How to read Newspaper for UPSC preparation ?

Reading newspapers creates a lot of confusion lies amongst aspirants

Is Newspaper reading absolutely necessary for UPSC CSE preparation ?   How many hours should one give to newspaper to ‘crack’ the exam ? How many newspapers should one read ? Which section to read ? Should one make notes out of newspaper ? ………

So, let us answet that one by one

• Is Newspaper Reading necessary for UPSC CSE preparation ?
  • It is extremely crucial, more so in the recent pattern, where a lot of focus is on the dynamic parts and current affairs. Additionally, newspapers act as a tool to augment vocabulary, improve reading skills and help in clarifying concepts. Moreover, for me, newspaper also provided a source of recreation and helped me to wake up from bed.
• How many newspapers should I read ? Aren’t Hindu, Indian Express and Business Newspaper all important ? 
  • The no of newspapers really depend on the status of your preparation. If you are at the initial stage, then reading 1 newspaper itself would consume much of your time. In the intermediate stage, one could read multiple newspapers to diversify the benefits. However, my personal benefit is that multiple newspapers often leads to duplication of efforts, without adding something substantial . And choose 1 newspaper. My personal choice would be the Indian Express because it provides better analysis
• So, should I supplement newspaper with online Daily Current Affairs ?
  • You can if you have too much time. But, my personal belief if that daily current affairs do not provide ample explanation or organised analysis of relevant details. It is better instead to supplement newspaper with Monthly compilation , preferably that of Vision
• Which section of newspaper should I read ?
  • The most important are the middle pages that of Op Ed and Editorial. But, here too be careful, and avoid reading Political editorials. Choose those that enrich your knowledge eg that of C Rajamohan or that of Surjit Bhalla in IE
  • Read the National Section and especially look for court judgements, schemes and review reports
  • Read the Explained Page of Indian Express
  • For International Relations, no need to be worried about the daily changes. Just follow the trends
• Should I make notes out of Newspaper ?
  • you MUST make notes out of newspaper or out of almost anything you read. ( not in the very initial stage of preparation though) Appreciate the fact that UPSC CSE is a very long exam, almost like a marathon. It is humanly impossible to remember everything relevant one year later after you have read it. Making notes helps you retain it. Plus making notes helps you become more goal oriented while reading newspaper
• So, what should I note out of newspaper ?
  • Assuming that you have already made notes out of the key words of the syllabus, then note down any new and relevant fact / data / example / quotes / judgement  in the relevant portion of the syllabus. For eg, you read somewhere that Indian savings rate has fallen to 27% of GDP. Then note it there where you have made notes on the Indian GDP
• How much time should I take to read newspapers ?
  • If you are the very initial phase, then it can last even to a time period of >2 hours. No problem. But, slowly try to reduce the time to <1 hour by reading more relevant stuffs by keeping in mind the syllabus at all points
• My optional is Economics. Is it compulsory for me to read a Business Newspaper ?
  • Not really. It is much more important to read the static part. Contemporary events are rarely asked. Even is they are asked, you can cover it from the Economic Survey ( Especially Volume 2 ) and Vision Monthly magazines / 365. But yes, reading business newspapers are essential at the interview stage