Best Newspaper For UPSC Exam Preparation

PWOnlyIAS April 01, 2024 07:16 4546 0

Learn about the importance of newspaper reading for UPSC exam preparation and discover the best newspapers recommended by toppers.

Best Newspaper For UPSC Exam Preparation

Reading the daily newspaper is an important part of UPSC preparation. Reading newspapers for UPSC not just covers current affairs for the exam, it also enhances linguistic proficiency of a candidate. If you are a candidate looking for ideas to begin your preparation, this article will guide you in your endeavour. 

Newspaper Selection for UPSC Preparation

A candidate beginning his/her preparation always has a question regarding reading newspapers. While UPSC does not specifically mention which newspaper to read, analysis of trends from previous years have helped us to decipher the sources from which UPSC asks questions based on current affairs.

The reasons why candidates are curious to know which newspaper is best for UPSC is because newspapers cover topics related to polity, environment, science, technology, international affairs, economy and social issues. These issues are very important for exams.

Reading Newspaper for UPSC: Tips and Strategies

Newspapers help a candidate stay updated on the issues concerning India and the world. UPSC expects a candidate to know these pivotal issues, and hence frames questions on them. This is the reason why candidates cannot think of preparing for the UPSC exam without reading the newspaper. Following are some of the tips to read newspaper:

  • Selecting the Newspaper for UPSC Exam: Selecting the right newspaper to read is as important as reading the newspaper. The selected newspaper for UPSC must cover domestic as well as international issues comprehensively.
  • Identifying the Topics: Candidates must identify the topics that hold relevance for the exam by skimming the headlines first. Not everything covered in the exam may be important. So, it is better that the candidate recognises issues that can be asked in the exam.
  • Stay Objective: Try to be fair and open-minded. Think about different points of view before deciding what you think is true.
  • Linking with Static Component: If a particular issue is covered in the newspaper, the candidate must read about the conceptual part of the issue for better understanding. This will help them cover the topic comprehensively.
  • Making Short Notes: Reading news is not just enough. Candidates must make a short note of the topic for future reference and revision. If you lack the time then you can use media to store the important information.
  • Consistent Reading of Editorials: Editorial part of the newspaper is critical for forming opinion, which holds an important position for UPSC mains.
  • Interlinking of Topics: The news must not be read in isolation. Candidates must make an effort to read the news in multiple angles, ensuring a holistic understanding of the issue.
  • Discussions: It is advisable to discuss topics with fellow aspirants so that they can broaden their ideas and develop analytical skills to tackle difficult questions in exams. One can take help from you tube channels where editorial analysis is discussed thoroughly. E.g Editorial analysis by Sumit Rewri Sir is quite famous among the aspirants.

UPSC toppers of previous years have been able to score good marks due to their focus on current affairs. Current affairs have given them the ability to predict topics that may be asked in the exam, and prepare accordingly. Following is a list of newspaper for UPSC that is recommended by toppers:

English Newspaper Hindi Newspaper
The Hindu: The Hindu is considered to be the cornerstone of UPSC preparation. Without reading the Hindu, preparation for UPSC is incomplete. 

The Indian Express: The Indian Express is equally important as examiners have been picking questions from it in recent years.

The Economic Times: It covers issues related to the Indian and world economy.

The Mint: The mint also covers topics such as social issues, economy and polity in a comprehensive way.

Dainik Jagran: It is widely followed in states with significant Hindi language presence.

Dainik Bhaskar: It is one of the widely read newspapers in India and suitable for UPSC preparation.

Jansatta: This newspaper has also been widely followed by aspirants preparing for the exam in Hindi medium.

Hindustan: Many aspirants also suggest reading the Hindustan for preparation.

The Hindu or Indian Express: Which Newspaper is the Best For UPSC Preparation?

The Hindu and the Indian Express are the two widely known newspapers read by UPSC aspirants. While both the newspapers have quality material necessary for exam preparation, there are some specialist features of both the newspapers:

The Hindu The Indian Express
  • Vast Coverage: The Hindu provides comprehensive coverage of national and international news, making it a reliable source for staying updated on current affairs.
  • Analytical Skills: The newspaper often features in-depth analytical articles and editorials written by experts, which can help aspirants develop a nuanced understanding of complex issues.
  • Essay Writing and Interview Preparation: Editorial section of The Hindu is known for its clarity of thought and well-articulated opinions, which can serve as a valuable resource for essay writing and interview preparation.
  • Unbiased Reporting: The Hindu is known for its unbiased and factual reporting, which is crucial for UPSC aspirants who need accurate information to form informed opinions and arguments.
  • Language of Newspaper: The language used in the paper is a bit complex, especially for aspirants not having a strong hold over English.
  • South-India Focus: The majority of issues will be covered from Southern India.
  • Tone of Writing: The tone of the paper, especially political issues, is considered to be critical of the establishment.
  • Diverse View: The Indian Express often provides diverse perspectives on current affairs, and opinions and analysis from different experts and commentators. Reading this can help you see different sides of tricky problems, It can improve your critical thinking.
  • More Focus on Governance and Policy: A strong focus on governance, policy, and socio-economic issues, which are important aspects of the UPSC syllabus which can help aspirants gain insights into government policies, their implementation, and their impact on society.
  • Editorial: The newspaper has the knack of covering topics related to economics and social issues in a comprehensive way.
  • Language of Newspaper: The Indian Express uses simpler language to convey thoughts, and hence is considered suitable for beginners.
  • North India Focus: The Indian Express covers issues from north Indians states in a comprehensive way.
  • Tone of Writing: Compared to the Hindu, the Indian Express is believed to adopt a more nuanced and balanced tone while dissecting policies and issues.

Benefits of Reading a Newspaper for UPSC

As mentioned before, UPSC preparation is incomplete without reading newspapers. The reading of newspapers will not just help prepare for current affairs, but also help in developing an analytical mind to approach complex issues. Following are some of the benefits of newspaper reading:

  • Current Affairs Coverage: Majority of questions asked in the exam, related to current affairs, are directly or indirectly sourced from newspapers.
  • Forming Independent Ideas: In mains exam, the candidates have to answer analytical questions that require ideas and deep understanding of topics. Such ideas can be obtained from newspapers.
  • Language Proficiency: UPSC mains exams require candidates to express their thoughts effectively in English. Reading newspapers regularly improves vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills, thereby enhancing language proficiency, which is beneficial for essay writing, answer writing and Interview.
  • Identify Relevant Topics: Some topics from the static part may be asked in the exam based on its prevalence in news. This helps candidates to prepare well.
  • Boost Knowledge Base: In the interview stage, candidates may have to answer questions that are closely linked to current affairs. Ideas collected from newspapers may help them answer questions.
  • Time Management: Reading newspapers regularly helps candidates manage their time effectively by staying updated with current affairs. without spending excessive time researching multiple sources.

Conclusion

Toppers of UPSC have regularly emphasised on the importance of newspaper reading for clearing the exam. Newspapers are important sources of questions and many subtopics such as science and technology, economics, international relations, environment etc are closely linked to current affairs from newspapers.

Candidates must inculcate newspaper reading as a part of the preparation process and give it equal importance. This will help them attempt a maximum number of questions from current affairs, both in prelims, mains and also interview.

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

Frequently Asked Questions

For aspirants preparing in English, the Hindu, the Indian Express, the Economic Times, the Mint etc are best for preparation.

The Hindu and Indian Express have their own importance. While Hindu covers topics such as science and technology and international relations in a comprehensive way, the Indian Express is known for its coverage of social issues and economics.

UPSC toppers have suggested newspapers such as Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhaskar, Hindustan, Jansatta etc as best newspapers for UPSC preparation in Hindi.

The newspaper must be classified broadly into polity, social issues, economy, science and technology, international relations, ethics etc. Aspirants must refer to the syllabus to identify relevant topics from this broad classification.

Newspapers help candidates prepare for current affairs related topics for exams. It also helps form critical and analytical thinking that is important for the exam.
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