Online - GS Mains Test Series

by Vajiram & Ravi


Vajiram & Ravi – Integrated Mains Test Series 2020

Integrated Mains Test Series 2020

Start Date : 28th June
Delivery Mode : Online
Registration Closed Fee Structure & Schedule

Why join the integrated test series now?

Due to extended lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic, UPSC’s annual exam schedule has undergone an exceptional revision. Accordingly, aspirants have to rearrange their preparation strategy in accordance with the needs of the exam. With Prelim Test being around 4 months away and considering the reduced time duration between Prelim and Main Exams, it is a wise strategy to prepare for the Main Exam along with the Prelim Test now and then switch back to full scale Prelim preparation.

Building on the decades of experience in the UPSC CSE EXAMINATION process, Vajiram & Ravi is bringing you the Integrated Mains Test Series programme to streamline your preparation and make you Mains-ready.

  • Before Prelims – The Test Series will start from June 28, 2020 and will cover those sections of the syllabus which are common to both the Prelim and the Main Exams. It would help students to gain the perspective of the Main Exam with quality answer writing and content enrichment without losing the focus on the Prelims. 4 Sectional Tests would be conducted between June and August 2020.
  • After Prelims – The Test Series begins after the Prelim Test in October 2020. It will cover the entire General Studies syllabus in 6 Sectional Tests. Thereafter, there will be a set of 4 Full-length Tests, one for each General Studies paper, wherein we will help to bring you to the level of writing the Main Examination and excel in it.

Integrated Mains programme will start from scratch for systematic and thorough coverage of the entire syllabus of the Main Exam. It will offer an ideal combination of Tests to grasp the demand of UPSC Main Exam without hampering, but aiding in the preparation of Prelim Test. It will provide you with a discipline required during the coming weeks, by developing deeper understanding of the G.S topics.

This programme will:

  • Help you master “The Art of Writing Answers” with constant guidance. It will help you to write good answers with contextual, structural and language competency and take your preparedness a notch higher. Identify your strengths and specific weakness and work upon them in a concerted manner to develop quality content, refine answer writing skill, and efficient time management.
  • Evaluate your answer sheets thoroughly with multiple levels of cross-checking by our team of experienced evaluators and reviewers to provide with a prudent performance assessment.
  • Mentor you to take stock of the performance and fine-tune strategies in order to devise the right strategy with the help of the experienced team.
  • Benchmark your present preparation to gradually improve the performance.

Test Series Details:

Integrated Mains Test Series, 2020

Mains Test Series, 2020 (After Prelims)

Pattern

Total of 14 Tests Before Prelims – 4 Tests (10 Questions Test)

After Prelims – 6 Sectional Tests (10 Questions Test) + 4 Full length Tests (20 Questions).

Total of 10 Tests After Prelims Format A – 6 Sectional Tests (10 Questions Test) + 4 Full length Tests (20 Questions)

Format B – 6 Sectional Tests (20 Questions Test) + 4 Full length Tests (20 Questions)

Date of commencement

28th  June 2020

18th  October 2020 (admission begins from 5th Oct 2020)

Mode

Online Test Series with Digital Onscreen Evaluation

Online (Digital onscreen Evaluation) as well as Offline (depending on the evolving pandemic situation and Government’s instruction).

Fee Structure (Inclusive of GST)

Rs.15,000

Rs.13,500 (For Vajiram & Ravi’s Ex- students)

Format A – Rs.12,000
Rs.10,500 (For Vajiram & Ravi’s Ex- students)

Format B – Rs.17,500
Rs.16,000 (For Vajiram & Ravi Ex- students)

Mentoring

Individual personalized attention with experienced Mentors during the post-Prelim Test phase between Oct to Dec 20. For the online mode of Test series, there will be Telephonic mentoring facility.

Study Resources

Access to Students’ portal exclusive online current affairs and Model Answers

Schedule of the Test Series:

Test

Date

Subject

1

28 June 2020

History

2

12 July 2020

Geography

3

26 July 2020

Polity

4

9 August 2020

Economy

4th October – Preliminary Test 2020

1

18 October 2020

History + Social Issues

2

1 November 2020

Geography + Social Justice

3

15 November 2020

Polity + Governance

4

22 November 2020

Ethics integrity and Aptitude

5

29 November 2020

Economy + International relations

6

6 December 2020

Science & Tech + Environment + Disaster Mgmt + Intl Security

7

14 December 2020

Full Syllabus General Studies 1

8

16 December 2020

Full Syllabus General Studies 2

9

18 December 2020

Full Syllabus General Studies 3

10

20 December 2020

Full Syllabus General Studies 4

(Note: Students are to submit their answers within 15 days for the sectional tests and 5 days for the full-length tests, after the question paper is uploaded as per the schedule.)

Salient features of the Integrated Test Series

  • Comprises of total 14 tests for the General studies papers from June to December 2020.
  • Scheduled to help students to align their Prelims preparation with the Mains.
  • Online Test Series comes to aid preparation during lockdown.
  • UPSC quality question papers with the help of a highly experienced team.
  • Focus on the sustainable and holistic enhancement of answer writing skill of the candidate through constructive and individualized feedback followed by mentoring sessions.
  • Digital Onscreen Evaluation – Aspirants will be provided with their evaluated answer sheets with Model Answers through our students portal.
  • Access to Best copies and Best answers.

Evaluation Methodology

We have a team of experienced evaluators and reviewers, who ensure that the answer sheets are evaluated through the “Competency Prism” i.e. the parameters to be followed for evaluation of any answer sheet.

  • Evaluation process focuses on assessing the answers on three dimensions –
    • Concepts
    • Structure
    • Language
  • Focus on providing Answer sheet specific workable comments to aspirants so that they know specifically what fetched those marks and what didn’t work for them.
  • We have a tiered structure for evaluation of answer Sheets which provides multiple levels of assessment and cross checking to provide depth to the evaluation quality.

We are committed to providing evaluated answer sheets within 7-10 working Days from the date of submission.

What is Mentoring?

  • To cope with the complexity of the competition, knowledge of subject matter alone will not help and there is a need to calibrate and strategize your planning to be relevant in this race for survival. And this is where the role of ‘Mentoring’ becomes imperative.
  • A team of experienced Mentors will provide aspirants with personal interaction sessions which would be premised on the performance of their tests. This will provide the aspirants with necessary feedback regarding what can be done to improve their performance, preparing them on finer issues and adding value through holistic guidance. The basis of this interaction is the written answer sheet of the aspirant, which is thoroughly analysed in front of her.
  • Mentoring is more than mere guidance and coaching. It’s personal psycho-social support with which the aspirants can uplift their level of motivation, locate their weakness and improve their productivity.
(Note: For the online mode of Test series, there will be Telephonic mentoring facility.)

Syllabus of the Tests: - Before Prelims

Test Number

Date

Subject

Syllabus

1

28 June 2020

History
  • Indian culture - 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.

2

12 July 2020

Geography
  • 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.

3

26 July 2020

Indian Polity
  • 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.

4

9 August 2020

Economy
  • 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.

Syllabus of the Tests: After Prelims Test in October 2020

Test Number

Date

Subject

Syllabus

1

18 Oct 2020

History + Society
  • 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, Redrawing of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, Capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
  • 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

2

1 November 2020

Geography + Social Justice
  • 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.
  • 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 the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
  • Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

3

15 November 2020

Polity + Governance

  • 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.
  • 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.

4

22 November 2020

Ethics integrity and Aptitude
  • 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 behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
  • 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 the 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 the above issues.

5

29 November 2020

Economy + International relations
  • 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.
  • India and its neighbourhood- 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.

6

6 December 2020

Science & Tech + Environment + Disaster Management + Internal Security
  • 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, nanotechnology, biotechnology 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, the 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 and agencies and their mandate.

7

14 December 2020

Full Syllabus General Studies I

8

16 December 2020

Full Syllabus General Studies II

9

18 December 2020

Full Syllabus General Studies III

10

20 December 2020

Full Syllabus General Studies IV

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