Rachit Kumar
Rachit Kumar Saxena
Manager-Editorial
Updated on Jun 26, 2023 13:40 IST

How to read the newspaper for the UPSC IAS 2023 Exam. Read here in detail.

How_to_read_newspaper_for_UPSC_exam

Newspaper is very important in UPSC preparation. The IAS Toppers and guides always suggest reading a newspaper and making self-notes from it so it can really help at the time of revision. The newspaper covers various aspects of the Current events of national and international importance. The newspaper editorial and the backgrounders on various issues provides insights into the issue important from the perspective of the IAS exam 2023.

See here: IAS Syllabus

It is seen that the candidate always end-up wasting so much time reading the newspaper and the time to study other things is eaten up by the newspaper. The newspaper is an important part of the daily study plan, but it expands to more than two hours and it eats up the time allotted to the other sections. The candidates can read any national daily such as The Hindu, Indian Express or the Times of India.

Table of content
  • Best Books to Study for UPSC Preparation
  • How to read the newspaper for the UPSC exam?
  • Time Limit for Newspaper
  • Important News First
  • Prepare notes from the Newspaper
  • Editorials and Opinion Building
  • International Relations Topics
  • Science and Technology Topics
View More

Best Books to Study for UPSC Preparation

The candidates can see a short video to see the best books for the UPSC IAS preparation

How to read the newspaper for the UPSC exam?

The candidates can follow the given suggestions to read and complete the newspaper daily.

Time Limit for Newspaper

The candidates should allot a specific time in their daily routine. Two hours to two and a half hours is sufficient time to read and finish the newspaper. Do not allocate more time to the newspaper because it will hamper the preparation of other components of the IAS preparation. The candidates should read and finish the newspaper daily. The candidates should not read the previous day’s newspaper the next day. Because it will pile up one day and the candidate will feel the pressure of it.

Q:   When was the IAS 2024 Notification released?
A:

The UPSC IAS 2024 notification was released on February 14, 2024. The notification included important dates, the number of vacancies, the syllabus, and all the criteria for appearing in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Candidates can apply for the UPSC IAS application form until March 5, 2024.  There are 1056 UPSC vacancies in the IAS 2024 exam.

The IAS Exam for 2024 prelims phase will take place on May 26, 2024. The minimum age to fill the IAS 2024 application is 21 years and the maximum age is 32 years. Age relaxation is provided to candidates belonging to certain categories.

Q:   What is the IAS 2025 Prelims Exam Date?
A:

UPSC Civil Service (IAS) 2025 will be conducted on May 25, 2025. The Union Public Service Commission released the UPSC Civil Service (IAS) 2025 notification was released on January 22, 2025. The Commission activated the IAS 2025 online application form on its official website - upsc.gov.in. 

The last date to apply for the IAS 2025 application form was February 21, 2025.

Q:   How can I download IAS notification PDF?
A:

The candidates are suggested to download and read the official IAS notification pdf. The steps to download the IAS notification pdf are as follows:

  1. Go to the official website of UPSC - upsc.gov.in
  2. Click on the Civil Service notification 2026 link
  3. A new window will appear (on clicking above link)
  4. Click on the link for the Civil Service (IAS) 2026 notification pdf link given corresponding to the exam name
  5. Download and Save the IAS 2026 notification PDF.

The IAS notification 2026 will be available on January 14, 2026.

Important News First

Candidates should read the national news or the headline news of the newspaper and do a little research on that. The events of national importance are always asked in the UPSC exams. The candidates should always read the current events of national and international importance. It must be covered daily.

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After finishing the national news, the candidates should search for any new initiatives of the states or the technology institute so they can be covered and their background should be researched. The candidate should not waste his time on the crime news and petty politics news such as the robbery news, crime news, political statement of leaders (in their personal capacity).
It is not essential to read the editorial daily because sometimes the editorial is not important from the perspective of the UPSC exam. The candidates should avoid wasting their time on sports news.

See here: Current Affairs 2023

Prepare notes from the Newspaper

The candidates should prepare notes from the Newspaper. The notes can be divided into two parts, objective information and subjective information. The objective information is the factual data provided by the Government of India and various reputed research agencies. Candidates can use these data in substantiating their answers in the IAS main exam. It will be very helpful while writing the essay and the Ethics answers. Subjective information is the personal opinions and critical views of eminent personalities.

Q:   How was the IAS 2023 Prelims Exam?
A:

The IAS 2023 Prelims exam was held on May 28th, 2023. The exam was moderately to difficult overall, with the General Studies Paper 1 being moderate to difficult and the GS Paper 2 CSAT being very lengthy. The exam also included more questions from the Environment and Geography section, and fewer questions from current affairs and international relations. The exam pattern changed, with altered Assertion and Reason questions, and a new format for multiples.

The cut-off for the exam was expected to be between 82 and 85, compared to 88 in 2022. Only 14,624 students scored above the cut-off and were eligible to proceed to the Mains round.

Some students who took the CSAT paper said it was very difficult, and some even approached the courts against the UPSC. Even some candidates files a petition against the difficulty level of the IAS prelims GS-2 (CSAT) paper.

Q:   Does UPSC ask for Factual Questions in IAS prelims 2023?
A:

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) asked a few factual questions in the 2023 IAS Prelims exam. The questions were moderate in difficulty and required both conceptual understanding and factual knowledge. The questions covered topics such as presidential elections, money bills, due process of law, and emergency provisions. Some say that the questions were difficult to answer and had limited scope for using the elimination method.

The UPSC Prelims exam syllabus has not changed for many years, so the paper setters tend to repeat questions.

Q:   Is the IAS 2024 Imphal Exam Centre changed/dropped?
A:

Yes, the Union Public Service Commission dropped the imphal exam city from the IAS exam centres list for the IAS 2024 prelims exam. The candidates who opted for IAS 2024 imphal exam centre can change their exam centre for the IAS prelims exam. They can opt any of the 80 exam centres. 

The facility to change the IAS 2024 exam centre will be available on the official website of UPSC - upsc.gov.in from April 8 to 19. The Commission will release their IAS admit cards one week before the exam date. IAS 2024 exam will be conducted on June 16, 2024.

Also Read: IAS vs IPS: Powers, Responsibility and Salary

Editorials and Opinion Building

The editorial of the newspapers is written by eminent personalities and experienced functionaries who have ample experience and knowledge about the topic. Candidates should read the editorial of the newspaper objectively and do not follow the political ideology of the writer. The candidates should objectively analyse the information provided and build their opinion.

There are editorials that criticise governmental policies. The candidates should note down the points of criticism and research how the government policy is designed to address such points or how the government is addressing such problems.

See here: How to write UPSC Essay

International Relations Topics

One of the most important topics covered in the newspaper is India’s bilateral relations with other nations. All the newspapers publish the details about the bilateral summits and its details. Various State Public Service Commissions ask the questions directly from such details.

Also Read: IAS Salary

Science and Technology Topics

The candidates should note the new developments in the field of Science and Technology. These new developments are covered in the newspaper. The candidates should research these new developments and prepare the Science principles behind such developments. UPSC always ask the basic science principles behind such inventions. Such as the wavelength and frequency principles behind the 5G spectrum.

Also Read: IPS Salary

 English Vocabulary

The candidates can also enhance their vocabulary through the newspaper. The candidates should always keep a dictionary while reading the newspaper. There are various English words that required a dictionary for the meaning, so keeping a dictionary is fundamental to enhance the English vocabulary. The candidates can prepare a notebook for such words and use these new words in the answer writing practice. There are various words that can save the time of the candidates.

The candidates should make the notes from the newspapers and revise them periodically to remember the details about the event. Newspapers help candidate build their worldview objectively.

Download Here: Current Affairs 2020 PDF

Also Read:

IAS Toppers 2020 Tips

IAS Questions for UPSC Mains

Current Affairs Topics for IAS

Most Important Topics for IAS

About the Author
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Rachit Kumar Saxena
Manager-Editorial
With over thirteen years of experience in the government exam and its preparation domain, Rachit knows the life cycle of almost all government exams and related information. He deeply understands the user requiremen Read Full Bio
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Category

IAS Prelims Cut off 2024

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PwBD-169.42663876
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