Out of the five sections in CLAT, the GK and current affairs section with a weightage of 25% is best prepared by reading newspapers daily. Discover tips about how to read a newspaper for CLAT 2026 preparation.
The GK and current affairs section is best prepared using newspapers for CLAT 2026. This section has the highest weightage; thus, it is important to score well in this section so that the overall score can be improved. We have provided some tips that you all can follow to read newspapers for CLAT 2026 exam preparation. Reading newspapers daily, making short notes, underlining important topics, and thoroughly going through the editorials and interviews helps candidates in CLAT 2026 exam preparation by developing a grip over general knowledge and current affairs, as well as gaining conceptual clarity about significant topics.
With the CLAT 2026 approaching, it is essential for the applicants to have a solid approach to know how to read the newspapers for exam preparation. Read the article given below to get some of the best tips and tricks to read newspapers for CLAT 2026 preparation.
CLAT 2026 Highlights
CLAT 2026 important highlights are mentioned in the table below. You are advised to go through the table very carefully.
Parameters | Specifications |
|---|---|
Official Website | consortiumofnlus.ac.in |
CLAT 2026 Exam Date | December 7, 2025 |
Mode of Exam | Offline (CBT) |
Exam Language | English |
Courses Offered Through CLAT Exam | |
CLAT UG Syllabus | English Language, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Current Affairs including General Knowledge, Quantitative Techniques |
CLAT 2026 Total Questions | 120 Questions |
CLAT 2026 Total Marks | 120 Marks |
CLAT 2026 Marking Scheme | +1 for every correct answer -0.25 for every incorrect answer |
Also Read: CLAT Study Plan 2026
Tips and Tricks for Reading Newspaper for CLAT 2026
Newspapers help in exam preparation in various ways, from enhancing vocabulary and reading comprehension to honing reasoning skills. It will also help you improve your CLAT GK preparation and do well in the forthcoming exam. As a law student, you must be able to filter out the news that is important for CLAT or any other law entrance exam.
To make things easier, we have included a few pointers and strategies below to help you in reading newspapers for the CLAT 2026 exam.
- Skimming and Filtering
First and foremost, you should select the main issues of the newspaper that are relevant for entrance exams and have national or international implications.
It will be beneficial if you read the newspaper after glancing at information from web applications and websites. That way, you would be able to revise the information and also know about any additional details the applications or websites might not have covered.
- Focus on Major Topics/ Areas
Avoid cramming or collecting too much information on municipal or state politics. Focus on national and international issues, such as a reintroduced policy in parliament, any deal or formal or informal negotiations between India and any other country, the titles of Acts, and the names of technical and financial terminology.
As a result, even if you read a bit about the article's background and research a little about the meanings, there are chances you may easily remember the answers during the exam.
- Editorial Tips
Most importantly, carefully read the articles since they will help you increase your reading speed, which will help you in the actual exam because CLAT requires a good reading speed. Additionally, editorials frequently contain essential information, so aspirants must make a note of it.
As you read the editorial, pick out the words/ phrases that are new to you. Look up the definitions of these words/ phrases and try to make your sentences using them. After reading the editorial, conduct additional research on the topics covered in it and try to form your ideas on the matter, or read and consider the subject. You will be more prepared for the exam and in general, if you follow this technique, you will notice the difference it makes in remembering information.
- Important Do's and Don'ts
Some candidates go too far, such as reading a lot of newspapers. However, this will only disturb your schedule and you must avoid doing so. Make time for the other segments of CLAT. Keep your own diary of all the current happenings.
Focus on newsworthy committees, legal developments, bills, big decisions, and award winners, among other things. Examine CLAT previous years' question papers to get a sense of the types of Current Affairs questions that have been included in the exam.
- Jot Down Important Points
Make a list of critical events in your GK notebook to review when the exam arrives. Instead of big paragraphs, make short points. Keep a watch for new legislation and modifications or amendments to existing ones for future reference. While reading the newspaper, use a marker to highlight any new terms that appear. Repeat this procedure for as long as you read the paper.
Finally, go over the highlighted words and scribble down their definitions on paper, using a dictionary. Avoid reading advertisements because they are distracting and, as a result, consume a lot of your time.
- Areas to Focus on While Reading the Newspaper for CLAT 2026
Reading the entire newspaper takes time. As a result, you should read selectively and smartly. This way, you may improve your ability to filter the essential topics for the CLAT exam while also learning how to dismiss the irrelevant ones.
The following are the key areas to pay attention to when reading a newspaper:
- Frontpage
- Editorial page - focus on knowledge, language, and terminology.
- Recurring issues related to any protests, news related to elections, etc.
- News connected to recent appointments, records made, awards, etc.
- Business-related news
- International news
Which is the Best Newspaper for CLAT 2026?
Since there are so many newspapers in the market, it may be difficult for most of you to choose the ideal one. You should read only one or two newspapers daily throughout your CLAT 2026 exam preparation rather than multiple newspapers, which will waste your time.
If you are new to reading newspapers, you can begin by reading The Hindu or any leading daily of your choice. Ensure the newspapers are easy to read and that you can comprehend the information provided. Once you have formed the practice of daily newspaper reading, you should look for relevant information in the Hindu or the Indian Express.
Time Needed to Read a Newspaper for CLAT 2026
To get a good score in the CLAT 2026 exam, students should focus on reading newspapers daily. You must schedule a time at any time of your day to go through a newspaper daily in your CLAT Study Plan. According to experts, reading a newspaper should not take more than 45 minutes to 60 minutes.
It is also best to read the newspaper first thing in the morning. You can club it with some other activity, like having breakfast or at any other time as per your study plan. If you don't have time during the day, make an effort to read it every night.
How to Make Notes While Reading a Newspaper for CLAT 2026?
The points given below will help you efficiently read a newspaper for your CLAT 2026 preparation.
- While reading the newspaper, please note the headline or title in your own words to help you remember it for a long time.
- Make notes on the research you have done on each issue.
- If you are a CLAT aspirant, you must research daily Current Affairs topics.
- One of the most effective ways to take notes is to divide the topic into sub-parts, such as national, international, awards, sports, and so on.
- You can also assemble your notes based on per day or per month.
Also Read : How to Choose the Best NLU after CLAT 2026?
Top Law Colleges in India
If you cannot qualify for the NLUs through CLAT, do not be disheartened, as multiple other top colleges offer quality law education. Check out the list of some of the leading law institutions in India that we have assembled for you:
Law College | Location |
|---|---|
Chandigarh, Punjab | |
Bhubaneswar, Odisha | |
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh | |
Indore, Madhya Pradesh | |
Sonepat, Haryana | |
Ahmedabad, Gujarat | |
Uttar Pradesh | |
Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh | |
Hyderabad, Telangana | |
Bhubaneswar, Odisha | |
Bangalore, Karnataka | |
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | |
| Raffles University (RU) | Neemrana, Rajasthan |
Kolkata, West Bengal | |
Mehsana, Gujarat | |
Ahmedabad, Gujarat | |
Pune, Maharashtra | |
Dehradun, Uttrakhand | |
Raipur, Chhattisgarh |
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FAQs
The newspapers that you must follow for CLAT preparation are The Hindu and Indian Express. However, it is recommended to stick to only one newspaper throughout your CLAT preparation.
The topics you should read in a newspaper that will help you enhance your CLAT preparation are local or state politics. Read the topics that are in the headlines on a national and international, such as the reintroduction of a policy in parliament, the titles of Acts, and the names of financial and technical terminology.
Yes, candidates must read the editorial sections of a newspaper for CLAT preparation. You might find unfamiliar words and expressions in the editorial, know what these terms mean, and use them in your writing.
Exam preparation begins with carefully selecting the top stories from the day's newspaper for CLAT preparation that address significant national or international issues. Reading the newspaper after browsing content provided by online resources is highly recommended.
The newspaper should be read every morning before you start your CLAT preparation. 1 hour time is sufficient to read the newspaper every day. However, if you are unable to find time in the morning, you can keep aside time at night to read the newspaper.
It is recommended for CLAT aspirants to read newspapers regularly to prepare for current affairs and other subjects, rather than relying on unreliable resources. Aspirants should not only read the newspapers daily but also know how to make notes from the newspaper for CLAT preparation. These notes will help the candidates when they are revising before the exam.
Developing a habit of reading newspapers while preparing for CLAT is very important for CLAT aspirants. It is important to allocate time in your regular study plan for newspaper reading. The CLAT experts and toppers have, however, recommended reading the newspaper first thing in the morning before you sit with your books.
To create notes while reading a newspaper for the CLAT, follow the guidelines below:
- If you want to remember a newspaper headline for a long time, write it out in your own words as you read it. Document your findings as you read up on each topic.
- Being a CLAT aspirant you must study topics that are currently in the news.
- Organising your notes by topic into categories like national, international, awards, sports, major political developments, etc., can be very helpful.
- If you prefer, you can organise your notes monthly or daily.
The areas to focus while reading the newspaper for CLAT preparation are the frontpage of the newspaper, the editorial page with priority on language, knowledge, and terminology, news from the business domain and international field. You must read topics connected to major protests, elections, awards, recent appointments, records created, newsworthy committees, developments in the legal field, major bills passed, big decisions, individuals who won awards recently.
For CLAT preparation it would be beneficial if you did not try to learn everything there is to know about local or state politics in one go. You must focus on the issues that are in the headlines on a national and international scale, such as the reintroduction of a policy in parliament, any deal or official or informal negotiations between India and any other nation, the titles of Acts, and the names of financial and technical terminology.
Therefore, there is a reasonable possibility that you will easily remember the answers on the exam even if you read only a little bit about the backdrops of the article and study only a little bit about the meanings.
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