Short answer: Pick one main source you can finish regularly, add one revision source if needed, and stop switching. Consistency beats variety.
Why fewer sources work better
Current affairs is large and keeps growing. If you follow many sources, you read the same news repeatedly and spend less time understanding and revising.
A single source that you can finish regularly is more useful than several that you only sample.
How to choose
Look at a few days of each option. Check whether the language is clear, whether topics link to the syllabus and whether you can finish a day or week in the time you have.
Ask seniors who have appeared for the exam what they used. Then pick one and give it a fair trial of a few weeks before changing.
Link news to your standard books
When you read a news item, note which part of the syllabus it connects to. Add a line in your notes next to the related topic in your standard book.
This ties news to the topics the exam asks about and makes revision easier.
Avoiding overload
Do not try to cover every news item. Choose those that connect to the syllabus and to your notes. It is normal to skip stories that do not matter for the exam.
Keep your daily time fixed. If a day is missed, do not try to read three days in one sitting. Pick the most important items and move on.
Quick checklist
Choose a source, trial it for a few weeks, link items to your syllabus notes, revise monthly and avoid switching without a clear reason. These five habits matter more than the brand of the source.
If your time is short, read the headlines first and go deeper only on items that connect to the syllabus.
Revise monthly
Set aside a slot each month to go through your notes. Remove items that you now remember and mark those that need more attention.
For related reading, see newspaper reading and notes before buying magazines. If you need standard books, compare second hand books and new books, and check the edition.
Finally, remember that current affairs supports your standard books and does not replace them. A balanced plan gives most of the time to the basics and a smaller fixed share to news, so that the daily reading does not crowd out everything else.
Whichever source you choose, read it at a fixed time of day. A regular slot makes it a habit, and a habit is what carries you through the long months of preparation without needing extra motivation.
Frequently asked questions
How many current affairs sources should I follow?
One main source and, if needed, one for revision. More sources usually add repetition.
Can I switch sources midway?
You can, but give a source a fair trial first. Frequent switching breaks your revision cycle.
Are old current affairs magazines useful?
Their value drops with time. Use them only for topics that are still relevant to the syllabus.