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If you are preparing for UPSC Civil Services Exam, you must have heard about Yojana and Kurukshetra magazines. Many toppers recommend these magazines because they provide authentic government perspectives on important social, economic, and rural issues.
However, most aspirants struggle with how to read and use them effectively. If you also feel confused about these magazines, don’t worry! This article will guide you step by step on how to use Yojana and Kurukshetra for Prelims, Mains, Essay, and Interview.
Published by: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Focus: Government policies, economic and social issues, governance, and reforms.
Best for: GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3, Essay, and Interview.
Language: Available in English, Hindi, and regional languages.
Published by: Ministry of Rural Development
Focus: Rural development, agriculture, Panchayati Raj, and social issues.
Best for: GS Paper 3 (Agriculture, Rural Development), Essay, and Interview.
Language: Available in English and Hindi.
Both magazines provide authentic government viewpoints, which help in writing well-balanced UPSC answers.
Authentic and Reliable Content
Unlike newspapers, these magazines contain official government viewpoints, making them highly reliable for UPSC.
Best for Mains Answer Writing
They provide facts, case studies, expert opinions, and government reports, which help in writing high-quality answers.
Useful for Essay Writing
Many UPSC essay topics are based on social, economic, and rural issues, which are covered in these magazines.
Covers Current Affairs with Conceptual Clarity
The magazines explain government schemes, policies, and economic trends in simple language.
Boosts Interview Preparation
UPSC interviews often include questions on governance, policies, and rural development, all covered in these magazines.
Many aspirants waste time reading these magazines like novels instead of using a smart strategy. Follow this detailed step-by-step strategy to maximize benefits in less time.
Before you start reading, take 5-10 minutes to scan the magazine. This will help you identify important topics and save time.
Check the contents page – Identify UPSC-relevant topics.
Read the editorial/introduction – It gives the main theme of the magazine.
Skip irrelevant articles – Not every article is useful for UPSC.
Example:
If the issue is about Women Empowerment, focus on:
Government schemes – Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, PM Ujjwala Yojana
Challenges & Solutions – Gender wage gap, education barriers
Case studies – Success stories of women entrepreneurs
Not every article in Yojana and Kurukshetra is important for UPSC. You must choose articles smartly.
Government policies and their impact
Economic reforms and governance
Social justice (health, education, gender equality, etc.)
Environment and sustainable development
Reports and expert opinions
Rural development and Panchayati Raj
Agriculture and allied sectors
Self-help groups and women empowerment in villages
Challenges in rural healthcare and education
Government initiatives for rural economy
Pro Tip: Don’t waste time on historical backgrounds and unnecessary details. Focus on policy, analysis, and impact.
Making notes effectively will help in revision before the exam.
Use Bullet Points – Keep notes short and crisp.
Highlight Important Data – Facts, statistics, and government reports.U
Structured Format – (Scheme Name → Objective → Challenges → Solutions).
Write Keywords – This helps in quick recall.
Example (For Rural Development Topic in Kurukshetra):
Scheme: MGNREGA
Impact: Provides jobs, reduces poverty, boosts rural economy
Challenges: Corruption, delays in wage payments
Solution: Better monitoring, use of technology
Reading once is not enough. You must revise the notes at least 3-4 times before the exam.
First Revision – After reading the magazine.
Second Revision – Before Mains Exam.
Third Revision – Before Essay and Interview.
Pro Tip: Keep a separate notebook for notes so you can revise quickly before the exam.
Focus on government schemes, policies, reports, and committees.
Memorize important statistics and key facts.
Example:
What is the budget allocation for PM-KISAN? (Kurukshetra)
Use examples and case studies from the magazines in your answers.
Use government reports and expert opinions to support your arguments.
Example (GS Paper 3 – Rural Development):
"The economic survey states that rural women’s participation in Self-Help Groups has increased by 30% in the last decade. Discuss the impact of SHGs on rural livelihoods."
Use the introduction and conclusion from magazine articles.
Write both positive and negative aspects of a topic.
Example:
"Impact of Digital Literacy in Rural Areas" (From Kurukshetra)
Many questions in UPSC interviews are about current issues.
If the panel asks about rural economy, you can use Kurukshetra magazine examples.
Example:
Interviewer: "What are the major challenges in implementing rural healthcare schemes?"
Your Answer (From Kurukshetra): Lack of doctors, poor infrastructure, and digital divide.
Read only important articles – Don’t waste time on unnecessary topics.
Make short notes – Keep them simple and easy to revise.
Revise multiple times – At least 3-4 revisions are needed.
Use information in answer writing – Practice writing answers using magazine content.
Reading Yojana and Kurukshetra magazines is very useful for UPSC Prelims, Mains, and Interview. They help in answer writing, essay writing, and understanding government policies in depth. The key is to read smartly, make notes, and use the information effectively in your answers.
By following the right strategy, you can make better answers, improve your current affairs knowledge, and increase your chances of success in UPSC.