Detailed Strategy on how to Read Yojana and Kurukshetra for UPSC preparation

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.

What Are Yojana and Kurukshetra Magazines?

Yojana Magazine

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.

Kurukshetra Magazine

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.

Why Are Yojana and Kurukshetra Important for UPSC?

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.

Detailed Strategy to Read Yojana and Kurukshetra for UPSC

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.

Step 1: Scan the Magazine Before Reading

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

Step 2: Read Articles Selectively

Not every article in Yojana and Kurukshetra is important for UPSC. You must choose articles smartly.

Important Topics to Read from Yojana:

Government policies and their impact

Economic reforms and governance

Social justice (health, education, gender equality, etc.)

Environment and sustainable development

Reports and expert opinions

Important Topics to Read from Kurukshetra:

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.

Step 3: Make Notes in a Smart Format

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

Step 4: Revise Regularly

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.

How to Use Yojana and Kurukshetra for Different Stages of UPSC?

For Prelims (MCQs)

Focus on government schemes, policies, reports, and committees.

Memorize important statistics and key facts.

Example:

What is the budget allocation for PM-KISAN? (Kurukshetra)

For Mains (Descriptive Answers)

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."

For Essay Writing

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)

For Interview (Personality Test)

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.

Best Strategy to Cover Yojana and Kurukshetra in Limited Time

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.

Conclusion

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.

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