Read the newspaper is a crucial aspect of UPSC preparation, providing candidates with valuable insights into current affairs and diverse subjects. To effectively utilize this resource, a systematic approach is essential. Begin by selecting a reputable national daily, such as The Hindu or The Indian Express, known for its comprehensive coverage. Start with the headlines to grasp the day’s key events. Subsequently, delve into the editorial section to understand the nuanced perspectives on critical issues. Focus on the Op-Ed pages for in-depth analyses by experts. Simultaneously, skim through the regional and international sections to broaden your understanding. Take note of recurring themes, government policies, and socio-economic developments. Make a habit of jotting down essential information in concise notes, aiding retention. Additionally, keep an eye on editorials that discuss historical contexts, as this can be instrumental in preparing for the exam’s essay and interview components. Regularity is key, so strive to make newspaper reading a daily ritual, gradually enhancing your analytical skills and broadening your knowledge base for the UPSC examination.
Continue to read this article to learn about all the tips and tricks on how an aspirant should read the newspaper for UPSC preparation effectively.
Firstly to begin with students must choose from so many available newspapers also nowadays articles, magazines and newspapers are available on the internet itself making them easier to access
Some of the most recommended newspapers of all time are:
1. The Hindu
2 Bussiness standard
3. Mint
4. Indian Express
5. Dainik Bhaskar
6. PRS India
7. Yojana Magazine
Along with events, the national-level aspirants should be acquainted with important events of international importance as well.
Why is reading a newspaper so important for UPSC preparation?
# The IAS exam expects its candidates to be fully prepared for any kind of question or opinion and this kind of preparation can be only done with a lot of reading.
From the Mains to the interview round the current affairs portion holds a chief position and moreover, during the interview round as well, the interviewers do not fail to test the knowledge of the candidate in every such way.
# Newspapers are one of the most reliable sources because they contain facts and opinions in a very balanced way.
From the newly introduced government policies to sports, everything is available in the esteemed daily.
# Reading the newspaper also helps to improve vocabulary and gain perspective.
#reading newspapers helps to gather information related to interviews which comes really handy later on.
#Daily reading habits also help to take calculative guesses and eliminate options during the exam, which is very important and only can be done with daily reading habits and gaining knowledge.
How to read a newspaper in less than 90 minutes effectively
- Do not go for a lot of newspapers, first try to begin and be consistent with either The Hindu or the Indian Express.
- Try to not cut and paste the cuttings of the articles, most of the time they produce a lot of junk and are not readable.
- Do not make big notes from newspapers, try to write them as brief as possible, with key phrases, highlights, and headlines.
- Do not waste much time on not-so-important topics, and try to be as precise as possible with your notes.
- Keep separate files for various pages, for example – the social and political reforms and policies file, editorial file, the world events file, sports news, and others. This way revising them will be at your fingertips.
How to read the newspaper for UPSC preparation step by step.
- Page 1 – the first page doesn’t contain much important descriptive content but one should go through the highlights real quick and mark or write down the important ones with a little bit of description.
- Page 2-3 – this part of the newspaper comes with the regional news generally and this part is not asked very often as this becomes very specific to an area.
- One should always keep a little bit of knowledge as well about what is going on around them.
- Page 4-6 – these part of the paper deal with the state events, which holds importance like page 2 and 3.
- Page 7 – this part is one of the principal pages of the esteemed daily and should not be avoided or ignored at any cost.
This page contains all about the national crisis and verdicts, parliament debates and newly released government policies are also present.
- Page 8 (Editorial page) You must have heard from many toppers how this editorial page was one of the important parts of their preparation and yes you heard it right!
- Page 9 – This page basically contains the opposite of the editorial page.
It publishes the prose of the previous page and is generally published by the newspaper publishers themselves and it is affiliated with the editorial board itself.
Page 9 is popularly known as the perspective page, also The Hindu newspaper also names it the “comments” this page provides valuable perspectives and points of view.
This also provides valuable insights and opinions on different socio-economic events.
- Pages 10-11 – these pages generally contain deep political matters that are not so important in the IAS exam.
- 12th page- this part of the paper deals with the international occurrences, precisely the WORLD, this part is even an important portion in the UPSC syllabus as well so try to put better emphasis on this portion, and make brief notes if you find something major.
- Page 13 and 14 – this page follows the news trends on business and other socio-economic events. This page also includes financial, and monetary affairs.
- Sports and lifestyle page – You might think that these pages must not hold any importance in such a vital and serious exam, but you are wrong.
This page connects you to the world, sports, and pop culture good magazines and podcasts nowadays provide value as well and also help you keep up points for your hobbies and extracurriculars as well.
Reading the editorials present in the left margin very carefully is important according to the UPSC point of view, after getting a look into the left margin move to the lead article and give it a thorough reading.
After finishing that go forward and read the “letters to the editor” This part particularly helps in forming opinions and perspectives which is so important to develop your personality and also to groom your answers in the main and interview rounds.
Crucial points to notice while reading the newspaper for the IAS exam.
- Focus on current affairs, new schemes, parliament meetings, and court verdicts for crucial cases as well.
- Try to form opinions and points of view for every case.
- Having an opinion about the events is a must because most of the time that is what you are gonna be asked.
- Issues of national and international events should be kept in touch.
- Parliament debates also provide valuable insights into the opinions and views of big personalities.
Things you must not do while reading the newspaper for the UPSC exam!
- Local news and very deep opinionated political news are not very important.
- Very much specificity is also bad sometimes because it forms stubborn opinions which creates a negative impact.
- Bollywood and useless pieces articles like wardrobe malfunctions should not be considered at all because they are just time-consuming wastes.
- Puzzles trivia and other games surely act as good games and entertainment as time passes but keep in mind you need to finish with the newspaper as soon as possible because you have other parts of the preparations to cover as well.
keywords and their uses while making newspaper notes.
Try to use keywords that are not “exhaustive and merely indicative” this is mentioned in the UPSC syllabus itself.
A list of some keywords are:
- Indian development
- Poverty
- Judicial review
- Planning commission
- Electoral reforms
Environment and ecology
- IUCNS
- Hotspots
- Biodiversity
- Global warming
- Critically endangered species etc
These keywords are very important to include in your answer writing, so try to prepare to use them in the notes you make while reading the newspaper as these keywords are concise and also crucial.
FAQs
1. Why is it important to read the newspaper for UPSC preparation?
Reading the newspaper is crucial for UPSC preparation because it helps candidates stay updated on current affairs, government policies, and global events. The UPSC exam places a significant emphasis on the candidate’s awareness of the world around them. Regular newspaper reading enhances analytical skills, critical thinking, and the ability to connect current events with the subjects in the UPSC syllabus.
2. Which newspapers should I read for UPSC preparation?
For UPSC preparation, it is recommended to read reputable national newspapers such as The Hindu, The Indian Express, and Business Standard. These newspapers provide in-depth coverage of national and international affairs, politics, economy, and social issues. It’s advisable to choose at least one English newspaper and, if possible, a regional newspaper to cover news specific to your state.
3. How should I structure my newspaper reading routine for UPSC preparation?
To effectively read the newspaper for UPSC preparation, follow these steps:
a. Skim the headlines: Quickly go through the headlines to identify major news items.
b. Focus on editorials and op-eds: Read opinion pieces to understand different perspectives on important issues.
c. Cover national and international news: Pay attention to both national and international news to develop a well-rounded view of current affairs.
d. Make notes: Jot down key points, facts, and figures relevant to the UPSC syllabus.
e. Connect with subjects: Relate the news to the subjects in the UPSC syllabus, such as polity, economy, geography, and environment.
4. How can I make effective notes while reading the newspaper for UPSC?
Creating effective notes is crucial for UPSC preparation. Follow these tips:
a. Focus on key information: Highlight important facts, figures, and events relevant to the UPSC syllabus.
b. Categorize your notes: Organize your notes according to subjects like polity, economy, environment, etc.
c. Use keywords: Develop a system of keywords to quickly identify the main points in your notes.
d. Include diverse perspectives: Note different opinions expressed in editorials and op-eds to enrich your understanding of issues.
5. How can I integrate newspaper reading with my UPSC preparation strategy?
Integrating newspaper reading into your UPSC preparation strategy involves:
a. Daily consistency: Set aside a fixed time each day for newspaper reading to stay updated regularly.
b. Revise regularly: Review your notes frequently to reinforce your understanding of current affairs.
c. Mock tests: Include current affairs in your mock tests to simulate exam conditions and gauge your preparedness.
d. Discuss with peers: Engage in discussions with fellow aspirants to gain different perspectives and insights on current affairs.
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