UPSC Prelims Paper-1: Current events of National and International Importance

Current Affairs, both national and international, play a crucial role in Civil Services Examinations as they test the candidates’ knowledge and understanding of the contemporary issues and challenges faced by the society.

These exams are conducted to recruit individuals for various government jobs and positions of public service, and it is essential for the candidates to have a clear understanding of the current affairs to be able to perform their duties effectively.

• One of the main reasons why current events are given significant importance in Civil Services Examinations is that they help evaluate the candidates’ analytical skills and their ability to think critically on social, political, national, international, and economic issues. UPSC Prelim examination includes around 35-40 questions that require candidates to analyse and interpret current events and formulate logical responses based on their understanding of the issue as well as relevant facts of them.
• For instance, if a question in UPSC Prelims asks the candidates to identify correct statements from given 3 or 4 statements on impact of a recent natural disaster on a particular region, the candidates are expected to not only have factual and fundamental knowledge about the disaster itself but also be able to analyse its impact on the region’s governance, economy, infrastructure, and social well-being. This requires a strong understanding of the current events and the ability to analyse and interpret them effectively.
• In addition to testing the candidates’ fundamental understanding of static topics that are linked to current events, UPSC Prelims Examination often includes questions on science and technology development and international relations or the impact of a particular international event on the country’s foreign policy.

Furthermore, current affairs also help evaluate the candidates’ general awareness and knowledge of the world around them. Typically, in UPSC Civil Services (Prelims) Examinations, questions on fundamental topics are framed taking clue from current events related to politics, economics, science, technology, and more.

In summary, current events of national and international importance play a crucial role in Civil Services Examinations as they help evaluate the candidates’ analytical skills, awareness of contemporary issues, and overall knowledge of the world around them. It is essential for the candidates to stay updated on the current events and have a clear understanding of the issues and challenges faced by the society to perform effectively in these exams and excel in their roles as public servants.