CSS Forums - How To Prepare Current Affairs

#Current_Affairs
#CSS_2018
in continuation with my earlier posts, i am going to discuss a very important paper, i.e. Current Affairs.
This is the most important of all the papers since it helps you out in Current Affairs, Essay, International Relations, International Law, Pakistan Affairs, etc.
Therefore, it needs to be given its due weight-age.

1) #Subject_Analysis:

i. Current Affairs (CA) as a subject is quite an easy one.
ii. We all know what is happening all around us.
iii. You simply need to be tactical in your approach and justification of your stance is highly crucial.

2) #Syllabus_Analysis:

i. The syllabus has been divided into 3 Major Areas:
a. Domestic Affairs
b. External Affairs
c. Global Issues.

ii. All the domestic affairs of Pakistan such as political, economic along with social issues comprise the first part.

iii. Relations with neighbors, Muslim world, USA and other world powers, and regional as well as International organizations are the features of External Affairs of Pakistan.

iv. Global Issues constitute all the current as well as decades old global issues (Kashmir issue and Palestine issue).

v. At least 2 questions appear from all of the 3 areas but External Affairs and Global Issues are majorly focused.

3) #General_Guidelines:

i. Stay relevant, precise, and logical with your answers.
ii. Try to theorize your answer, hence, an understanding of the history and politics is pertinent.
iii. Examiner requires analysis. Therefore, ensure that you are able to justify your stance.

4) #External_Affair_Questions

How to critically analyze external affairs from different perspectives;

i. Study Relations through Maps; Practice making the following three maps or an ATLAS so as to memorize them;
a. World Map
b. South Asian Map
c. Pakistan Map
When you have a clear picture of the above maps in your head, it will be easier for you to deal with current affairs related questions.

ii. Influence of Other Countries:
a. We all know that all the countries have some influence and interest in every neighbor country due to inter-dependency.
b. In relation based questions such as Pak-Afghan Relations, Afghanistan has an Indian, Chinese, Iranian, and Russian influence which directly affect the dynamics of Pak-Afghan Relations.
c. Critical analyses of these relations can be discussed in the question.
iii. Analyses from Different Perspectives:
a. Bilateral Relations include Strategic, Political, Economic, Cultural, and Social level interactions.
b. All the more reason studying relations has become quite difficult as two countries interact with each other on different fronts.
c. For instance, Pakistan-China Relations are usually studied on a strategic and an economic front.
d. Whereas, Pak-US relations have been studied from political and economic perspectives.

5) #Domestic_and_Global_Issues Section:

i. Keep a check on the events of later half of the previous year and the start of the year in which exams are to be commenced.
ii. You have to be conceptual and analytical in your answers and not merely factual.

6) #How_to_Start_Preparation:

i. Now, you have got the basic structure ready.
ii. Make a separate register for CA.
iii. Specify the 25-30 topics comprising relations as well as organizations.
iv. Write down the historical background.
e.g. If you are talking about Pak-India relation, you must have a clear and detailed overview of the history of Pak-India Relations.
v. On daily basis, pick up a national and international newspaper/magazine and look out for any update on your relevant topic and you just need to add that under ‘Recent Developments’ section.

7) #Sources

i. Dawn, and Express Tribune
ii. The Economist
iii. Current Affairs Monthly Digest by Safdar Mehmood
iv. Foreign Policy Magazine

#Specimens of two #Current_Affairs_Questions

1. #Pak_India_Relations
1) General Technique: Pak-India Relations
i. Introduction
ii. Historical Background; Wars, dialogues.
iii. Irritants: Kashmir Issue, Water Disputes, Indian Presence in Afghanistan, Indian Involvement in Pak (Presence of Raw), events such as Mumbai carnage and the blame game
iv. Current Developments
v. Way Forward/ Recommendations: Role of both Indian and Pakistani govt, Role of media, citizens, Multi track Diplomacy, how can the tussle be solved esp kashmir issue, Role of Afghanistan as a Buffer state, and power sharing percentage.
vi. Conclusion

2. #Organization #EU
European Union (EU)
i. Introduction
ii. Formation: Answering ‘wh’ questions
iii. Objectives and Organizational Structure
iv. Recent Developments: When was the last conference held and when will the next be held?
v. Effectiveness of EU
vi. Challenges Faced by EU
vii. Role Of Pakistan; Critical analysis required
viii. Conclusion

Regards,

Ainuddin Kibzai...