CLAT Preparation with Newspapers: The Right Way to Read The Hindu & Indian Express

kajal lawprep
Sep 9
5 min read

Preparing for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is not just about memorizing facts or solving mock tests. One of the most effective and often underrated strategies for acing the exam is consistent newspaper reading. Among the many newspapers available, The Hindu and The Indian Express stand out as the most recommended for aspirants. But here’s the catch—reading a newspaper for CLAT is very different from reading it for general awareness. The focus should be on building comprehension, improving vocabulary, and sharpening analytical reasoning skills.

This blog will guide you on the right way to read these newspapers for CLAT preparation, the strategies you should adopt, and the common mistakes you must avoid.

Why Newspapers Are Essential for CLAT Preparation

The CLAT is designed to test your ability to analyze, interpret, and reason rather than just recall information. Reading newspapers daily helps in multiple ways:

1. Enhances Reading Speed and Comprehension:

Long passages in the English and Legal Reasoning sections demand quick reading and clear understanding.

2. Improves Vocabulary and Grammar:

Editorials and op-eds expose you to advanced vocabulary in a contextual setting.

3. Provides Updated Current Affairs:

Especially useful for the Current Affairs and General Knowledge section.

4. Builds Analytical Thinking:

Opinion pieces help you understand multiple perspectives on the same issue.

In short, newspaper reading is not an option but a necessity for serious aspirants.

The Hindu vs. The Indian Express: Which to Choose?

Both The Hindu and The Indian Express are excellent choices, but they serve slightly different purposes:

1. The Hindu:

Known for detailed analysis, strong editorials, and clean language. Best for building comprehension and vocabulary.

2. The Indian Express:

Focuses more on political and socio-economic issues, with in-depth coverage of policy matters. Excellent for understanding governance and current affairs.

The smart approach is to pick one as your primary paper and refer to the other selectively for opinion and analysis. This prevents information overload while still giving you diverse perspectives.

How to Read Newspapers the CLAT Way

Step 1: Identify Relevant Sections

Don’t waste time on everything. The following sections matter most:

1. Front Page:

Scan for national importance; ignore local news.

2. Editorial & Op-Ed:

Must-read for analysis, arguments, and vocabulary.

3. Nation & World News:

Focus on governance, international relations, and treaties.

4. Business & Economy:

Pick up news related to policies, budgets, and legal-economic issues.

5. Legal & Judicial News:

Extremely useful for CLAT legal reasoning.

Skip entertainment, sports (except when it connects to policy or law), and regional localities.

Step 2: Read with a Purpose

When you read an article, ask yourself:

What is the main issue?
What are the different arguments presented?
How does this connect to law, governance, or society?
What new words or phrases have I learned today?

Answering these questions not only sharpens your analytical skills but also directly helps in tackling passages and questions in the CLAT exam.

Step 3: Note-Making Strategy

Keeping notes is essential because you cannot revise months of newspapers before the exam. Here’s how:

1. Use Digital Notes:

Apps like Evernote or OneNote allow you to categorize topics (e.g., Environment, Economy, Judiciary).

2. Summarize, Don’t Copy:

Write 4–5 bullet points for each important article.

3. Maintain a Vocabulary List:

Note difficult words along with their meaning and usage.

For example, if an article is about climate change laws, your notes might look like:

COP28 outcomes
India’s renewable energy targets
Legal implications of environmental policies

Step 4: Link Articles to CLAT Syllabus

Always keep the CLAT syllabus in mind:

1. English:

Extract reading comprehension practice from editorials.

2. Legal Reasoning:

Connect judgments, bills, or legal debates to sample questions.

3. Current Affairs/GK:

Revise factual information like dates, treaties, and schemes.

4. Logical Reasoning:

Analyze arguments and counterarguments in op-eds.

This ensures every minute of newspaper reading contributes to your exam preparation.

Also read: 6-Month vs 1-Year CLAT Preparation.

Common Mistakes Students Make

1. Reading the Entire Newspaper:

This wastes time. Focus only on exam-relevant sections.

2. Ignoring Editorials:

Many aspirants find them tough, but editorials are goldmines for comprehension and critical reasoning.

3. Not Making Notes:

Without notes, you’ll forget most details within days.

4. Over-Reliance on News Apps:

Apps summarize too much and remove depth, which you need for comprehension.

5. Passive Reading:

Reading without questioning or highlighting weakens retention.

Avoiding these mistakes will save time and boost your retention.

Example: How to Read an Editorial for CLAT

Suppose The Hindu publishes an editorial on data privacy laws. Here’s how you should approach it:

1. Identify Theme:

The debate around personal data and government surveillance.

2. Note Arguments:

In favor: National security and governance.
Against: Violation of privacy rights.

3. Vocabulary Extraction:

Words like "surveillance," "data fiduciary," "legislative safeguards."

4. Link to CLAT:

Relates to Article 21 (Right to Privacy) and pending data protection bills.

This process builds comprehension, legal awareness, and vocabulary—all in one.

Using Newspapers for English Section Practice

The English section in CLAT is passage-based. Editorials provide perfect material for practice:

Pick an article and time yourself while reading.
Summarize it in your own words within 5 minutes.
Frame 3–4 comprehension questions, like:
- What is the author’s main argument?
- Which word best fits the context of XYZ?

This daily exercise mirrors the exam pattern and builds exam temperament.

Using Newspapers for Legal Reasoning

Legal reasoning in CLAT is not about prior knowledge of the law but understanding and applying principles. Newspaper reading helps by:

Exposing you to real-life legal debates (e.g., Uniform Civil Code, environmental judgments).
Building familiarity with legal language.
Enhancing your ability to spot issues and arguments.

You can even practice by framing your own legal reasoning questions from news items.

Role of Newspapers in Current Affairs

Unlike static GK, CLAT 2026 focuses on recent and relevant issues. Newspapers keep you updated with:

Important judgments of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Government schemes, policies, and bills.
International treaties and global events.

Instead of rote learning, focus on understanding the “why” behind these events, which will help in passage-based questions.

How to Manage Time for Newspaper Reading

Many aspirants worry about the time newspapers consume. Here’s a balanced strategy:

Allocate 45–60 minutes daily for newspaper reading.
Spend 20 minutes on editorials, 15 minutes on front-page/national news, and 10–15 minutes on economy/legal updates.
Avoid re-reading or overanalyzing unless the topic is highly relevant.

Consistency is more important than reading three papers in one day and skipping for the rest of the week.

Long-Term Benefits of Newspaper Reading

Even beyond CLAT, reading The Hindu or The Indian Express regularly develops life-long skills:

Clear writing and speaking abilities for law school.
Confidence in group discussions and interviews.
Awareness of social, political, and legal landscapes.

These skills will serve you not just in CLAT but throughout your career in law.

CLAT Preparation and Newspapers: The Winning Combination

To succeed in CLAT, you must build strong comprehension, critical reasoning, and awareness of current affairs. Newspapers like The Hindu and The Indian Express are not just resources but weapons in your preparation. When read with focus and strategy, they give you an edge that no static book can.

Remember: It’s not about reading more; it’s about reading right. Build consistency, make notes, and keep linking your reading to the CLAT syllabus. Done correctly, this habit will transform your preparation journey and boost your confidence on exam day.