Current Affairs in UPSC Mains Preparation: A necessity or a choice ?

If you ask me which is that one area I should not skip during my preparation for UPSC Civil Services exam, my answer would be instant and that is Current Affairs. In the UPSC Mains Examination, current affairs are of utmost importance in all the 4 General Studies papers and also in the General Essay paper. As per UPSC, “The Objective of the “Mains Examination is to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of the candidate rather than merely the range of their information and knowledge”- (UPSC).” This simply means that, mere superficial knowledge about the issues will not suffice the needs of UPSC Mains examination which require an in-depth analysis and critical thinking to substantiate your answers.

How can a candidate develop this quality of analysis and understanding? Does it require years of learning? Can a beginner be able to write such comprehensive answers? Let us read further and find out.

Current Affairs and GS Paper 2

As per UPSC Syllabus, General Studies Paper 2 contains topics on Indian Polity, Governance, and International Relations.

The questions that are asked in GS 2 by UPSC are not directly picked from the book “Laxmikant on Indian Polity” neither there will be any custom made answers to these questions. Laxmikant, when it comes to Mains examination, can serve you only as a basic textbook for understanding the structure and functioning of Indian political system. I will explain this fact with an example:

Let us look at a question from 2014 Mains Examination, GS2

1. What do you understand by the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.

The motive behind this question is to check your awareness and analysis on current events relating to ban on films based on various restrictions imposed by Indian Law. To answer this question, you must know the following segments in the question:

● what is freedom of speech and expression as said in the Indian Constitution,

● what are the restrictions imposed on this fundamental right [apparently Laxmikant will help you answer this section of the question]

● the scope of this FR,

● does it include hate speech

● a clear understanding as to how far this right is being exercised in filmmaking.

Apart from answering the above questions, you must also analyze how films differ from other forms of expression.

In India, Films are to be certified by Central Board of Film Certification. It has powers to censor films on various grounds that are similar to those enumerated under Art 19 as restrictions to freedom of speech and expression. This information is not based on a textual knowledge. It must be gained through reading various analytical articles on the topic from newspapers and other magazines. Further, it is important that you must analyze the issue critically to form your own opinion on the topic.

In a competitive exam of this magnitude, it is important that your answers should stand out from other candidates. This is possible only through the process of critical thinking and analysis. Here are few more examples from 2015 on GS-2 topic

1. Khap panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra – constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human right violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and judiciary to set the things right in this regard.

2. Resorting to ordinances has always raised concern on violation of the spirit of separation of power doctrine. While noting the rationales justifying the power to promulgate, analyse whether the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue have further facilitated to resorting to this power. Should the power to promulgate the ordinances be repealed?

3. Project ‘Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of  the Indian government to improve relationship with its neighbours. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss

4. Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India – Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchange could help generate goodwill between the two countries. Discuss with suitable examples.

From the above example it is clear that in Mains Examination 2015, all the 20 questions that were asked in GS-2 paper required an application level analysis which could only be possible with a thorough understanding of issues of current relevance.

Thus we could conclude that, a score of 100-110 is easily securable if you focus your reading and learning process squarely on current affairs.

Current Affairs and General Studies Paper-3

Now let us examine the importance of Current Affairs in General Studies Paper-3.GS-3 contain topics on Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.

While questions on Economics in Preliminary Examination is primarily based on concepts and definitions, in Mains Examination UPSC assess the depth of understanding of a candidate and his skill of judgment and analysis. For instance in 2015 Mains Examination, the questions on Economics were as follows,

1. The nature of economic growth in India in recent times is often described as jobless growth. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favour of your answer.

2. “Success of ‘Make in India’ programme depends on the success of ‘Skill India’ programme and radical labour reforms” . Discuss with logical arguments.

3. Craze for gold in Indians has led to a surge in import of gold in recent years and put pressure on balance of payments and external value of rupee. In view of this, examine the merits of the Gold Monetization Scheme.

All the above questions can be answered properly if you have a clear understanding of the basic concepts as well as recent government initiatives and policies along with a self-reasoning on the issues associated with. A mere text book based knowledge or information can never help you do better in the Mains examination. It is highly advised that for Mains Examination, you read editorials and opinions appearing in Newspapers and Magazines like Economic and Political Weekly, Frontline etc along with answer writing practice to give out good answers in the examination hall. similar is the case with General Essay paper as well.

Current Affairs and General Essay Paper

The General Essay Paper is of 250 marks where you have to write two essays from the different topics. If you carefully study the past few years’ questions, you will understand that the topics are generally linked to present day issues and important happenings. For instance, here are the topics of General Essay Question Paper 2015,

Section A

1. Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.

2. Quick but steady wins the race.

3. Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.

4. Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil.

Section B

1. Technology cannot replace manpower.

2. Crisis faced in India – moral or economic.

3.  Dreams which should not let India sleep.

4. Can capitalism bring inclusive growth?

Though Section A contained topics that can be attempted with general reading habits, it is important that you should substantiate all your arguments with relevant facts and figures. Section B have topics that requires an in-depth knowledge and understanding of day to day events and issues.A clear and wise strategy plus a broad reading habit on current issues can easily help you score good marks in Essay Paper.

Current Affairs and GS PAPER IV

How does reading Newspapers help in Ethics & Integrity paper [General Studies Paper IV] of UPSC Mains Examinations? Following is a question from 2015 GS-4 Examination:

(a) Social values are more important than economic values. Discuss the above statement with examples in the context of inclusive growth of a nation. 

(b) Some recent developments such as introduction of RTI Act, media and judicial activism, etc. are proving helpful in bringing about greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the government. However, it is also being observed that at times the mechanisms are misused. Another negative effect is that the officers are now afraid to take prompt decisions. Analyze the situation in detail and suggest how the dichotomy can be resolved. Suggest how these negative impacts can be minimized. 

Both the questions are based on issues that were prevalent during 2014. The first question focuses on the social perspective of inclusive growth, while the economic aspect is covered under GS Paper III Syllabus. The question was very relevant then as it required a candidate to examine the social perception of the various policies taken by our government in achieving inclusive growth. Reading newspapers, especially OP-EDs of Hindu, will help you quote appropriate case studies on the topic and will fetch more marks to your answer.

Regarding the second question on RTI Act, The Act is one law that aims at bringing in more transparency and accountability among public authorities. The year 2015 was celebrated as the first decade since its inception . Also there were some significant decisions by the Central Information Commission with respect to Political Parties being brought under RTI’s scope etc. Altogether, 2015 was a year of significance for RTI Act. Hence, a question on this topic was very much relevant to be asked in GS IV paper.

To conclude,

As per UPSC notification, the mains questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil services. the questions are likely to test candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues and ability to analyze and take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates is expected to give appropriate, meaningful and concise answers. To provide cogent argument to support the answers it is vital that the aspirants are well acquainted with Newspapers like The Hindu and The Indian Express and if possible Magazines like EPW, Frontline, Yojana and Kurushetra.