GENERAL STUDIES MAINS TEST SERIES SCHEDULE - 2023

Test

Dates

Time

Topics

Detailed Syllabus

1

11 June 2023

11:00 AM – 12:30 noon

Polity (GS 2)

1. Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure. (3)
2. 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. (2)
3. Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. (2)
4. Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries. (2)
5. Parliament and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
6. 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.
7. Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.
8. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
9. Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

2

18 June 2023

11:00 AM – 12:30 noon

Geography (GS 1)

Environment (GS 3)

1. Salient features of world's physical geography.
2. Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location changes in critical geographical features (including waterbodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
3. 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).
4. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
5. Disaster and disaster management.

3:00 pm – 4:30 PM

ESSAY TEST: 1 IN THE AFTERNOON

3

25th June 2023

11:00 AM – 12:30 noon

Economy and Agriculture (GS 3)

1. Indian Economy which will include National Income Accounting, Money and Banking, Central Bank and Monetary Policy, Fiscal Policy, Inflation, External Sector and Economics Reforms.
2. Government Budgeting
3. Land Reforms
4. Investment Models
5. Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
6. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
7. Food Processing
8. Human Capital Formation in India
9. Inclusive Growth, Poverty and Inequality
10. Employment
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

4

2nd July 2023

11:00 AM – 12:30 noon

History (GS 1)

1. Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2. Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events, personalities, issues.
3. The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
4. Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
5. History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redraw of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society. 

3:00 pm – 4:30 PM

ESSAY TEST: 2. IN THE AFTERNOON

5

09th July 2023

11:00 AM – 12:30 noon

Science and Technology (GS 3)

Internal Security (GS 3)

1. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
2. Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
3. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nanotechnology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
4. Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
5. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
6. 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.
7. Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism
8. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

6

16th July 2023

11:00 AM – 12:30 noon

Social Issues & Social Justice (GS 1 and GS 2)

1. 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.
2. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
3. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
4. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
5. Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
6. Effects of globalization on Indian society.
7. Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

3:00 pm – 4:30 PM

ESSAY TEST: 3 IN THE AFTERNOON

7

23rd July 2023

11:00 AM – 12:30 noon

Governance (GS 2)

International Relations (GS 2)

1. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability.
2. Role of civil services in a democracy.
3. Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
4. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
5. India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests
6. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora.
7. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

8

30th July 2023

11:00 AM – 12:30 noon

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude (GS 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.
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.
3. 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.
4. Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
5. Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
6. Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
7. 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.

3:00 pm – 4:30 PM

ESSAY TEST: 4 IN THE AFTERNOON

9

6th August 2023

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Full Length Test

(GS Paper 1)

Complete Syllabus of GS Paper 1

10

13th August 2023

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Full Length Test

(GS Paper 2)

Complete Syllabus of GS Paper 2

11

20th August 2023

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Full Length Test

(GS Paper 3)

Complete Syllabus of GS Paper 3

12

27th August 2023

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Full Length Test

(GS Paper 4)

Complete Syllabus of GS Paper 4

13

3^rd September 2023

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Essay - 5

Essay Test - 5