Current Affairs strategy/technique for new aspirants

failure_2016

Hello everyone,
I will be giving civil services exam for the first time in 2016. I have been reading newspaper since July 2015, however, after seeing the mains paper (GS2 and GS3), i am skeptical about my technique of reading newspapers. In fact, I came to find out that my newspaper reading was mostly confined to searching for wrought facts and information and writing them down (basically, too much prelims oriented). Now i have tried to change it to reading editorials in good depth, however, i am still not able to get a hold on a good technique for current affairs. It would be great if the experienced members of this forum can help me (and all new aspirants on the forum) to know a few basic things to do and to avoid while reading newspapers.{example: do/do not read political and masala news, do/do not read about every new species etc.}

Extra: Every now and then, we see a news about some new missile being tested, and some new species being discovered. Are such news important?

Thanks

Target_2014_15

Read newspapers for one whole month sincerely(say Jan 2015) . The following month there'll be compilations of CA from the past month ( Jan 2015 )on various platforms (such as VisionIAS). Tally what you have read the past month with the ones condensed by the coaching centres, if they match you're on track . All the best.

Varonika Singh

No offence but I'll suggest you to first change ur username Be positive first and try to make it ur first N last attempt Enjoy the process ! keep reading N writing (y)

Varonika Singh

No offence but I'll suggest you to first change ur username Be positive first and try to make it ur first N last attempt Enjoy the process ! keep reading N writing (y)

Smart Man

No offence but I'll suggest you to first change ur username Be positive first and try to make it ur first N last attempt Enjoy the process ! keep reading N writing (y)

new aspirants its not easy to make it last attempt- ull have to rewrite the exam in most of cases- courtesy upsc

crimsonorion1

No offence but I'll suggest you to first change ur username Be positive first and try to make it ur first N last attempt Enjoy the process ! keep reading N writing (y)

I was about to write that..lol

gt2015

Hello everyone,
I will be giving civil services exam for the first time in 2016. I have been reading newspaper since July 2015, however, after seeing the mains paper (GS2 and GS3), i am skeptical about my technique of reading newspapers. In fact, I came to find out that my newspaper reading was mostly confined to searching for wrought facts and information and writing them down (basically, too much prelims oriented). Now i have tried to change it to reading editorials in good depth, however, i am still not able to get a hold on a good technique for current affairs. It would be great if the experienced members of this forum can help me (and all new aspirants on the forum) to know a few basic things to do and to avoid while reading newspapers.{example: do/do not read political and masala news, do/do not read about every new species etc.}

Extra: Every now and then, we see a news about some new missile being tested, and some new species being discovered. Are such news important?

Thanks

Refer to Gaurav Agarawal's blog he has explained there how to prepare current affairs.

HammadRashid

Current Affairs strategy

Take an issue like " Field Trials of Genetically Modified crops "

Now, you need to understand that 3 type of question can be asked on any issue :

UPSC will give a positive opinion on its own. Like "List the benefits of GM crops". Here you have to substantiate the positive side only.

Or

UPSC will give a negative opinion on its own. Like " Discuss the negative impacts of GM crops". Here again you have to substantiate the negative side only.

Or

UPSC will give a general intro/ line about the issue. Like "last year GM crops have been in news. Discuss CRITICALLY the advantages of GM crops". This is a special case question, where UPSC demands you to have a centrist view on the issue. UPSC demands that you list out the advantages, and corresponding risks and disadvantages for each point.

What are the observation :

1) No data is demanded.

2) Different perspectives of an issue is demanded.

So, when you read an issue, research should be done to bring out the different views on the issue.
Data/Facts on the issue should be used in minimum.

In one newspaper for a day, there are 4-5 issues only. Rest information is about the follow up of the past stories and future projection of present stories.

Useless data/ facts/ information which accounts for the major news should be ignored. Only the issue should be considered.

Majority of aspirants, note down all the facts and all the issues. The time is divided into facts and issues. But they do not give time to bring out/ research the varied perspectives on an issue.

So, in my opinion very minimal time should be given to facts and the majority of time should be given to study the issue in detail.

Review the last paper and see for yourself that UPSC simply asks question on the different perspective for a familiar issue.

Keep the fodder facts to minimum.

priyankakeepwalking

Same ques
Pls suggest apt method

nitinoooo

http://drshakyacurrentaffairs.com/

for current affairs ..i found useful ,along with The hindu

raveetondak

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