If you are preparing for the UPSC civil service exam, you should be aware that to crack the exam, you need to prepare from multiple sources. One important source that you should not avoid is the PIB (Press Information Bureau).
Current affairs for UPSC Preparation can be extracted from multiple sources. The most reliable sources of daily news updates are usually the official sources of the government and aspirants should follow the news from these sources closely. Learn how to read PIB news for UPSC and where to find PIB compilation for UPSC.
What is PIB? PIB Compilation for UPSC
The Press Information Bureau, also known as PIB is the nodal agency disseminating news from the Government of India to the media. Set up in 1919, it has grown into a large agency with more than forty offices all over the country.
The PIB also conducts press conferences, briefings, interviews of ministers, secretaries, and other officials for informing the media about the various policy initiatives of the government. Its press releases give information to electronic, print, and new media on the following topics:
#Government Planning
#Government Policies
#Program Initiatives
#Achievements of the Government
Also Read: Daily GK Current Affairs July 2021: Know the July Current Affairs Sources, MCQs & Preparation Tips
How to Read the PIB Website for UPSC and What to Take from the Website?
Programs, and policy initiatives, and updates from the government.
Articles on important personalities, some historical accounts.
All schemes of the government.
Speeches by prominent people. Questions can be directly asked for the UPSC prelims from them.
Year-end reports by the various ministries and departments on the work done by them in that year.
Benefits of Taking Information from PIB
Here, you get information straight from the horse’s mouth. Since the information comes directly from the government, you may rest assured of its authenticity.
Also, you get information in English and Hindi. So if you are using Hindi as your medium of the exam, you can directly take the information. Besides this, information is also available in many regional languages.
You can also subscribe to releases from the government on the website.
PIB is especially relevant for the current affairs section of the UPSC civil services question paper.
What can be Discarded from the Website or Doesn’t Need Very Close Study?
Appointments, removal of not-so-prominent officials/people.
Regular increase/decrease in prices of grains, sugar, etc.
Information that you already made a note of in the newspaper and where it is explained in detail.
Results of certain exams.
Factsheets on states unless it is your home state (relevant for interview).
Also Read: Which Magazine is Best for UPSC Preparation? Know the Best Magazines for Current Affairs
Other Sources for UPSC Current Affairs
Apart from Newspaper reading, it is good to follow a few magazines for UPSC Exam Preparation. Good fodder points can be picked up from the articles in such magazines which will be of help while writing main answers.
UPSC has also picked up a few questions for Prelims directly from magazines such as Yojana. You can read the Gist of Yojana, Kurukshetra, and Economic and Political Weekly to accelerate your preparation.
Daily News Analysis, The Hindu Video Analysis, Current Affairs Magazine are some of the important sources.RSTV debates give you in-depth coverage of the important national and international affairs that shape India. It is one of the best sources for Mains exam preparation.
Things to Ignore from PIB
Appointments, as well as the removal of less-than-important officials and individuals.
Grain, sugar, and other commodity prices fluctuate on a regular basis.
Information that you have already noted in the newspaper and which is explained in detail.
Exams result in some cases.
Unless it’s your home state, don’t bother with state factsheets (relevant for interview).
Tips for Reading Newspapers and Other Current Affairs Sources for UPSC
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.
Read-only the exam-relevant articles and editorials.
Remember you are reading the paper with the clear aim of clearing the UPSC civil services exam. Do not get tempted and waste time on topics that interest you but aren’t relevant.
Make notes as and when you read the newspaper. Your notes should be crisp and relevant.
Some More
You don’t have to go in-depth in most cases. 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.
When you read editorials you must note down the positive and the negative sides to an issue. You must include points from multiple perspectives.
Try to classify what you read into categories like geography, polity, economics, environment, ecology, science, and technology, etc.
Write in your own words.
Be serious about your newspaper reading time.
Also Read: Best Monthly Magazines for Current Affairs for UPSC: Here’s a List of Magazines to Ace UPSC
Importance to Read Current Affairs
Current events of national and international importance that are relevant to competitive exams such as the Civil Services Exam, Bank Exam, and others are referred to as current affairs. With the shift in examination patterns, questions about current events and news have become more important in determining students’ fates.
In general, there are two types of questions asked in the general awareness section:
Statics
Dynamic
The static section refers to the parts of the UPSC or other exams syllabus that remain constant. For example, the 1857 Revolt, India’s physical characteristics, and so on.
The dynamic section is about current events. The daily newspaper and credible sources such as the Yojana Magazine and Press Information Bureau (PIB) are the best bets for covering current events.
Current Affairs Knowledge
Current Affairs knowledge is essential for success in the IAS exam, government exams, and any competitive exam. History, economy, geography, polity, science and technology, environment and ecology, and other topics are covered in current events.
Candidates should keep up to date on current events that make national and international headlines. In fact, recent trends have revealed that the static and dynamic portions of the current affairs curriculum overlap significantly. There’s a good chance you’ll run into unexpected current-events questions in traditionally static sections of the syllabus.
PIB Summary and Analysis from 2021
Child Protection Scheme
The Child Protection Services Scheme aims to ensure that children receive age-appropriate education.
Children’s nutrition
Vocational training is available.
Recreation
Delivery of healthcare services in a professional manner
Counselling
The Ministry of Women and Child Development’s Child Care Institutions will be in charge of ensuring that the scheme’s goals are met and that it is implemented equally among rural and urban children.
Policy to Promote Women Empowerment
Despite the passage of a number of laws, crime against women continues to rise with each passing day. This is a critical time for our legislators and administrators to identify the gaps that exist in the implementation of policies and programmes.
The majority of the time, policies are filed away, especially when it comes to women’s safety, which is a major concern. To increase women’s participation in colleges, schools, and workplaces, this must be addressed. India, on the other hand, has come a long way in terms of women’s participation in various fields.
Also Read: Current Affairs Strategy for UPSC: An Expert Guidance by 2017 UPSC Topper
World AIDS Day
World AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus) Day is observed to raise awareness about the deadly HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) virus and to prevent discrimination against those who are infected with it.
This day is also dedicated to those who have died as a result of HIV-related illnesses.
In the year 1988, this day was commemorated as the first World Health Day.
Every year on December 1st, a number of communities around the world come together to commemorate World AIDS Day. The year 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the disease’s onset.
The World AIDS Campaign’s Global Steering Committee selects the theme for each year.
FAQs
Is PBI Important?
The Press Information Bureau, or PIB, publishes articles that contain accurate information about government policies, plans, and accomplishments. As a result, it is one of the most crucial resources for UPSC exam preparation. Reading PIB articles will help you prepare for both the UPSC Prelims and the UPSC Mains exams.
Which Magazines Should You Read to Prepare for the UPSC Exam?
In addition to newspaper reading, it is beneficial to subscribe to a few magazines for UPSC Exam preparation. Articles in such magazines can provide good fodder points that will aid in the writing of main answers. UPSC has also taken a few Prelims questions directly from magazines like Yojana.
To speed up your preparation, read the Gist of Kurukshetra, Gist of Yojana, and Economic and Political Weekly – Gist of articles.
What Current Affairs Material Should You Refer?
Preparation for the IAS Exam requires knowledge of current events. At least 18 months prior to the examination, an aspirant must have covered daily current events.
To keep up with current events, one must read the Daily News and a few current affairs magazines on a regular basis. Some of the important sources include The Hindu Video Analysis, Daily News Analysis, and Current Affairs Magazine.
Conclusion
Current Affairs preparation is indispensable for the IAS Exam. An aspirant has to cover the daily current affairs of at least 18 months prior to the examination. One must religiously go through the Daily News, a few current affairs magazines to be up to date with current affairs. Do not ever slack in this department as this is one aspect that is common for every single subject and paper in UPSC.
Also Read: Best Current Affairs App for UPSC: Prepare Online with the Best Teaching Method
