How can one use INSIGHTS effectively for IAS exams?

I think Insight is doing a great job. Keeping in mind that the current trend of UPSC demands lot of contemporary knowledge and its application to real societal issues . Forums like Insights are really helpful in preparation of UPSC. Especially people preparing on their own can make the most of it.

1. Insight Current Events

They are very good especially for prelims. Reason - say DRDO developed xyz missile. It will explain DRDO and then the features of missile developed. Like this very good factual info on government plans, schemes, organisations, institutions, scientific developments , personalities etc you will find. Make notes of it.

Also there daily quiz are good for learning and revision

2. Insight Secure Initiative ( very helpful for mains)

• They post questions related to GS-1 to 4 topics on a daily basis and people write answers. so a platform to write answers and get evaluated. Though time consuming
• More importantly a good repository of Information. I would daily scan the questions and look for questions which were of high relevance or those where I have little info. I would read best answer to get some points or value addition and note them down in my own notes. eg : Question is issues with cyber policies in India.Now someone would have researched on current cyber policy, issues and challenges and also looked into solutions and best practices. Now all this info I can get in one place in the answer. This is researched, refined and most concrete and simple way to collect fodder information of multiple topics and issues.
• Good for GS4 especially. Read answers on general ethical questions and case study. One good repository.
• Good place to read others essay and write own’s own on sunday’s

3. Insight Plans of self preparations

People who can not afford coaching, they can make the most of insights self preparation mode. They set a time table, give targets and put up tests both for prelims and mains. A little tough timetable but good if u are unable to make one for yourself. You can follow directions of Insights self preparation plan.

4. Insight Test series

I feel it is very good for prelims. One of the best in terms of questions. Over all 33 so a lil bulky to solve. All available on photocopy shops in delhi, some people have uploaded on google drive as well

5. Editorials analysis, TV discussions analysis, Mind maps and articles all very informative and helpful.

6. It also gives lot of information , downloadable stuff, links, preparation strategy of toppers etc.

Overall a very good source for UPSC preparation and a very reliable one. I personally gained a lot out of it.

Which is the best source of current events for upsc prelim apart from the newspapers?

Some good sources from prelims perspective include:-

1. InsightonIndia website:- Their current events section and daily current event quiz are really very helpful
2. Civilsdaily :- Its a website which summarise daily current events and is helpful if you want to see factual info is less time consuming way.
3. Monthly Magazine - Vision, Vajiram,IAS baba to name a few. I liked Vajiram from prelims point of view and vision ias from mains perspective. Not much diff so one can choose any.
4. Some publications even sell MCQ bank on current events, that can be seen as well if you need.

Current Affairs and reading Newspapers

In mains most of questions in GS paper 2 & 3 are current based, even ethics questions or case studies at times relate to current. In prelims lot of direct current affairs related questions are there and from static part current related topics become more important. So current affairs is very important today.

I have made this 9 minutes video to discuss few Current affairs related questions like:

How to begin reading the newspapers?
Which newspaper should I read?
What exactly should be read in the papers?
How to read The Hindu?
How to read The Indian Express?
How to make notes out of a newspaper?
What else has to be referred to apart from the newspapers?

You will find the answers here