If you are preparing for SSC exams like CGL, CHSL, or MTS, you need to make reading a newspaper a daily habit. It’s not just for general knowledge, but it is important to improve your vocabulary, current affairs knowledge, reading skills, and others. It can increase your score in two of the most important sections of the exam: General Awareness and English Language and Comprehension. In this blog, we have mentioned some top newspapers for both English and Hindi, and we have compared them based on some aspects that will help you choose the best newspapers according to your convenience. So, read this blog carefully and analyze which newspaper is best for you.
Why Reading Newspapers Helps in SSC Exam Preparation?
Reading newspapers helps in SSC exam preparation by keeping you updated on current affairs, government policies, and global events. It improves your understanding of important topics, boosts general awareness, and builds a habit of staying informed for better exam performance. Along with that, if you read the newspaper daily, then you can improve your vocabulary, reading skills, which can help you in the English section.
1. For General Awareness (GK)
Reading newspapers daily boosts SSC exam preparation by improving your General Awareness. It helps you stay updated with current events, government schemes, and key topics. Understanding news in context is better than rote learning and helps you in the revision process naturally. It can help you with:
- Current events (last 6–12 months)
- Government schemes
- Indian economy
- International relations
- Science and technology
- Environment and important summits, and others
2. For English Language Section
Reading newspapers daily can improve your English for SSC exams. It helps you build vocabulary, enhances reading speed, and strengthens grammar. When you read a newspaper and see words and sentences in real context, you develop a natural understanding of language, which boosts your overall English skills.
The English section includes:
- Reading comprehension
- Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms)
- Cloze tests
- Idioms and phrases
- Sentence correction
Newspapers help you:
- Learn new words in context
- Improve reading speed
- Understand sentence structure
- Build natural grammar sense
Top Newspapers: Which One is Right For You?
No doubt, there are many newspapers available in the market, but choosing the right newspaper is a big step. The decision of choosing the right newspaper depends on your current level of English, in what language you want to read the news, and other aspects. For example, if you are preparing for any SSC exam but from the Hindi medium, then you should choose a Hindi medium newspaper. Below, we have provided a simple comparison of the most recommended newspapers. This comparison can help you choose which newspaper is best for your SSC exam preparation.
Best English Newspapers for SSC Aspirants
Here, we have mentioned some best newspapers and compared them based on some aspects, such as language level, editorial and analysis, reachability, and others. Knowing and comparing based on these aspects, you can choose the best newspaper for you.
| Aspect | The Hindu | The Indian Express | The Times of India (TOI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Level & Vocabulary | Uses advanced and sophisticated language. Great for vocabulary building, though it can be challenging for beginners. | Clear and direct language. Ideal for beginners and intermediate readers. | Very basic and easy-to-understand language. Good for absolute beginners. |
| Exam Relevance (Content) | Highly relevant. Covers national, international, and economic news in detail. | Extremely relevant. The “Explained” section simplifies complex current affairs. | Low exam relevance. Focuses more on entertainment and local stories. |
| Editorials & Analysis | Editorials are rich in language and deep in analysis. Perfect for developing comprehension and critical thinking. | Balanced, factual, and insightful opinion pieces. Strong on investigative reporting. | Simple editorials with limited depth. Less helpful for in-depth understanding. |
| Ideal Aspirant Profile | Best for those who already have a good command of English and want to refine their language and analytical skills. | A great fit for beginners and intermediate readers looking to improve both English and current affairs knowledge. | Suited for complete beginners who are just developing a reading habit. |
| Key Differentiator | Known for its high-level vocabulary and editorial depth. | OP-ED helps you build different perspectives on a given topic. | Very simple and beginner-friendly, ideal for habit formation. |
Conclusion (English Newspapers)
For English-medium SSC aspirants, The Hindu and The Indian Express are both excellent choices, depending on your comfort level with the language.
- Aspirants who want to take their language skills to the next level, then “The Hindu” will be the best choice for them.
- Those who are building their fluency, then “The Indian Express” will be the best choice.
- The Times of India, while not very exam-focused, can be a good starting point for absolute beginners who find the other two papers too tough initially.
Best Hindi Newspapers for SSC Aspirants
Candidates who are preparing SSC exams and will opt for the exam in the Hindi language should focus on Hindi newspapers. There are a lot of Hindi papers are available in the market but there some newspapers are the best that you can consider them for your SSC exam preparation.
| Aspect | Dainik Jagran (National Edition) | Amar Ujala | Dainik Bhaskar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam Relevance (Content) | Highly relevant. Covers national and international news along with government policies. | It focuses on local issues in North India with reliable editorials that prioritize informative content over sensational news. | Good for state-level exams due to balanced national and regional coverage. |
| Editorial Quality | Offers good editorial pieces helpful for exam-oriented analysis. | Known for balanced and factual editorials with a student-friendly approach. | Focuses on simplified analysis with emphasis on national and international issues. |
| Ideal Aspirant Profile | Suitable for all Hindi-medium aspirants looking for comprehensive coverage. | Best for students from North India who also seek education and job-related news. | Great for aspirants in MP, Rajasthan, or Bihar focusing on state exams. |
| Key Differentiator | Trusted and widely recommended by toppers and coaching institutes. | Unique advantage with its dedicated “Career” and education coverage. | Strong in regional news, helping in state-specific preparation. |
Conclusion (Hindi Newspapers)
For Hindi-medium aspirants, choosing the right newspaper depends on your location and focus. Each newspaper has its own features that can make things easier for you and reachability as per your location.
- Dainik Jagran (National Edition): This newspaper stands out as the most trusted and widely used paper among SSC and other government exam aspirants due to its thorough and balanced news coverage. My recommendation is to choose this one because I found its news content, writing style, and the way it presents information to be the best – but the final choice is up to you.
- Amar Ujala: This newspaper is best for students from Northern states.
- Dainik Bhaskar: It’s a good choice for students preparing for state-level exams, especially in MP, Rajasthan, or Bihar, because it also covers regional news.
Note: Different newspapers have different writers, so their writing style can change depending on who wrote the article. So, you are strongly advised not to stick with a single newspaper; you can try other newspapers over time.
Bonus Tip: Reading newspapers daily helps you stay updated with current affairs, improve your communication skills, and build confidence, all of which are very useful during SSC exam interviews.
Practice Your Current Affairs Knowledge with Our Free Weekly Quizzes
Now, you have chosen your newspaper and read the news daily, it’s important to keep revising what you’ve learned. Meaning, SSC will ask questions from current affairs topics in the exam (if applicable). So just reading the news will not help you; if you want to get the most out of it, then you should practice on it also. For that, we have provided free weekly current affairs quizzes. These quizzes will help you in your revision, practice, and understand what types of questions SSC asks in the exam.
Attempt Free Weekly Current Affairs Quizzes for SSC Exams
Join our exclusive Telegram group for expert guidance, personalized tips, and real-time solutions to boost your SSC exam prep. [Click here to join now!]
FAQs: Which is the Best Newspaper for SSC Exam Preparation?
– The Hindu and The Indian Express are top choices for English
– Dainik Jagran is preferred for Hindi medium aspirants.
Yes, reading newspapers daily can improve your general awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension skills, which is important for SSC exams.
Choose based on your exam language medium and comfort level to maximize understanding and exam relevance.
We recommend you read a newspaper daily to stay updated and build consistent knowledge and vocabulary.
Yes, they improve vocabulary, grammar, reading speed, and comprehension skills essential for the English section.
- Sign Up on Practicemock for Updated Current Affairs, Topic Tests and Mini Mocks
- Sign Up Here to Download Free Study Material
Free Mock Tests for the Upcoming Exams
- IBPS PO Free Mock Test
- RBI Grade B Free Mock Test
- IBPS SO Free Mock Test
- NABARD Grade A Free Mock Test
- SSC CGL Free Mock Test
- IBPS Clerk Free Mock Test
- IBPS RRB PO Free Mock Test
- IBPS RRB Clerk Free Mock Test
- RRB NTPC Free Mock Test
- SSC MTS Free Mock Test
- SSC Stenographer Free Mock Test
- GATE Mechanical Free Mock Test
- GATE Civil Free Mock Test
- RRB ALP Free Mock Test
- SSC CPO Free Mock Test
- AFCAT Free Mock Test
- SEBI Grade A Free Mock Test
- IFSCA Grade A Free Mock Test
- RRB JE Free Mock Test
- Free Banking Live Test
- Free SSC Live Test