The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam tests candidates on their general awareness and current affairs knowledge besides their aptitude. Being well-versed with the latest current affairs across diverse topics is crucial to score well in GS Paper 1 of the Prelims. Here are some useful tips for preparing & revising current affairs for prelims exam and chanakya IAS academy is here to help you.
1. Focus on relevant current affairs: For prelims preparation, focus more on current affairs related to history, culture, geography, governance, schemes, bills etc. Do not spend too much time studying business, market or share market updates.
2. Revise daily: It is critical to revise current affairs daily and test your retained knowledge. Jot down important points, do a quick recall before sleeping to consolidate information. Periodic revision strengthens your retention.
3. Attempt quizzes: Take online current affairs quizzes on websites like Collegedekho, Testbook etc. Appear for MCQ tests to assess your awareness levels. Identify weaker areas and improve through regular revision.
4. Read magazines/journals: Subscribe to or read online magazines like Yojana & Kurukshetra published by the Govt. of India. Also refer to monthly/weekly journals like Frontline, Down to Earth etc. covering socio-economic issues.
5. Create notes subject-wise: Arrange current affairs into different subjects like history, polity, economy, science etc. Maintain separate notebooks or files for revision. It is easier to revise when notes are subject-categorized.
6. Follow Monthly Current Affairs compilations: Refer to monthly Current Affairs compilations provided by coaching institutes like InsightsIAS, ForumIAS, ClearIAS etc. These summarize key events and are very useful for quick revision.
7. Brush up just before Prelims: In the last 1-2 months before your Prelims, brush up current affairs again. Scan through your notes, take mock tests to check retention. This helps strengthen and consolidate your knowledge further.
Preparing & revising current affairs for prelims exam demands consistency and an organized approach. Accumulate information from diverse sources and test your revision frequently. Be focused, avoid any information overload and manage your preparation smartly. With meticulous effort in keeping yourself updated, you will gain the confidence to tackle any current affairs questions the UPSC Prelims throws at you.