National News: Overview, Questions, Preparation

National news is the crown of Current Affairs. The candidates need to prepare national news in its entirety because it is the national news that makes up the most important part of current affairs. National news in competitive exams differs from the prime time news as run by most of the news channels.

National news for the competitive exam can include all the important events that are occurring in the nation and relevant for the average citizen. Relevancy is the most important criterion to filter the national news and prepare them for exams.

National news is a very broad term and the candidates need to compartmentalise the national news in the following subsections.

• Government Decisions
• National Acts and Policies
• Supreme Court Decisions
• Union Government Schemes
• Decision of Central Ministries

The candidates need to understand the above-mentioned subtopics to prepare them in a better way. The aforesaid sections are explained as follows.

Government Decisions

Union Government is the apex decision-making body in India. These decisions are taken in different Union Cabinet meetings. The Cabinet meetings are convened from time to time to take important decisions regarding the execution of important policies and acts. The candidates should read the newspapers and PIB website to prepare the details of cabinet decisions.

Also Read

• Expansion in BSF jurisdiction and the way ahead

National Acts and Policies

Acts are passed by the Parliament after due discussion and voting in both the Houses of Parliament (if required). The bill becomes an act only after the accent of the President. Even after the accent, the act can be implemented at the will of the Union government of India. Government notify the implementation date of the act in the official gazette and only after its publication, the act can be implemented. The Union government has the power to implement certain parts of the act as well. The candidates can download the official copy of legislative bills from the PRS or Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha websites to read and understand them.

Also Read:

• Important Provisions of Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021
• One Health Concept: What is it and its Relevance
• New Ordinance Companies and their relevance
• Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021

Supreme Court Decisions

Supreme Court is termed as a guardian of democracy in India. If any of the acts passed by Parliament is in contrary to the constitution, the apex court can strike down that act and can declare it void to the extent it contradicts the Constitution of India. The candidates should keenly follow the Supreme Court decisions because it can help them understand the constitution in a better way. In cases where the Supreme Court declares any provision of the act is in contrary to the constitution, the candidates should read and understand the reasoning given by the apex court.

Union Government Schemes

India is still a developing country and most of the population is living in rural and semi-urban areas. To help them in one or more ways, the Union Government of India runs various social schemes. The candidates should make a list of these social schemes run by the Government of India. Besides the names of the schemes, the candidates should make notes of their objectives, start date and concern ministry, which runs that scheme. Some schemes are run in partnership with the states. The candidates should also note the ratio of money spent on the scheme by the states.

Also Read:

• Salient Features of MPLAD Scheme
• Salient Features of Poshan Abhiyaan

Decisions of Central Ministries

Decisions taken by various ministries are also important. The ministries announce their initiatives and these initiatives are part of some bigger policy or plan. The candidates need to note down these decisions and initiatives taken by the individual ministries. 

Also Read

• COVID-19 and India's Effort in 2021

Various Reports and India's Rank

There are various agencies conducting numerous surveys and studies. These national and international agencies are publishing various indexes. The candidates need to prepare India's rank in these indices.

Also Read

• India's Rank in Global Hunger Index 2021
• Highlights of State of Education Report 2021 for India