GENERAL STUDIES

FOUNDATION COURSE

'General Studies' constitute the most important component in the scheme of 'Civil Services Examination' which has a very 'prolific' reflection in Preliminary as well as Main Examination and it brings within its purview various subjects like History, Geography, Economy, Polity and Governance, Science &Technology, Ethics, Current affairs and others. It is expected of the candidates to have reasonably good understanding of these subjects with an 'Inter disciplinary 'Approach.

The preparation of 'General Studies' demands not only collecting knowledge and information on various subjects but also developing a thought process on 'scientific lines' to examine and comment on different dimensions of the subject matter in question. Therefore, the G.S. Foundation Course has been designed to cover the syllabus in a 'comprehensive' manner with focus on 'Theoretical' as well as Applied aspects. The stronger the basic understanding of the subjects, its main theories and principles, the better the performance in dealing with current developments. The path of the Foundation Course is deliberately designed to begin with the understanding of the Basic concepts, terms and terminologies to be steered into the next stage with focus on the more complex dynamics of thematic and conceptual matrix. As for example, a basic understanding of what, how and why of Financial Administration is not enough which means in the next stage you would need to deal with Finance against the backdrop of globalizing world and socio-economic ideology of the Government or Fiscal Federalism and so on.

Duration of the Course

It takes almost 12 to13 months to cover the syllabus under General studies Foundation Course. Subject and Topic wise Tests are conducted to begin with and gradually students evolve to take full Model tests. Afterwards, students are advised to go for consolidation of what they have learnt and they are allowed to come and consult the teachers in case any problem arises. They can take 'Tests' in individual capacity as well to get their performance evaluated. Current Affairs Tests do take place regularly.

Methodology

At IIIASA, we believe that 'the best of the technology can be a servant only to a good teacher'. A scientific methodology of teaching necessarily involves a simple and rhythmic movement from the Basic to the Applied aspects of the subject matter be it the Polity, Economy, Geography, Science and others. It is about imparting the required 'tools of analysis' and to give shape to the thought process of the students based on vivid explanation and diagrammatic presentation of the theme on the screen. As a part of the evolved process, the focus is always on to calibrate students with the ability -

a) To develop scientific temperament to appreciate things and situations with a more stable intellectual disposition.

b) To strike fine balance between conflicting interests and values to reach a meaningful conclusion.

c) To develop an insatiable quest to understand and appreciate the world around us.

d)To learn to be able to think, to organize one's thoughts and to give expression to the same with due relevance, clarity and precision.

As a part of the policy, various subjects in General Studies are taken up in 'sequential' fashion so that students develop a more integrated and cohesive understanding of the subject at one go. In other words, if the segment of history begins it will come to an end only after complete coverage of Ancient, Medieval and Modern history and thereafter the next segment like Polity and Governance can be taken up.

But Current Affairs is discussed on day to day basis depending on the Developments  taking place around.

Course Overview and Philosophy

a) Integrated Approach: As a part of evolved understanding, our course aims at approaching the syllabus of Prelims and Mains in an integrated manner to ensure that every topic is covered from a 'multi-dimensional' perspective, fostering analytical thinking and answer-writing skills from the outset. It is also required to avoid unnecessary overlapping of themes and duplication of effort.

b) Conceptual Clarity: Emphasis on building a strong foundation of core concepts across all subjects, moving beyond rote learning to foster deep understanding without which one cannot  think of clearing even Prelims Examination let alone Mains.

c) Current Affairs Focus: Thorough and continuous integration of current affairs with static portions, help aspirants to connect well with contemporary issues with fundamental knowledge. Current Affairs by its very nature demand applied aspect of learning. This is an evolutionary process.

d) Holistic Development: Beyond academic knowledge, the course also focuses on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills crucial for the examination and a career in Public Service. It happens gradually over a period of time and it depends heavily on the level of alertness of students.

e) Experienced Faculty: A team of experienced and dedicated faculties can easily elevate the level of your preparation in few months to an extent which you could hardly accomplish in years. It's a great advantage to learn from a team of experienced educators with extensive experience in UPSC Civil Services Examination guidance.

GENERAL STUDIES Foundation Course at IIIASA 

Features:

1.Comprehensive Study Material: Well-researched, updated, and exam-oriented study material covering the entire syllabus. Core content is given in the form of class notes only. Students are required to write it down for better consolidation.

2. Regular Classes: Structured classes with interactive sessions, doubt clearing, and concept building

3. Daily Current Affairs Analysis: Dedicated sessions and notes for daily current events, linked to the static syllabus.

4. Answer Writing Practice: Regular answer writing sessions and workshops with personalized feedback to hone your Mains answer writing skills.

5. Prelims & Mains Test Series: Extensive mock tests designed as per UPSC pattern to evaluate progress and identify areas for improvement.

6. Personalized Mentorship: 'One-on-one' mentorship sessions with experienced mentors to guide your preparation strategy.

7. CSAT Module: Dedicated classes and practice for the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), including |fpmprehensiomogical reasoning, and basic numeracy. 

8. Interactive Learning Platform: online resources, recorded lectures (if applicable), and a community forum for collaborative learning.

Last but not the least, the key to success lies in understanding things in terms of what, how and why and reflecting the same with due relevance, clarity and precision. 

"A vivid and joyful expression of one's innerself in an environment of positivity is what defines more than anything, a place of learning".