Knowledge of current affairs is one of the most vital aspects of preparation for UPSC. Some people try to read 7 to 8 newspapers every day, along with magazines and TV news channels. And even after that, they feel a lack of confidence to answer Prelims or Mains GS questions related to current events. What can be the reason? What difference do successful candidates get in their UPSC coaching on current affairs?
This article discusses the common mistakes many UPSC aspirants make in their current affairs preparations.
Why is current affairs important in civil services exams?
Excellent preparation in current affairs is not just important but is the necessity to succeed in any civil services exam, be it UPSC, WBCS, or OPSC. The reasons are:
- The UPSC Prelims maintains a ratio of 60:40 between questions from static and dynamic topics. Static topics are simple theoretical questions from different subjects, like history, geography, S&T, etc. The dynamic part involves either purely informational questions from current events or the application of static knowledge in the context of current affairs. Similar bias remains in Mains papers.
- Practical understanding of current affairs is an essential job requirement of civil services officers. So, even if you clear Mains with limited understanding, it might create problems in the Personal interview round.
- Studying current affairs proactively also improves understanding of related subject matters. For example, understanding controversies around demonetization may help you understand concepts in macroeconomics and public finance.
The 5 common mistakes to avoid during current affairs preparation
- Targeting to cover everything at once – UPSC current affairs syllabus is vast. It can be overwhelming for anyone trying to cram all news and information. It can create mental fatigue. So, maintain a study routine for everyday current affairs preparation.
- Too little or too many – Many candidates try to read as much material as they get, including newspapers, magazines, news channels and social media videos. Considering the prevalence of fake news, it can be very cumbersome to process all that information and check their authenticity. So, it is advisable to stick to reading 2 English daily newspapers, 1 or 2 UPSC magazines every day and watch only authentic TV channels, like SansadTV.
- Too much trust in memorizing – UPSC does not check how much news information a candidate can remember. Rather, they assess what critical piece of intelligence a candidate can gather from information related to any current event. For example, on the demonetization topic, you may not need to remember the exact dates and size of currencies in circulation. You are expected to understand the economics and administrative issues it caused.
- Avoid attempting quizzes and practice tests: The only trusted way for effective preparation in UPSC current affairs is to practice answering quizzes. It helps you remember facts and apply a critical understanding of any topic. Besides, you also get a chance to answer different questions.
Bottom-line
It is natural to get demotivated considering the vastness of current affairs syllabus in UPSC or other state-level civil services exams. However, every year thousands of candidates clear these exams with flying colors. The only way out is to avoid making common mistakes we discussed. Are you looking for UPSC coaching? Check https://aptiplus.in/. They are the best and the oldest institute in Eastern India. They also offer quizzes and current affairs-specific test series for UPSC preparation.
