Current Affairs Preparation in UPSC Exam

There is no denial to the fact that current affairs are one of the most important segments in the preparation journey of the IAS Exam. There is no subject in the UPSC syllabus that goes untouched with its proximity to current affairs. Hence, it becomes utmost important for candidates to know the resources available to cover the news that concerns the UPSC Exam.

There are lakhs of aspirants who apply for this competitive examination. Every year, the Commission releases UPSC Notification to enlighten the candidates with the latest syllabus, exam pattern, vacancy, eligibility, etc. To sit for the examination, submitting the application on time is a prerequisite for the successful start. Hence, candidates are always advised to visit the official website of the Commission periodically.

Now, coming to the importance of current affairs, candidates can find out the best resources to follow daily news.

1. A newspaper – A serious candidate would vouch for the daily reading of the newspaper. There are several issues based on which daily newspapers print editorials, opinions, stories that a candidate must be acquainted with. However, a candidate must know how to read the newspaper. Follow the below-mentioned tips to read it:
   1. Subscribe to one and only one newspaper. Mostly IAS toppers suggest The Hindu as the best choice for the UPSC Exam. Otherwise, candidates can also opt for the Indian Express. However, it should be only either one of these.
   2. Before you start reading the newspaper, learn your UPSC syllabus by heart. One must also go through the previous year question papers to understand the trend of questions. Accordingly, candidates must devise a way to approach current affairs.
   3. Notes-making from the newspaper is a personal choice. There is no right or wrong in this approach. There are candidates who never made notes out of newspapers. Take an example of IAS Anudeep Durishetty who in his interview mentioned how he never made notes from the newspaper but filled the gaps with current affairs magazines; which makes next point

2. Current Affairs Magazine – There are innumerable institutes who provide monthly current affairs magazines free of charge to all the aspirants. One must capitalize on this helpful initiative. How to go about these magazines?
   1. Find one magazine which you are comfortable with. There is no need to distract oneself with more than one magazine. One has to realize the importance of time while preparing and therefore, one current affairs magazine is all that we want.
   2. Usually, institutes release their magazines of the previous month in the first 15 days of next month. For example. Current affairs magazine of May 2021 would mostly be released by the institutes around 10th or 12th April. This gives candidates enough time to revise what they learn from the newspapers and when the magazine is out, they would know which topics are left out from their notes and accordingly manage these.
   3. Candidates should try and finish one magazine in 20 days. There is a time gap of almost a month for the next magazine to release. Hence, candidates should manage their time in a way that leaves them enough time to revise the magazine.

3. PIB and PRS India – Press Information Bureau disseminates information regarding government’s initiatives, achievements,etc. PRS India disseminates information on the legislative actions of the government. These two platforms have an indispensable role to play in your current affairs preparation.

4. Yojana and Kurukshetra Magazines – These are government magazines which bring awareness about the wide-ranging issues. However, candidates could go with either of these to learn comprehensive information about important events or issues. Also, there are a few institutes that provide gist of these magazines on a monthly basis. Candidates can take advantage of these and refer to these for current affairs preparation.

Relevance of Current Affairs in UPSC

There is no stage of the IAS Exam, where current affairs don’t come in the picture.

1. UPSC Prelims – Every year there are multiple questions based on current affairs in the prelims examination. Check the table below to see the number of questions asked from the segment over a period of last five years:

2. UPSC Mains – The general studies papers of the mains examination are inclined towards current affairs-based issues. For example, in Mains GS Paper 1, questions on geography or Indian society are influenced by current affairs. Similar scenario is seen in GS Paper 2 (Polity, Governance, International Relations), GS 3 (Science and Technology, Economics, Environment).

3. UPSC Interview – As current affairs is a part of the syllabus, UPSC interview panelists shoot questions related to recent national and international affairs. For example, if someone is going to sit in the IAS Interview this year, they must be well versed with healthcare initiatives to arrest the COVID-19 pandemic, India-UK Bilateral Relations (India-UK Virtual Summit was in the news), and similar other topics that are most recent and are of interest to the UPSC.

UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of the most competitive exams. No subject of this examination should be taken lightly. As said, “Drop by Drop Water Pot Gets Filled”; similarly subject by subject, your UPSC preparation gets stronger.