Where to Read Current Affairs for IAS Prelims and Mains?

Staying updated with current affairs is crucial for both IAS Prelims and Mains. UPSC tests not just knowledge but also your awareness of national and international events. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the best sources to prepare UPSC current affairs effectively. 

Why Current Affairs Matter in UPSC? 

• UPSC dedicates a significant portion of both Prelims and Mains to current affairs. 
• Questions are often analytical, linking static subjects to current events. 
• An in-depth understanding of IAS current affairs can enhance essay writing and answer quality in Mains. 

Best Sources to Read Current Affairs for IAS 

1. The Hindu Newspaper 

• One of the most trusted sources for UPSC aspirants. 
• Focus on the editorial, op-ed, international, and national sections.
• Ideal for building a strong opinion base for Mains answers. 
• Read it daily to keep up with current affairs in a structured manner. 

2. Indian Express 

• Best for understanding issues from multiple perspectives. 
  
• The Explained and Editorial pages are especially useful for IAS current affairs. 
• Covers topics relevant to governance, polity, international relations, and the economy.  

3. Press Information Bureau (PIB) 

• Official source for government news and policies. 
  
• Great for authentic information on schemes, initiatives, and cabinet decisions. 
• Useful for both UPSC current affairs and quoting exact data in answers.  

4. Yojana and Kurukshetra Magazines 

• Monthly magazines published by the Government of India. 
  
• Offer insights into social and economic issues in a detailed format. 
• Use them to supplement answers with data and real-world examples. 

5. Monthly Current Affairs Compilations 

• Websites like Drishti IAS, Vision IAS, InsightsIAS, and ForumIAS provide monthly PDFs. 
  
• Summarize important IAS current affairs with analysis and background. 
• Time-saving and useful for revision before exams.

6. Economic Survey and Budget Documents 

• Crucial for understanding India’s economic landscape. 
  
• Key source for UPSC current affairs, especially for the GS Paper 2 and GS Paper 3. 
• Focus on key terms, statistics, and policy analysis. 

7. Government Websites 

• Ministries like MEA, MoSPI, and NITI Aayog regularly publish reports. 
  
• Use these for up-to-date and authentic content for Mains answers. 
• Ideal for building strong facts and examples for IAS current affairs.  

How to Read and Note-down Current Affairs? 

• Don’t read everything — focus on issues, not events. 
  
• Make short notes — separate them by Prelims (facts) and Mains (analysis). 
• Use online platforms or apps like Evernote or Notion for easy revision. 

Tips to Maximize Current Affairs Preparation 

• Revision is key — go through your notes regularly. 
  
• Practice writing using current examples to enhance quality. 
• Focus on how current affairs link with static subjects like Polity, Economy, etc. 

Online Platforms for Daily Updates 

• Drishti IAS, ForumIAS, CivilsDaily, InsightsIAS etc. offer free daily updates. Use their compilations, YouTube videos, and MCQs for daily revision. These platforms curate UPSC current affairs in an exam-oriented format. 
   

Conclusion  

• Consistency is more important than quantity in current affairs preparation. 
  
• Don’t rely on just one source — diversify but don’t overload. 
• Integrate what you read with your static preparation to score high in both Prelims and Mains.  

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