The Hindu Editorial (​At long last) – Apr 09, 2026

To read this article, click  “The Hindu”.

This preview is provided here with permission.

Courtesy: The Hindu

The Hindu Editorial (​At long last) – Apr 09, 2026:

1. at long last (phrase) – finally, after much waiting; finally, after a long delay; eventually, ultimately, in the end.
2. reactor (noun) – an apparatus or structure in which fissile material can be made to undergo a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear reaction; nuclear reactor.
3. criticality (noun) – the state of a nuclear reactor when the nuclear fission chain reaction becomes self-sustaining.
4. regulatory regime (noun) – a system of regulations and the rules or authority that enforce them; regulatory/administrative framework, control system, governance structure.
5. regulatory (adjective) – controlling, supervisory, governing, monitoring.
6. regime (noun) – system, framework.
7. revamp (verb) – renovate, overhaul, reorganize, remodel.
8. nuclear regulatory regime (noun) – a framework of rules, institutions, and practices governing the safety and operation of nuclear facilities.
9. Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) (proper noun) – the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, is an advanced nuclear reactor mandated to generate electricity while producing more fissile material than it consumes, forming the commercial-scale component of the second stage of India’s nuclear power programme.
10. cause (noun) – reason, grounds, justification, motive.
11. albeit (conjunction) – even though or although; notwithstanding, despite, though.
12. measured (adjective) – careful and restrained; calculated, deliberate, thoughtful, cautious.
13. Parliamentary Standing Committee (noun) – a permanent, regular committee of Members of Parliament in India, mandated to scrutinize government policies, examine bills, review ministry budgets, and ensure executive accountability to the legislature.
14. sanctioned (adjective) – approved, authorized, permitted, allowed, endorsed.
15. behind schedule (phrase) – running late or delayed beyond the planned time; delayed, overdue, late, tardy.
16. fast reactor fuel cycle facility (noun) – an industrial facility designed to reprocess spent fuel from fast breeder reactors and manufacture new fuel, essential for a closed nuclear fuel cycle.
17. commission (verb) – to bring a facility into working condition; start up, activate, launch, inaugurate.
18. decade (noun) – a period of ten years; ten-year period.
19. flawed (adjective) – defective, faulty, impaired, unsound.
20. procurement (noun) – the action of obtaining or purchasing equipment, materials, or services; purchasing, acquisition, obtaining, sourcing.
21. abet (verb) – to encourage or assist someone to do something wrong, or to facilitate a negative outcome; facilitate, aid, assist, help.
22. political insulation (noun) – political protection, shielding, immunity.
23. commercial-scale component (noun) – a part or element of a project manufactured at a size or volume suitable for widespread industrial use rather than experimental purposes; industrial-scale element, full-scale unit.
24. depleted (adjective) – reduced in quantity, quality, or potency; diminished, exhausted, used up, consumed.
25. uranium (noun) – a heavy, radioactive metallic element used primarily as fuel in nuclear reactors; radioactive element, nuclear/atomic fuel.
26. plutonium (noun) – a dense, radioactive, artificially produced metallic element used as fuel in nuclear reactors and weapons.
27. thorium (noun) – a weakly radioactive metallic chemical element that can be utilized as a fertile material to produce nuclear fuel.
28. abundant (adjective) – existing or available in large quantities; plentiful, copious, ample, bountiful.
29. deposit (noun) – a natural accumulation of ore or minerals in the earth; accumulation, reserve, lode.
30. sword cuts both ways (phrase) – a situation or action that has both positive and negative consequences; double-edged sword, mixed blessing.
31. nuclear establishment (noun) – the collective scientific, administrative, and governmental bodies responsible for a country’s nuclear energy and weapons programs; atomic energy sector.
32. scrupulous (adjective) – diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details; careful, meticulous, painstaking, exact.
33. admit (verb) – acknowledge, concede, accept, confess.
34. under-performance (noun) – inefficiency, falling short, sub-par performance.
35. at any cost (phrase) – regardless of the price, effort, or negative consequences required; no matter what, at all costs, under any circumstances, unconditionally.
36. energy security (noun) – the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price; power self-reliance, energy stability.
37. self-sufficiency (noun) – the quality or condition of being able to supply one’s own needs without external assistance; independence, self-reliance, autonomy, self-support.
38. economics (noun) – financial viability, profitability, financial considerations, fiscal dynamics.
39. solar power (noun) – power obtained by harnessing the energy of the sun’s rays; solar energy, renewable energy.
40. wind power (noun) – power obtained by harnessing the energy of the wind; wind energy, aeolian energy, renewable energy.
41. render (verb) – to cause to be or become; make, leave, cause to be, turn into.
42. paradigm (noun) – a typical example of something; model, pattern, standard, framework.
43. allocation (noun) – distribution, assignment, allotment, apportionment.
44. scarce (adjective) – insufficient for the demand; in short supply, limited, sparse, deficient.
45. public capital (noun) – funds or assets owned by the state or government, derived from taxpayers, used for public investment; government funds, state resources, exchequer money, public funds.
46. finding (noun) – a conclusion reached after examination or investigation; conclusion, result, discovery.
47. installed capacity (noun) – the maximum electrical output that a power plant is designed to produce under specific conditions; maximum capacity.
48. net-zero (adjective) – relating to a target of completely negating the amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activity; carbon-neutral.
49. amid (preposition) – surrounded by or in the middle of; during, amidst, in the middle of, among.
50. nuclear power facility (noun) – a thermal power station in which the heat source is a nuclear reactor; atomic plant, nuclear power plant.
51. consume (verb) – to use up a resource; use, expend, deplete, exhaust.
52. considering that (phrase) – taking into account the fact that; bearing in mind that, given that, keeping in mind that, in view of the fact that.
53. biodiversity (noun) – the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat; biological diversity, flora and fauna.
54. commitment (noun) – a pledge, promise, or undertaking; dedication, obligation.
55. green cover (noun) – the natural or planted vegetation covering a particular area; vegetation, forest cover, greenery, flora.
56. non-trivial (adjective) – significant, important, or consequential; significant, meaningful, considerable, substantial.
57. path forward (phrase) – a way forward, course of action, future steps, roadmap.
58. Breeder reactors (noun) – nuclear reactors that generate more fissile material than they consume while producing energy.
59. dependence (noun)  reliance, dependency, vulnerability, subordination.
60. import (noun) – imported goods, foreign goods.
61. merit (verb) – to be worthy of or deserve something; deserve, warrant, justify, earn.
62. squandering (noun) – wasting money, time, or resources in a reckless and foolish manner; wasting, misusing, dissipating, frittering away.
63. public money (noun) – funds raised by a government through taxation or other means; taxpayer money, state funds, exchequer.
64. throw up (phrasal verb) – to produce something, such as problems, ideas, or results; generate, produce, bring up, reveal.
65. commissioning (noun) – the process of bringing a facility or equipment into operational status; starting up, activating, launching, initiating.
66. lessons learned (noun phrase) – knowledge or understanding gained by experience; takeaways, insights, acquired wisdom.
67. opacity (noun) – non-transparency, obscurity, secrecy, opaqueness.
68. prevail (verb) – to prove more powerful or superior, or to be widespread in a particular area; succeed, triumph, dominate, persist.
69. so far (phrase) – up to this time; until now, up to now, hitherto, thus far.
70. SHANTI Act (organization/body/act) – The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025, is a legislative framework that repeals the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010; it is mandated to open India’s nuclear sector to private/foreign investment and redefine liability laws.
71. advent (noun) – arrival, appearance, emergence, dawn.
72. modular reactor (noun) – Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors that have a smaller capacity than traditional reactors and can be factory-manufactured and transported for installation.
73. liability (noun) – accountability, legal responsibility, culpability, answerability.
74. opportune (adjective) – timely, well-timed, auspicious, favourable.
75. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) (organization/body) – an Indian statutory body mandated to carry out regulatory and safety functions under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, ensuring the safe use of ionizing radiation.
76. Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) (organization/body) – a government department in India mandated to develop nuclear power technology and applications of radiation in agriculture, medicine, and industry.
77. Atomic Energy Commission (organization/body) – the governing body of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in India, mandated to formulate policies for the country’s atomic energy programmes.
78. thus (adverb) – as a result or consequence of this; therefore, consequently, hence, accordingly.
79. promoter (noun) –  supporter, backer, sponsor, advocate.
80. regulator (noun) – supervisor, controller, monitor, watchdog.
81. administrative (adjective) – managerial, executive, organizational, bureaucratic.
82. short-circuit (noun) – a problem, bypass, or administrative failure that causes a system to malfunction or skip standard procedures; bypass, flaw, systemic failure, circumvention.
83. complexity (noun) – complication, intricacy, convolution, problem.

Note:

1. Definitions (elementary level) & Synonyms provided for the words above are our personal work. Tentative definitions/meanings are provided for study purposes only and they may vary in a different context. 

2. This word list is for personal use only. Reproduction in any format and/or Commercial use of it is/are strictly prohibited.

To download daily word list PDFs, click HERE