Read the newspaper with UPSC syllabus in mind
Focus on relevant topics: polity, economy, environment, international relations, science and tech, social issues, governance, security, and ethics
Ignore sensational, repetitive, and purely local news unless it has wider policy relevance
Identify the core issue behind each important article
Note the facts, data, reports, indices, and government schemes mentioned
Record the cause, impact, and possible solutions for major issues
Link each article to a syllabus topic and current affairs theme
Write notes in short, crisp points
Use headings and subheadings for easy revision
Separate notes by subject and theme
Maintain a dedicated notebook, folder, or digital document for each subject
Convert long articles into 3–5 key points
Add keywords, keywords-based phrases, and important terms
Note government initiatives, committee recommendations, court judgments, and international agreements
Track recurring issues and update notes regularly
Compare new developments with previous notes
Highlight examples, case studies, and statistics useful for mains answers
Mark editorials and opinion pieces only if they provide policy insights or balanced arguments
Extract pros, cons, challenges, and way forward from analytical articles
Keep separate sections for prelims facts and mains analysis
Revise notes weekly and monthly
Avoid copying entire paragraphs from the newspaper
Use your own words for better retention
Keep notes concise, organized, and exam-oriented