Problem statement

When we do a Google search for a topic we get multiple results that are not useful for UPSC prep.

Google allows you to refine Google Searches to narrow your search results in specific ways.

We can refine Google Searches for websites that are useful for UPSC prep.

How to set it up?

Go to Chrome Settings

Add a new Site Search

Give it a name, any shortcut that you prefer and the URL.

To search Hindu, Indian Express, DownToEarth – URL for News to paste in the URL box:

{google:baseURL}search?q=%s+%28site%3Athehindu.com+OR+site%3Aindianexpress.com+OR+site%3Aafeias.com+OR+site%3Adowntoearth.org.in%29+-site%3Athehindu.com%2Fentertainment+-site%3Aindianexpress.com%2Farticle%2Fentertainment+-site%3Aamazon.co.uk&tbs=qdr%3Ay2&sxsrf=APwXEdcICiCpB1Srinei2dQQ4dBZhHWr0g%3A1684299127010&ei=d11kZOsQ4dfj4Q-vyJGoAQ&ved=0ahUKEwirqKSZx_v-AhXh6zgGHS9kBBUQ4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=monsoon+delay+%28site%3Athehindu.com+OR+site%3Aindianexpress.com+OR+site%3Aafeias.com+OR+site%3Adowntoearth.org.in%29+-site%3Athehindu.com%2Fentertainment+-site%3Aindianexpress.com%2Farticle%2Fentertainment&&{google:originalQueryForSuggestion}{google:prefetchSource}{google:sourceId}{google:contextualSearchVersion}ie={inputEncoding}&tbs=qdr:y2

For websites like PRS India, PIB, MOSPI (courtesy @Predestination001 on Telegram):

https://www.google.com/search?q=%s+(site:pib.gov.in+OR+site:niti.gov.in+OR+site:prsindia.org+OR+site:data.gov.in+OR+site:vikaspedia.in+OR+site:mospi.gov.in)+-site:pib.gov.in/PressReleaseHindi&tbs=lr:lang_1en,qdr:y3

How to use it?

When you type @n in the Chrome search bar you will see “News”, press Tab and search

Now the results will be only from News publications like Hindu, IE, DownToEarth, etc and it will exclude entertainment pages. The results will be restricted to articles published in the last 2 years.

PSIR Refined searches

For PSIR related websites: idsa.in, project-syndicate.org, foreignpolicy.com, orfonline.org, thediplomat, thehindu, indian express, mea.gov.in, foreignaffairs.com

{google:baseURL}search?q=%s+(site:idsa.in+OR+site:project-syndicate.org+OR+site:foreignpolicy.com+OR+site:orfonline.org+OR+site:thediplomat.com+OR+site:thehindu.com+OR+site:indianexpress.com+OR+site:mea.gov.in+OR+site:foreignaffairs.com)+-site:thehindu.com/entertainment+-site:indianexpress.com/article/entertainment+-site:amazon.co.uk&sca_esv=f1335be37f2cdbad&tbs=qdr:y2

Sample result:

For instance, these articles can be useful for PYQs like:

1. The return of trade barriers and economic sanctions has diminished the spirit of GATT. In this context, discuss the factors contributing to the decline of WTO in recent times. (2024)
2. Identify and evaluate the reasons for deadlock in the WTO negotiations on fisheries between the developing and developed countries. (2022)
3. Critically evaluate the role of the United States of America in the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism and its implications for the future of the WTO. (2020)