Title: ​​ Can of worms: On NEET-UG 2024 

Trust can be everything, in governance. The can of worms that split open with the publication of results of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-UG-2024 has elevated the entrance examination for medical (and dental) seats to a metaphor for distrust in the system, among the people. This year, dogged by accusations of paper leak, malpractices, and technical failures, besides the grant of grace marks to some students, NEET, which was conceived to homogenise selection on merit, has now morphed into a beast that is far removed from its original idea. The Supreme Court of India, on Thursday, rescheduled the NEET-UG hearing to July 18, to address complaints regarding irregularities and malpractices during the exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). A CBI investigation into the charges is ongoing. Meanwhile, the Centre has leaned heavily on a report, a data analysis, submitted by IIT Madras, examining the results to see if malpractices have occurred. The report’s executive summary claimed that there was no abnormality that was discovered in a centre and city-wise analysis that was done for two years. The analysis was carried out for the top 1.4 lakh ranks in the country. It further stated that there was no evidence of either mass malpractice or a localised set of candidates benefiting. The overall increase of marks among students, a charge that was laid out initially, is attributed to the 25% reduction in syllabus, and it confirms that this occurred across multiple cities. However, outrage among student applicants on social media continues.

While NEET is no stranger to controversy, with States opposing it, the charges that have been levelled against it this year have had the effect of invoking distrust against the test among a larger subsect of chary students across the country. The only way to move forward from here is to ensure that the issue is debated threadbare on public platforms and all doubt is removed, instead of trying to sweep the worms that have spilled out under the carpet. Loud denials of malpractice should be matched with the willingness to engage with those affected in a public forum and provide clarifications. Where errors have taken place, as is possible in an exercise of this scale, it behoves a proper acknowledgement and apology. When trust is violated, the reparation for it should sometimes be utter honesty. For the longer term, the government must introduce greater limpidity in the examination process, and make sure that the NTA and its line agencies remain committed to maintaining transparency. It might also be the opportunity to set right other issues raised about the conduct of the examination itself, including security checks on students.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Metaphor	A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn’t literally true but helps explain an idea or make a comparison. It involves directly comparing one thing to another without using “like” or “as,” which is what differentiates it from a simile.	Analogy Comparison Symbol Allegory	Literal statement Reality Fact Truth
Morphed	The term “morphed” refers to the process of changing or transforming from one form or shape into another. It is commonly used in the context of digital imagery, where one image is gradually transformed into another image, creating a seamless transition.	Transformed Changed Altered Evolved	Stabilized Maintained Preserved Unchanged
Willingness	“Willingness” refers to the state or quality of being prepared or inclined to do something. It denotes a readiness or eagerness to take on a task, activity, or responsibility, often characterized by a positive attitude and a voluntary nature.	Readiness Eagerness Enthusiasm Alacrity	Reluctance Unwillingness Hesitation Resistance
Limpidity	“Limpidity” refers to the quality of being clear, transparent, and easily understood. It is often used to describe both physical clarity, such as the transparency of water, and metaphorical clarity, such as the clarity of speech, writing, or thought.	Clarity Transparency Lucidity Clearness	Obscurity Opacity Ambiguity Murkiness

Title: ​ Even the odd jobs: On the Karnataka gig workers bill

For India’s gig workers, who are increasing in numbers but are perched precariously on the edge of the unregulated labour pool, the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024, offers a welcome reprieve, but still stops short of providing them with the security of being employees. When app-based gig work was introduced a decade ago, courtesy ride-sharing and food delivery apps, the absence of the word ‘employee’ was actually seen as a positive; it supposedly offered a chance for ‘partners’ to retain their autonomy and earn good money without being locked into a contract with rigid timings. That illusion soon dissolved as incomes crashed and working hours lengthened, and the lack of a formal ‘employee’ status left workers at the mercy of the aggregator and all-powerful algorithms, in the absence of safety nets or governmental regulation. Despite this, the gig economy is growing. According to a NITI Aayog report, India had 77 lakh gig workers at the beginning of the decade, and by 2029-30, they are projected to account for 4.1% of income, and 6.7% of the non-agricultural workforce.

A rights-based legislation, the draft Bill aims to prevent arbitrary dismissals, provide human grievance redress mechanisms, and to bring more transparency into the opaque tangle of automated monitoring and algorithm-based payments. It is a step up from the Union government’s Code on Social Security, 2020. Karnataka’s law also offers social security through a welfare board and fund, with contributions from the government and the aggregator, either through a cut from every transaction on the app, or as a percentage of the platform’s turnover in the State. Noting that many of the firms that own these platforms report minimal profits, workers’ unions have rightly demanded that the welfare fee is charged as a cess on each transaction. Sceptics note the moribund nature of other unorganised sector welfare boards, but one advantage of mandatory registration with such a board is that it will make gig workers visible in the eyes of the law. Karnataka’s Congress government aims to enact the Bill in the monsoon session of the Assembly, and it must quickly formulate rules and establish the welfare board to ensure that the law is in force before the end of the year. A similar legislation in Rajasthan, enacted by the predecessor Congress government, has been effectively put into cold storage by the BJP government. At the national level, comprehensive legislation is needed not just to set minimum wages, reasonable working hours and conditions and robust social security but also to provide gig workers with the coveted status of ‘employees’.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Perched	“Perched” generally means to sit or rest on something high and narrow. It’s often used to describe birds sitting on branches or other elevated spots, but it can also refer to people or objects positioned in a similar way.	Resting Settled Poised Situated	Lowered Fallen Dropped Descended
Aggregator	An “aggregator” is an entity or platform that collects and compiles information or content from multiple sources to present it in a consolidated format.	Collector Compiler Consolidator Assembler	Distributor Disperser Divider Separator
Arbitrary	“Arbitrary” generally means based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system. It implies a decision made without any set criteria or rule, often perceived as unfair or unreasonable.	Random Capricious Unpredictable Subjective	Reasoned Rational Systematic Objective
Grievance	A “grievance” is a formal complaint or expression of dissatisfaction, typically arising from a perceived wrong, unfair treatment, or injustice. Grievances are common in various contexts, such as workplaces, legal settings, and personal relationships.	Complaint Dispute Gripe Grievance	Approval Praise Satisfaction Contentment
Moribund	“Moribund” is an adjective that describes something that is in a state of decline or near death. It can be used to refer to a person, organization, activity, or condition that is no longer active, effective, or successful and is approaching the end of its existence.	Declining Dying Fading Failing	Thriving Growing Prospering Vibrant

Title: ​​A new trend: On militancy in Jammu and Kashmir

Five Indian Army personnel were killed on July 8 after terrorists ambushed an Army convoy in Badnota village, which is 124 km from Kathua town in Jammu. The attack also came on the death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen operative Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter on July 8, 2016, in south Kashmir. This is the fourth terror-incident in the State within 48 hours and the latest in a series of attacks in the last few months, especially in the Jammu region, reinforcing a new trend of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir shifting towards the Rajouri-Poonch area. On June 9, terrorists attacked a bus in Reasi district killing nine pilgrims and leaving 33 injured, the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi was being sworn in for a third term in office. This attack on the pilgrims was a new low. This region has been quiet for over two decades now, after being a hotbed of insurgency in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This was brought under control by Operation Sarp Vinash in 2003 and subsequent support from the locals, especially the Gujjar-Bakerwal community.

Recurring incidents of security forces being ambushed have resulted in casualties, which is unacceptable for a highly trained and professional force like the Indian Army. This calls for stricter adherence to standard operating procedures and improved operations. While the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) largely holds, the uptick in terror incidents is a matter of concern — more so, the shift in violence. There are many factors that may be leading to this trend. A major one is the vacuum on the ground with a large number of troops redeployed to the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh in the aftermath of the 2020 standoff with China. This has resulted in a gap in local intelligence. There is also the increased use of modern but easily available technology by terrorist groups looking to find new routes to keep the insurgency going. Botched-up security operations have also damaged the trust between the local population and the state. From foreign terrorists crossing the LoC and leading the attacks, there has been a trend now to push local militants to the forefront to give the insurgency a more home-grown face as international pressure has mounted on Pakistan. New terror groups have also come up claiming to be behind some of the attacks. These aspects present new challenges. Tackling the situation needs a multi-layered strategy beyond just augmenting troop levels. Quick and decisive action at the highest levels of the government, bringing in all stakeholders, is the need of the hour.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Ambushed	“Ambushed” refers to a surprise attack by people lying in wait in a concealed position. It’s often used in a military context but can also apply to unexpected confrontations or attacks in other situations.	Surprised Attacked Waylaid Trapped	Forewarned Prepared Alerted Aware
Insurgency	“Insurgency” refers to a rebellion against a constituted authority, particularly one that involves armed conflict and is carried out by individuals or groups who aim to challenge or overthrow the existing government or ruling power.	Rebellion Uprising Revolt Insurrection	Compliance Obedience Submission Peace
Decisive	“Decisive” means having the power or quality to make decisions quickly and effectively, or to bring about a definite and conclusive outcome. It can describe a person who is able to make firm decisions confidently, or it can refer to actions, events, or results that are crucial and determine the final outcome of a situation.	Conclusive Determining Definitive Resolute	Indecisive Uncertain Hesitant Ambiguous

Old traditions, new ties: On the importance of the India-Russia partnership

Narendra Modi must try and convince Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow on Monday reaffirms an old tradition of holding annual summits between India and Russia leaders. With Russia his first choice for a bilateral visit in his third tenure, he also breaks a tradition that Indian Prime Ministers travel to neighbouring countries on their first stand-alone visits in a tenure, indicating the importance of the India-Russia partnership. The 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit has another first — the first Modi-Putin meet since the Ukraine war. The 21st summit was in Delhi in December 2021, just before Russian President Vladimir Putin launched “special operations” on Ukraine. Since then, the two leaders have met just once, at the SCO summit in Uzbekistan, where Mr. Modi had stated that this was not the “era of war”. Russia’s growing dependence on China as a result of the war is also a concern for India, given tensions over the LAC. While there will be a scheduled framework of talks on bilateral issues (trade and energy relationships, space cooperation for Gaganyaan, and declining but substantial defence supplies), there will also be an opportunity to take stock of the war in Ukraine. Apart from its impact and western sanctions on global security, and shortages of food, fuel and fertilizers, India has been worried about its fallout on defence deliveries and spares from Russia. While an attempt to “Make in India” has made headway (Russian assault rifles and the India-Russia BrahMos missile), concerns over the reliability of supplies and the payments issue will need discussion. New Delhi’s concern over Indian recruitments by the Russian army is another issue, officials indicate.

Above all, Mr. Modi’s visit sends a geopolitical message given the contrast to another summit in Washington. On Tuesday, U.S. President Joseph Biden will welcome leaders of NATO countries for the transatlantic grouping’s 75th anniversary. With Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Indo-Pacific leaders who are part of the western sanctions present, it will be a show of strength supposed to demonstrate Russia’s “isolation”. Mr. Modi has attempted a balance with his presence at the G-7 summit outreach in Italy last month and meeting Mr. Zelenskyy, and later sending an official delegation to the Peace Conference in Switzerland. The government has also shown its enduring commitment to traditional ties with Russia that stem from the 1971 Soviet Union Peace and Friendship treaty, by refusing to condemn the war at the UN and other multilateral forums, while continuing to engage with Russia bilaterally and at groupings such as the SCO, BRICS and the G-20. All eyes during Mr. Modi’s visit will then be on how he uses India’s particular multi-polar, unaligned perch to further the cause of “dialogue and diplomacy” and help hasten an end to the conflict that has divided the world.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Bilateral	Involving two groups of people or two countries.	Cooperative. Collective. Communal. Reciprocal.	Multilateral Unilateral
Headway	Forward movement; progress in a forward direction.	Progress. Advance. Process.	Setback Regression
Transatlantic	Crossing or spanning the Atlantic Ocean.	Overseas International	Doomestic Local
Isolation	The state of being separate and alone; the act of separating somebody/something.	Seclusion solitude	Intergration Inclusion
Outreach	An effort to bring services or information to people where they live or spend time.	Engagement Extension	Withdrawal Retreat

Title: ​ Laboured change: On the U.K. general election result

In his first speech after leading the Labour Party to its best ever performance in the U.K. general election, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was clear about the task before him: to “begin the work of change” for national renewal and rebuilding the country. With a more than generous mandate — 412 seats in the 650-member House, Mr. Starmer will be virtually unchallenged inside Parliament for his agenda on “wealth creation for the working classes”, taxing higher incomes, banning fossil fuel car sales by 2030 and building a new Border control agency. It should be equally clear that more than the Labour win, this is a Conservative loss. After its 14-year run in power, five Prime Ministers and considerable turmoil, the British voter clearly chose to punish the Conservatives led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for compounded errors: from the mishandling of Brexit and the economic crisis, a failure to support public services, especially health and schooling, to a series of scandals from ‘Partygate’, pornography in Parliament and the Post Office scandal. The rising cost of living was a major campaign issue, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the impact of the Ukraine war and post-Brexit shortages, although Mr. Sunak said that the economy had turned a corner more recently. Immigration has been another big issue. While Mr. Starmer has disavowed Mr. Sunak’s plans to send “small boat arrivals” or illegal immigrants demanding asylum to countries such as Rwanda while they are processed, he will be under pressure to do more to cut down the numbers of migrants. The remarkable performance of ultra-right wing leader Nigel Farage, who won after losing seven times, and his party, Reform UK, that won more than 14% of the vote, albeit only four seats, will be a worry on this account, with its openly xenophobic rhetoric.

For many in India, the defeat of Mr. Sunak will feel somewhat personal, given their pride in his being the first British Prime Minister of Asian origin, with Indian ancestry — a bond he affirmed as well. Despite attempts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Sunak, the India-U.K. FTA could not be taken across the finish line. All eyes will be on how quickly Mr. Starmer’s government, that criticised the delay, would be able to do so, as its priorities will be in shoring up the economy. The India-UK Roadmap 2030, signed in 2021, will no doubt be tweaked. An early visit to India by new U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has already been outlooked by the Labour leadership, and it will be important for both countries which have completed their elections, to hit the floor running and frame their priorities for future ties.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Agenda	An agenda is a list or outline of items to be discussed or acted upon, typically at a meeting or event. It serves as a guide to help ensure that all important topics are covered in an organized and timely manner.	Schedule Program Itinerary Plan	Disorganization Disorder Chaos Confusion
Conservatives	Conservatives generally refer to individuals, groups, or political parties that advocate for traditional values, limited government intervention in the economy, and a cautious approach to change.	Traditionalists Right-wing Reactionaries Rightists	Progressives Liberals Left-wing Radicals
Affirmed	“Affirmed” means to state positively or with confidence, to assert something as true, or to uphold or confirm a decision or statement.	Confirmed Declared Asserted Upheld	Denied Rejected Refuted Disavowed

Title: ​Dangerous precedent: On the U.S President and majority ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court

The majority ruling by the United States Supreme Court that the President has either absolute or presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution raises disconcerting questions about the supremacy of the rule of law in the country. In a ruling based mainly on the doctrine of separation of powers and the need to insulate the Presidency from the fear of future prosecutions, and not the text of the U.S. Constitution, the court, dominated by conservative justices, by 6:3 majority has ruled in favour of presidential immunity. The verdict does not decide whether former President Donald J. Trump will enjoy immunity from prosecution for allegedly trying to interfere with or alter the outcome of the November 2020 presidential elections that he lost to Joe Biden. Instead, it lays down a threshold test for any intended prosecution of a President to see whether the act complained of involved the exercise of a core constitutional duty, or was an official or unofficial act. In respect of a President’s core constitutional duties, the immunity is absolute; for other official acts, he enjoys presumptive immunity, that is, he is presumed to be immune unless rebutted by facts; and for unofficial or private acts, there is no immunity at all. For official acts, any prosecution is permissible only if it does not intrude into the power and authority of the executive.

The majority has remanded issues that arise in the prosecution of Mr. Trump for his attempts to influence the electoral outcome, culminating in the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, to the trial court for analysis based on this ruling. The dissenting views speak with moral clarity when they question the claim that only immunity from criminal prosecution can enable a President to function in an unhesitating and bold manner. While it is valid to argue that the President should be free from intrusive probes and fear of trivial prosecution, it is inconceivable that such a powerful office should come with little accountability and the freedom to violate criminal law. Critics of the verdict see great peril for democracy in its implications. As the dissent asks, can a President take a bribe in lieu of a pardon, or authorise a rival’s assassination? The majority wants to protect the Presidency from any intrusion in the name of criminal prosecution, but what it fails to see is that Mr. Trump’s actions may have been destructive of his successor’s Presidency. While there is a passing mention of the possibility that he may have been acting in his capacity as a candidate or a party leader in some instances, it is astonishing that the verdict allows the use of the presidency as a shield even in matters that solely concern the election process.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Presumptive	The term “presumptive” generally refers to something based on reasonable grounds or evidence but not yet verified or confirmed. It often implies an assumption or hypothesis that is taken as true for the sake of argument or further investigation.	Assumed Supposed Hypothetical Inferred	Certain Confirmed Definite Proven
Assassination	Assassination refers to the deliberate killing of a prominent or influential person, often for political, ideological, or monetary reasons. The person targeted is usually a public figure such as a political leader, religious leader, or a significant public official.	Murder Killing Slaying Execution	Protection Preservation Safeguarding Security
Intrusion	Intrusion refers to the act of entering a place, situation, or activity where one is not welcome or has no right to be. It often involves violating someone’s privacy, space, or rights.	Invasion Encroachment Trespass Interference	Withdrawal Retreat Exit Departure

Title: Spirit of accommodation: On conduct in the 18th Lok Sabha

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha and the corresponding session of the Rajya Sabha were notable for the renewed spirit of parliamentary debate on display, notwithstanding the excessive combativeness and avoidable grandstanding by the government and the Opposition. Echoes of the election campaign continued too, as Rahul Gandhi, in his debut as the designated Leader of Opposition (LoP), mounted an aggressive critique of the NDA government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Modi in turn called into question the track record and intentions of the Congress, and Mr. Gandhi’s capacity. Both sides categorically declared fealty to the Constitution of India, while accusing each other of trying to undermine it. They also crossed swords over Hinduism and its political role. The rise of a strong Opposition — with no designated LoP earlier — and the return of coalition politics as the leading party lacks an absolute majority may restore the role of Parliament. The increase in Opposition numbers can help restore healthy traditions such as more Bills getting scrutinised by parliamentary standing committees. A robust Opposition can also act as an effective restraint on the government, preventing it from bulldozing opposition with its legislative agenda. The 17th Lok Sabha not only earned the dubious distinction of having seen the suspension of the most number of Opposition MPs (146 in a single session, including Rajya Sabha MPs) but also functioned without a Deputy Speaker, a post usually reserved for the Opposition. To underscore this point, the INDIA bloc predicated its support for Om Birla as the Speaker only on the condition that the government agreed to offer it the deputy chair. The stalemate eventually led to an election between Mr. Birla and Kodikunnil Suresh (Congress), which Mr. Birla won through a voice vote. The Opposition did not press for a division and rich parliamentary tradition was followed, with Mr. Modi, leader of the House, and Mr. Gandhi, LoP, escorting Mr. Birla to his Chair.

The roles of the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman gain additional prominence. The Opposition has urged them to be even-handed. The Opposition has also questioned the expunging of portions of Mr. Gandhi’s speech from the records by the Speaker. The threshold for removing parts of what is spoken in the House from official records should be very high. Following the deviation from the standard format by several members, the Speaker has constituted a committee to frame rules for oath-taking. Parliamentary speeches could do with more humour and less diatribe, but the fact that there was an expanded debate is encouraging. The Treasury and Opposition benches must understand that their place in the highest seat of democracy is to represent the people who sent them there. They must find a common sense of purpose and function in a spirit of accommodation.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Debate	A debate is a structured discussion where participants argue opposing viewpoints on a specific topic or issue. It involves presenting arguments, counterarguments, and evidence to support one’s position while addressing and refuting the opposing side’s points.	Discussion Argument Dispute Dialogue	Agreement Accord Consensus Unanimity
Combativeness	Combativeness refers to a disposition or inclination to engage in conflict, argument, or competition. It describes a person’s readiness to confront or oppose others, often with a sense of aggression or assertiveness.	Aggressiveness Belligerence Hostility Pugnacity	Peacefulness Passivity Amiability Agreeableness
Critique	A critique is a detailed analysis and assessment of something, typically a creative work, idea, or performance. The purpose of a critique is to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses, provide constructive feedback, and offer insights that can help improve the subject being reviewed.	Review Evaluation Assessment Analysis	Praise Compliment Approval Acclaim
Fealty	Fealty refers to a sworn loyalty and allegiance, typically from a vassal to a lord in the context of feudal systems.	Loyalty Fidelity Allegiance Devotion	Disloyalty Betrayal Treachery Infidelity
Scrutinised	“Scrutinised” means examined or inspected closely and thoroughly. When something is scrutinised, it undergoes detailed and careful analysis to understand its components, identify any issues, or evaluate its quality and accuracy.	Examined Inspected Reviewed Analyzed	Ignored Overlooked Neglected Disregarded

Title: ​Open court: On Wimbledon 2024 

Wimbledon 2024 has begun with world tennis in the middle of a generational transition. There is no Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with the former having retired and the latter on a long valedictory lap which does not have SW19 as a pit stop. The 37-year-olds in Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are closer to the end of their careers, and have arrived in London with broken bodies. Djokovic is recovering from a knee surgery while Murray went under a surgeon’s scalpel to mend his back barely days ago. At what is set to be his Wimbledon swansong, Murray will only compete in doubles with his brother Jamie. Thus, the stranglehold the ‘Big Four’ had established by winning 19 of the 20 editions from 2003 to 2023 is likely to be loosened. Among women, this will be the first time since 1996 that neither of the famed Williams sisters will be in action. Starting from 2000, Venus and Serena won 12 singles titles and finished runner-up on eight occasions. Venus has not played since March 2024 and Serena since September 2022. In the year or two preceding their last matches, they were far from tournament-winning form. Yet, such has been their overarching excellence that they are the benchmark indices against which every grass-court career is measured.

As the stage appears set to identify the next era’s tennis greats, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz has staked claim most authoritatively. As a 20-year-old, he won Wimbledon in 2023 for his second Major (US Open 2022, the first), beating Djokovic over five pulsating sets, and last month he graduated further by claiming the French Open. In close proximity is Jannik Sinner, the lanky Italian who won the Australian Open in January and has since meticulously risen to the top of the singles rankings. A quarterfinalist and a semifinalist in his last two visits to Wimbledon, the 22-year-old recently proved that he was a serious challenger on the slick lawns by winning in Halle (Germany), his first title on grass. Sinner’s credentials will however be put to test as early as the second round against 2021 finalist and the quintessential grass-courter Matteo Berrettini. While the passing of the baton appears seamless among men, the battle of succession among women has multiple contenders. Five-time Slam winner Iga Swiatek is the undisputed No.1 but her grass-court nous is yet to fully develop. Second seed Coco Gauff’s best at Wimbledon is fourth round, which she first reached in 2019 as a 15-year-old qualifier. And with the withdrawal of Aryna Sabalenka — third seed and a two-time semifinalist — the field is open.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Mend	The word “mend” is a verb that generally means to repair something that is broken or damaged. It can also mean to improve a situation or heal an injury or a relationship.	Repair Fix Patch Restore	Break Damage Ruin Destroy
Stranglehold	“Stranglehold” is a noun that metaphorically refers to a complete and overwhelming control or dominance over a person, group, or situation. It implies a restrictive and often oppressive influence, making it difficult for the affected party to operate freely or independently.	Domination Control Grip Command	Freedom Liberty Release Independence
Credentials	“Credentials” is a noun that refers to the qualifications, achievements, or aspects of a person’s background that demonstrate their suitability for a particular role, position, or task.	Qualifications Certifications Documents References	Disqualification Incompetence Ineligibility Unfitness

Title:New beginnings: On India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 win

India’s long drought in ICC tournaments finally wound to a close on a glorious Saturday at Bridgetown in Barbados. The Men in Blue finally won a title, the ICC T20 World Cup, since the 2013 Champions Trophy at Birmingham in England. ‘Kapil’s Devils’ in the 1983 ODI World Cup and M.S. Dhoni’s men in the 2007 ICC World T20, were outsiders, who stunned the globe. Subsequently, every Indian squad has stepped into a multi-team cricket event as one of the favourites with the weight of expectations thrust upon by a gargantuan fandom and an Indian diaspora seeking a sense of identity. Last November in the 2023 ODI World Cup, India was the team in form but failed to get past Australia in the summit clash at Ahmedabad. If catharsis was essential, it finally happened in the West Indian islands as Rohit Sharma’s men snatched a seven-run win over a doughty South African unit. Every cog fell in place, Virat Kohli regained his touch with an excellent 76 even as wickets fell around him in the final. All-rounders Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya reiterated their value, and Suryakumar Yadav pouched a stupendous catch when South Africa was seemingly in sight of victory. Rohit led astutely while bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah delivered thunderbolts that left the South Africans dumbstruck.

Aiden Markram’s men just ran into a stronger opposition at the last hurdle and their capitulation was an acknowledgment of the superior attributes that Bumrah and company possessed. Young seamer Arshdeep Singh too revealed a mature head as Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller threatened to seize the game. South Africa is yet to win any significant ICC silverware but surely the men from the Rainbow Nation won hearts. They made it tough for India and if a few moments on the razor’s edge had changed, Markram may well have lifted the cup. For India, Rohit, Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja’s retirements from T20Is signal the end of an era. Coach Rahul Dravid, who bowed out, will be missed too. Close on the heels of the run-fests during the Indian Premier League on flat surfaces, the T20 World Cup hosted in the West Indies and the United States offered a twist. The 22-yards, drop-in pitches or abrasive surfaces, were never conducive for the massive sixes associated with T20Is even if batters like Rohit, as he did against Australia, seemed to perform on a different plane. The championship’s fairytale was the manner in which Afghanistan fought towards the semifinal. Men, who learnt cricket in the refugee camps in Pakistan, while also dealing with the Taliban, were resilient and sport was the winner.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Glorious	“Glorious” generally means having, worthy of, or bringing fame or admiration. It is often used to describe something splendid, magnificent, or full of glory. For example, a “glorious victory” refers to a victory that is exceptionally impressive and praiseworthy.	Magnificent Splendid Superb Majestic	Inglorious Shameful Disgraceful Humble
Gargantuan	“Gargantuan” means extremely large or enormous. It is used to describe something of immense size, volume, or extent. The term is derived from “Gargantua,” a giant from French literature.	Enormous Massive Colossal Gigantic	Tiny Small Petite Minute
Astutely	“Astutely” means in a manner that shows an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage. It implies being sharp, perceptive, and shrewd. For example, someone who navigates complex business negotiations astutely is skillfully and wisely handling the situation to achieve the best possible outcome.	Shrewdly Perceptively Wisely Insightfully	Foolishly Naively Clumsily Ineptly

Title: A fresh start: On the Goods and Services Tax Council meet 

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council was convened last week for the first time in nearly nine months. With 11 new State Ministers on board and a recalibrated NDA government at the Centre, the Council began afresh with a loaded agenda of clarifications, tweaks, forbearances, and other procedural changes, based on industry feedback and vetted by officials, that awaited its nod. Acknowledging that it could not conclude deliberations on all that had accumulated on its plate, the Council has resolved to meet again in August to take up the rest of the items. Yet, it is quite creditable that the Council could, over an afternoon preceded by Union Budget consultations with States, arrive at a consensus on a flurry of issues aimed at easing the lot of taxpayers, reducing litigation, and even providing tax relief on some items. To help students, hostel accommodation costing up to ₹20,000 a month has been exempted from GST altogether, along with railway services availed by passengers. A uniform 12% rate has been approved for packing cartons, milk cans, and solar cookers, doing away with confusing classification differences based on material or technologies.

Apart from several industry-specific measures, a few of which will kick in with retrospective effect, the Council also opted to waive interest and penalty on tax dues for the first three years of GST, provided they are paid by March 2025. Moreover, it lowered the stipulated pre-deposits for filing appeals, including those that will be filed with the upcoming GST Appellate Tribunals, and approved a new form for taxpayers to correct errors or oversights in previous returns. Beyond nitty-gritties, the Council also signed off on ending the anti-profiteering clause that required firms to pass on any tax cut gains to customers, and mandating biometric-based Aadhaar authentication for all GST registrations in a phased manner across India. The former will quell a difficult-to-implement industry irritant, and one hopes the latter will effectively ease the registration process that some say has become cumbersome in recent times, while curbing fraud perpetrated through fake invoicing. The ground-level impact of these moves may depend on the fine print that may follow, but the intent to simplify and declutter the seven-year old indirect tax regime is clear. It is refreshing that the Council also plans to take stock of the 2021 plan to rationalise the multiple-rate GST structure, that has been in cold storage for a while, when it meets next. The apex GST body must not only revive and expedite GST rate reforms but also incorporate a road map to bring excluded items such as petroleum and electricity into the GST net while rejigging tax rates.

Meaning of the word:

Word	Meaning	Synonyms	Antonyms
Convened	“Convened” is a verb that means to bring together for a meeting or gathering. It often refers to the act of calling people to come together, especially for formal meetings or assemblies.	Assembled Gathered Summoned Called together Congregated	Disbanded Dispersed Scattered Adjourned
Deliberations	“Deliberations” refers to the process of carefully considering or discussing something, often in a formal or thorough manner. This term is commonly used in contexts such as decision-making meetings, jury discussions, or any situation where careful thought and discussion are necessary before reaching a conclusion or making a decision.	Discussions Debates Considerations Reflections	Impulses Hasty decisions Rashness Instincts
Cumbersome	“Cumbersome” is an adjective that describes something that is large, heavy, or difficult to handle. It can also refer to tasks, processes, or systems that are complicated, awkward, or inefficient, making them hard to manage or deal with.	Awkward Unwieldy Clumsy Bulky	Light Manageable Convenient Easy