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The Hindu Editorial Analysis
We understand the significance of reading The Hindu newspaper for enhancing reading skills, improving comprehension of passages, staying informed about current events, enhancing essay writing, and more, especially for banking aspirants who need to focus on editorials for vocabulary building. This article will explore today’s editorial points, along with practice questions and key vocabulary.
Government revokes directive on the Sanchar Saathi app
- The DoT (Department of Telecommunications) has taken back its earlier order that required mobile phone makers to forcefully install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new phones from next year. The move was dropped after many people strongly opposed it.
- The order was withdrawn after the public criticised it heavily. At first, the government tried to play down the issue, but later said that since many people were already downloading the Sanchar Saathi app on their own, there was no need to make it compulsory.
- The DoT explained that the number of users was rising very fast, and the original rule was made only to help people—especially those who are less aware—get easy access to the Sanchar Saathi app.
- This earlier order was one of at least three instructions issued after the DoT gave itself new powers to control TIUEs, which are groups that use mobile numbers for work other than telecom services.
- The order was not made public, but someone leaked it. This led to immediate anger from internet users, civil society groups, and Opposition leaders, who did not like the idea of the government secretly putting an app on everyone’s phone.
- In Parliament, Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia defended the Sanchar Saathi app. He said the app helped in disconnecting 1.5 crore fake mobile connections and also helped trace 26 lakh lost phones.
- He added that the app works well only if the public supports it and said the government is ready to change or withdraw such orders if people give negative feedback.
- This was the third order issued after changes to the Telecom Cyber Security Rules 2024. Another order asked platforms like WhatsApp to limit access if the SIM card and device being used did not match.
- That order also said apps like WhatsApp Web must log people out every six hours, instead of staying logged in for long periods on connected devices.
- Another, still unannounced, order told major messaging and social media apps to connect their systems with the DoT’s Financial Fraud Risk Indicator and blacklist. This would make them block accounts linked to suspended mobile numbers instantly.
- All these rules were created by the DoT’s seven-member AI and Digital Intelligence Unit, which handles SIM security, catches illegal telecom setups, and works with the RBI to prevent financial fraud.
- A December 1 order had said the Sanchar Saathi app must be pre-installed on all phones made or imported into India, so people could easily report misuse and avoid fake mobile devices.
- While canceling that order, the DoT said that six lakh people registered to download the app in just one day—a ten-times jump—showing that the app was becoming popular on its own.
- Because of this growing support, the government said it no longer felt the need to make pre-installation compulsory on phones sold in India.
Airports face chaos as IndiGo cancels over 200 flights due to flawed crew roster
- Passengers using IndiGo airlines faced huge problems on Wednesday after the airline cancelled more than 200 flights and delayed many others by up to 12 hours due to poor pilot scheduling.
- Cabin crew did not show up for duty in Mumbai, and weeks of earlier delays finally added up, pushing the airline into a crisis. IndiGo later issued an official apology for the large-scale disturbance.
- At Delhi airport, angry passengers raised slogans after their Rajkot flight, which was supposed to leave at 5:40 a.m., was delayed by six hours and finally took off at 11:30 a.m.
- Similar scenes were seen at other airports. In Mumbai, many passengers waited for five to eight hours, only to be told repeatedly that their flight was delayed again, and some had to return home without travelling.
- For example, the Mumbai–Patna flight scheduled at 11:15 a.m. kept getting delayed again and again, with the latest update saying it would take off only at 8 p.m.
- At Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, 62 IndiGo flights were cancelled for the second day in a row. Hyderabad saw 31 cancellations, and Delhi recorded 37.
- Pilots blamed the situation on bad planning. They said the rostering teams had been telling pilots for weeks to cancel their sick leave, and the management even offered 1.5 times salary for pilots who gave up their privilege leave.
- Even after all this, there were not enough pilots, and this forced IndiGo to cancel 200 flights on Wednesday and 130 flights the day before, as informed in messages sent to pilots internally.
- The main reason for this problem was the complete implementation of new pilot rest and work-hour rules on November 1. These rules were delayed for a year, even though warnings were given that airlines would face many cancellations if not prepared.
- These rules were finally applied only after pilot groups went to the Delhi High Court and got an order in April 2025 forcing airlines to follow the new norms.
- IndiGo said that many unexpected operational problems came together and caused serious disturbance to flights over the last two days. They apologised publicly to all passengers.
- The airline said these issues built up one after another, causing a big impact on the entire flight network, which they did not expect to become this serious.
Bihar government committed to creating 1 crore jobs over the next five years: Governor
- Governor Arif Mohammad Khan informed both Houses that Nitish Kumar’s government has promised to create one crore jobs in the next five years during the Winter Session.
- He mentioned the achievements of past governments, shared the assurances of the new administration, and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving Bihar strong financial support.
- Earlier, Nitish Kumar, who started his tenth term as Chief Minister after last month’s oath ceremony, was formally selected as Leader of the Assembly.
- Tejashwi Yadav was chosen as Leader of the Opposition, Narendra Narayan Yadav became Deputy Speaker, and BJP’s nine-time MLA Prem Kumar was earlier elected Speaker.
- The Governor said that about 50 lakh jobs have already been created in Bihar, and now the government aims to create 1 crore more.
- He talked about the ₹10,000 Mahila Rozgar Yojana for women who want to start small businesses. Many women have already received the money, and the remaining eligible women will get it soon.
- He highlighted that women get 50% reservation in local bodies and 35% reservation in government departments, along with 125 free electricity units for all.
- He said the government works for everyone—SC, ST, OBC, EBC, general category, and minorities—because all schemes and financial help reach every group without discrimination.
- He praised steps taken to reduce communal tensions, such as fencing graveyards and worship places, and spoke about schemes supporting girls through free uniforms, bicycles, and other educational help.
Important Questions
- Why did the DoT decide to withdraw the directive that required manufacturers to mandatorily install the Sanchar Saathi app?
- How did the unpublicised order related to Sanchar Saathi lead to public backlash?
- How did flawed crew roster planning at IndiGo lead to widespread operational disruptions?
- Why did revised rest and duty norms for pilots cause massive IndiGo flight cancellations?
- How did Governor Arif Mohammad Khan describe the commitment to generating one crore jobs in Bihar?
- What government schemes and incentives were highlighted to show inclusive governance in Bihar?
Important Vocabulary
- Directive – an official order or instruction.
- Mandatorily – in a way that requires something to be done.
- Backlash – strong negative public reaction.
- Voluntary adoption – people choosing something on their own without pressure.
- Operational disruptions – problems that disturb normal functioning.
- Privilege leave – official paid leave given to employees.
- Persistent – continuing for a long time without stopping.
- Implementation – putting rules or plans into action.
- Administration – the governing leadership or management.
- Inclusive governance – ruling in a way that includes all groups.
- Reservation – fixed percentage of seats or jobs for certain groups.
- Entrepreneurs – people who start and run their own businesses.
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