- narrowing (adjective) – reducing, decreasing, lessening, restricting, limiting, contracting.
- window (noun) – opportunity, chance, opening.
- lockdown (noun) – an emergency protocol implemented by the authorities that prevents people from leaving from a place; An extended state of confinement/encirclement/isolation of a person by the authority.
- orderly (adjective) – systematic, methodical, organized/planned.
- inevitable (adjective) – unavoidable, sure to happen, unpreventable.
- novel coronavirus (nCoV) (SARS-CoV-2) (noun) – a new strain (type/variety) coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. (Courtesy: WHO)
- continuity (noun) – stability, constancy, continuance.
- pandemic (noun) – the worldwide spread of a new disease; The illness spreads around the world and typically affects a large number of people across a wide area.
- speak of (verb) – mention, refer to, remark on, discuss.
- incentivise (verb) – encourage, motivate, galvanize.
- avert (verb) – prevent, stop, avoid.
- spike (noun) – a sharp rise/increase of something.
- rigorous (adjective) – strict/stern, severe, tough, stringent.
- enforcement (noun) – imposition, implementation, execution.
- exemption (noun) – exclusion, relief, exception.
- litmus test (noun) – severe challenge.
- hotspot (noun) – a place of significant activity.
- presume (verb) – assume, suppose, judge, postulate.
- confirmatory test (noun) – diagnostic test; it confirms or cancels a medical condition in an individual with concerning symptoms (or an out-of-range screening result).
- align with (verb) – join up with, give support to, form an alliance with, combine with.
- protocol (noun) – procedure, convention, policy/rule.
- subsequent (adjective) – following, ensuing, successive.
- enable (verb) – allow, permit, validate, authorize.
- abide by (verb) – conform to, adhere to, comply with.
- so much so (that) (phrase) – to such an extent or large degree that.
- provision (noun) – term, clause, requirement.
- inter- (prefix) – between.
- intra- (prefix) – within.
- curfew (noun) – a rule which is instructing people to stay at home, typically at night.
- affirm (verb) – declare, state, vow, guarantee.
- rabi crops/sowing (noun) – winter crops; seeds sowing in the beginning (Nov) of the winter and harvesting at the end of the season (Apr) in the South Asia.
- kharif crops (noun) – monsoon crops; seeds sowing in the beginning (Jun) of the monsoon and harvesting at the end of the season (Oct) in the South Asia.
- harvest (noun) – the process of gathering a ripe crop from the fields.
- produce (noun) – (natural) products, foods.
- distressing (adjective) – upsetting, worrying, affecting.
- arbitrary (adjective) – random casual, capricious; oppressive, domineering, high-handed, unmotivated/unreasonable.
- policing (noun) – the enforcement of rules/regulations.
- less and less (phrase) – gradually decreasing.
- feasible (adjective) – practicable, viable, realistic.
- build up (phrasal verb) – increase, escalate, raise, intensify.
- render (verb) – make, cause to be, cause to become.
- moribund (noun) – dying, decaying, declining, crumbling; stagnant.
- dependent (adjective) – reliant on, relying on, counting on.
- meagre (adjective) – small, little, paltry, inadequate/deficient.
- debt (noun) – liability, financial obligation, borrowed capital.
- infusion (noun) – the introduction/instilling/imbuing of a new thing.
- provision (noun) – supply, providing, giving, delivery.
- enroll (verb) – register, apply.
- Public Distribution System (PDS) (noun) – The Public Distribution System (PDS) in the country facilitates the supply of food grains and distribution of essential commodities to a large number of poor people through a network of Fair Price Shops at a subsidized price on a recurring basis.
- go beyond (phrasal verb) – to do more than required/expected.
- classification (noun) – sorting, classifying, categorization.
- COVID-19 (noun) – coronavirus disease 2019.
- overnight (adverb) – very quickly; instantly.
- sequential (adjective) – continuous, consecutive, uninterrupted.
- workforce (noun) – employees, staff, personnel.
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