How to Prepare for Current Affairs?

Current Affairs play an important role to secure more marks in any government competitive examination. 52 questions (52%) were asked from current affairs in UPSC Civil Services 2016 Prelims GS I Paper. You can realise the significance of reading current affairs from this.

An administrative officer has to take many decisions instantly. A Decision cannot be taken Without sufficient knowledge of current affairs. For example, the plastic menace is growing day by day. Some countries already banned its usage. As an officer, you may need to submit a report to minimise plastic usage to save the environment. You cannot make a comprehensive report without knowing the concepts of biodegradability, biodiversity, and recent mishaps happening around the world due to the use of plastics.

Resources for Current Affairs

Newspapers

• The Hindu newspaper is still the most valuable resource. However, the language used is complex. You can increase the speed of reading slowly until you can read the full paper in 2 hours. Do not read any political news.
• You can select any one regional paper such as Eenadu, Vartha, Sakshi, Andhra Jyothi, Namasthe Telangana if you are preparing for State PSC exams such as APPSC or TSPSC.
• You can also read Andhra Pradesh Magazine and Telangana Magazine for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana current affairs. These are being published by respective governments.
• Rarely, when you want to revise all important current affairs, then you can read Vision IAS Prelims-365 and Mains-365 series. However, you should keep in mind that these should not be construed as primary sources. This should be considered as a secondary channel.

TV/Radio

• AIR Spotlight @ 09:15 PM – It is a debate on a topic by experts. This gives more insights into a particular issue. These will be available on NewsOnAir website.
• RS TV Big Picture – This is similar to the All India Radio spotlight programme. But the duration is for 30 minutes. These are available on RSTV YouTube Channel.
• Regional News Channel – Listen to only 30 Minutes of news of any regional channel if you are preparing for State PSC exams. One or two important government-related news will be covered.

If you don’t have sufficient time and if you are already following newspapers regularly, then no need to follow TV/Radio News.

Government Programmes, Reports, Legislations and Judgements

• Latest Economic Survey of India and Budget of India.
• PIB Portal provides all the new initiatives of the government. This is available in Regional languages also.
• PRS India Portal analyses the laws, budgets and judgements.
• If you are preparing for state PSC exams, then Socio-Economic Survey of State (Latest), Budget of State (Latest), Programmes and Schemes of the state government should be covered.

Yojana and Kurukshetra Magazines

These both are published monthly by the Government of India. One Special Topic is analysed in detail in every issue. So these are useful to get a comprehensive analysis of any subject. But Kurukshetra magazine focuses more on rural development. These will also be published in regional languages.

How to Read the Hindu Newspaper?

• The most important articles are editorials. Read them completely. If possible, write notes out of them.
• The next important section is the Comments page. This is also like a semi-editorial page.
• Then read National News, Economy, and S&T section.
• You can skip regional news if you are preparing solely for Central Government or UPSC.
• One disadvantage with any paper including the Hindu is that many articles will be published on the same event. You can skip them once you get hold of a comprehensive analysis of the specific event.