2. The Indian Express Newspaper

đź“° How to Read The Indian Express for UPSC CSE Preparation

1. Why Indian Express is Useful for UPSC

  • The Hindu = More factual, policy-heavy.
  • The Indian Express = More analytical, explanatory, opinion-driven.
  • Famous columns like “Explained” and “Ideas Page” help in answer writing (GS2, GS3, and Essay).

2. Sections You Should Focus On

  • Front Page → Select only policy-related or Supreme Court/Parliament news. Skip routine political fights.
  • Nation Page → Governance reforms, schemes, Parliament bills, Supreme Court/High Court verdicts.
  • Editorial Page (Ideas Page) → Highly valuable for balanced viewpoints, constitutional interpretation, social issues, ethics angles.
  • Explained Section → USP of IE! It simplifies complex issues like economic policies, international conflicts, climate negotiations—perfect for UPSC notes.
  • World Section → Focus on India’s relations with other countries, UN/IMF/World Bank updates, global conflicts affecting India.
  • Economy Section → RBI monetary policy, budget, inflation, banking reforms, agricultural policies, economic surveys.
  • Science & Tech / Environment → ISRO missions, climate change, new technology, renewable energy.
  • Sports → Ignore routine matches, but note policies (e.g., National Sports Policy, Olympics-related reforms).

3. What to Note Down

Structure your notes issue-wise:

  • Polity & Governance → Bills, acts, SC judgments, Parliament debates.
  • Economy → Budget, economic reforms, trade agreements, RBI policy, welfare schemes.
  • International Relations → India’s foreign policy, summits (G20, BRICS, SCO), UN issues, global treaties.
  • Environment → Biodiversity, COP meetings, India’s climate commitments.
  • Science & Tech → Space, defense, biotech, cybersecurity.
  • Social Issues → Education, health, women empowerment, poverty, inequality.

4. What to Avoid

❌ Political gossip, campaign speeches.
❌ Crime stories, accident reports, sensational news.
❌ Celebrity news, movie reviews, detailed sports coverage.

5. Time Management

  • Spend 60–75 minutes daily:
    • 15 min → Front Page + Nation
    • 20–25 min → Editorial + Ideas + Explained
    • 15 min → Economy + International
    • 10 min → Science/Environment

6. How to Use “Explained” & “Ideas Page”

  • Explained → Helps in Prelims + GS (because it breaks down technical/economic/environmental issues into simple terms).
  • Ideas Page → Great for Essay and Ethics GS4. It gives different perspectives you can quote in answers.

Example (Explained article on “Uniform Civil Code”):

  • Background: Mention constitutional provision (Article 44).
  • Issue: Current debates, SC stance, political context.
  • Significance: Gender justice, equality vs. cultural rights.
  • Way Forward: Law commission recommendations.

7. Note-Making Strategy

  • Use GS paper-wise format (GS1–GS4).
  • Keep notes issue-based, not news-based.
  • Write bullet points: Issue → Context → Importance → Challenges → Way Forward.

8. Monthly Consolidation

Even if you read daily, revise using:

  • Indian Express Explained archives (very useful).
  • Monthly Current Affairs compilations (Vision IAS, Insights, IASbaba).

âś… Pro Tip:
If you have to choose between The Hindu and The Indian Express → pick The Hindu if you want factual & government-heavy coverage, but pick The Indian Express if you want analysis, clarity, and simplified explanations.

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