Current affairs is not only the most dynamic subject in the UPSC civil services exam syllabus, but it is also increasingly becoming one of the most important.
Current affairs is not only the most dynamic subject in the UPSC civil services exam syllabus, but it is also increasingly becoming one of the most important.
I’m sure most of you have seen the previous 2-3 years questionpapers and gauged its significance. So how does one deal with a subject that is both vast and ever-expanding?I too grappled with this question paper while preparing for the exam but I did manage to find a way through the labyrinth and emerge with flying colours; in just a short span of 6 months that I had! Here, I share with you my strategy to tame the current affairs monster.1. There is no Alternative to Reading the NewspaperDon’t let any institute or anybody tell you otherwise! Reading the paper every day is vital for your preparation. I read the papers every single day for the short time I had for my preparation.Once I decided to appear for the exam, the first step I took was to subscribe to the Hindu and religiously devote two hours daily in reading it end to end. In my opinion, reading the paper yourself not only helps in better retention, but it also ensures that you are preparing for the UPSC civil services exam simultaneously. It helps in gaining knowledge on months of current affairsMy habit of reading the papers was a great help not only in the UPSC prelims but also during the answer writing in Mains. I would remember facts and figures from the news that I had read and used that in questions where I had little information to frame a proper answer.Also, the editorials were of great help in essay type questions. So my most important recommendation would be that you begin reading the paper from the day you decide to appear for the exam and read it daily so as to not have backlogs.
