INSIGHTS TEXTBOOK-BASED PRELIMS TEST SERIES

2024 2.0 (full package)

(With THEMATIC TESTS)

Index:
1. Tests on Previous Years’ UPSC Question Papers + Discussion Videos + Strategy
Videos
2. Textbook-based Schedule (GS + CSAT)
3. INSTA Preparatory Classes on Prelims Strategy (recorded)
4. Notes, Sources and Appendix
5. Subscription details (GS only, or GS+CSAT)

1. Previous Years’ UPSC Papers + Discussion & Strategy Videos

Date Subject
Pre-loaded UPSC Prelims Paper – 2015 Discussion Video

Pre-loaded UPSC Prelims Paper – 2016 Discussion Video

Pre-loaded UPSC Prelims Paper – 2017 Discussion Video

Pre-loaded UPSC Prelims Paper – 2018 Discussion Video

Pre-loaded UPSC Prelims Paper – 2019 Discussion Video

Pre-loaded UPSC Prelims Paper – 2020 Discussion Video
Pre-loaded UPSC Prelims Paper – 2021 Discussion Video

Pre-loaded UPSC Prelims Paper – 2022 Discussion Video

Pre-loaded Strategy & Tips to Solve MCQs & To follow the Prelims Test Series

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2. Textbook-based Schedule (Thematic tests start from Test 11)

Test No Date Test topics and sources

NCERT (class VI and VII)
1. History – Our Past - Class VI
2. The Earth Our Habitat - Class VI
3. Social and Political Life – I
4. Social and Political Life – II
5. Our Environment - Class VII
Jun 14, 2023
TEST – 1 6. Science - Class VI and VII
Wednesday
Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 1st April 2023)
Sources: Insights Current Affairs + PIB Releases
Map based questions - Region: India

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

NCERT (Class VII and VIII)
1. Resource and Development - Class VIII
2. Social and Political Life - Class VIII
3. Our Pasts – II - Class VII
4. Our Pasts - III (Parts – I & II) - Class VIII
Jun 24, 2023
TEST – 2
Saturday
Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 13th April 2023)
Map based questions - Region: South Asia
10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

NCERT (Class VIII, IX and X)
1. Science – Class VIII and IX
2. Democratic Politics – IX
3. Contemporary India – I & II – Class IX & X
Jul 4, 2023
TEST – 3
Tuesday Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 25th April 2023)
Map based questions – Region: West Asia (Middle-east)
10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

NCERT (Class IX and X)
1. Economics - Class IX
2. Understanding Economic Development - Class X
3. Democratic Politics - X
4. Science - Class X
Jul 14, 2023
TEST – 4
Friday Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 7th May 2023)
Map based questions – Region: East and South-east Asia
10-15% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

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 CSAT Test -1
1. Comprehension
2. Basic numeracy & General mental ability
(a) Numbers
(b) HCF & LCM
(c) Averages
(d) Ratio & Proportion
Jul 14, 2023
CSAT Test -1 (e) Percentage
Friday
(f) Profit & Loss
(g) Simple interest & Compound interest
(h) Problems on ages
(i) Problems on clock
(j) Partnership
(k) Pipes & cistern
NCERT (Class X and XI)
1. An Introduction to Indian Art - Class XI
2. Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Jul 24, 2023
TEST – 5 Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 19th May 2023)
Monday
Map based questions - Region: Central and Northern Asia
10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

REVISION TEST (Covers all Previous Tests)
August 2, 2023 Test 1- 5 Syllabus
TEST - 6
Wednesday Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 31st May 2023)
NCERT (Class XI)
1. Chemistry I & II – Class XI - Unit 1 and 6 from Part I; Unit 9,
13, 14 from Part II
2. Biology – Class XI - Chapters 5-22 (under Unit II to V)
3. Physics - Class XI - Chapter 5, 8 (Laws of Motion and Gravi-
tation)
August 12, 2023
TEST – 7 4. Living Craft Traditions of India - Class XI - Chapters 2-10
Saturday
Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 12th June 2023)
Map based questions - Region: Europe
10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

NCERT (Class XI)
1. India Physical Environment – Class XI
2. Indian Constitution at Work – Class XI
3. Indian Economic Development – Class XI
Aug 24, 2023
TEST – 8 Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 24th June 2023)
Thursday
Map based questions - Region: Africa
10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

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 CSAT Test -2
1. Comprehension
2. Basic numeracy & General mental ability
(a) Time & work
(b) Time & Distance
Aug 24, 2023
CSAT Test -2 (c) Boats & streams
Thursday
(d) Problems on trains
(e) Permutation & combination
(f) Probability
(g) charts, graphs, tables etc.
NCERT (Class XII)
1. Themes in Indian History – I
2. Fundamentals of Human Geography
3. India - People and Economy
Sep 3, 2023
TEST – 9
Sunday Current events (1st Jan 2023 – 6th July 2023)
Map based questions – Region: North America
15-20% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

NCERT (Class XII)
1. Chemistry - Chapter 16 - Class XII
2. Biology – Class XII – All Chapters 1-16 (Under Units VI to X)
3. Physics - Class XII - Chapter 15 (Communication Satellites)
4. Themes in Indian History - II & III
Sep 13, 2023
TEST – 10
Wednesday
Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 18th July 2023)
Map based questions – Region: South America
10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

NCERT (Class XI & XII) + INTERNATIONAL - I (Thematic)
1. Political Theory – Class XI – Chapters 1-10
2. Contemporary World Politics – Class XII
3. UN Specialized agencies - websites, and that of regional
bodies e.g. ASEAN, BIMSTEC, SAARC, BRICS, SCO
4. International NGOs working in India and Indian NGOs - e.g.
Sep 23, 2023 Greenpeace, ADR, SEWA
TEST – 11 5. India Yearbook 2021 - Ch on India and World
Saturday

Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 29th July 2023)

Map based questions - Region: Antarctica & Australia
10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

REVISION TEST (Covers all Previous Tests)

Oct 2, 2023 Test 1- 11 Syllabus
TEST - 12
Monday Current Events (right from 1st Jan 2023 – 8th Aug. 2023)

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 CSAT TEST - 3
Oct 2, 2023
CSAT TEST - 3 Revision test of Test 1 & Test 2 syllabus
Monday
STANDARD SOURCES + INTERNATIONAL-2 (Thematic)
1. LAXMIKANTH – 5th edition - Indian Polity - Chapters 1 to 6
2. Introductory Macroeconomics
3. RAMESH SINGH 10th Edition: Ch 15: External Sector in In-
Oct 12, 2023 dia
TEST – 13 4. International borders of India, related agreements, treaties
Thursday
and issues
5. Ministry of External Affairs website - cover major trade
agreements and partnerships of India
Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 20th Aug. 2023)
Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics
STANDARD BOOKS/SOURCES + TRIBES (Thematic)
1. LAXMIKANTH – 5th edition - Indian Polity - Chapters 7 to
14 (focuses on Rights/Duties/DPSPs/Federal system)
2. Indian Society - NCERT XII – All chapters
3. Ministry of Tribal affairs website - Special focus on PVTGs -
https://tribal.nic.in/Statistics.aspx
4. Tribes covered in Insights Current affairs compilations
2020
Oct 22, 2023 5. Major tribal (cover state-wise) and racial groups in India
TEST – 14
Sunday (Caucasian, Mongoloid, Australoid, Negroid etc.)
6. RAMESH SINGH 10th edition: Ch 1-5: Introduction; Growth,
Development and Happiness; Evolution of the Indian Econ-
omy; Economic Planning; Planning in India
Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 1st Sept. 2023)
Map based questions - Region: Arctic
10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

STANDARD SOURCES + AGRICULTURE-1 (Thematic)
1. LAXMIKANTH – 5th edition - Indian Polity - Chapters 15 to
23
2. Goh Cheng Leong-Certificate Physical & Human Geography
- Chapters 1 to 4 (from the Ch on ‘Earth and the Universe’ to
‘Weathering, Mass Movement and Groundwater)
3. RAMESH SINGH 10th Edition: Ch 6-9: Economic Reforms;
Inflation and Business Cycle; Agriculture and Food Manage-
Nov 1, 2023 ment; Industry and Infrastructure
TEST – 15
Wednesday 4. India Yearbook 2023 - Ch 4,15 & 27 on Agriculture; Food,
Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs; Water Resources
5. IFoS (Indian Forest Service) Agriculture Mains Optional Syl-
labus – Part 1 – See Appendix below
6. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare and other
websites – full list of websites in the Appendix below
Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 13th Sept. 2023)
10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests
Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

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 STANDARD SOURCES + AGRICULTURE-2 (Thematic)
1. LAXMIKANTH – 5th edition - Indian Polity - Chapters 24 to
32
2. Goh Cheng Leong-Certificate Physical & Human Geography
- Chapters 5 to 8 (from the Ch on ‘Landforms made by Run-
ning Water’ to ‘Limestone and Chalk Landforms’)
3. RAMESH SINGH 10th Edition: Ch 10-15: Services Sector; Fi-
nancial Market; Banking in India; Insurance in India; Secu-
rity Market in India (avoid over-detailed terminologies and
Nov 11, 2023 jargon);
TEST – 16 4. WTO (and other international) agreements related to Agri-
Saturday
culture - See appendix below
5. Agricultural credit: NABARD, Cooperatives, Regional Rural
Bank etc - see appendix
6. TN Agricultural Website: http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/ (Past
year UPSC Qs asked from here)

Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 25th Sept. 2023)

10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

CSAT TEST - 4
1. Comprehension
2. General mental ability
(a) Series completion
(b) Coding — Decoding
(c) Blood Relations
(d) Puzzle Test
(e) Sequential Output Tracing
(f) Direction Sense Test
(g) Logical Venn diagrams
Nov 11, 2023
CSAT TEST - 4 (h) Alphabet Test
Saturday
(i) Number, Ranking & Time Sequence Test
(j) Logical Sequence of Words
(k) Arithmetical Reasoning
(l) Inserting the Missing Character
(m) Data Sufficiency
(n) Decision Making
(o) Assertion and Reason
(p) Situation Reaction Test
(q) Verification of Truth of the Statement

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 STANDARD SOURCES + AGRICULTURE-3 & ENVIRONMENT-1
(Thematic)
1. LAXMIKANTH – 5th edition - Indian Polity - Chapters 33 to
41
2. Goh Cheng Leong-Certificate Physical & Human Geography
- Chapters 9 to 14 (from the Ch on ‘Lakes’ to ‘Climate’)
3. RAMESH SINGH 10th Edition: Ch 16-21: International Eco-
nomic Organizations and India; Tax Structure in India; Pub-
lic Finance in India; Sustainability and Climate Change; Hu-
man Development in India, Burning Socio-economic issues
Nov 23, 2023 4. FAO, ICRISAT, IFPRI, IFAD websites - cover initiatives in de-
TEST – 17
Thursday tail, reports etc.
5. India Yearbook 2021 - Ch 11, 12 on Energy and Environ-
ment
6. IFoS (Indian Forest Service) Agriculture Mains Optional Syl-
labus – Part 2 – See Appendix below

Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 6th Oct. 2023)

10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

REVISION TEST (Covers Previous GS Tests 13-17)

Dec 3, 2023 Test 13-17 Syllabus
TEST - 18
Sunday Current Events (right from 1st Jan 2023 – 16th Oct. 2023)
STANDARD SOURCES + ENVIRONMENT-2 (Thematic)
1. LAXMIKANTH – 5th edition - Indian Polity - Chapters 42 to
51
2. Spectrum Modern India 2019 edition (Rajiv Ahir): Ch 3 to 7
(from the Ch on ‘Advent of Europeans in India’ to ‘The Revolt
of 1857’)
3. Goh Cheng Leong-Certificate Physical & Human Geography
- Chapters 15 to 20 (from the Ch on ‘Hot Wet Equatorial Cli-
mate’ to ‘Temperate Continental Climate’)
4. ICSE Environmental Studies - Class IX (2018 edition – S.
Chand Publications) or Shankar Ganesh (related topics)
5. Websites of UNFCCC, UNEP, WWF-India (species and pro-
Dec 13, 2023 tected areas both) & IUCN (Critical species India)
TEST – 19
Wednesday 6. Environmental Treaties - India as a partner- http://ifs.nic.
in/Dynamic/book/page8.pdf (list comprehensive, but read
more)
7. IFoS (Indian Forest Service) Agriculture Mains Optional Syl-
labus – Part 3 – See Appendix below

Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 28th Oct. 2023)

10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

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 STANDARD SOURCES + ENVIRONMENT-3 (Thematic)
1. LAXMIKANTH – 5th edition - Indian Polity - Chapters 52 to
61
2. Spectrum Modern India 2019 edition (Rajiv Ahir): Ch 8 to
13 (from the Ch on ‘Socio-religious reform movements’ to
‘First Phase of Revolutionary Activities 1907-1917’)
3. Goh Cheng Leong-Certificate Physical & Human Geography
- Chapters 21 to 25 (from the Ch on ‘China Type Climate’ to
‘Arctic Climate’)
Dec 23, 2023 4. ICSE Environmental Studies - Class X (2018 edition – S.
TEST – 20
Saturday Chand Publications) or Shankar Ganesh (related topics)
5. Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change web-
site - cover comprehensively
6. Major lakes (including those with protected areas) and
Ramsar wetland sites in India
7. Protected areas, lakes, sites, species covered in UPSC papers
2011-2020 (Very important)
Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 9th Nov. 2023)
10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests
Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics
CSAT TEST - 5
1. Comprehension
2. Logical reasoning & Analytical ability
(a) Logic
Dec 23, 2023 (b) Statement - Arguments
CSAT TEST - 5
Saturday (c) Statement - Assumptions
(d) Statement - Courses of Action
(e) Statement – Conclusions
(f) Syllogism
STANDARD SOURCES + CULTURE -1 (Thematic)
1. Spectrum Modern India 2019 edition (Rajiv Ahir): Ch 14
to 19 (from the Ch on ‘First World War and Nationalist Re-
sponse’ to ‘Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table
Conferences’)
2. Tamilnadu History Textbook - Class XI - Chapters 1-8
3. CCRT - Art and Culture (Literary Arts - http://www.ccrtin-
dia.gov.in/literaryarts.php)
4. CCRT - Art and Culture (Visual Arts - http://www.ccrtindia.
gov.in/visualarts.php)
Jan 2, 2024 5. UNESCO Indian Heritages + National heritages https://
TEST – 21
Tuesday www.indiaculture.nic.in/national-list-intangible-cultur-
al-heritage-ich
6. India Yearbook 2021 - Ch on Culture and Tourism
7. Ministry of Culture website

Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 9th Nov. 2023)

10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

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 STANDARD SOURCES + CULTURE -2(Thematic)
1. Spectrum Modern India 2019 edition (Rajiv Ahir): Ch 20 to
25 (from the Ch on ‘Debates on the Future Strategy after
Civil Disobedience Movement’ to ‘Independence with Parti-
tion’)
2. Tamilnadu History Textbook - Class XI - Chapters 9-23
3. CCRT - Art and Culture (Performing Arts - http://www.
Jan 12, 2024 ccrtindia.gov.in/performingart.php)
TEST – 22
Friday 4. Qs based on previous UPSC questions (Civil Services Pre-
lims) on Culture 2011-2020
5. Insights Prelims Revision Module 2021 - Arts and Culture

Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 3rd Dec. 2023)

10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

STANDARD SOURCES + SOCIAL WELFARE-1 (Thematic)
1. Spectrum Modern India 2019 edition (Rajiv Ahir): Ch 26 to
32 (from the Ch on ‘Constitutional, Administrative and Judi-
cial Developments’ to ‘The Movement of the Working Class’)
+ All Appendices 1-8 at the end of the book
2. LAXMIKANTH – 5th edition - Indian Polity - All Appendices
3. India Yearbook 2021 - Ch 10 (Education), 16 (Health & Fam-
ily Welfare), 17 (Housing & Urban), Ch 20 (Law and Justice),
21 (Labour), 23 (Planning), 24 (Rural Dev.), 28 (Welfare) ,
29 (Youth affairs)
Jan 22, 2024 4. Insights Revision Modules for Prelims 2021 - Government
TEST – 23
Monday Schemes and Society
5. Initiatives by UN Specialized Agencies (from their websites)
- WHO, UNDP, WB, IMF, ILO, UNESCO, WIPO
6. Ministries concerned directly with social welfare - list in ap-
pendix below
7. Yojana 2021 - Only cover “DO YOU KNOW” section

Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 15th Dec. 2023)

10% Qs based on topics covered in any of the previous tests

Mains Self Study Test (10 Questions) - Based on Above Topics

REVISION TEST (Covers all Previous Tests)

Jan 31, 2024 Test 1-23 Syllabus

TEST - 24
Wednesday Current Events (Right from 1st Jan 2023 – 25th Dec. 2023)

CSAT TEST - 6

Jan 31, 2024

CSAT TEST - 6 Revision test of Test 4 & Test 5 syllabus
Wednesday

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 ECONOMICS + SOCIAL WELFARE -2 (Thematic)
1. Union Budget 2023-24
2. Economic Survey 2021-22 & 2022-23
3. Economic Concepts and Terminologies - Ramesh Singh 7th
ed. - Last chapter
Feb 10, 2024 4. RBI’s website (look for new releases and topics listed on the
TEST – 25
Saturday home page including ‘Notifications’) + Annual Reports (lot
of questions will be asked from this)
5. NITI Aayog website (complete) including all its reports on
Labour and general economic environment of India

Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 6th Jan. 2024)

SCIENCE & TECH - EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, CONCEPTS &
APPLICATIONS (Thematic)
1. India Yearbook 2021 - Ch 8, 9 & 25 on Science and Tech;
Communications and IT and Defence
2. Insights Science and Tech Compilations - Revision Modules
2021
3. NCERT - Bio (Covered in previous tests); Phy (XI-Ch 1,5,8;
XII-Ch 15); Chem (Covered in previous tests)
Feb 20, 2024 4. Ministry websites - New and Renewable energy; Science &
TEST – 26
Tuesday Tech; Earth Sciences
5. Technology Review (https://www.technologyreview.com/)
- see topics section - AI, Bio-tech, Computing etc.
6. Insights Current events; Science Daily (https://www.sci-
encedaily.com/); NASA; Indian Express (Explained)
7. IFoS (Indian Forest Service) Agriculture Mains Optional Syl-
labus – Part 4 – See Appendix below

Current Events (1st Jan 2023 – 6th Jan. 2024)

CSAT TEST - 7

CSAT TEST - 7 Feb 20, 2024 Complete Syllabus

TEST – 27 Mar 1, 2024 Complete Syllabus

TEST – 28 Mar 11, 2024 Complete Syllabus

CSAT TEST - 8

CSAT TEST - 8 Mar 11, 2024 Complete Syllabus

• Complete Syllabus
• India year book 2024
• Current Affairs.
Mar 20, 2024
TEST – 29 Current Affairs:
Wednesday
(1st Jan 2023 -19th Mar. 2024) from the below sources.
• INSIGHTSIAS Current Affairs Quiz.
• INSIGHTSIAS Current Affairs.

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 • Complete Syllabus
• Economic Survey 2022-23, Budget 2023-24
• Current Affairs (1/6/2021-25/3/2023) from the below
Mar 26, 2024
TEST – 30 sources.
Tuesday
• INSIGHTSIAS Current Affairs Quiz.
• INSIGHTSIAS Current Affairs.
• INSIGHTS REVISION THROUGH MCQs
CSAT TEST - 9
CSAT TEST - 9 Mar 26, 2024 Complete Syllabus
FULL WEEKLY SYLLABUS TESTS (Mimics UPSC Prelims Exam)
TEST – 31 Apr 1, 2024 Complete Syllabus

TEST – 32 Apr 7, 2024 Complete Syllabus

CSAT TEST - 10

CSAT TEST - 10 Apr 7, 2024 Complete Syllabus

TEST – 33 Apr 13, 2024 Complete Syllabus

CSAT TEST - 11

CSAT TEST - 11 Apr 13, 2024 Complete Syllabus

TEST – 34 Apr 19, 2024 Complete Syllabus

CSAT TEST - 12

CSAT TEST - 12 Apr 19, 2024 Complete Syllabus

TEST – 35 Apr 25, 2024 Complete Syllabus

CSAT TEST - 13

CSAT TEST - 13 Apr 25, 2024 Complete Syllabus

TEST – 36 May 1, 2024 Complete Syllabus

CSAT TEST - 14

CSAT TEST - 14 May 1, 2024 Complete Syllabus

TEST – 37 May 7, 2024 Complete Syllabus

CSAT TEST - 15
CSAT TEST - 15 May 7, 2024 Complete Syllabus

TEST – 38 May 16, 2024 Complete Syllabus

CSAT TEST - 16
CSAT TEST - 16 May 16, 2024 Complete Syllabus

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Total Number of Tests: 54
• 12 tests (2 Revision Tests)– based on NCERTs
• 12 tests (2 Revision Tests)– based on standard textbooks, Thematic tests & references + Econom-
ic Survey 2023-24 & Budget 2024-25 + India Year Book 2024
• 2 Tests – Dedicated Thematic – Social Welfare and Science/Technology
• 12 weekly full-length tests covering comprehensive syllabus
• 16 CSAT
• Suitable for both Freshers and Veterans (almost all full length tests on Sundays)
• Once joined, it is advisable that you take the tests on time to ensure you cover all the syllabus.
• INSTA Preparatory classes will be given to all subscribers.

Medium: English

Mode: Online & Offline

Inclusions: INSTA Preparatory Classes (Pre-loaded)

Discussion Video for each test
10 Mains Questions with Synopsis
INSTA Value-added Material – PRIME NOTES (Soft Copy)

Our INSTA 75 days Revision Plan 2024, to be released later in the Month of March 2024 (tentatively)
exclusively for prelims preparation, will be aligned to Textbook based Prelims Test series 2023 and Sub-
ject-wise prelims test series 2024.

Special Features of Offline Test Series:

• Instant Answer Keys Provided
• Hardcopy of Synopsis Provided
• Same day results with graphical representation of your performance analysis

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3. INSTA Preparatory Classes Schedule

INSTA Preparatory Classes

Class Date Topic (recorded) Overview
You will get a great insight on
the UPSC Journey, what should
be the overall strategy, what
would help in becoming top-
Class - 1 Pre-loaded Strategy for UPSC CSE 2024
pers, how to make a customised
plan for each individual and
how to evaluate the plan and
stick to it.
Considering the vast syllabus
and also stack of study materials
available, it is very important to
choose the right books and also
How to read books for IN-
Class - 2 Pre-loaded read them the right way. In this
SIGHTS Prelims Tests?
class, you will get to know how
to study extensively as well as
selectively from different sourc-
es available.
UPSC has time and again shown
the width & depth of current af-
fairs that it can go into. With the
growing importance of Current
Affairs, it is equally important to
Class - 3 Pre-loaded How to read Current Affairs? study current affairs with UPSC
Exam perspective. This class
throws a light on how to link
current affairs to the Prelims, to
GS answers as well as in Option-
al Subject.

Effective notes making strat-

egy is utmost important. An
aspirant should learn to make
customised notes for quick revi-
How to make notes for Prelims
Class - 4 Pre-loaded sion. One should not waste most
2024?
of the time in making notes, at
the same time should not ignore
making important notes for
quick revision.

This class will deal with dif-

Strategy Class and Tricks to ferent techniques and tricks
Class - 5 Pre-loaded score high in Insights Prelims through which you can commit
Tests as well as in Prelims 2024 less mistakes, increase accuracy
and score high in prelims.

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 Note: We may add more classes if need be. These classes are in addition to the discussion classes for
each test. Video of the classes will be made available in the portal.
4. Notes
1. All tests will have 100 questions.
2. Apart from the sources mentioned above, we will also be setting questions from the REFER-
ENCE Books listed below. They are not compulsory to read, but if you have time and interest,
you can go through them. These sources are used by UPSC to frame some difficult questions
each year.
3. Also, see the Appendix to cover areas mentioned in the Thematic syllabus in the tests.
4. You can also use Old NCERT Modern History-Bipin Chandra OR Spectrum-Modern India to
cover Modern History portions. We’ll often supplement questions from these sources when
we cover Modern History from NCERTs or TN Textbooks.
5. In place of ICSE Environmental Studies, you can also use standard coaching material like
Shankar IAS Environment.

ALTERNATIVE SOURCES
1) History
1. Sumit Sarkar - Modern India
2. Tamilnadu Board - 12th Standard History Textbook
3. Spectrum – Modern India
2) Art & Culture
1. Indian Culture – Spectrum
2. Indian culture – NIOS material
3) Geography
1. ICSE 8th-10th Geography
2. Atlas - Oxford Student Atlas (NOT School Atlas)
4) Polity
1. Parliament Website - Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Speaker
2. Cabinet Secretariat and other official websites
3. PRS Bill Track
5) Biology, Ecology and Environment
1. Shankar IAS Environment Material
2. Old NCERT - Biology - 12th Std
6) Dynamic Sources
1. Yojana
2. Websites of ISRO & NASA
3. http://www.downtoearth.org.in/

APPENDIX

Test 15 and 16: Websites to cover for Agriculture Thematic

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare

Ministry of Food Processing Industries Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
WTO agreements and agricultural credit can be covered from:
A. Ramesh Singh (Ch on Agriculture and Food)
B. WTO’s website C. Websites of NABARD and RBI’s website (https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/bs_view-
content.aspx?Id=2240)

IFoS Agriculture and S&T Syllabus:

PART -1: Food production and consumption trends in India. National and international food policies.

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Production, procurement, distribution and processing constraints. Relation of food production to na-
tional dietary pattern, major deficiencies of calorie and protein.

PART-2: Application of principles of plant breeding to the improvement of major field crops. Backcross
method of breeding, breeding for disease and pest resistance, role of inter-specific and inter-generic hy-
bridization. Role of biotechnology in plant breeding. Improved varieties, hybrids, composites of various
crop plants.

PART-3: Seed technology, its importance. Different kinds of seeds and their seed production and pro-
cessing techniques. Role of public and private sectors in seed production, processing and marketing in
India. Storage pests and diseases of cereals and pulses, and their control.

Enzymes and plant pigments; photosynthesis-modern concepts and factors affecting the process, aero-
bic and non-aerobic respiration; C, C and CAM mechanisms. Carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.
Growth and development; photo-periodism and vernalization. Auxins, hormones, and other plant reg-
ulators and their mechanism of action and importance in agriculture. Physiology of seed development
and germination; dormancy.

PART-4:
Cell Theory, cell structure, cell organelles and their function, cell division, nucleic acids-structure and
function, gene structure and function. Laws of heredity, their significance in plant breeding. Chromo-
some structure, chromosomal aberrations, linkage and cross-over, and their significance in recombi-
nation breeding. Polyploidy, euploid and an euploids. Mutation-micro and macro-and their role in crop
improvement. Variation, components of variation. Heritability, sterility and incompatibility, classifica-
tion and their application in crop improvement. Cytoplasmic inheritance, sex-linked, sex influenced and
sex-limited characters.

Brief on covering protected areas:

There is no single source to cover protected areas other than Wikipedia based reading, so use that judi-
ciously.
We will also be covering national parks, biospheres reserves, lakes etc. asked in UPSC previous year
papers.
This is very crucial because they tell you briefly what sites are important to cover. ENVIS portal is a gov-
ernment owned portal. It does not discuss areas, sites or species in detail, but gives a general overview.
Again, Wiki is your only recourse here.

Test 23 (websites to cover)

Ministry of Development of North-eastern region
MHRD;
Ministry of Minority Affairs;
Social Justice and Empowerment;
Women and Child Development
Ministry of Panchayati Raj;
Ministry of Rural Development
Ministry of Labour and Employment;
Law and Justice;
Ministry MSME;
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Ministry of Tribal Affairs (also covered in another test on Tribes in India);
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

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