DRISHTI IAS MAINS TEST SERIES 2023

PHILOSOPHY
(Optional Subject)
Available in English Medium Only

Starting : 8 th January 2023

Total 16 Tests

12 Sectional Tests 4 Full SyllabusTests

Available in Online and Offline Mode

Fees : `14,000/-

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 Salient Features
z The language-style and nature of the questions are in line with the questions asked by the Union Public Service Commission and based on deep understanding and knowledge.
z The topics asked in the question are based on the important and relevant topics asked by the Union Public Service Commission which will be directly and indirectly helpful in the main examination.
z Simple and effective presentation of model answers with interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach.
z Emphasis on preparing better answers through illustrations, examples, graphic analysis, pie charts etc. required in answer writing by adopting scientific approach.
z Use of only standard books and sources during model answer writing.
z As far as possible adherence to the standards prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission in the evaluation process of answer sheets.
z Necessary interval between each test for proper preparation.
z Formulation of model answers within the word limit prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission.

Test Code Date Syllabus Test Code Date Syllabus

Test-1 8 January, 2023 Plato and Aristotle, Rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza, Test-9 25 June, 2023
OPT-PHL-2301 (Sunday) Leibniz), Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume), Kant, Hegel Carvaka, Jainism, Schools of Buddhism, Samkhya, Yoga
OPT-PHL-2309 (Sunday)
Moore, Russell and Early Wittgenstein, Logical Positivism,
Test-2 15 January, 2023 Test-10 2 July, 2023 Nyaya—Vaiesesika, Mimamsa, Schools of Vedanta,
Later Wittgenstein, Phenomenology (Husserl), Existentialism
OPT-PHL-2302 (Sunday) OPT-PHL-2310 (Sunday) Aurobindo
(Kierkegaard, Sarte, Heidegger), Quine and Strawson

Test-3 29 January, 2023 Test-11 9 July, 2023

Carvaka, Jainism, Schools of Buddhism, Samkhya, Yoga Socio-Political Philosophy
OPT-PHL-2303 (Sunday) OPT-PHL-2311 (Sunday)

Test-4 12 February, 2023 Nyaya—Vaiesesika, Mimamsa, Schools of Vedanta,

Test-12 16 July, 2023
OPT-PHL-2304 (Sunday) Aurobindo Philosophy of Religion
OPT-PHL-2312 (Sunday)

Test-5 26 February, 2023

Socio-Political Philosophy Test-13
OPT-PHL-2305 (Sunday) Full Length Paper-I
OPT-PHL-2313
13 August, 2023
Test-6 12 March, 2023 (Sunday)
Philosophy of Religion Test-14
OPT-PHL-2306 (Sunday) Full Length Paper-II
OPT-PHL-2314
Test-7 11 June, 2023 Plato and Aristotle, Rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza,
OPT-PHL-2307 (Sunday) Leibniz), Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume), Kant, Hegel Test-15
Full Length Paper-I
OPT-PHL-2315
Moore, Russell and Early Wittgenstein, Logical Positivism, 27 August, 2023
Test-8 18 June, 2023 (Sunday)
Later Wittgenstein, Phenomenology (Husserl), Existentialism Test-16
OPT-PHL-2308 (Sunday) Full Length Paper-II
(Kierkegaard, Sarte, Heidegger), Quine and Strawson OPT-PHL-2316

*For detailed breakup of syllabus, kindly refer to the subsequent pages.

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 Test Schedule
Test Code Test Date Subject
Test-1 8 January, 2023 z Plato and Aristotle: Ideas, Substance, Form and Matter, Causation, Actuality, Potentiality.
OPT-PHL-2301 (Sunday) z Rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz): Cartesian Method and Certain Knowledge, Substance, God, Mind-Body
Dualism, Determinism, Freedom.
z Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume): Theory of Knowledge, Substance and Qualities, Self and God, Skepticism
z Kant: Possibility of Synthetic a priori Judgments, Space and Time, Categories, Ideas of Reason, Antinomies, Critique
of Proofs for the Existence of God.
z Hegel: Dialectical Method, Absolute Idealism
Test-2 15 January, 2023 z Moore, Russell and Early Wittgenstein: Defence of Common Sense, Refutation of Idealism, Logical Atomism, Logical
OPT-PHL-2302 (Sunday) Constructions, Incomplete Symbols, Picture Theory of Meaning, Saying and Showing.
z Logical Positivism: Verification Theory of Meaning, Rejection of Metaphysics, Linguistic Theory of Necessary
Propositions.
z Later Wittgenstein: Meaning and Use, Language-games, Critique of Private Language.
z Phenomenology (Husserl): Method, Theory of Essences, Avoidance of Psychologism.
z Existentialism (Kierkegaard, Sarte, Heidegger): Existence and Essence, Choice, Responsibility, Authentic Existence,
Being-in-the-world and Temporality.
z Quine and Strawson: Critique of Empiricism, Theory of Basic Particulars and Persons
Test-3 29 January, 2023 z Carvaka: Theory of Knowledge, Rejection of Transcendent Entities.
OPT-PHL-2303 (Sunday) z Jainism: Theory of Reality, Saptabhanginaya, Bondage, Liberation
z Schools of Buddhism: Pratityasamutpada, Ksanikavada, Nairatmyavada
z Samkhya: Prakrit, Purusa, Causation, Liberation
z Yoga: Citta, Cittavrtti, Klesas, Samadhi, Kaivalya
Test-4 12 February, 2023 z Nyaya—Vaiesesika: Theory of Categories, Theory of Appearance, Theory of Pramana, Self, Liberation, God, Proofs
OPT-PHL-2304 (Sunday) for the Existence of God, Theory of Causation, Atomistic Theory of Creation
z Mimamsa: Theory of Knowledge
z Schools of Vedanta: Brahman, Isvara, Atman, Jiva, Jagat, Maya, Avida, Adhyasa, Moksa, Aprthaksiddhi, Pancavidhabheda
z Aurobindo: Evolution, Involution, Integral Yoga

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 Test-5 26 February, 2023 z Social and Political Ideals: Equality, Justice, Liberty
OPT-PHL-2305 (Sunday) z Sovereignty: Austin, Bodin, Laski, Kautilya
z Individual and State: Rights, Duties, Accountability
z Forms of Government: Monarchy, Theocracy, Democracy.
z Political Ideologies: Anarchism, Marxism, Socialism
z Humanism; Secularism; Multiculturalism
z Crime and Punishment: Corruption, Mass Violence, Genocide, Capital Punishment.
z Development and Social Progress
z Gender Discrimination: Female Foeticide, Land and Property Rights, Empowerment
z Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar

Test-6 12 March, 2023 z Notions of God: Attributes; Relation to Man and the World. (Indian and Western).
OPT-PHL-2306 (Sunday) z Proofs for the Existence of God and their Critique (Indian and Western).
z Problem of Evil.
z Soul: Immortality; Rebirth and Liberation.
z Reason, Revelation and Faith.
z Religious Experience: Nature and Object (Indian and Western).
z Religion without God.
z Religion and Morality.
z Religious Pluralism and the Problem of Absolute Truth.
z Nature of Religious Language: Analogical and Symbolic; Cognitivist and Non-cognitive.

Test-7 11 June, 2023 z Plato and Aristotle: Ideas, Substance, Form and Matter, Causation, Actuality, Potentiality.
OPT-PHL-2307 (Sunday)
z Rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz): Cartesian Method and Certain Knowledge, Substance, God, Mind-Body
Dualism, Determinism, Freedom.
z Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume): Theory of Knowledge, Substance and Qualities, Self and God, Skepticism
z Kant: Possibility of Synthetic a priori Judgments, Space and Time, Categories, Ideas of Reason, Antinomies, Critique
of Proofs for the Existence of God.
z Hegel: Dialectical Method, Absolute Idealism

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 Test-8 18 June, 2023 z Moore, Russell and Early Wittgenstein: Defence of Common Sense, Refutation of Idealism, Logical Atomism, Logical
OPT-PHL-2308 (Sunday) Constructions, Incomplete Symbols, Picture Theory of Meaning, Saying and Showing.
z Logical Positivism: Verification Theory of Meaning, Rejection of Metaphysics, Linguistic Theory of Necessary
Propositions.
z Later Wittgenstein: Meaning and Use, Language-games, Critique of Private Language.
z Phenomenology (Husserl): Method, Theory of Essences, Avoidance of Psychologism.
z Existentialism (Kierkegaard, Sarte, Heidegger): Existence and Essence, Choice, Responsibility, Authentic Existence,
Being-in-the-world and Temporality.
z Quine and Strawson: Critique of Empiricism, Theory of Basic Particulars and Persons

Test-9 25 June, 2023 z Carvaka: Theory of Knowledge, Rejection of Transcendent Entities.

OPT-PHL-2309 (Sunday)
z Jainism: Theory of Reality, Saptabhanginaya, Bondage, Liberation
z Schools of Buddhism: Pratityasamutpada, Ksanikavada, Nairatmyavada
z Samkhya: Prakrit, Purusa, Causation, Liberation
z Yoga: Citta, Cittavrtti, Klesas, Samadhi, Kaivalya

Test-10 2 July, 2023 z Nyaya—Vaiesesika: Theory of Categories, Theory of Appearance, Theory of Pramana, Self, Liberation, God, Proofs
OPT-PHL-2310 (Sunday) for the Existence of God, Theory of Causation, Atomistic Theory of Creation
z Mimamsa: Theory of Knowledge
z Schools of Vedanta: Brahman, Isvara, Atman, Jiva, Jagat, Maya, Avida, Adhyasa, Moksa, Aprthaksiddhi, Pancavidhabheda
z Aurobindo: Evolution, Involution, Integral Yoga

Test-11 9 July, 2023 z Social and Political Ideals: Equality, Justice, Liberty
OPT-PHL-2311 (Sunday)
z Sovereignty: Austin, Bodin, Laski, Kautilya
z Individual and State: Rights, Duties, Accountability
z Forms of Government: Monarchy, Theocracy, Democracy.
z Political Ideologies: Anarchism, Marxism, Socialism
z Humanism; Secularism; Multiculturalism
z Crime and Punishment: Corruption, Mass Violence, Genocide, Capital Punishment.
z Development and Social Progress
z Gender Discrimination: Female Foeticide, Land and Property Rights, Empowerment
z Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar

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 Test-12 16 July, 2023 z Notions of God: Attributes; Relation to Man and the World. (Indian and Western).
OPT-PHL-2312 (Sunday) z Proofs for the Existence of God and their Critique (Indian and Western).
z Problem of Evil.
z Soul: Immortality; Rebirth and Liberation.
z Reason, Revelation and Faith.
z Religious Experience: Nature and Object (Indian and Western).
z Religion without God.
z Religion and Morality.
z Religious Pluralism and the Problem of Absolute Truth.
z Nature of Religious Language: Analogical and Symbolic; Cognitivist and Non-cognitive.

Test-13
Full Length Paper-I
OPT-PHL-2313 13 August, 2023
Test-14 (Sunday)
Full Length Paper-II
OPT-PHL-2314

Test-15
Full Length Paper-I
OPT-PHL-2315 27 August, 2023
Test-16 (Sunday)
Full Length Paper-II
OPT-PHL-2316

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 UPSC (2022) & Drishti Mains Test Series (Philosophy Optional) Comparative Analysis
Paper 1
Test Series Question UPSC Question
Drishti IAS Test Series Question UPSC Question Marks
(Code) Code Number

z Dasein is both being-in-the-world and being-with-others. z Provide a critical account of Heidegger's Being-in-the-
2202 8 (b) Explain. What is its significance in the concept of 2 (a) world and discuss the problem of 'authenticity' in the 20
authenticity in Heidegger’s philosophy? context of Dasein.

z Why and how does John Locke refute the innate ideas?
2201 2 (c) z Explain how Locke refute innate ideas? 4 (c) Elucidate the nature and source of knowledge in Locke's 15
epistemology.

z " What is the place and nature of God in yoga philosophy?

2203 4 (a) What are the proofs of his existence presented in this
philosophy?"
z Discuss the nature and different stages of Samadhi as per
z Examine if the Indian Philosophical system lay emphasis 5 (c) 10
2210 6 (a) Patanjali yoga and examine the role of Isvara in it.
on the aspects of ‘bondage’ and ‘liberation’?

z Samprajnata Samadhi is eventual aim of meditation.

2203 3 (c)
Comment.

z Is Advaita Vedanta successful in reconciling the problem z Brahma satyam jagat mithya jivo brahmaiva naparah'. In
2204 2 (c) of identity and difference? Give reasons in support of your 8 (a) the light of this statement explain the ontological status 20
viewpoint. of Isvara, Jiva and Saksi as elucidated in Advaita Vedanta.

z Explain Sri Aurobindo’s philosophical thought. How does z Explain and evaluate the role of integral yoga in the
2209 6 (b) the process of triple transformation lead to explanation of 8 (b) process of triple transformation for individual evolution
nature of Gnostic being? as expounded by Sri Aurobindo.
15
z How does the concept of Liberation (Moksa) of
z Compare and contrast the path and nature of liberation in
2204 4 (a) 8 (c) Madhvacarya differ from that of Ramanujacharya?
Advaita and Visishtadvaita-Vedanta philosophy.
Explain.

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 Paper 2
Test Series Question UPSC Question
Drishti IAS Test Series Question UPSC Question Marks
(Code) Code Number

z Critically evaluate Gandhi's views on eradication of caste

2206 5 (e) z Elaborate views of Gandhiji on ‘Varna System’. 2 (b)
discrimination.
15
z Freedom from domination is an absolute must for z Does idea of unconditional rights necessarily lead to
2212 2 (b) 4 (b)
Anarchists. Give your views. anarchy? Critically examine.
z Explain the importance of attributes of Spinoza’s z Write an essay on Spinoza's notion of God and his
2209 1 (b) 5 (a)
philosophy. attributes.
z "One can have morality without religion but not religion
2210 5 (a) z Do you think that religion and morality are correlative? 5 (b) 10
without religion." Discuss.
z Is the notion of faith indispensable to the idea of
2212 8 (a) z How is Revelation different from faith? 5 (d)
revelation? Critically comment.
z Present a critical exposition of different arguments offered
z The basic cosmological argument merely establishes that
by St. Thomas Aquinas to prove the existence of God also
a first cause exists, not that it has the attributes of a theist
2207 4 (a) 6 (a) known as 'Five Ways'. Which one of them do you find 20
God. In light of the above critically evaluate cosmological
philosophically most interesting? Give reasons in support
argument for proof of existence of God.
of your answer.
z How do the Jainas philosophers explain ‘bondage’? What
according to them, is the distinction between ‘liberated z Discuss the nature of Soul and Bondage according to
2203 7 (a) 8 (b) 15
soul’ and ‘bound soul’? What do the Jainas think about the Jainism
condition of ‘liberated soul’? Discuss

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