UPSC preparation requires an aspirant to be well abreast with the
current happenings and have good general awareness. In the recent times, the
questions in both the UPSC preliminary examination as well as mains examination
have shifted the focus from static syllabus to current affairs. The questions
from the static syllabus also have an influence on the current events. In such
a scenario, current affairs preparation becomes an integral part of the
preparation. But, multiple questions like “How to prepare?”, “Which sources to
refer?”, “How to make notes?” may arise in a candidate’s mind. To find answers
to all these questions and to find out how to effectively cover current affairs
topics for IAS exam, read on.
1. Cover
the Newspaper thoroughly:
The newspaper is the bible for UPSC aspirants! The questions asked
at all the three stages of examination require you to have knowledge of the
current happenings. To be able to write a good essay, one needs fodder, which
comes from reading the newspaper. You do not have to read multiple newspapers.
Choose one newspaper of your choice, and read it thoroughly. Skip the sports
news, political news, advertisements, entertainments etc which are of less or
no importance with respect to the UPSC syllabus. Cover the editorials
intensively and make small notes which will help you at the time of revisions.
2. Read magazines:
Magazines are a supplement to the newspaper reading and are not a
substitute. You can choose any magazines like Pratiyogitadarpan, Kurukshetra,
Yojana, etc to get in depth knowledge of certain topics related to the
syllabus. You can either buy the copies or download them. Add the pointers from
these magazines to the short notes that you have made out of the newspaper.
3. Refer websites:
There are a lot of blogs and websites that assist you in your IAS preparation.
Veterans and experienced teachers analyze the topics and publish comprehensive articles.
The info graphics and flowcharts will help you connect various issues and
remember them easily. These articles can be referred in order to get fodder
points. But DO NOT treat them as a substitute to the newspaper.
· Cover the current affairs 18 months
prior to your exams. i.e., start reading the newspaper religiously 18 months
before your exam date and do not give it a break until you are done with your
exams.
· There are a plethora of resources
online. Do not overwhelm yourself with all the material and websites. Select a
few that you are comfortable with and follow them religiously.
· Many websites publish daily quiz, take
such quizzes to test the level of your preparation. Again, remember to use the
internet judiciously. Do not waste your precious time reading unnecessary
articles.
· Revision is the key! When there are a
lot of issues, it becomes necessary to revise in order to be able to remember
it for the exam. Make sure your first revision is within a week after reading
the topic and the second revision within a month from the date of second
revision.
You could also watch certain YouTube videos for current affairs
topics and watch news channels to get different perspectives on a topic during
your free time. Make sure that your current affairs preparation doesn’t come to
a halt until and unless you are done with the final level of your examination.
For current affairs preparation and tips on how to crack the civil
services examination, subscribe to our Byju’s YouTube channel.
