Overview
The MaargX GS Mains Test Series (the SAATHI Blueprint) is a 6-month, 180-day UPSC Mains programme built around 24 strategic tests: 16 sectional tests and 8 full-length tests across all four General Studies papers. SAATHI stands for "SAARTHI's Assistance for Advance Redirection", a master strategy for UPSC GS Mains.
Every test sits inside a weekly system of daily answer-writing practice, expert desk-level evaluation, weekly newspaper analysis and 1:1 mentorship.
Course at a glance
| Detail | What you get |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 months (180 days) |
| Tests | 24 in total: 16 sectional tests and 8 full-length tests |
| Test schedule | Tests run from Day 1 to Day 168 across four phases and a final capstone |
| Papers covered | GS-1, GS-2, GS-3 and GS-4 |
| Daily practice | Topic-wise answer-writing mock drills (DPPs) in a dedicated Mains Answer Writing Studio |
| Evaluation | Desk-level evaluation by expert mentors, plus peer-to-peer feedback |
| Weekly rhythm | Five days of current affairs and newspaper analysis, then a weekly test and 1:1 mentorship on Day 6 |
| Mentoring | A dedicated 1:1 Doubt Resolution Desk |
Related courses and resources
For a shorter plan, see the GS Mains Test Series (75 Days Plan). For personal guidance, see the GS Mains Mentorship, and for Prelims practice the Prelims Test Series (GS & CSAT). Students building their base can start with the GS Foundation Course (1 Year).
Test Schedule
24-Test Matrix
The 24 tests are spread across the four GS papers as 16 sectional tests and 8 full-length tests, with two full-length tests for every paper.
| Paper | Sectional focus | Sectional tests | Full-length tests | Total tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-1 | Society, World and Modern History, Post-Independence, Art and Culture, Geography | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| GS-2 | Polity, Governance, Social Justice, International Relations | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| GS-3 | Internal Security, Environment, Disaster Management, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Economy | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| GS-4 | Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude, Case Studies | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Total | 16 | 8 | 24 |
The 16 targeted sectional tests and 8 high-intensity full-length tests together make up 180 days of Mains readiness.
Answer Writing Loop
The Daily Writing-Evaluation Loop turns every day's answer writing into feedback that improves the next day's answer. It runs in four steps.
1. DPP mock drill
Students write daily, topic-wise answers to build muscle memory, speed, structure and depth.
2. Desk-level evaluation
Expert mentors review each answer's structural integrity and analytical depth.
3. P2P mentorship
Real-time peer-to-peer feedback helps students benchmark their performance.
4. Strategic adjustment
Students apply the feedback directly in the next day's DPP to close the performance gap.
The loop is backed by the dedicated Mains Answer Writing Studio and the 24 comprehensive GS Mains tests.
Weekly Rhythm
A SAATHI week has five days of content intake, five days of daily DPPs and a sixth day for the weekly test, 1:1 mentorship and planning review. Daily classes cover newspapers, editorials and MCQs tailored to specific GS domains.
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Current Affairs: Economy |
| Day 2 | Current Affairs: Polity |
| Day 3 | Current Affairs: Science and Technology |
| Day 4 | Current Affairs: Environment |
| Day 5 | International Relations |
| Day 6 | 1:1 doubt resolution and weekly test execution, with one-to-one mentorship and a weekly planning review |
Targeted, dynamic learning replaces scattered newspaper reading. Daily DPPs on Saarthipedia test retention and structure straight away, and Day 6 is a strategic checkpoint: the Doubt Resolution Desk makes sure no conceptual debt carries over to the next week. You can also follow MaargX UPSC's daily UPSC current affairs articles.
Saarthipedia
Saarthipedia and weekly newspaper analysis bridge the static syllabus and current affairs, so that raw knowledge turns into high-scoring answers. Saarthipedia reimagines UPSC preparation with AI and covers the entire landscape of Prelims, Mains and current affairs.
| Static syllabus | Current affairs |
|---|---|
| Core concepts, historical underpinnings and foundational GS theories | Daily news, evolving policies and international developments |
The weekly newspaper analysis is subject-wise and issue-specific, and it is fully integrated with Saarthipedia.
Mentorship
Mentorship in this course is targeted: it clears concepts, sharpens answer-writing tactics and reviews each week's plan.
- Dedicated Doubt Resolution Desk: 1:1 clarification of GS concepts, answer-writing tactics and strategic weekly planning reviews.
- Desk-level evaluation: expert mentors give real-time, actionable feedback on answers.
- P2P mentorship: peer-to-peer feedback to benchmark performance.
- Day 6 mentorship: one-to-one sessions that process the week's inputs.
What's Included
The SAATHI Execution Ecosystem has four parts: structured practice, continuous evaluation, strategic content and targeted mentorship.
Structured practice
- A dedicated Mains Answer Writing Studio.
- Daily topic-wise answer-writing mock drills through DPPs.
- 24 comprehensive GS Mains tests.
Continuous evaluation
- Desk-level evaluation by expert mentors.
- Real-time, actionable feedback through P2P mentorship.
Strategic content
- Weekly newspaper analysis, subject-wise and issue-specific.
- Full integration with Saarthipedia, bridging the static and dynamic syllabus.
Targeted mentorship
- A dedicated 1:1 Doubt Resolution Desk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MaargX GS Mains Test Series?
It is a 6-month, 180-day UPSC Mains test series called the SAATHI Blueprint. It has 24 strategic tests (16 sectional and 8 full-length) across GS-1 to GS-4, with daily answer writing, expert evaluation and 1:1 mentorship.
How many tests are in the series and how are they divided?
There are 24 tests: 16 sectional and 8 full-length. GS-1 has 4 sectional and 2 full-length tests, GS-2 and GS-3 have 5 sectional and 2 full-length tests each, and GS-4 has 2 sectional and 2 full-length tests.
In what order are the GS papers tested?
The schedule runs GS-2 first (Days 1 to 35), then GS-3 (Days 42 to 77), GS-4 (Days 84 to 105) and GS-1 (Days 112 to 140). A final capstone of four full-length tests follows from Day 147 to Day 168.
What is the Intensive Capstone?
It is a final 21-day simulation of four consecutive full-length tests: GS-1 on Day 147, GS-4 on Day 154, GS-3 on Day 161 and GS-2 on Day 168. It builds endurance and time management before the actual UPSC Mains.
How does daily answer writing work?
Students write topic-wise DPP answers daily, expert mentors evaluate them at desk level, peers give feedback, and students apply the feedback in the next day's DPP. This is the Daily Writing-Evaluation Loop.
What does a typical week look like?
Days 1 to 5 cover current affairs in Economy, Polity, Science and Technology, Environment and International Relations, with daily DPPs. Day 6 is for the weekly test, 1:1 mentorship and a weekly planning review.
How is current affairs linked to the Mains syllabus?
Weekly newspaper analysis is subject-wise and issue-specific, and it is integrated with Saarthipedia. This bridges the static syllabus with current affairs so that knowledge turns into high-scoring answers.
What mentoring support is included?
A dedicated 1:1 Doubt Resolution Desk offers clarification of GS concepts, answer-writing tactics and weekly planning reviews. Expert mentors evaluate answers, and P2P mentorship gives peer feedback.
Do the tests cover Ethics (GS-4)?
Yes. GS-4 has two sectional tests, Ethics 1 and Ethics 2, plus two full-length tests. The topics include human interface, attitude, emotional intelligence, public service values, probity and case studies.
How can I enrol in the GS Mains Test Series?
Use the Explore Course / Enroll Now button at the top of this page, or call MaargX UPSC on +91-7877885089 or write to contact@maargxupsc.com.
