Reading newspapers daily is one of the most vital components of preparation for both MPSC and UPSC exams. Here’s why:

1. Current Affairs Foundation
Prelims & Mains questions often stem directly from current events.

Helps build factual as well as analytical understanding of national and international issues.

2. Enhances Answer Writing Skills:
• Editorials and opinion columns help in understanding multiple perspectives.
• Improves the quality and depth of Mains’ answers with real-world examples, quotes, and data.

3. Builds Essay-Writing Material:
• Offers rich content, arguments, and case studies essential for writing compelling essays.
• Gives exposure to real-life governance, ethics, social issues, and policy outcomes.

4. Strengthens Ethics & Integrity (GS Paper IV – UPSC/MPSC):
Real incidents from newspapers can be used as case studies or illustrations for moral dilemmas, governance, and administrative behaviour.

5. State-Specific Focus (MPSC):
Newspapers like Loksatta, Sakal, Maharashtra Times cover state government schemes, regional issues, and local governance, which are frequently asked in MPSC exams.

6. Helps in Interview/Personality Test:
• Being updated with current events helps in handling interview questions with confidence.
• Shows awareness, interest in governance, and practical understanding.

Recommended Newspapers:
For UPSC:
• The Hindu or The Indian Express
• PIB (Press Information Bureau) for official releases

For MPSC:
• Loksatta, Sakal, Maharashtra Times
• Yojana, Kurukshetra, Lokrajya (Marathi)

Tips to Use Newspapers Effectively:
Don’t read the entire paper; focus on relevant news (Govt. policies, economy, environment, judiciary, science & tech, international relations).

Maintain daily notes or a monthly current affairs file.

Use highlighters or apps like Evernote for digital clipping.