Introduction
Preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, APPSC, TSPSC, SSC, Banking, or any state-level public service commission exam? One thing you absolutely cannot skip is current affairs. They form a vital part of the syllabus and often prove to be the deciding factor between a successful attempt and a missed opportunity.
But with the daily flood of information from newspapers, TV news, online portals, and social media, students are left confused. What should I read? From where? How much is enough? If you’re asking yourself these questions, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.
At HAREESH THE BEST ACADEMY, we train thousands of aspirants each year, and here’s our expert take on the better way to read current affairs effectively for competitive exams.
Why Current Affairs Matter in Competitive Exams
Current affairs questions are designed to test your awareness of the world around you and your ability to connect past knowledge with present events. These questions appear in:
- Prelims (as objective questions)
- Mains (as essay topics, descriptive questions)
- Interviews (as opinion-based discussions)
A good grasp of current affairs improves your overall understanding of governance, policies, economy, science, and international relations, all of which are critical in competitive exams.
The Common Mistakes Students Make
Before we talk about the better way to read current affairs, let’s address some common mistakes students make:
- Reading everything under the sun – You don’t need to know about celebrity gossip or movie releases unless they have national importance.
- Lack of revision – Reading once is not enough. If you don’t revise, you forget.
- No proper source – Jumping between 10 websites and 3 newspapers only leads to confusion.
- Not making notes – Passive reading leads to low retention.
- Not following a timeline – Studying current affairs only a few weeks before the exam won’t work.
So what’s the smarter way?
The Better Way to Read and Retain Current Affairs
At HAREESH THE BEST ACADEMY, we’ve developed a systematic approach that helps aspirants cover current affairs comprehensively, consistently, and effectively.
1. Stick to Reliable and Limited Sources
Choose 1-2 trusted sources and stick to them regularly. Some of the recommended ones are:
- The Hindu or Indian Express (for editorials and national/international news)
- PIB (Press Information Bureau) for government updates
- Yojana/Kurukshetra magazines (for social and economic issues)
- Monthly current affairs compilations from coaching institutes
We provide monthly, weekly, and daily summaries that condense important news in an exam-oriented format, so our students don’t waste time filtering irrelevant info.
2. Daily 1-Hour Current Affairs Routine
Make current affairs a part of your daily study schedule. Here’s a simple routine:
- 20 mins – Read a newspaper/editorial
- 15 mins – Read the daily current affairs notes from HAREESH THE BEST ACADEMY
- 15 mins – Revise the previous day’s notes
- 10 mins – Attempt daily MCQs to test retention
This consistent approach makes a huge difference over 6-12 months.
3. Make Your Own Short Notes
Writing down important facts, schemes, policies, international events, and editorials in your own words will boost memory. Divide your notes into categories like:
- Polity & Governance
- Economy
- Environment
- Science & Tech
- International Affairs
At our academy, we guide students in how to make topic-wise short notes that can be revised multiple times before the exam.
4. Use Monthly Compilations Wisely
Monthly compilations are great for revision but should not replace daily reading. Use them to fill in any gaps or revise what you’ve already read. Our students get access to well-structured, exam-focused monthly PDFs with:
- One-liner facts
- Summary tables
- Editorial analysis
- Monthly current affairs quizzes
5. Focus on Understanding, Not Just Memorizing
Simply mugging up facts won’t help in mains or interviews. Focus on understanding the background of events and forming opinions. For example, don’t just memorize that India signed an MoU with a country—understand why it’s significant geopolitically or economically.
We conduct weekly current affairs discussion sessions at HAREESH THE BEST ACADEMY to help students form analytical perspectives.
6. Regular Revision is the Key
Current affairs span minimum 6 to 12 months before the exam. Without revision, you’ll forget everything. Follow this pattern:
- Daily mini-revision
- Weekly 1-hour review
- Monthly full revision (through our compilations + tests)
- Final crash revision 1 month before exam
7. Practice with MCQs and Mock Tests
Reading is just the first step—application is what matters. That’s why we encourage students to:
- Attempt daily quizzes
- Take part in our weekly current affairs tests
- Enroll in full-length mock exams
This helps build accuracy and confidence in the real exam.
Final Thoughts: Smart Work Over Hard Work
This article in the urrankings must have given you clear idea about In the world of competitive exams, current affairs is not just about information; it’s about informed strategy. With proper guidance, smart note-making, and consistent revision, you can master this subject.
At HAREESH THE BEST ACADEMY, our expert mentors, updated materials, and personalized strategy sessions ensure that you don’t just read current affairs—you understand, retain, and apply them with clarity.
So, if you’re serious about cracking your exam, start treating current affairs not as a burden, but as your secret weapon for success.
