandal brought down the government.
2 Fall apart – Break into pieces / collapse emotionally.
Example:The old bridge fell apart during the storm.
3 Stand by – Support / be ready.
Example: True friends stand by you always.
4 Call up – Telephone / summon for duty.
Example: He was called up for military service.
Idioms & Phrases:-
MORBID IDIOMS
1 Kick the bucket
Meaning: To die.
2 Bite the dust
Meaning:To die, especially in a violent manner.
3 Meet one's maker
Meaning: To die (referring to meeting God).
4 Give up the ghost
Meaning: To die, especially after a prolonged illness.

5. Take the last ride

Meaning: To die, especially in a way that involves transportation like a
hearse.
Article for Reading

A growing shadow
over digital
constitutionalism
In an unprecedented move, the central government revoked its
order to mobile phone manufacturers to install ‘Sanchar Saathi’,
a government app, from 2026. The rollback came in 48 hours
following widespread concerns raised by most stakeholders
about ambiguous data collection methods, the lack of consent,
surveillance and unlimited data storage. Reuters broke the story
and Apple refused to implement the policy. These foreign entities
may have played some sort of a backstage role as the
government cannot afford to lose Apple and its manufacturing in
India. Although the government’s move to have the app installed
was apparently aimed as a safety measure — cybercrimes
increased from 15.9 lakh cases in 2023 to 20.4 lakh in 2024 — to
help mobile users and the police, legitimate questions were
raised during the pushback against the government’s move
about surveillance, state power and data misuse. These issues
can be regarded as a significant step to understand the urgent
need of what may be termed as digital constitutionalism.
Digital constitutionalism signifies the extension of constitutional
principles such as liberty, dignity, equality including non-
arbitrariness, accountability and rule of law in the digital space.
These values are being threatened in the world where data
collection, artificial intelligence (AI) and surveillance technologies
take the lead. Modern governance is becoming an invisible system,
whether it is biometric databases, predictive algorithms or both. In
the absence of strong constitutional protection within these
systems, humans are likely to be exposed to abuse of authority.
Everyday life is now being influenced by digital governance.
Automated processes mediate Know Your Customer (KYC)
verification, welfare distribution, job applications, health-care
records, and even political expression in social media. These
technologies tend to operate without any significant revelation or
approval from people. Consequently, the concentration of power
takes place in the hands of tech designers, law enforcement
agencies and private companies.
This generates an unequal state where the citizens are passive
data subjects but not active right-holders as they are supposed
to be in liberal democracies. There has also been a worrisome
development in surveillance which even George Orwell could
not imagine in the celebrated and futuristic 1984. It has ceased
to be visible and immediate. These days it is being performed
with the help of metadata gathering, location tracing, biometric
identification, behavioural modelling and predictive analytics.
This kind of silent and constant surveillance can chill free
speech, discourage dissent and disrupt democracies. People
start censoring themselves when they are aware that they are
under observation. Self-censorship is the new normal. The right
to privacy is now considered to be one of the basic rights in
India.
Summary

The government’s decision to roll back its order mandating the installation of
the Sanchar Saathi app on mobile phones reflects strong concerns about
ambiguous data collection, lack of consent, and potential surveillance. Though
the app was proposed as a safety tool amid growing cybercrimes, critics
highlighted threats to privacy and constitutional values. The episode
underscores the urgent need for digital constitutionalism — extending liberty,
dignity, equality and accountability into the digital realm. With AI-driven
governance, biometric tracking and predictive analytics shaping daily life,
power is increasingly concentrated in the hands of the state and corporations,
fostering self-censorship and endangering democracy.
Reading Comprehension

Based on the above passage, answer the following

questions:

A. Each of the boys

B. have done
C. their homework
D. without any help.
Question 1:
“The rollback came in 48 hours following widespread concerns
raised by most stakeholders about ambiguous data collection
methods, the lack of consent, surveillance and unlimited data
storage.”

In the following question, a highlighted word is provided, followed

by four options, each presenting a pair of words. Select the option
that includes a synonym and antonym of the highlighted word,
respectively. Mark "E" if none of the options corresponds to the
context.

(a) elusive, obscure

(b) cryptic, enigmatic
(c) oblique, circuitous
(d) vague, explicit
(e) None of the above
Question 2
Which of the following logically follow the concerns raised in the
passage about the mandatory installation of the ‘Sanchar Saathi’
app and wider digital governance trends?
(I) The shift toward metadata-driven surveillance enhances citizen
autonomy by ensuring efficient service delivery.
(II) The withdrawal of the mandate reflected fear of losing global
manufacturing partnerships.
(III) The increasing opacity of algorithmic and biometric systems
threatens constitutional safeguards if adequate oversight is
absent.
(a) Only (I)
(b) Both (I) and (II)
(c) Both (II) and (III)
(d) All (I), (II), and (III)
(e) None of the above
Question 3
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to
the passage?

I. Stakeholders criticised the app mandate for unclear data

practices and potential misuse of stored information.
II. Digital governance systems increasingly shape everyday
life without explicit public consent.
III. Increasing cybercrime statistics conclusively justify
unrestricted expansion of state surveillance.

(a) Only I
(b) Only II
(c) Both I and II
(d) Both II and III
(e) None of the above
Question 4:
What is the overall tone of the passage?

(a) Sanguine and Technocratic

(b) Cautionary and Perspicuous
(c) Dispassionate and Archival
(d) Jubilant and Reassuring
(e) None of the above
Question 5 — Assertion–Reason
Assertion (A): The rollback of the Sanchar Saathi
mandate demonstrates that digital governance norms in
India already guarantee robust protection of individual
liberties.
Reason (R): Invisible, metadata-driven surveillance
mechanisms inherently safeguard citizens by
minimising the need for direct state intervention.

(a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.

(b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
(e) Both A and R are false.
Article for Skimming

Turning challenges
into opportunities
Life rarely unfolds according to our plans. It tests us, surprises
us, and sometimes pushes us to the edge of our endurance.
Challenges—whether academic struggles, financial pressure,
health concerns, or emotional setbacks—are inevitable. Yet what
separates those who merely survive from those who succeed is
not the absence of obstacles but the ability to transform them into
opportunities. The world’s greatest achievements are often born
not out of comfort, but out of adversity. When life blocks one
path, it quietly opens another, waiting for those who are bold
enough to look for it. Challenges are uncomfortable because they
disrupt routines and expose our vulnerabilities. Our first instinct
is often to avoid them—to complain, retreat, or wish for easier
circumstances. But every tough moment carries a lesson. A
missed promotion can spark the motivation to build new skills;
academic failure can inspire a more disciplined lifestyle; financial
struggle can teach resourcefulness; heartbreak can lead to inner
strength.
It is never the obstacle itself, but how we respond to it, that
shapes our future. Growth begins the moment we stop asking
“Why me?” and start asking “What can I learn from this?”
Turning challenges into opportunities demands resilience and
perspective. Instead of viewing problems as dead ends, we
must treat them as detours guiding us toward better versions
of ourselves. Many successful people will admit that their
turning point came during their toughest phase—not when
life was smooth, but when comfort disappeared. Pressure
often reveals potential we never knew we had. It forces us to
think creatively, stretch our limits, and discover abilities that
remain hidden during easy times. What feels like a barrier
today may become the foundation of tomorrow’s success
story. Opportunities do not always appear grand or obvious.
Sometimes they come disguised as setbacks that require
patience and persistence.
A student struggling initially may develop a stronger work
ethic; an entrepreneur facing rejection may refine their idea
into something extraordinary; someone battling self-doubt
may end up building unshakable confidence. The challenge
becomes meaningful not because it disappears, but
because we rise above it. Ultimately, life’s difficulties are
not punishments—they are invitations to evolve. The goal is
not to avoid challenges altogether, but to meet them with
courage, flexibility, and optimism. When we adopt the
mindset that every struggle carries the seed of opportunity,
we stop fearing adversity and start embracing it. Success
then transforms from a distant dream into a journey of
continuous learning. Because the truth is undeniable:
challenges may break our comfort, but they build our
character—and it is character that leads us to triumph.
Question 1:
The passage implies that pressure can be beneficial
because it:

(a) guarantees predictable outcomes during hardship

(b) minimizes the emotional impact of setbacks
(c) reveals latent potential and encourages creative
problem-solving
(d) eliminates the need for resilience
(e) None of the above
Question 2:
Based on the passage, what role do setbacks most
often play in the journey toward success?

(a) They extinguish motivation by limiting potential

(b) They expose flaws without offering growth
(c) They reinforce dependence on external support
(d) They serve as disguised opportunities that build
character
(e) None of the above
Today's Descriptive Question:

● Write an essay of 300 words: Inclusive Growth: Ensuring

Equitable and Sustainable Development in India.
Inclusive growth is more than just an economic objective; it is a
vision of development that ensures prosperity is widely shared
across all sections of society. For a diverse country like India,
inclusive growth is essential not only to reduce poverty and
inequality but also to achieve long-term stability and social
harmony. Unlike conventional growth models that
disproportionately benefit a limited section, inclusive growth aims
to create opportunities for the poor, marginalized, and
disadvantaged, while ensuring that development is sustainable and
environmentally responsible. A key pillar of inclusive growth lies in
providing equitable access to education, healthcare, and
employment opportunities. Programs like Skill India, Ayushman
Bharat, and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) are steps in this direction. Similarly,
financial inclusion through Jan Dhan Yojana, digital payment
systems, and microfinance initiatives has empowered millions to
participate in the formal economy.
By bridging rural-urban gaps and ensuring gender equality, India
can build a workforce that is both competitive and resilient.
Sustainability is another cornerstone of inclusive growth. Rapid
industrialization and urbanization, if unchecked, can deepen
inequalities and harm the environment. Hence, India must
balance economic expansion with ecological preservation,
adopting clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and responsible
urban planning. Inclusive growth also demands decentralization
and greater participation of local communities in policymaking,
ensuring that development priorities reflect ground realities.
Ultimately, inclusive growth is not merely about increasing GDP
but about creating an ecosystem where every citizen—regardless
of caste, gender, income, or geography—has the opportunity to
improve their quality of life. As India aspires to become a $5
trillion economy, the true measure of progress will be how growth
uplifts the weakest sections and paves the way for a just,
equitable, and sustainable future.
● Read the passage given below and answer the following
questions on the basis of the passage in your own words.
Daily wage workers form the backbone of India’s informal
economy, contributing significantly to sectors such as
construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and domestic services.
Despite their crucial role, they remain among the most vulnerable
sections of society, often struggling with job insecurity, low
income, lack of social protection, and exploitative working
conditions. Their livelihoods are highly unstable, as employment
depends on daily demand, leaving them without guaranteed
earnings or savings. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted their
precarious situation, when millions of migrant workers lost jobs
overnight and were forced to return to their villages without
adequate support. Even beyond crises, daily wage earners face
challenges such as lack of health insurance, absence of pension
schemes, limited access to education for their children, and
exploitation by middlemen. Gender inequality further deepens the
problem, as women daily wage workers are often paid less than
men for the same work.
To address these issues, governments must ensure strong
implementation of labour laws, expand social security schemes,
and promote skill development to enable upward mobility.
Initiatives like the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), MGNREGA,
and e-Shram portal are steps in the right direction, but their
coverage and effectiveness need strengthening. Ensuring
minimum wages, workplace safety, and financial inclusion can
empower workers to live with dignity. Daily wage workers
deserve not charity, but justice—recognition of their contribution
and policies that guarantee them fair wages, security, and
opportunities for growth. Their upliftment is not only a matter of
social equity but also essential for India’s economic resilience
and sustainable development.
Q1. Why is it important for India to integrate daily wage workers
into the formal economy, and what challenges might arise in
doing so?

Ans:
Integrating daily wage workers into the formal economy ensures
social protection, fair wages, and access to benefits such as
healthcare and pensions, thereby reducing poverty and
inequality. It also expands the tax base and strengthens
economic stability. However, challenges include high informality,
lack of proper documentation, and resistance from employers
who benefit from cheap, unregulated labour. Migrant workers’
mobility, low literacy levels, and weak enforcement of labour laws
also complicate formalisation. Overcoming these hurdles
requires coordinated policies, digital registration systems like e-
Shram, and incentives for employers to adopt fair labour
practices.
Q2. How can skill development initiatives transform the lives of
daily wage workers in India?

Ans:
Skill development can help daily wage workers move beyond
subsistence-level jobs to more secure and better-paying
opportunities. Training in construction, manufacturing, digital
literacy, or service sectors can enhance their employability and
reduce dependence on unstable daily work. Upskilling also
encourages entrepreneurship, enabling workers to start small
businesses. However, challenges such as affordability,
accessibility, and awareness of training programs remain.
Government and private partnerships must ensure tailored,
industry-relevant courses, along with certification and job
placement support. By investing in human capital, India can
transform daily wage earners from vulnerable labourers into
empowered contributors to the economy.
Match the column
Column A Column B

1 Abstain a) Hard-working
2 Belittle b) Mock or make seem less important
3 Concur c) Agree
4 Diligent d) Well-spoken
5 Eloquent e) Hold back from doing
Answer
1→e
2→b
3→c
4→a
5→d
Match the column - Vocabulary

Column A Column B
1 To eat humble pie a) Work hard consistently
2 To go belly up b) Admit fault and apologize
3 To hit below the belt c) Do everything possible to succeed
4 To keep one's nose to the grindstone d) Act unfairly or unethically
5 To pull out all the stops e) Fail completely
Answer
1→b
2→e
3→d
4→a
5→c
Vocabulary

1 Extemporize
2 Abrogate
3 Fulminate
4 Lachesis
5 Reify
6 Adscititious
7 Funambulist
8 Susurration
9 Interregnum
10 Factotum