The process of preparing for the UPSC exam is strenuous, and all candidates are expected to be knowledgeable about everything that is occurring in the country. The foundation for future policies and decisions made by the government, bureaucracy, and administrative services can be laid by being informed about what is going on around you and in the country.
Why is it important for public servants to read the news?
The Indian people are the Union Public Service Commission’s top priority. All departments make fluid decisions that alter over time and in response to demands. Knowing everything that is happening in and around one’s country is essential for developing policies and changing the way the government makes decisions. Your capacity to stay informed and make decisions and changes that are in the public’s best interests is evaluated by UPSC. While preparing for the UPSC, reading the entire newspaper might overwhelm your mind with irrelevant information that won’t even be useful during the test.
Here are a few pointers to help you make the most of your newspaper reading experience
Choose to read “The Hindu”:
The Hindu is regarded as a “neutral” newspaper that focuses more on local, national, and occasionally international events than political party platforms. Additionally, the language has a few unusual words that will help you expand your vocabulary and use it more naturally in daily life.
Avoid political news:
Governments change, but bureaucracy never goes away. This is one of the central principles of the public service commission. Exams that gauge your understanding of policies, schemes, and reforms and their current status and recent announcements reflect this. If there is any political news, it only matters in the context of the constitution, laws, and government.
Keep an eye out for government advertisements:
The state and the federal governments both put a significant amount of money into marketing and promotion efforts. Their objective is to provide the general public with information regarding the policies that are currently being put into effect and/or the progress that has been made, if any.
National news is essential:
On any given day, the news that garners the most attention is typically the one with broad national implications. These events give us a glimpse into what might be occurring later or even in the background. For instance, the arrival of Rafale jets was a big deal for the IAF, and the announcement that day meant that the planes would now go through testing and finalization before being formally inducted into service, which took place a few days later.
Economic news is essential:
Whether they are state- or country-specific, economic activity, policies, successes, and failures have the potential to have a significant impact on people’s livelihoods. All important and unimportant events must be communicated to all UPSC candidates. Having said that, the stock market is not a reliable predictor of the state of the economy, so that information can be discounted.
General Knowledge:
You can stay informed about environmental changes, the monsoon cycle and its effects, and the addition or deletion of parliamentary or legislative seats, to name a few topics. It’s helpful to have broader knowledge of news like this.
Be informed about international news:
When the president, prime minister, or other significant government representatives travel abroad, there is typically some sort of bilateral development that occurs, for better or worse. A good way to stay up to date with the state of the world is to keep a close eye on the results of such visits.