BharatNotes Cover the last 6 months of current affairs at opinion-formation depth — not mere recall — focusing on major policy, Supreme Court judgments, diplomatic events, and economic data.
Interview current affairs preparation differs fundamentally from Mains preparation. The board does not want a news summary; they want your informed, reasoned view.
Time frame to cover Cover current affairs for at least the 6 months preceding your interview. The most intensive focus should be on the 3 months immediately before your interview date.
Core sources
- The Hindu and Indian Express — daily reading, focusing on editorials and national/international policy pages
- PIB (pib.gov.in) — official government policy announcements
- Yojana and Kurukshetra — in-depth scheme and rural development coverage
- Economic Survey and Union Budget — mandatory for economic questions
- Down to Earth — environment and science
- Live Law / Supreme Court website — major judgments
- ORF (Observer Research Foundation) — foreign policy analysis
What depth is expected For every significant current event, build a four-point framework:
- What happened (factual base)
- Why it matters (significance — economic, social, constitutional, geopolitical)
- Your view (reasoned stance, not a recitation of pros and cons)
- Counter-arguments (acknowledging the opposing view before maintaining your position)
Link current affairs to your DAF If your hobby is technology, be current on AI policy, digital governance, and India's semiconductor strategy. If your home state had a major disaster or policy development, know it in detail.
Opinion practice Create a running document of 20-30 major issues (reservation policy, judicial appointments, centre-state fiscal relations, farm sector, uniform civil code, internet shutdowns) with your reasoned position drafted out. Practice articulating each in under 90 seconds.
