Why Current Affairs Are Important For UPSC

Questions from current affairs are asked in all three stages of the examination, so current affairs play a significant role in the UPSC examination. The question of current affairs is indirectly linked to the static part of the syllabus.

Although current affairs are very important for UPSC exam preparation, there is no well-defined syllabus of current affairs for both prelims and main examinations. UPSC only mentions "current events of national and international importance".


Analyze the previous year's question papers before planning any strategy to prepare Daily current affairs for UPSCTry to understand the type of questions frequently asked from current affairs in the last few years.


Number of questions and their marks allocation

2015- 30 questions (60 marks)

2016- 27 questions (54 marks)

2017- 31 questions (62 marks)

2018- 28 questions (58 marks)

2019- 27 questions (54 marks)


Current affairs-based topics are important for prelims exams, but they are also significant for the mains exams. So preparing for current affairs will help in answer writing for the mains exam and score good marks.


Current affairs-based questions have been asked frequently in traditional subjects like History, Polity, Geography, Economics, science and technology, and environment in the IAS exam. It indicates that current affairs are very important for all three stages of the IAS examination.


General studies papers II and III and social issues of general studies paper I are based on daily current affairs UPSC. In this scenario, current affairs become more important. Read a newspaper regularly. Reading the newspaper will help you understand the current issues and develop your point of view, language, and opinion for the mains. It is expected from a UPSC aspirant that he should be well aware of the current happenings near him.


  • Be aware of the current happenings of your state and world and update yourself on all current issues, regional, national or international as well. 
  • Comprehensive preparation of current affairs for UPSC is very necessary to secure a place in the final rank.
  • The IAS exam is not only a test of knowledge but also a test of awareness. UPSC checks the candidate's awareness about the current happenings around him.
  • UPSC tends to ask questions based on current affairs. UPSC has been following this trend for years together.
  • Many topics in the UPSC mains exam syllabus are dynamic, requiring regular updates based on the recent development and happiness.
  • In the prelims exam, direct questions are asked from newspapers based on current affairs. Prelims exam checks the fundamental knowledge of the aspirant.
  • Make small notes for the Prelims exam.

The interview panel also asks various questions based on social issues, personal issues, and national issues. So it is a must to be updated on current issues. Develop your approach on current issues because an interview is a test of your knowledge and your personality.


Where to prepare current affairs

The Hindu newspaper is the best source for current affairs. You can also read the Indian Express and Live mint. To cover economy-related issues, you can read "The Economic Times' or 'Business standard.'


What to read in the newspaper

Aspirants will have to prepare for other subjects like General studies, so it is unnecessary to read everything given in the newspaper. Read National news, economic issues, and international news according to UPSC mains syllabus. 


Keep a copy of the UPSC mains syllabus with yourself to remember the syllabus anytime. The Sunday newspaper column of 'The Hindu' is best for science and technology-related news. Friday review supplement in 'The Hindu' newspaper is a good choice for art and culture.


How to read

  • Highlight the news related to UPSC current affairs in Hindi exam in the first reading and second reading, read the news completely, and make notes for current affairs. 
  • Daily current affairs notes help in the final revision before the examination.
  • There is no need to spend more than one hour reading the paper. You will have to prepare for other subjects too. Although in starting it can take more time in newspaper reading. 
  • For the mains exam, read the editorial section of 'The Hindu' regularly.


Some important topics to focus on in current affairs.


Polity- Constitution of India, the parliament of India, fundamental rights, social issues, governments bills and acts, center-state relations.


Environment- Major biodiversity Hotspots, biodiversity at a global, national, and regional level, conservation of biodiversity, climate change, wildlife threatened species.


Economics

International reports and indices, Indian economy, banking and finance external sector, sectors of Indian economy, unemployment and poverty inflation, international economic agencies, multilateral platforms for India and its trade agreement, Annual budget and economic survey, government policies, schemes, and initiatives.


Art and culture

National and regional festivals, dance forms, paintings, national heritage sites, and monuments.


Science and technology

The Indian space program, biotechnology, communication technologies, the contribution of India to science, latest scientific developments.


International relations

International organizations, major political events, Indian visits bilateral and multilateral.


Current affair sources

  1. The Hindu newspaper
  2. Yojana magazine
  3. Kurukshetra magazine
  4. Youth destination monthly current affairs magazine and notes
  5. Rajya Sabha and lok Sabha TV debates


Some important tips for preparing current affairs for the UPSC exam

  • Read the syllabus of the IAS exam prelims and mains.
  • Understand the civil service exam pattern and demand
  • Prelims exam requires factual knowledge while mains exam needs analysis, opinion, written communication, and interlinkages of current affairs.
  • In the interview round, the overall personality and the communication skills of the aspirant matter a lot.
  • Read selective and reliable news from newspapers.
  • Make notes subject wise you can also use mind maps, charts, and pointers.
  • Don't waste your time reading the same news from multiple resources. It will not benefit, limit your resources and focus on reading multiple things from the same source.
  • Revise your current affairs notes from time to time. It will maximize your chance of getting more marks in the IAS examination.
  • Youth destination current affairs, monthly daily news analysis, and daily Current affairs quiz are very beneficial for exam preparation.

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