The document discusses the significance of current affairs in the UPSC prelims exam, emphasizing that questions can come from various time periods, including those as old as 10 years. The analysis of past papers suggests a focus on the last two years of current events, with recommendations for preparation through newspapers and online resources. Prioritization of current affairs from the last six months is advised, along with thorough mock testing and understanding of relevant government schemes.

1. September 18,
2019
How many months of current affairs are required for
UPSC Prelims Exam?
jatinverma.org/how-many-months-of-current-affairs-are-required-for-upsc-prelims-exam
UPSC aspirants seek the answer about this question. Should they cover current affairs
0.5 years old, 1 year old, 1.5 years old, 2 years old etc.?
Well the analysis of previous UPSC question papers of IAS Prelims shows that even
current affairs of 2008 has been asked in 2016 UPSC CSE Prelims.
Analysis of Prelims 2019
UPSC asked everything that is happening
around you. If linkage is established then
we can say that due to 4G being in news,
there was a question related to VOLTE.
Pokemon Go video game is in limelight, so
there was MCQ on Augmented Reality.
Apple Smartwatch cued the MCQ on
wearable technology. Newspapers analysis
is a must for these types of questions.
Let’s take an MCQ from Prelims 2019.
Ques. The word ‘Denisovan’ is
sometimes mentioned in media in
reference to
(a) fossil of a kind of dinosaurs
(b) an early human species
(c) a cave system found in North-East India
(d) a geological period in the history of Indian subcontinent
Answer is b
The question was directly from the newspapers. It is not in most of the books for UPSC
examinations.
In January 2019 The Hindu published a report about Denisovans.
Source:
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/denisovans-may-have-been-jewellers-study/
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2. article26142286.ece
Let’s take another MCQ from Prelims 2019:
Ques. ‘RNA interference (RNAi)’ technology has gained popularity in the last few
years. Why?
1. It is used in developing gene-silencing therapies.
2. It can be used in developing therapies for the treatment of cancer.
3. 3. It can be used to develop hormone replacement therapies.
4. It can be used to produce crop plants that are resistant to virtual pathogens.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1 and 4 only
Ans. a
In September 2010 The Hindu published a report about the use of RNA interference
technology by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) scientists.
Source:
https://www.thehindu.com/features/education/Honour-for-TNAUs-biotech-work/article1
6049640.ece
UPSC does not set any particular period for current affairs questions. UPSC mentions in
its syllabus – ‘Current events of national and international importance ‘. This can cover
anything; anything can be asked in the UPSC Civil Services Exam. The questions can be
based on data as old as 10 years.
But there is a respite for students. Most of the questions come from the frame of the last 2
years of current affairs.
How to prepare current affairs for IAS Exam?
You have to use the newspaper as well as the internet for the preparation of current
affairs. You should prepare notes from newspapers. It’s better to revise the things
though notes.
Using the internet:
Please follow the three items given below:
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3. Current Affairs
Daily Important Article
Daily Current Affairs MCQ
The above links provide sufficient guidance in current affairs for Civil Service aspirants.
Important questions from each month’s current events are provided in the form of
UPSCD styled Multiple Choice Question (MCQ). You get the answers and detailed
explanations also.
These are quality questions and articles to help aspirants to cover current affairs faster
and easily.
Also please prioritize the current affairs time period:
1. 1st priority should be given to Current Affairs of last 6 months before Prelims (Jan
2020 – June 2020)
2. 2nd priority should be given to Current Affairs from (Jan 2019 – Dec 2019)
3. 3rd priority should be given to Current Affairs of 2016-2019
Please focus on mock tests to cover the important government schemes in the last 2-3
years.
For the Mains exams Current Affairs preparation, good newspaper analysis of The Hindu
or Indian Express is needed.
Read More: How to prepare for UPSC 2020 | UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2019
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