1. Have a clear idea of the UPSC syllabus before starting your preparation so that when you read the newspaper, you know what is related to the syllabus and what is not.
  2. Read only the exam-relevant articles and editorials.
  3. Your goal is more important than your interest when it comes to reading the newspaper. It is easy to get tempted to read about a favourite topic or person featured in the newspaper but all this takes away precious time from your hands. Remember you are reading the paper with the clear aim of clearing the UPSC civil services exam.
  4. Make notes as and when you read the newspaper. Your notes should be crisp and relevant.
  5. You don’t have to go in-depth in most cases. For example, you don’t have to remember every name and number that figures in articles related to a particular scam. You only have to understand the basic problem, the key figures and people involved, the policy/law related to it, and the implications of the same for the country and society.
  6. When you read editorials you must note down the positive and the negative sides to an issue. You must include points from multiple perspectives. Editorials tend to prefer a particular side depending on the newspaper management’s tilt. But when you read and extract material from them, make sure to incorporate both points of view and have a balanced approach.
  7. Try to classify what you read into categories like geography, polity, economics, environment, ecology, science and technology, etc. This will help you make notes and also ease your preparation.
  8. When you make notes out of the newspaper articles and editorials, write in your own words. Keep it simple and easy to learn.
  9. Be serious about your newspaper reading time. Sit at your study table while reading, so that you don’t miss out on any vital news. Avoid reading the newspaper while travelling. You can definitely read the notes made out of the newspaper while travelling if you lack time.
  10. Check out the daily updated BYJU’S comprehensive daily news analysis in the link below.