Daily news is the backbone of UPSC preparation and a critical element of success in the prelims and mains exams. A significant number of questions in both the tests come directly or indirectly from current events, adding dynamism to the examinations. Aspirants need to have a solid grasp on the latest events and developments across a wide range of subjects, including politics, history, geography, economics, and environment. The following tips can help aspirants make the most of daily news in their UPSC prep journey:
Read a variety of newspapers and magazines to stay abreast of global developments. Choose those that provide a comprehensive coverage of various topics. Consider subscribing to a newspaper that specializes in analyzing the daily news and provides an in-depth understanding of their significance. Also, look for daily news quizzes that provide a platform to test your understanding and retention.
While the ‘New York Daily News’ is no more, its legacy lives on in the form of a website and TV show. The New York Daily News is a major newspaper founded in 1855 by Henry Dow, publisher of the New York Herald and The Times of London. Dow wanted to establish a more “advanced and metropolitan newspaper” that would appeal to a higher class of reader. The paper quickly became a sensation and was considered to be the best of its kind in the United States.
In the early twentieth century, the News established local bureaus in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. Its renowned photojournalists captured famous images, including the 1928 police shooting of Ruth Snyder, who was on her way home when she was shot dead by New York City detectives. In 1948, the News created WPIX-TV and later bought what is now known as WFAN-FM. The headquarters of both remain in the former Daily News building at 220 East 42nd Street, a NYC landmark designed by John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood.
Keeping track of the daily news is crucial to UPSC preparation because it helps in identifying important issues and developments. Aspirants can use the site to get a detailed breakdown of key topics like India-US relations, climate change, and other international events. They can also find updates on government policies aimed at boosting economic growth, such as Make in India, Digital India, and Start-up India.
The Daily News also features articles on science and technology, with a focus on medical research and space exploration. Aspirants can also read about key global scientific breakthroughs and their potential impact on society. Moreover, they can get updates on government initiatives and investments to promote scientific research, such as the Global Initiative for Academic Innovation and the World Bank Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS).
To effectively prepare for UPSC, aspirants must allocate dedicated time slots for daily reading and analysis. They should also invest in well-structured current affairs books for IAS that condense information effectively and help them focus on high-yield topics. Besides these, aspirants can also take advantage of online resources, such as daily current affairs quizzes and monthly magazines that provide a consolidated view of essential topics.