Hi Aspirants, hope you are doing well. First of all, let me remind you that don’t jump to current affairs without having a strong base regarding static topics like Polity, Economy, International Relations, etc. Once you are done with your basics then start preparing for your current affairs. And please don’t give more than two hours per day to your current affairs preparation and reduce it to one hour per day within six months of preparation because if you give a lot of time to current affairs without having a strong base then you are going to lose this battle. To prepare for current affairs for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), consider the following steps:
• Newspapers and Magazines:
Regularly read reputable newspapers like The Hindu, The Indian Express, and magazines like Yojana, Kurukshetra, etc., to stay updated on current events and issues. And try to follow only one newspaper whether it is The Hindu or The Indian Express. Don’t waste your time reading every newspaper. By doing so you are only doing duplication of your efforts.
• UPSC Focused News Portals:
Follow news portals that specifically cover UPSC-related news and analysis. They often provide relevant information and insights for exam preparation. Do this only and only if you have extra time to do so.
• Government Websites and PIB:
Visit government websites and the Press Information Bureau (PIB) regularly to access official press releases and government updates. Otherwise, you can follow any editorial analysis channel which you doing this for you.
• Current Affairs Compilation:
Maintain a compilation of current affairs notes, categorizing them into topics like economy, environment, polity, international relations, etc.
• Monthly Magazines:
Refer to monthly current affairs magazines like Vision, Unacademy articulate etc. that provide a concise summary of important events from the previous month. If you are not able to read a newspaper regularly then you can follow any one magazine at least at the last of the month. Doing this can save you a lot of time.
• Yojana and Kurukshetra:
Read Yojana (focuses on socio-economic issues) and Kurukshetra (focuses on rural development) to gain in-depth insights into relevant topics. You can have an overview of these magazines before the main exam if you are not able to do it every month. Read at least the last 1 year’s magazines that can be helpful in your mains answer writing as mains papers are generally issue-based and theme based and you can have a decent understanding of those issues and themes only by reading these 24-30 magazines. Do finish this exercise in 10 days or 15 days at a very fast mode. This will help you a lot in the main exam preparation as you can quote and use the data given in the magazines in your real exam.
• Online Resources:
Utilize online platforms and websites that offer current affairs quizzes, daily news summaries, and analyses like mrunall.org, Vision, ias baba, Insights on India, etc.
• Editorials and Opinions:
Read editorials and opinions to understand different perspectives on key issues. If you don’t have enough time just read two editorials of any one paper daily. Only this exercise also can be helpful to your preparation.
• Make Notes:
Take clear and concise notes while studying current affairs to aid in quick revision before the UPSC CSE exam. Please don’t make another newspaper out of the newspaper while making notes. Make sure you are going to make concise notes by noting down only the bullet points because, by the end of the year, if you have notes of 2000 pages of current affairs then how you are going to revise it? It will prove to be a total waste of time. So make notes keeping the revision in mind. If you can’t do that then follow only one monthly compilation magazine that will do a good job for you.
• Current Affairs Test Series:
Practice the current affairs test series to assess your knowledge and improve your retention and understanding. If this exercise is making your self-esteem and self-confidence low then avoid it at all because the test series makers make the questions a little bit tougher than the real UPSC CSE exam.
Remember, consistent and focused study of current affairs is essential for success in the UPSC CSE. Integrate current affairs preparation with your overall exam strategy and stay updated with national and international events. And if you can remain updated by skipping all the above steps then it is also fine. You don’t have to become the prey of fear psychosis going on in the market.
Good luck!🤘👍