"This long run is a misleading guide to current affairs. In the long run we are all dead. Economists set themselves too easy, too useless a task if in tempestuous seasons they can only tell us that when the storm is long past the ocean is flat again." ~ John Maynard Keynes.

 

Gaining knowledge of current affairs is akin to sailing through a stormy sea. As John Maynard Keynes recalled, it is a futile exercise to exclusively aim at the distant calm while mismanaging the present storm. Today's current affairs can be mastered not only for the UPSC CSE examination but also for being enlightened future administrators. We shall, therefore, discuss in this blog some practical methods to engage with this ever-changing landscape of current events that forms one of the most dynamic and important components of the UPSC syllabus.

This certainly becomes a long-term game when one is preparing for current affairs for the UPSC exam. Some aspirants retain their vision too far into the future, often overlooking important current happenings that get repeatedly asked in the exam. In this blog, a few practical strategies to develop an energetic and effective approach toward mastering current affairs for the UPSC CSE Exam are mentioned so as to keep you ahead in this marathon race and confident while answering the questions.

But before moving onto those "tactics", let us share a very common but basic question: Have you ever wondered, "why is current affairs important?" Maybe yes or maybe no; let's see. Sure, acing competitive exams matters, but ultimately the goal is to become an informed and active citizen of this world.

 

Current affairs act as a stepping stone to informed decision-making in any form of governance, policy formulation, and everyday discourse. For the UPSC CSE aspirant, staying completely updated on current affairs is not optional but rather a requirement. The dynamic syllabus of the examination that has been undergoing changes in pattern demands candidates be able to connect theoretical knowledge with real-life happenings. Current affairs go beyond exams in shaping conscientious citizens trained to understand, analyze, and participate in the socio-political scenario.

 

Why Current Affairs?

 

The importance of current affairs is to all, not only to the UPSC aspirant. Let us see a few benefits one would get from knowing current affairs:

 

●      Being an Informed Citizen: Imagine yourself involved in a discussion over some recent government policy or global happening. The strong base in current affairs will give you the confidence to contribute towards the conversation and create a savvy impression in front of your friends. Nice, right? You will be able to debate different angles that could be taken. You will then have the power to hold leaders accountable and demand change, hence shaping the future.

●      Critical Thinking: Aristotle once said that critical thinking is the hallmark of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accepting it. This world comprises different perspectives, and if you hold a tight grip over current affairs, you will be updated about all the viewpoints. Critical thinking is quite necessary in any personal decision or situation at the workspace. 

●      Broadening Global Awareness: It is said, "The world is round," so the activities happening across the globe may produce different effects in your surroundings. It's necessary to know the international relations, conflicts, and developments to broaden your outlook. You become more aware of the relationship between the global issues and how they may influence your local environment.

●      Communication Skills: Through the course of participating in discussions on current affairs, one can develop communication skills. This can be attributed to the fact that you will be exposed to various complex subjects and know how to reproject your views comprehensively. There are several types of discussions in which you can participate.

 

We now know why current affairs are important in the lives of any UPSC CSE aspirant and in the life of the common man. When you are updated on current affairs, you are not preparing for just an exam, but you are upskilling yourself to become an active, critical, and responsible citizen.

 

How to Prepare Current Affairs?

 

So, let us understand the practical strategies that shall help you develop a good command over this essential skill.

●      Newspapers: As the saying goes, "old is gold", there is no replacement of newspapers till date. We are in a digital age, still newspapers play a vital role in spreading the news of recent events. Editorials, columns, etc of newspapers are such that they can be a great aid to the student who wants to prepare for competitive examinations and also prepares those who wish to become informed citizens. Notes from newspapers and highlighting important pieces of information can be made and viewed whenever desired. This shall enhance memory and improve retainability.

●      Engage in Healthy Group Discussions: Suppose you and your group of friends are engaged in a group discussion, speaking about the current happenings; it will really be of benefit in improving upon your current affairs. You can always engage in group study sessions focused on UPSC preparation; this will promote meaningful conversations and improve critical thinking. These discussions will give exposure to your thoughts, and you will learn about new arguments.

●      Connecting Current with Static: One of the most effective ways of preparing UPSC current affairs is connecting a current preparatory issue with related topics of static nature. As Albert Einstein said, "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." Candidates should be curious and seek complete information on subjects of their interests. Different questions asked are interlinked; while preparing its best, it is suggested to develop a mindset or mechanism that helps you connect those dots between different events which can always help you remain one step ahead of your fellow competitors.

●      Revise Regularly: Revisiting all the important topics to reinforce your learning. This will include flashcards, mind maps, or other revision techniques which will help consolidate information, participate in group discussions, and revise regularly. Setting specific goals of what one intends to achieve within a study session aids candidates in keeping focus and a sense of progression.

●      Mock tests and regular assessments: These make one find out how much one remembers. It helps you to realise how well you have prepared and at which point you are going wrong. Mock tests simulate the real environment of the exam, therefore giving the candidate a chance to deal with both time management and answer limitations constraints. Building a personal feedback mechanism after every test aids the candidate in recognizing strengths and weaknesses.

●      Technology in this Digital Age: Many applications, websites, and online resources are available these days that may turn out to be very helpful for UPSC aspirants in their preparation. Much the same, technology reinforces note-taking, resource management, and revising efficiently through the availability of a variety of tools using artificial intelligence and other digital upgrades.

 

Quite often, one gets hassled by the word 'current affairs,' which really creates unnecessary panic and nervousness amongst aspirants. It may ultimately enter into a hysterical cycle of confusion, wherein aspirants continuously keep getting stuck in questions like how much time is adequate to prepare for UPSC current affairs or what to follow. If you're going through the same, then you're not an exception. 

 

Don't worry; we have tried to cover these below.

 

Any applicant who is a fresher and wants to appear for UPSC CSE can obtain the current affairs of the recent past from various sources. One of the better ways of doing this would be to read newspapers. Current affairs magazines, general knowledge blogs and articles, and other such browsers may help too. Moreover, the time period for current affairs is not very well demarcated in highly competitive exams such as UPSC; but it is advisable to have at least a year's worth ready, if not more. 

Though there is not really any concrete cutoff, the ideal duration to focus on areas of current events and developments would be the last 1 to 2 years for comprehensive preparation. This is necessary so that one stays well-informed about recent events, generally relevant to the exam itself.

 

Over the years, applicants often make such mistakes which they repent later considering the fact that current affairs are of immense importance—so be wary of these common mistakes to strive for excellence in your exam, learning from others' mistakes.

• Not Updating with Daily News: In case you're not habituated to updating yourself with daily news, there may be certain important events and issues that you might miss out on, which are quite pertinent for the exams. 

• Negligence of Deep Analysis: Having a glance at news articles without understanding the background and situation arising from any occurrence is quite harmful.

• Avoiding editorials and Opinion Articles: It restricts exposure to different viewpoints on important issues by not reading editorials and opinion articles.

• Becoming Blind to International Affairs: Complete ignorance of international news can result in being deprived of any information relating to international events.

• Not Practicing Mock Tests: Students do not take mock tests seriously nor do they work on time management that leads to exam stress.

• Failing to Take Notes: Not taking proper notes while studying results in a messy situation to revise and remember the material studied.

 

The role of current affairs in UPSC cannot be reiterated. It acts as the spinal cord of the journey of preparation, allowing aspirants to filter through the mosaic of ever-changing happenings around the world. Staying updated, aspirants rise above only the chances of success in the examination to become well-informed and responsible officers who will be able to handle the issues thrown up by dynamic social change. 

Hence, making current affairs an intrinsic part of UPSC preparation is not merely going to help in cracking an exam but in the acquisition of an outlook for continuous learning and adaptability - attitudes and qualities a leader in civil services needs.

 

 

Tathastu Current Affairs Course