Schedule: GS Foundation Course

Topics Covered

• 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.
• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
• 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 development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
• Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
• 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.

Sources to Refer

POLITY & GOVERNANCE for Constitution and polity) (Primary Sources)

• Laxmikant, D.D Basu  VVR class notes & hand outs.
• The Indian constitution, Cornerstone of a Nation: Granville Austin

For Polity & Governance:

• VVR Class notes/ handouts.
• 2nd ARC report
• PRS legislative
• Ministry of Finance report: Framework for ethical governance
• Websites of different Ministries: health, women & child, HRD
• PT/ MAINS Test series of VVR IAS

(Ancient)

(Medieval)

(Art & Culture)

(World History)

(Modern India)

(Post-Independence)

Topics Covered

Ancient

• Ncert class 11th by R.S Sharma, VVR IAS class notes/ hand outs.
• Early India, from origin to AD 1300, Romila Thappar.
• Mind maps of different periods
• Art & Culture: NIOS, CCRT, VVR IAS class notes.

Medieval

• Ncert medieval India by Satish Chandra
• VVR class Notes 7 hand outs

Modern India:

• Ncert class 12th. VVR IAS Notes & Handouts
• Bipin Chandra, freedom struggle
• Spectrum modern India
• Post Independence by Bipin Chandra & VVR IAS notes.

World History:

• Ncert class 9th, 10th & 12th.
• VVR IAS Class notes & hand outs

Topics Covered

• Salient features of World’s Physical Geography.
• Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); 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.

Sources to Refer

• Ncert of class 11th and 12th (old), VVR IAS Class Notes & Hand outs
• G.C. Leong
• Oxford Atlas and VVR Geography through Maps handouts
• Test series of PT/ mains of VVR IAS

Topics Covered

Environment

• Ecosystem, ecology, biomes, Bio-geography, terrestrial ecology+ forest types with maps, grassland & aquatic ecosystem (wetlands, corals etc.)
• Biotic potential, interspecies relation adaptation.
• Biodiversity with maps, in-situation ex-situ conservation programmes & strategies.
• International conventions related with biodiversity and environmental protection.
• Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
• Sustainable development+ conventions+ policies+ current developments.
• Pollution +Resources & Conservation, strategies, various international bodies, conventions & protocols related to pollution & resources & conservation.

Science and Technology

• Developments in science and technology and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
• Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
• Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Disaster Management

• Conceptual understanding and frame work agreements.
• Reports; ARC & Ministry of home Affairs.
• Recent issues and current updates.

Sources to Refer

Environment & Ecology

• VVR IAS class notes & Hand outs
• ICSE CLASS 9TH & 10TH Environment books
• Ncert class 12th
• PPT’s and videos of VVR IAS

Science & Technology

• VVR IAS class notes and hand outs
• Short videos and PPT’s

Topics Covered

• 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; PublicDistribution 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, upstreamand 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.

Sources to Refer

• Ncert of class 11th and 12th.
• VVR IAS Class notes and Hand outs.
• Mishra & Puri
• The Hindu & Business line
• PPT’s and short Videos of VVR IAS
• Website of Ministry of agriculture.

Topics Covered

• Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in humanactions; 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 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 above issues.

Sources to Refer

• Class notes and hand outs of VVR IAS
• Mains test Series of VVR IAS
• 2nd ARC reports

Topics Covered

• 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.

Sources to Refer

• VVR IAS class notes & Hand outs.
• Rajiv sikri: India’s foreign Policy
• MEA website.

Topics Covered:

• 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, 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.

Sources to Refer

• Class notes & Hand Outs of VVR IAS
• IDSA & Ministry of Home Affairs website

Topics Covered

• 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.

Sources to Refer

• VVR IAS Class Notes & Handouts
• Ncert of class 11th and 12th