If you are acquainted with UPSC exam patterns and questions scheme, you would know that current affairs form a majority of questions in the question paper and, therefore, must be well prepared to achieve good results in the examination.
Thousands of candidates write the UPSC examination, one of the country's most prestigious examinations; it is important to give your best while preparing for the examination.
The UPSC examinations are divided into three stages, Prelims, Mains and the Interview round. Questions from current affairs are significantly asked in all of these rounds as the examination determines the candidates' general awareness on national and international topics.
If you want to know how to ace current affairs for UPSC examinations, stick to the end of the article as we share all the information.
Syllabus
There is no fixed syllabus for current affairs in UPSC examinations, and the questions are varied as candidates must be well-versed with all the latest events and news. However, you can refer to the syllabus of the GS paper in the UPSC examination, as current affairs are a vital part of the paper.
Current events of national and international importance
Economic and Social Development – Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector initiatives, etc
General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialisation, General Science
History of India and the Indian National Movement
Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, and Economic Geography of India and the World
Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc
Preparation
The syllabus of current affairs needs to be better defined. Since the syllabus includes current events of national and international importance, candidates have to be well-versed in all the latest events. You will have to read the newspaper daily and prepare notes on them. This technique is known as comprehensive news analysis.
You can read through our article on how to prepare effective notes from newspaper editorials that will help you to score better results in the examination.
You can follow some major news agencies online, never to miss any important event and help develop concrete and informed views on any event. Skimming through the previous year's question papers is essential to understand the question patterns that have been usually asked and will help you prepare accordingly.
Apart from reading newspapers (The Hindu or Indian Express) daily, studying other books and magazines like Current Affairs – Arihant, Economic Survey, India Year Book, Kurukshetra Magazine, Manorama Yearbook, Mathrubhumi Yearbook, Pratiyogita Darpan Magazine and Yojana Magazine.
It has been observed several UPSC questions are based on the latest policies and schemes. Therefore, candidates must be study different schemes introduced by the Government.
Bottom Line
Now there you go; hopefully, the article was able to elucidate how to prepare for current affairs in UPSC examinations. While we understand that covering current affairs can prove to be a humongous task, strategically preparing for the paper can help you score good marks easily.
While studying current affairs from newspapers or magazines, foremost understand the gist of the news. For example, the Government has passed a new bill on Poor Quote; while preparing for such news, first understand the provisions through which a bill can be passed, i.e., constitutional. Then, decode the legal arguments and then the different stages of constitutional enforcement.
If you prepare a dynamic analysis of a new piece, first jot down the essential points related to news, then analyse the socio-economic point and, finally, the consequences the scheme will bring.
Always keep your source of information limited, as it can lead to counter-productiveness. Fix a definite time slot every day for preparing for current affairs, focus on associated issues and not merely on news titles, prepare notes accordingly and finally, read, practice, revise and execute.