Which Newspaper is Important to read when preparing for UPSC CSE

Which Newspaper is Important to read when preparing for UPSC CSE?

When preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), it’s important to read newspapers that provide comprehensive coverage of current affairs, especially those related to Indian politics, economics, social issues, international relations, science and technology, and environment. The most commonly recommended newspapers for UPSC CSE preparation are:

The Hindu

• Why it’s important: It is considered one of the best newspapers for UPSC preparation because it covers in-depth news analysis, editorials, and opinion pieces on topics relevant to the UPSC syllabus.
• Focus Areas: Polity, governance, international relations, environment, and important national issues.
• Editorials: The editorials are crucial as they help in building critical thinking and understanding the issues in depth.

The Indian Express

• Why it’s important: Known for its balanced reporting and quality editorial content, The Indian Express provides detailed coverage of contemporary issues with a focus on socio-economic, political, and international matters.
• Focus Areas: Politics, governance, social issues, economy, international affairs, and law.
• Editorials: Offers valuable insights and perspectives on national and global issues which are useful for essay writing and answer writing in the exam.

Livemint (for Economy)

• Why it’s important: Livemint is especially good for understanding economic issues, as it focuses extensively on business, finance, and economics, which are crucial for the General Studies Paper on Economy.
• Focus Areas: Economic policies, banking, industry, markets, and macroeconomic trends.

The Times of India (optional)

• Why it’s optional: Though The Times of India covers a wide range of topics, it’s not as detailed or analytical as The Hindu or The Indian Express. However, it can be useful for quick updates and general news coverage.
• Focus Areas: General news, national affairs, politics.

Economic and Political Weekly (EPW) (for advanced preparation)

• Why it’s important: EPW is a highly recommended journal for deep, scholarly articles on issues related to politics, economics, governance, and social matters.
• Focus Areas: Political economy, social issues, governance, and public policy.
• Usefulness: It provides rich content for essay writing and interview preparation

How many hours should I read the newspaper for UPSC CSE?

You should dedicate at least 1.5 – 2 hours every day to reading the newspaper and making notes. 

How to Read Newspaper for UPSC CSE with example?

Choose the Right Newspapers

As mentioned earlier, The Hindu and The Indian Express are the most recommended newspapers. They offer in-depth analysis, editorials, and critical pieces relevant to the UPSC syllabus.

Focus on Relevant Sections

The UPSC syllabus demands a strong focus on certain areas of current affairs. You should focus on the following sections of the newspaper:

• National and International News (especially political developments, economic reforms, etc.)
• Editorials and Opinion Pieces (for better understanding and analysis of topics)
• Environment, Science, and Technology (relevant updates on climate change, biodiversity, and technological advancements)
• Economy and Business News (important policies, economic reforms, trends)
• Government Schemes (new policies, schemes, welfare programs)

Skim Through the Headlines First

Start by quickly skimming through the main headlines and sub-headlines to get an overview of the day’s major issues. If a headline appears relevant to any section of the UPSC syllabus (e.g., governance, economy, environment), give it a detailed read.

Read the Editorial Section

Editorials provide an in-depth perspective on various issues, usually with a critical analysis. They help build a balanced viewpoint, which is important for writing analytical answers and essays.

• Example: If an editorial discusses the “Agricultural Reforms and their Impact,” you should note the points of view mentioned regarding farmers’ protests, the government’s stand, and possible solutions. This topic could be important for both General Studies Paper II (Governance, Polity, and International Relations) and Paper III (Economic Development, Agriculture, etc.).

Analyze and Take Notes

After reading a relevant article, break it down by answering the following questions:

• What is the core issue being discussed?
• What are the pros and cons of the current situation?
• What are the government policies or international actions related to this issue?
• What are the implications of this issue on governance, society, or the economy?

Example:

• Topic: “Impact of the National Monetization Pipeline”
• Core issue: Discusses how the Indian government plans to lease out infrastructure assets like railways, airports, and roads to raise funds.
• Pros: Financial resources for infrastructure development, improved asset management.
• Cons: Risk of privatization, concerns over long-term public control.
• Government policies: Government’s approach towards infrastructure development, financing methods.

Let us look at an example to understand the right strategy to make notes from the newspaper for the UPSC CSE exam preparation. For Example:

Notes: Subject covered: Science and Technology

Identify the Key Words: ISRO, Mission to Sun, Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1- Space Observatory to study Sun, Seven Payloads.

About ISRO

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of the Government of India.
• ISRO was founded on August 15, 1969, by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, often regarded as the father of India’s space program.
• It is headquartered in Bengaluru, India.
• ISRO’s primary goal is to advance space technology and use space applications for various national tasks.
• ISRO successfully launched its first satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975.
• The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) launched by ISRO in 2013 made India the fourth space agency to reach Mars and the first to do so in its maiden attempt.
• ISRO’s Chandrayaan missions have focused on lunar exploration, with Chandrayaan-1 discovering water molecules on the Moon’s surface.
• The organisation has launched numerous communication, remote sensing, navigation, and scientific satellites.
• ISRO has played a crucial role in providing satellite-based services for disaster management, agriculture, weather forecasting, and communication across India.
• It has developed cost-effective launch vehicles like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
• ISRO’s achievements include launching a record number of satellites in a single mission using PSLV-C37 in 2017.
• The Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts into space using the indigenous crewed spacecraft.
• ISRO has collaborated with various international space agencies and organisations for joint missions and satellite launches.

You can cover the other Key topics identified in a similar manner.

Relate Current Affairs to the UPSC Syllabus

Always relate current news articles to the relevant sections of the UPSC syllabus. This helps you integrate your understanding of the news with the core areas of the exam.

• Example: If the article discusses “India’s Foreign Policy and Relations with China,” you can link it to:
  • General Studies Paper II: International Relations (bilateral relations with neighboring countries, international treaties, etc.)
  • General Studies Paper II: Governance (diplomacy, national security)

Make Short Notes

After reading articles, make concise notes. This is especially helpful for revision. Your notes should include:

• Important facts, statistics, and quotes
• The key issue or event
• Relevant government schemes, policies, or international agreements

Example:

• Article on “Climate Change and India’s Role”:
  • Issue: Global warming, carbon emissions
  • India’s Role: Commitment to reducing carbon emissions, steps in renewable energy
  • Schemes: National Action Plan on Climate Change
  • International Relations: India’s stance in UN Climate Conferences

Use the Article for Writing Practice

Once you’ve gathered information from the newspaper, use that knowledge to practice writing. You can either write a daily answer or practice essay writing on the topics covered in the news.

Review and Revise Regularly

Revisit the notes and articles you’ve read in previous weeks. Revising current affairs is crucial for retaining important information, especially when nearing the exam date.

Example Breakdown: Reading an Article

Let’s consider an example of an article from The Hindu.

Headline: “India’s Green Hydrogen Mission and its Economic Potential”

1. Skim the Article: Quickly go through the article to understand its key message.
2. In-depth Reading:
   • Core Issue: India is planning to boost its green hydrogen production to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and help meet climate goals.
   • Implications: Potential for economic growth, job creation, and energy security.
   • Government Policies: National Green Hydrogen Mission, government subsidies for clean energy projects.
   • Global Context: International efforts for green hydrogen, collaborations with other countries like Japan and the EU.
3. Relate to Syllabus:
   • General Studies Paper II: Governance (national policies, international cooperation).
   • General Studies Paper III: Technology and Economic Development (energy, sustainable development).
   • General Studies Paper II: Environmental Issues (climate change, sustainable development goals).
4. Take Notes:
   • India’s Green Hydrogen Mission aims to reduce carbon footprint.
   • Government Schemes: National Green Hydrogen Mission for production of clean energy.
   • International Relations: India’s partnership with global players for clean energy.

Conclusion:

To summarize, reading newspapers effectively for UPSC CSE requires you to:

• Skim through headlines, focus on editorials, and articles related to governance, economy, environment, etc.
• Analyze and take notes that relate to the UPSC syllabus.
• Make it a habit to revisit and practice writing based on these articles.