The UPSC Mains exam is a completely different ballgame compared to the Prelims. To excel in the IAS mains, candidates need, apart from knowledge and analytical abilities, the know-how to write answers within the prescribed time and space limits. Answer writing is an art and no matter how erudite or how intelligent a candidate is, unless he/she expresses what is expected in the answer booklet, clearing the mains exam will be a rather long shot. This is why it is important to not only study all the right material for the IAS exam, but also practice answer writing in an exam-simulated setting.
Writing answers in an exam-like setting will help candidates understand the nuances of answer writing such as how to write what exactly is asked, how to limit the words to the prescribed number range, how to highlight important points and keywords, how to augment answers with illustrations wherever necessary, and so on. Candidates will also learn how to prioritise their answer writing, especially when there are choices. This will also give candidates the much-needed writing practice with which the speed of writing can improve; and during the civil services exam, time is always in short supply!
BYJU’S presents the most comprehensive IAS mains test series in the country. Like in the previous years, this year too, candidates can enrol in the much-awaited series and assess their own preparation. With the BYJU’S Mains test series, candidates can evaluate their own exam-preparedness and also get ample answer writing practice. The details of the all-inclusive test series 2019 are given in the below tables.
IAS Mains Test Series starts in the first week of June 2019
UPSC 2019 MAINS TEST SERIES COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
- 13 tests including 8 modular tests (2 for each GS paper) and 4 simulated full-length tests
- Analysis to be provided in batches of 100 for enhancing writing skills
- One-on-one doubt clearing after each session
- Special Care Batch for Top 100 Students
- Questions prepared with a special emphasis on current affairs
- Paper discussion for all tests – live and recorded video will be provided
- Essay writing & Feedback
- Both offline and online modes available
OR
UPSC Mains Test Series 2019
| DATE* | PAPER CODE | TOPIC |
| 16th June 2019 | Essay | |
| 23rd June 2019 | GS Paper 2_1 | Governance, Constitution and Polity of India |
| 30th June 2019 | GS Paper 1_1 | Geography of India and the World, Society of India |
| 7th July 2019 | GS Paper 4 _1 | Ethics Integrity, Aptitude and their Case Studies |
| 14th July 2019 | GS Paper1 _2 | Indian Heritage and Culture, History of India and the World |
| 21st July 2019 | GS Paper 3 _1 | Indian Economy and Development |
| 28th July 2019 | GS Paper 3 _2 | Science and Technology, Environment, Disaster Management, Internal Security |
| 4th August 2019 | GS Paper 4 _2 | Aptitude, Emotional Intelligence, Thinkers, Probity in Governance and their Case Studies |
| 11th August 2019 | GS Paper 2 _2 | Social Justice, International Relations |
| 18th August 2019 | GS Paper 1 _ F | Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society |
| 25th August 2019 | GS Paper 2 _ F | Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations |
| 1st Sep 2019 | GS Paper 3 _ F | Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management |
| 8th Sep 2019 | GS Paper 4 _ F | Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude |
*Dates are tentative and subject to change.
| PAPER CODE | SYLLABUS |
| GS Paper 1_1 | * Salient features of world’s physical geography; |
| * Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); | |
| * factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India) | |
| * Important Geophysical phenomena such as Earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. | |
| * Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India | |
| * Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies. | |
| * Effects of globalization on Indian society | |
| * Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism | |
| GS Paper 2_1 | * Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. |
| * Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. | |
| * Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. | |
| * Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries | |
| * Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these | |
| * Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. | |
| * Salient features of the Representation of People ‘s Act | |
| * Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies; | |
| * Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies | |
| GS Paper 4_1 | * Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. |
| * Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values. | |
| * Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion. | |
| * Case Studies on above issues | |
| GS Paper 1_2 | * Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times |
| * Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues | |
| * The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country | |
| * Post- independence consolidation and reorganization within the country | |
| * History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society. | |
| GS Paper 3_1 | * Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. |
| * Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. | |
| * Government Budgeting. | |
| * Major crops –cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers. | |
| * Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing. | |
| * Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management. | |
| * Land reforms in India. | |
| * Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth. | |
| * Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. | |
| * Investment models. | |
| GS Paper 3_2 | * Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. |
| * Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. | |
| * Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio- technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. | |
| * Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. | |
| * Disaster and disaster management. | |
| * Linkages between development and spread of extremism. | |
| * Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. | |
| * Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention. | |
| * Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism. | |
| * Various Security forces, agencies and their mandate | |
| GS Paper 4_2 | * Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non- partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections. |
| * Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance. | |
| * Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world. | |
| * Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance | |
| * Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’ s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption. | |
| * Case Studies on above issues. | |
| GS Paper 2_2 | * Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. |
| * Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders. | |
| * Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. | |
| * Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. | |
| * Issues relating to poverty and hunger. | |
| * Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures. | |
| * Role of civil services in a democracy. | |
| * India and its neighborhood- relations. | |
| * Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. | |
| * Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. | |
| * Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. | |
| GS Paper 1 _ F | Full Length Test of GS Paper-1 |
| GS Paper 2 _ F | Full Length Test of GS Paper-2 |
| GS Paper 3 _ F | Full Length Test of GS Paper-3 |
| GS Paper 4 _ F | Full Length Test of GS Paper-4 |
Enrol for the BYJU’S Comprehensive IAS Mains Test Series and get ahead of your competition!
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