Newspaper: Roadmap for Success in CLAT 2027/28

Whether you are stepping into a CLAT coaching classroom for the first time or watching your first YouTube tutorial on exam strategy, the starting point is always the same: "CLAT is a reading-based paper." Naturally, the follow-up question is, "How do I start reading?" or "How do I improve my speed?" Across the teaching spectrum, the answer is consistent: Read the newspaper.

The newspaper—by far the oldest and most widely used mode of communication—is often dismissed by the youth as a "relic of the past" reserved for scholars or the elderly. However, in the academic field, the story flips. This "relic" plays a vital role in shaping careers across disciplines.

When you look at a CLAT paper, you see a series of paragraphs (roughly 300–450 words each) followed by five questions. This is where reading skill becomes your greatest asset. Reading is not a skill built by a formula or magic; it is forged through time, practice, and persistent learning. Since CLAT is a reading-based exam, your ability to comprehend quickly is everything.

Why the Newspaper is Your Ultimate Resource

The newspaper is a multifaceted tool for CLAT preparation. Here is how it helps:

1. Enhancing Comprehension: Regular reading equips you with an understanding of English that is far removed from standard school-level texts. It helps you grasp the flow and structure of complex arguments, building the familiarity needed to tackle exam-level passages.

2. Building Vocabulary: Unlike school textbooks, which highlight tough words in a glossary, competitive exams offer no such help. The newspaper forces you to learn new words in context, which is the most effective way to retain them for the exam.

3. Strengthening General Awareness (GA) and Legal Reasoning: Over the years, CLAT has repeatedly pulled topics for the GK and Legal Reasoning sections directly from major news stories. The newspaper serves as your primary source for these sections.

How to Approach the Paper

Navigating a newspaper is a skill in itself. Before you open a page, keep these three principles in mind:

• Consistency = Results: Building reading stamina is a strenuous journey. It requires a daily commitment to reading the same paper, even when the topics feel dense. It demands your time and your work every single day.

• The Right Mindset: Do not pick up the paper to check a box. Approach it with curiosity and a genuine desire to learn about different domains and global affairs.

• Knowing What to Skip: It is easy to feel overwhelmed. You must develop an eye for the difference between "news" and "current affairs." Not everything is worth reading, but not everything should be skipped either. Striking that balance is key.

Practical Recommendations

1. The Choice of Newspaper

Paper selection is subjective and depends on your vocabulary level and political leanings. However, strictly for CLAT prep, The Hindu and The Indian Express are the gold standards. Both offer diverse perspectives and use a level of language similar to the actual CLAT paper.

Pro Tip: Try both for 15 days each with the same intensity to see which style resonates with you more.

2. What to Avoid

While reading is vital, your time is limited. Aim for effective, relevant reading. You can generally skip:

• Hyper-local news (city crimes, local events)

• Partisan political bickering

• Sensationalist entertainment updates

3. Think Like a Topper

Develop an "exam eye." Look for articles that mirror Critical Reasoning or Legal Reasoning topics. Your goal should be to gather as much information as possible in a single, focused read.

Conclusion: Make Reading Like Breathing

For successful CLAT preparation, reading must transition from a "task" to a "habit." It should eventually feel effortless. While the journey isn't a straight line—it’s more like a web of strings—your job is to find the thread that works best for you. Take breaks, analyse your progress, and remember: the more you read, the more you know; the more you know, the faster you’ll go.

Author Note- Original concept and ideation by Neeraj Kumar. Written, structured, and edited by Aryan Bajpai.