Reading Newspapers is an integral part of preparation strategies for all kinds of Competitive exams. Now, while you appreciate the importance of newspaper reading, we’re pretty sure most of you have wondered at some point with questions such as How should one read the newspaper? Which newspapers should I read? Should I read one newspaper or multiple? How much time should I to devote to newspaper reading? And so on.

One CSE topper once remarked: “By reading newspapers like Hindu you are manufacturing bullets which you are gonna fire in the exam hall.”.

This statement states the importance of newspapers in the civil services exam quite beautifully. The exam has undergone tremendous change in the last few years with focus being given to current affairs. Even the static portion of the syllabus is being asked by adding dynamic angles to it. Opinion based questions are the new normal in UPSC CSE.

No doubt preparation of current affairs can best be obtained from newspapers in today’s time.

In this blog, we will be discussing the best way to prepare current affairs from Newspapers.

Now the question arises what is the significance of newspapers?

Significance	Explanation
Readymade content for exams	Newspaper articles provide content that is difficult to find in standard books and this way it serves as valuable material during the exam.
One-point source for diverse information	Newspaper articles offer facts, data, figures, anecdotes, best practices, creative linkages, background history, etc., in one place.
Expert opinions and balanced views	Written by experienced experts, newspaper editorials present both pros & cons of an issue, offering a well-rounded perspective.
Boosts essay writing scores	Many successful candidates attribute their high scores in essays to regular reading of newspaper editorials.
Newspaper articles as a basis for UPSC questions	Previous Year Questions (PYQs) often have phrases or lines directly taken from newspaper articles, editorials etc.
Helps with CSAT paper preparation	CSAT Passages in the Prelims paper are sometimes directly sourced from editorials. This gives an advantage to those who read them regularly.
Enhances GS preparation	Editorials many times have content that is not easily available elsewhere which helps in GS paper preparation.
Improves cognitive skills	Regular reading of newspaper articles helps one to increase concentration, assimilation, processing speed, opinion-forming, critical thinking, & scientific temper.
Teaches concise writing	Helps aspirants learn how to write succinctly and provide maximum information in fewer words.
Aids interview preparation	Regular practice of reading editorials equips aspirants to answer questions correctly during the interview.

Which newspapers should I read?

The next basic question that pops up in the mind of aspirant is what should be my sources? A few years back everyone would suggest only one newspaper that is THE HINDU. But now two newspapers for Prelims and Mains and three in case of Interview stage are a must. The important ones to choose from are Hindu, Indian Express, Business Standard, Economic Times, Financial Times. This should be supplemented with the daily editorial analysis available on IAS GYAN website.

While choosing the newspaper, keep the following attributes in mind:

• It should have comprehensive coverage.
• It should be having standard English.
• It should not be politically influenced and should provide multiple perspectives.
• Content should be written by experts in the field.

Always go for hard copies if they are easily available regularly and without any disruption. Only in circumstances when hard copy is not available, go for e-papers.

Now let us discuss the pre-requisites.

• Know the syllabus of the exam thoroughly.
• Practice previous years’ question papers & know the question patterns.
• By a proper practice of effective reading, daily newspapers can be completed in less than an hour with around 30 minutes devoted for notes making. Initially you can take upto 2-2.5 hours, but gradually reduce to 60 minutes of writing and 30 minutes of notes making.
• Focus on the issue, not the news.
• Filter what is to be read according to the need of the exam.
• Read from the perspective of the exam not for recreational purpose.
• Avoid unimportant news no matter how impressive they might be.
• Never postpone even for a single day.

Now comes the main part of the blog, that is how to read the newspaper?

Do Not Read	What to Read
Political news, remarks	Socio-economic issues, including those affecting women, health, education, marginalized, or vulnerable sections
Celeb gossip	Issues of national and international importance
Business trivia	Issues related to the Indian Constitution, legislative and administrative processes
Crimes, trivial events, populist research, political allegations, discourses	Supreme Court and High Court verdicts
Editor’s notes	Issues related to the economy
Nostalgia, archives, sarcasm, idealism	Facts relevant for Prelims
Local events, travel, drama, cooking, lifestyle	Deaths, awards, sports section, Launch of books, authors  (just a glance – low yield)

Divide the news articles as per the following information:

Types of News	Yield and Cost-Benefit Analysis	Recommended Approach
No or very poor yield	Cost-benefit analysis is bad	Just avoid this news
Low yield	Cost-benefit analysis is average	Have a glance at the news for awareness
Medium yield	Cost-benefit analysis is good	Run through the news, make notes in 1-2 points
High yield	Cost-benefit analysis is awesome	Read carefully, make notes

Each news item will fell in one of the 4 mentioned types.

As a sample, we have taken The Hindu dated 22 October 2024 International Edition.

Page 1

Firstly, go through the headings and analyze them. Are those topics worth studying or Reading?

News 1: India, China reach deal on easing LAC tensions

• This article will fall into high-yield.
• Read carefully, make notes. 

News 2: ‘Laws for minority institutions do not breach secularism’

• This news will fall in medium yield category.
• Run through the news, make notes in 1-2 points.

Rest news on page can be avoided.

Pages 2 to 4 

These pages cover region wise news. It is important to glance through the headings. Sometimes news related to culture/ environment/ space/ defense may be there, which should be noted down.

Page 4: LAC buffer zones may go; no clarity on de-escalation. 

• Add to the news on 1^st 

Page 4: Secularism is a core part of the Constitution: SC.

• This news will fall in medium yield category.
• Run through the news, make notes in 1-2 points.

Page 5 and 6 NATION: Focus on verdicts of SC and HCs, debates of parliament, Government orders, reports, biodiversity related items etc. Avoid all masala/political news. Follow the comments of people who have authority like NSA, PMO, Home Ministry etc. try to take out important facts which can be asked in prelims.

News 1: Cyclone Dana likely to cross West Bengal, Odisha coasts

• This news will fall in medium yield category.
• Run through the news, make notes in 1-2 points. 

News 2: SC gives Radhakrishnan-led committee two weeks more to file NEET overhaul report

• This will come in low yield but certain aspects can be noted down and used in answers.

Page 7 SCIENCE: It is important as it deals with the science related articles in detail.

News 1: Black holes in Webb data allay threat to cosmology’s standard model

• This will fall in medium yield category.
• Here you will have to do background research on blackhole and webb telescope as well.

News 2: World lags on 2030 nature goals as COP16 talks begin

• This will fall in high yield category.
• Here you will have to do background research on COP talks beginning from COP1.

Page 8 EDITORIAL: This is the most important page of ‘The Hindu’ newspaper from UPSC Exam perspective. Read the two editorials placed on left margin very carefully. Then proceed to the Lead articles. You can also read the Letters to the editor as this would give varying opinions on the same issue.

News 1: An approaching milestone in constitutional governance

This will fall in high yield category 

News 2: The case for a nature restoration law in India

This will fall in high yield category 

News 3: Allow for deliberation

This will fall in high yield category

News 4: Culture and society

This will fall in high yield category 

Here on this page, you should keep making points while reading. Not more than 5 points from each article are to be noted down. 

Page 9 OPED: It contains a view of an identified author who generally does not have any affiliation with the publication’s editorial board. This article can be read to provide a contrarian opinion on current affairs. There is a column of data points which could turn out to be important for mains.

In the 22^nd October edition, all the news are in poor yield category.

Page 10-11 TEXT&CONTEXT: These are very important pages. These pages cover burning issues in FAQ format in detail.

News 1: On sanctions and shadow fleets

• This will fall in high yield category.

News 2: On Railways decision to shrink booking period

• This will fall in low yield category.

News 3: How policies shape high-performance building standards and climate goals

• This will fall in medium yield category.

Page 12-13 BUSINESS: Focus on trends, growth parameters and issues here. Read issues connected with Fiscal and Monetary Policy. If you find socio-economic issues related to women, education or health, read in-depth. 

In the 22^nd October edition, all the news are in poor yield category on page 12.

News 1: As poor nations’ default wave peaks, cash shortage could take its place

• This will fall in medium yield category. 

Page 14-15 WORLD: Spend some time here, only if you find any major happenings.

News 1: Muizzu introduces India’s UPI payment service to boost economy

This will fall in low yield category. Glance is required to be aware of the issue and note 1-2 important points. 

Rest news are in poor yield category.

OTHER PAGES: ignore the pages on life, sports unless there is some article discussing reforms eg: lodha committee etc.

Now let us discuss how to make notes?

Notes-Making Guidelines	Details
Monthly Notebook	Maintain a separate notebook for each month.
Subject-wise Division	Divide the notebook into sections as per different subjects.
Separate Notebook for Optional	Keep a different notebook for optional subjects. For syllabus topics with current affairs linkage, note relevant news in 5 points to add to your answers creatively.
Point Format	Note down issues in bullet points, including important facts, figures, quotes, data, judgments, and keywords.
Avoid Paragraphs	Refrain from writing in paragraph form.
Use Your Own Words	Write everything in your own words.
Avoid Newspaper Cuttings	Do not store newspaper cuttings.

Sample Notes:

Subject covered: International Relations, Defense, Security 

Key Words: India-China Agreement, LAC Tensions, Patrolling Arrangements, Disengagement, Demchok and Depsang, BRICS Summit 

Forward and Backward Linkages around the News:

1. About LAC Tensions: The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the de facto border between India and China. Tensions have been high since the 2020 stand-off, with both countries deploying troops and setting up buffer zones.
2. Patrolling Issues: Since 2020, patrolling along the LAC was restricted due to buffer zones set up at several friction points like Galwan, Pangong Tso, Gogra-Hot Springs, Demchok, and Depsang. The agreement aims to restore patrolling to pre-2020 conditions.
3. Recent Diplomatic Efforts: Multiple meetings between Indian and Chinese diplomats and military officials, including External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, contributed to this breakthrough.
4. Importance of Timing: The agreement comes just before the BRICS Summit, where Prime Minister Modi and President Xi are expected to attend, raising the possibility of bilateral talks.
5. Disengagement Process: Disengagement from previous friction points has taken place in phases, starting from Galwan in 2020 to Gogra in 2022. The current agreement focuses on resuming patrolling and resolving issues at remaining points like Demchok and Depsang.

A SMART approach would help you to effectively read the newspapers and make notes on them in an hour and 30 minutes. You will take 3 hours initially. Practice the same and after every week, do self-assessment. But practice and perseverance will get you through it in two months to gradually reach the target of doing it quickly with maximum Return on Investment.

Best of luck!