How to Read Newspapers for CLAT and CUET

Practical Daily Reading Strategies for Aspirants
From the mentors at Career Launcher South Ex, Delhi

Introduction: Why Newspapers Matter More Than You Think

If you're preparing for CLAT or CUET, there's a phrase you’ve heard repeatedly:
"Read the newspaper every day!"

But few students know how to read it. Should you read the entire paper? Should you take notes? What matters more — headlines or editorials?

Here's the truth: For CLAT and CUET aspirants, newspaper reading is not about knowing the daily news. It's about building three crucial skills:

• Reading comprehension speed

• Contextual understanding of current affairs

• Critical thinking and vocabulary

At Career Launcher South Ex, Delhi, we treat newspaper reading like a skill to be trained, not a ritual to be checked off. This blog will walk you through how to make newspaper reading a power tool for CLAT and CUET prep — in just 30–45 minutes a day.

Why Newspaper Reading is a Game-Changer for CLAT & CUET

For CLAT:

CLAT now asks passage-based questions on current events and laws. Most passages are extracted or inspired from editorials and columns. Reading newspapers familiarizes you with the tone, format, and themes.

For CUET:

The General Test in CUET (UG) has a section on GK/Current Affairs. Also, strong English comprehension is key in CUET’s Language and Domain sections. Newspapers improve both in one go.

Step-by-Step: How to Read Newspapers the Right Way

Let’s walk through a practical daily strategy that you can realistically follow. You do NOT need to read the entire paper — you just need to read smart.

Step 1: Choose the Right Newspaper

Stick to ONE major national daily. We recommend:

• The Hindu

• The Indian Express

These papers have:

• Rich editorial content

• Balanced reporting

• National and legal focus

You can use a print edition, e-paper, or app — whatever works best for your routine.

Step 2: Build a Reading Routine (Time-Smart)

Here’s how to divide your reading in under 45 minutes.

Step 3: What to Skip

You do NOT need to read:

• City/local news

• Sports (unless major policy-related)

• Entertainment/gossip

• Obituaries or classifieds

CLAT and CUET rarely pull passages from these areas. Focus on high-impact national and editorial content.

Step 4: Take Notes (The Smart Way)

You don’t need a separate notebook for every article. Use this 3-line template for daily notes:

This helps with revision and builds a track record of current events — critical for both exams.

Sample Daily Newspaper Reading Log

Here’s a realistic example of a student's daily reading on June 8:

Reading Strategies to Improve Comprehension

Reading for exams is different from casual reading. Here's how to read actively and critically:

Use the “SQRC” Method:

This improves your speed and retention — crucial in CLAT and CUET passages.

How to Use Editorials for CLAT Legal Reasoning

Legal Reasoning often presents issues already covered in editorials:

• Freedom of speech

• Environment vs development

• Gender equality

• Rights of accused, privacy

Read editorials on constitutional or ethical debates, and ask:

• What principle is being applied?

• What arguments are being made?

• What legal cases are being referenced?

This habit helps you answer passage-based legal questions more logically.

Vocabulary Building from Newspapers

Don’t try to memorize every difficult word. Instead, create a running list of:

Write 5–10 words per day. Revise on weekends. These words frequently appear in CLAT English, CUET English, and comprehension-based questions.

Newspaper Reading & CLAT Current Affairs

CLAT current affairs questions are passage-based, not fact-based.

Here’s a sample question inspired by real editorial content:

Sample Question

Passage Summary:
An article discusses the balance between the right to protest and maintaining public order, referencing recent court rulings.

Question:
Which constitutional right is most relevant in this context?

a) Article 14
b) Article 21
c) Article 19(1)(a)
d) Article 32

Correct Answer: c) Article 19(1)(a) – Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression

This shows why editorial reading with legal context gives you an edge.

Using Newspapers for CUET GK & English

In CUET, you need:

• Awareness of key national/international events

• Ability to understand complex passages

• Command over vocabulary and grammar

Here’s how newspapers help:

Add These to Your Daily Reading Mix

Apart from newspapers, include:

At Career Launcher South Ex, we share curated weekly reading lists, vocab flashcards, and legal news summaries with all our students.

Newspaper Reading Routine: 30-Day Challenge

Want to make this a habit? Try this CL South Ex 30-Day Newspaper Plan:

By the end of 30 days, you'll find it easier to tackle:

• CLAT current affairs

• CUET comprehension passages

• Vocabulary-based questions

Sample Weekly Vocabulary Revision Table

Make 10-minute flashcard quizzes part of your weekend routine.

How CL South Ex, Delhi Makes This Easier

We understand most students start off confused with newspaper reading. At Career Launcher South Ex, we make it easy with:

Daily news highlight emails
Legal reasoning-based editorial breakdowns
Vocab lists from current affairs
Mentor feedback on daily reading habits
Reading drills linked to weekly mocks
CLAT and CUET reading planner PDFs

We train you to read with a purpose — and read for results.

Final Tips for Smart Newspaper Reading

• Don’t chase every news story. Focus on patterns and themes.

• Use underlining or annotation if using print/e-paper.

• Try to read aloud complex sentences — this builds fluency.

• Discuss what you read with a peer or mentor to sharpen thinking.

• Stay consistent — even 20 minutes daily beats 2 hours once a week.

In Conclusion: Your Daily 30-Minute Newspaper = Exam Gold

Don’t just “read the news” — read like a CLAT or CUET aspirant.

Each article you read sharpens:

• Comprehension speed

• Legal and general awareness

• Argument understanding

• Vocabulary command

Make newspaper reading a non-negotiable habit, and you’ll see the impact across your mock scores and confidence.

At Career Launcher South Ex, Delhi, we help students transform this habit into a superpower — with the right guidance, structure, and strategy.