The Knowledge of Current Affairs and IAS

The Knowledge of Current Affairs and IAS comes with anyone who aspires to join the Indian Administrative Services. It is necessary to have a thorough knowledge of current affairs as UPSC tests it at various stages, including Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Apart from helping candidates crack the UPSC exam, knowledge of current affairs also plays a crucial role in discharging duties as a successful administrator.

UPSC aims to assess the candidate’s knowledge of current affairs to gauge not only their erudition gained from reading materials but also other aspects of their personality. These aspects include awareness, alertness, presence of mind, and a desire to know about various happenings irrespective of geographical distance and fields of life.

To gain and update knowledge of current affairs, newspapers are considered one of the best sources. The Hindu, The Indian Express, LiveMint, The Economic Times, and Business Standard are some of the recommended newspapers for IAS aspirants. However, it is important to focus on specific categories of news, such as national and international news, economic news, science and technology, and art and culture. Keeping a copy of the UPSC syllabus while reading the newspaper can help candidates align their reading with the exam requirements.

Revision is crucial to retain the information, so it is advisable to revise and make notes daily. Underlining significant facts while reading can aid the revision process.

Having a strong hold over current affairs is beneficial for clearing the different stages of the UPSC exam. In the Prelims, UPSC asks questions based on current issues, so it is essential to make notes of all the current affairs. For the Mains, reading editorials from The Hindu and The Indian Express can enhance analytical insight and broaden perspective. The Interview, being a Personality Test, requires a balanced perspective and updated knowledge of current affairs.

Knowledge of current affairs also helps in preparing for the General Knowledge (GK) section of the IAS exam. Both current affairs and GK are interconnected and preparing for both increases the chances of cracking the exam. Maintaining a good hold over current affairs and GK can improve performance in the Prelims, Mains, and Interview, and boost confidence. Proper time management is crucial in the preparation process.