The News Today Impact on UPSC Prelims 2025
UPSC Prelims 2025 has made one thing clear: consistent current affairs preparation isn’t optional—it’s essential. Amidst this, VisionIAS’s News Today has emerged as a reliable, high-impact tool.
News Today is a daily current affairs initiative tailored exclusively for UPSC aspirants. It transforms the relevant daily news into precise, exam-relevant insights—the kind that actually helps you solve Prelims and Mains questions.
The UPSC has consistently increased the number of questions related to current issues in GS Paper 1, making it clear that a firm hold on understanding the Current Affairs is as essential as static knowledge.
Let’s look at the data from the past few years:
This trend shows a clear rise in current affairs-based questions, especially in recent years. In fact, in 2025, a staggering 40 questions in GS Paper 1 were related to current events, and 31 of these could be directly answered using content from News Today! These weren’t generic overlaps—they were specific, actionable insights that helped aspirants eliminate options, confirm facts, and approach the paper with confidence.
What Makes News Today a Game-Changer?
Crisp, Focused, Relevant:News Today picks the issues that matter for UPSC, breaks them down, and connects the dots. It focuses on UPSC relevant facts and data points giving aspirants edge in their preparation.
Beyond the News—The Why Behind the What:It’s not just what happened, but why it matters—whether it's the geopolitics behind a summit, the policy angle of a government scheme, or the ethical debates in a protest.
From News to Notes—Effortlessly:The concise formats, bullet point, infographics and exam-oriented approach help aspirants retain and recall, instead of just reading and forgetting.
Video Format for Better Retention—engaging explanations at 9 PM daily on YouTube, for you to stay on track with current affairs.
The Proof is in the Prelims:This year’s UPSC paper wasn’t just about facts; it tested connections, context, and clarity—exactly what News Today delivers daily in all domains of UPSC Civil Services Examination. For instance:
| Prelims 2025 Question |
Impact of News Today |
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With reference to monoclonal antibodies, often mentioned in news, consider the following statements:
- I. They are man-made proteins.
- II. They stimulate immunological function due to their ability to bind to specific antigens.
- III. They are used in treating viral infections like that of Nipah virus.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and II
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News Today (15 July 2024): Monoclonal Antibodies
https://visionias.in/current-affairs/news-today/2024-07-15/also-in-news#monoclonal-antibodies
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| Prelims 2025 Question |
Impact of News Today |
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Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbon emissions.
Statement II:
Silica-bearing clay is mixed with limestone while manufacturing cement.
Statement III:
Limestone is converted into lime during clinker production for cement manufacturing.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
(c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
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News Today (24 May 2024): Zero Carbon Cement
https://visionias.in/current-affairs/news-today/2024-05-24/also-in-news#/news-today/2024-05-24/also-in-news
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| Prelims 2025 Question |
Impact of News Today |
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Consider the following statements:
Statement I:
Scientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth's rotation and axis.
Statement II:
Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections bombarded the Earth's outermost atmosphere with tremendous amount of energy.
Statement III:
As the Earth's polar ice melts, the water tends to move towards the equator.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statements II and III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
(c) Only one of the Statement II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
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News Today (28th April, 2024): According to a study, climate change has slowed Earth’s rotation and could affect timekeeping
https://visionias.in/current-affairs/news-today/2024-04-30/environment/according-to-a-study-climate-change-has-slowed-earths-rotation-and-could-affect-timekeeping
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| Prelims 2025 Question |
Impact of News Today |
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With reference to 'Direct Air Capture', an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration.
- II. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing.
- III. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) I and II only
(b) III only
(c) I, II and III
(d) None of the above statements is correct
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News Today (15 May 2025): India Unveils First Cluster of Five Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) Testbeds for Cement Sector
https://visionias.in/current-affairs/news-today/2025-05-15/environment/india-unveils-first-cluster-of-five-carbon-capture-and-utilisation-ccu-testbeds-for-cement-sector
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| Prelims 2025 Question |
Impact of News Today |
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Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java and the neighbouring islands?
(a) Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta)
(b) Prataparudra (Kakatiya)
(c) Rajendra I (Chola)
(d) Vishnuvardhana (Hoysala)
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News Today (November 25th 2024): Personality in News: Raja Raja Chola
https://visionias.in/current-affairs/news-today/2024-11-25/personalities-in-news/personality-in-news-87
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Complete analysis here
A Lesson for Every Aspirant: Follow News Today Regularly
If you’re still struggling with current affairs, let this year’s Prelims be your wake-up call. Don’t just read the news; understand it. Don’t just follow sources; follow smart ones like News Today.
What to do:
Start today. Make News Today your daily routine. Visit the Digital Current Affairs Platform and start your journey towards success. Be consistent. Even 15-20 minutes daily adds up.Engage actively. Don’t just read—think, connect, and question.
"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."— Robert Collier
FAQs
Q1. What is News Today by VisionIAS, and how is it different from other current affairs sources?
A: News Today is a daily current affairs initiative by VisionIAS, released every evening in PDF and Video Format on Youtube. Unlike other news compilations, it focuses on UPSC-relevant news, breaking down complex topics into precise, exam-ready insights. It emphasizes context, linkages, and analysis, helping aspirants tackle both Prelims and Mains questions effectively.
Q2. What topics does News Today typically cover for UPSC aspirants?
A: News Today covers a wide range of topics including:
- Polity and Governance
- Emerging technologies (e.g., quantum chips, AI tools)
- Climate change developments
- Government schemes and policies
- Geopolitical issues and summits
- Economic updates (e.g., RBI surplus, fiscal policies)
- Important personalities and places in news
Q2. How many questions in UPSC Prelims 2025 were solvable using News Today?
A: In UPSC Prelims 2025, over 30 questions were either directly solvable or partially answerable through News Today content. These questions covered a wide range of topics across the syllabus. For example:
- The question on the Majorana chip enabling quantum computing was linked to News Today updates on 01 May 2024 and 21 Feb 2025.
- The question on Monoclonal Antibodies could be solved using News Today dated 15 July 2024.
- The RBI surplus transfer question had direct coverage in News Today on 24 May 2025.
- The Zero Carbon Cement question was backed by the News Today edition of 24 May 2024.
- The Direct Air Capture technology question was aligned with News Today content from 15 May 2025.
Q3. How long does it take to cover News Today content daily?
A: Each News Today session is designed to be efficient and focused—typically 15–20 minutes per day. The format includes a PDF Document in the evening followed by a 9 PM video on YouTube, allowing aspirants to quickly grasp the day’s most important issues without getting overwhelmed by unnecessary details.
Q4. How does News Today ensure coverage of UPSC-relevant issues from newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express, and PIB?
A: News Today is curated by VisionIAS’s Current Affairs team, who scan multiple newspapers, reports, and official sources daily. They filter out non-relevant topics and focus only on those that align with the UPSC syllabus, exam trends, and analytical needs. This saves aspirants from spending hours reading newspapers and helps them focus on what matters most.
Q5. Is News Today only for Prelims, or does it help in Mains as well?
A: News Today is not only targeted towards Prelims, but it also builds a strong foundation for Mains. The topics covered often include contextual analysis, ethical dimensions, and policy implications—all of which are critical for Mains answers. Many topics that appeared in Prelims 2025 (like Direct Air Capture, Zero Carbon Cement, and Critical Minerals) have strong Mains relevance too.