Civil Service

for IAS
by

VIKASH RANJAN
(Author, "Fundamentals of Sociology", "Applied Sociology", "Sociology - Thinkers &
Theoretical Strands" & Society - Themes & Perspectives)

APARNA GAUTAM

MANAV VERMA

Marks in Socio

Marks in Socio

293

290

In the Very First Attempt

in CSE-2014

In the Very First Attempt

in CSE-2014

COURSES OFFERED
Sociology Foundation Course.
Sociology Answer Writing Skill Training-Test Series.

Sociology
Crash
Course
(Like
Full
Course).
Sociology

Correspondence Course.

CHRONICLE
IAS ACADEMY

English & Hindi Medium / A Civil Services Chronicle Initiative

Mukherjee Nagar
&
Old Rajendra Nagar

www.facebook.com / sociologyforias

9953120676 8586861046

Hall of Fame

ARVIND SINGH
Rank - 10th

S.R MOHANTY
Rank - 87th

ADITYA
RANJAN
Rank - 99th

I would like to Thank Vikash Sir for his rightful Guidance for answer writing in Sociology. I did
SOCIOLOGY AWST Course and I received a qualitative guidance, which was highly
INTERACTIVE AND APPLICATION FOCUSED, with due PERSONAL ATTENTION. The exhaustive
coverage of CURRENT SOCIOLOGICAL INPUTS, regular answer writing practice coupled with
an excellent teaching methodology is USP of Vikash Sirs Classes. Hope, He continues to churn
out outstanding results in the future too.

Arvind Singh
I am grateful to VIKASH RANJAN SIR for the support I received throughout the preparation.
Apart from the theoretical inputs in SOCIOLOGY & ESSAY, I think VIKASH SIR scores over others
in providing extensive and regular answer-writing practice. HIS lectures gave me a sense of
discipline and writing practice provided me tremendous confidence in writing Main
examinations. Time Management & Managing the unexpected Application Oriented
Questions were the most important aspect in this preparation, I learnt at Classes of Vikash Sir.
His Teaching Method is interactive, innovative and wholesome.

S.R Mohanty

I would like to thank Vikash Ranjan Sir, for constant support and guidance that I received from
him during preparation. I prepared Sociology & Essay under guidance of Vikash Sir & received
a qualitative guidance, which was highly interactive and focused, with due personal attention.
The exhaustive coverage of Current Examples, Regular Answer Writing practice coupled with
an excellent teaching methodology of sir played a major role in my success. Hope, Vikash Sir
continues to chum outstanding results in the future too.

Aditya Ranjan

I had a very positive and enriching experience of Vikash Sirs Guidance in Sociology and Essay.
He played a very crucial role in my success, especially with regards to SOCIOLOGY and ESSAY
preparation. He provided me with valuable guidance, motivation and quality study materials
which greatly lessened the burden of preparing for this exam. He offers a pre-planned fixed
routine and usually stays true to the original schedule.
ANSHUL AGARWAL
Rank - 389th

Anshul Agarwal
I Thank Vikash Sir for his Personal Guidance to me in Sociology and Essay. I found His classes
much beneficial and as per requirements of the exam. As the pattern of exam is very dynamic,
Vikash Sir focused on each and every aspect of the Syllabus which could be asked in Mains. His
Intelligent Guess Work in Tests made me comfortable in examination Hall. His Application
Focused Approach build my Confidence.

PALLAWI ANAND
Rank 940

Pallawi Anand

I Thank Vikash Sir for his Guidance in SOCIOLOGY, Essay & Interview. When I met Vikash
Sir, I was confused regarding my Preparation, particularly writing Skill. His Exam Focus
Approach & Facilitative Style of Teaching helped me gain confidence. I focused heavily on
Writing Practice and finally got a Rank in CSE 13 to Join IAS. Knowledge & Understanding of
Indian Society helped me perform better in Essay and Interview. I mostly relied on Class
SHASANKA ALA Discussions and Printed Materials of Vikash Sir. I supplemented it with NCERT Books,
Fundamentals of Sociology For Paper-I & Applied Sociology for Paper-II, IGNOU Notes.
(B.Tech,
IIT Madras)

Shasanka Ala

I express my sincerest gratitude for the kind help provided by Vikash Ranjan Sir. I had a very
positive and enriching experience with him. His Guidance played a very crucial role in my
success, especially with regards to my Optional & Interview. He offers a pre-planned fixed
routine and usually stays true to the original schedule and maintains Dynamism. I felt a
personal touch to the guidance process.
DR. KONA VAMSI
KRISHNA

RAJU
(M.Sc. Agri., Pusha)
CSE-2012

MIHIR DEV
CSE - 2013

Dr. Kona Vamsi Krishna

SOCIOLOGY as an optional demands Exam Centric Approach. I Opted sociology as my subject
after prelim. Thanks to Vikash Sir for his guidance and quality Notes which helped me to get a
Rank in CSE 12 Rankers List. His notes are to the point and updated with current Studies,
Theories, Views and examples. His AWST-Test Series made me confident and exam ready.
Through Tutorial Style of Teaching, Vikash Ranjan Sir Maintains personal relation with
Students. Regularly gives Personal Feedback, which helps in quality enrichment of answers.

Raju
I had a very positive and enriching experience with Vikash Sir. I found his classes to be very
Exam Focused. Answer Writing Practice in Sociology played a very crucial role in my success.
Vikash Sir provided me with valuable guidance, motivation and quality study materials which
greatly lessened the burden of preparing for this exam. He offers a pre-planned fixed routine
and usually stay true to the original schedule. I would like to thank Vikash Ranjan Sir for his
personal guidance and constant motivational support.

Mihir Dev

I THANK Vikash Sir for personal guidance and constant Support to me in preparation of
Sociology & Essay. He is highly updated and hard working faculty. He simplified Learning of
Sociology with examples from Indian Society. His Application Focused Approach helped me
getting insight into relevance of thinkers in present society. I wish him to continue with his
novel teaching approach and strategy so that future aspirants could also be benefited.
KUMAR
PRIYATAMA
IRPS, CSE - 2013

Kumar Priyatama
VIKASH RANJAN SIR is a versatile genius in the studies and analysis of Sociology. Knowledge
and Experience gained from writing books and teaching for Civil Service Examinations makes
him a versatile genius. His Sociology Notes are Excellent and exam ready. He has guided many
students to achieve their mission of civil service. In the Civil Service Exam 2012 his guidance
has helped me to reserve my dream space in the final list.

ANSHUL GUPTA
(B.Tech, IIT BHU)
CSE-2012

ANURAG VATS
(B.Tech, DCE,
DELHI)

Anshul Gupta
Coming from ENGINEERING background, I didn't had academic knowledge about society and its
problems. So, I was curious and interested to know about society in general, where Sociology could
help me in. Sociology further helped in Essay Paper, GS and Interview. So effort in one subject can be
used very efficiently to score marks in others. For Guidance in SOCIOLOGY I met Vikash Ranjan Sir. I
Found Facilitative Style of Teaching and EXAM FOCUS APPROACH of Vikash Sir very beneficial for
Preparation of Sociology Optional. His Focus on each & every aspect of Syllabus linked with Current
Social Structure and Change helped me crack this exam in very FIRST ATTEMP. His Guidance in
ANSWER WRITING and Prediction about Questions in CSE Examination is really excellent.

Anurag Vats

I would like to Thank Vikash Ranjan Sir, for his personal guidance that I received from him in
preparation of SOCIOLOGY. In changed pattern of Civil Services Exam, Application Focused
Approach of Vikash Ranjan Sir has no match in Coaching Field in Delhi. He has taken a brilliant
step of shifting from regular coaching to Personal guidance mode. His Notes and methods
suggested are the most relevant. I RECOMMEND EXAM FOCUSED-APPLICATION FOCUSED
SATYA PRAKASH APPROACH OF VIKASH SIR to future aspirant of Civil Services.
CSE - 2013

Satya Prakash

Other Selections under the guidance of Vikas Ranjan

IPS - 2013
CSE - 2013
CSE - 2012
AMIT ARORA

CSE - 2012

CSE - 2012

CSE - 2012

Md. IMETYAZ
ALAM

SUDEEP
DABAS

CSE - 2012

CSE - 2013

CSE - 2012
ABHAS

UJJAWAL
KUMAR

DR. KONA VAMSI

KRISHNA

CSE - 2013

CSE - 2013

CSE - 2013
MANVENDRA
PRATAP

MIHIR DEV

MRIDUL
CHOWDHARY

B.Tech, IIT Madras

CSE - 2013

CSE-2012

ANURAG
VERMA

BHAVNA GUPTA

UMESH RATHOD

CSE - 2012

CSE - 2012
ANKIT AGGARWAL

SATYA
PRAKASH

SHASANKA ALA

TANU JAIN

RAJU

CSE - 2013

CSE - 2013

SUNEEL
ANCHIPAKA

ANURAG VATS

B.Tech, DCE, DELHI

B.Tech, IIT BHU

ANSHUL GUPTA

KUMBHAR AJIT
BALASO

CSE - 2014

Dr. ANKIT KR.

AGGARWAL

CSE - 2014

CSE - 2014

SAUMYA
MISHRA

VENKAT RAJA

And Many Others....

92% Students from "SOCIOLOGY for IAS" Course Qualified

for INTERVIEW and 47% Finally Selected in CSE 14.

Successful Candidates Felicitating their Mentor Mr. Vikash Ranjan

APARNA GAUTAM

SUNEEL ANCHIPAKA

Dr. KONA VAMSI KRISHNA

RANK - 104 (CSE-2014)

(IAS - 2013)

(IPS - 2013)

Sociology

is the most suitable optional in

- Vikash Ranjan
the changed scenario
SOCIOLOGY CONTRIBUTES 1000 MARKS IN NEW PATTERN OF CSE
Optional-I

Optional-II

G.S.

Essay

Interview

250

250

100

250

150

Why Sociology Optinal

Sociology is the best performing optional in the changed scenario with Predictability in Question
Pattern.
One can score 60 to 70 percent of 750 Marks (Sociology + Essay) with basic understanding of
Sociology.
The syllabus of Sociology is relatively short only 13 units in both the papers.
Relatively Short Syllabus, Predictability in Question Pattern makes it the 'Most Suitable Subject' for
Students with Science (Engineering and Medicine) and Commerce Background.
Every year there are two Essays related with Sociology syllabus. Sociology Powers you for GS &
Interview.

Sociology Classroom Programme

Strategic Classroom Preparation

"Facilitative Style of teaching" with "Exam

Focused Approach" that will inculcate in you
competency with sociological sense to deal with
the unexpected questions.

250+ hours Class sessions, Discussions and

Testing.

Holistic Training and Weekly Test to improve

Writing Skills and Personality Development.

On each Sunday Compulsory Test for students.

Personal Doubt Clearance and Feedback

sessions

Classroom Session of 2 hours each, which

includes theoretical discussion and concept
building.

Special guidance session for "Essay & Society".

About the Mentor

Comprehensive Study Material

Concise, Well Researched and Exam ready

matter on each and every topic.
1 Booklet of previous 17 years Question
Papers.
Extract from Journals Newspaper and
Magazines relevant for syllabus.

Online Support System (OSS)

www.facebook.com/sociologyforias

Get access to OSS, an interactive online

forum for value addition study material,
journals and select articles relevant to
Sociology.

Ask preparation related queries to the Mentor.

Mr. Vikash Ranjan has emerged as a versatile genius in Teaching and writing Books
on Sociology & General Studies. His Sociological Themes and Perspectives are
excellent. His teaching aptitude is Simple, Easy and Exam Focused. Under his Expert Guidance many students have
achieved success in civil services. In the Civil Service Exam 2009, 2010, 2011,2012 & 2013-14 his guidance has helped
many toppers to reserve their dream space in the final list. He has written and edited good number of Books for Civil
Services. To mention a few- Fundamental of Sociology (For CSE Mains) Applied Sociology (For CSE Mains),
National Issues of Social, Economic and Political Relevance, Survey of Health, Women and Child Development in
India, Indian Heritage and Culture-Themes & Perspectives

SOCIOLOGY FOR IAS

Answer Writing Skill Training (Test Series)
CSE-2015
Focus of the Test Series

Development of Answer Writing Skill.

Understanding your current state preparedness & required plan of action.
Focus on structure & presentation of answer according to requirements of the questions.
Understanding the alignment of Theory, Facts, Sociological Studies & Personal Observation
of Current Socio-Economic & Political Affairs in the answer.
Understanding actual requirement (Key words, Context & Content) in the different marks
types questions (30 Marks, 20 Marks, 12 Marks).
Understanding the type of questions to be attempted for good score (strategy & approach).
Evaluation of the answer sheet in the context of demand and dynamism of the examination.
Personal discussion session for in-depth explanation of answer of every question.
Personal counseling session to fulfill specific competitive needs of the students.

Focus of the Test Series

Our plan facilitates 'Demand Based

Supply' & cover whole syllabus according
to the dynamic pattern of Mains
Examination.
All Test will be based on Changing Nature
and Pattern of questions being asked by
UPSC and will be conducted under
examination situation on weekly basis at
the institutional venue.
Our Test plan is supplemented by detailed
suggested reading for every topic.
Explanation & analysis of the test with
personalized attention. Special focus
would be on model answers.
We will leave no stone unturned to
develop your dedication, determination,
sincerity and commitment to yourself & to
the preparation.
We guarantee you that our sincere efforts
will help you to fetch good marks.

Be a lamp unto yourself

- Gautam Buddha

Instruction for the Students

Try to write the answer according to the actual

requirement of the questions.
Focus on Key words & Tail words effectively
(Elucidate - Explain, Comment, Examine, Critically
examine, Discuss, Analyze, Illustrate, Review,
Argue, Justify etc.)
Understand the context of the questions. Content
of the answer should be in the contextual
framework.
Ensure proper systematization of the structure of
the answer. Proper consideration of priority and
focus of given ideas is must.
Logical structure of sentence and their alignment.
Present relevant information, choice of words and
proper statement.
Proper visibility of idea through alignment Theory,
Facts, Sociological Studies & Personal Observation
of Current Socio-Economic & Political Affairs
according to the requirement of the question.
Impressive beginning and Conclusion of the
answer. Give your opinion when asked for it.
Incorporate your opinion from different
perspective in a balance manner.

TEST SCEDULE For SOCIOLOGY For IAS 2015

TEST - 1 : 19 SEPT.
1. Sociology - The Discipline
2. Sociology as Science
3. Research Methods and Analysis
4. Sociological Thinkers : (a) Karl Marx (b) Emile Durkheim

DISCUSSION : 26 SEPT.

TEST - 2 : 28 SEPT.

DISCUSSION : 6 OCT.

4. Sociological Thinkers : (c) Max Weber (d) Talcott Parsons (e) Robert K. Merton (f) Mead
5. Stratification and Mobility
6. Works and Economic Life
TEST - 3 : 7 OCT.

DISCUSSION : 15 OCT.

7. Politics and Society

9. Systems of Kinship

8. Religion and Society

10. Social Change in Modern Society

TEST - 4 : 16 OCT.

DISCUSSION : 24 OCT.

A. Introducing Indian Society

(i) Perspectives on the study of Indian society
(ii) Impact of colonial rule on Indian society

(iii) Application of Sociological Thinker

(Paper-1) in Indian Context.

TEST - 5 : 25 OCT.

DISCUSSION : 2 NOV.

B. Social Structure in India.

(i) Rural and Agrarian Social Structure
(iii) Tribal communities in India
(v) Systems of Kinship in India

(ii) Caste System

(iv) Social Classes in India
(vi) Religion and Society

TEST - 6 : 3 NOV.

DISCUSSION : 11 NOV.

C. Social Changes in India

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

Visions of Social Change in India

Rural and Agrarian transformation in India
Industrialization and Urbanization in India
Politics and Society

(v) Social Movements in Modern India

(vi) Population Dynamics
(vii) Challenges of Social Transformation

TEST - 7 : 12 NOV.

Comprehensive Test 1 (Paper - 1)

DISCUSSION : 20 NOV.

TEST - 8 : 21 NOV.

Comprehensive Test 2 (Paper - 2)

DISCUSSION : 29 NOV.

TEST-9 & 10 : 30 NOV.

DISCUSSION : 7 DEC.

1 st Session- Comprehensive Test-3 (Paper-1)/ 2nd Session Comprehensive Test-4 (Paper-2)

USEFUL READINGS FOR "SOCIOLOGY FOR IAS"

New NCERT BOOKS (Class 11 & 12)

Sociology-Previous Year Solved Questions

IGNOU Study Material.

Sociology (Harlambos)

Chronicle Publication.
Indian Social System-Ram Ahuja.

Sociology-Thinkers & Theoretical Strands.

Modernization of Indian Tradition - Yogendra Singh.

Fundamentals of Sociology by Vikash Ranjan.

Social Change in India - M.N. Sriniwas.

Applied
Sociology
by
Vikash
Ranjan.
India
After Independence.

SOCIOLOGY FOR IAS - SYLLABUS

PAPER I : FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIOLOGY
1. Sociology - The Discipline:
Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of
sociology.
Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences.
Sociology and common sense.
2. Sociology as Science:
Science, scientific method and critique.
Major theoretical strands of research methodology.
Positivism and its critique.
Fact value and objectivity.
Non- positivist methodologies.
3. Research Methods and Analysis:
Qualitative and quantitative methods.
Techniques of data collection.
Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability and validity.
4. Sociological Thinkers:
Kar l Marx- Histor ical mater ial ism, mode of production,
alienation, class struggle.
Emile Durkheim- Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion
and society.
Max Weber- Social action, ideal types, author i ty, bureaucracy,
protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.
Talcolt Parsons- Social system, pattern variables.
Robert K. Merton- Latent and manifest functions, conformity and
deviance, reference groups.
Mead - Self and identity.
5. Stratification and Mobility:
Concepts- equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty and
deprivation.
Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory,
Marxist theory, Weberian theory.
Dimensions Social stratification of class, status groups, gender,
ethnicity and race.
Social mobility- open and closed systems, types of mobility,
sources and causes of mobility.
6. Works and Economic Life:
Social organization of work in different types of society- slave
society, feudal society, industrial /capitalist society.
Formal and informal organization of work.
Labour and society.
7. Politics and Society:
Sociological theories of power.
Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties.
Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology.
Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution.
8. Religion and Society:
Sociological theories of religion.
Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects,
cults.
Religion in modern society: religion and science, secularization,
religious revivalism, fundamentalism.
9. Systems of Kinship:
Family, household, marriage.
Types and forms of family.
Lineage and descent.
Patriarchy and sexual division oflabour.
Contemporary trends.
10. Social Change in Modern Society:
Sociological theories of social change.
Development and dependency.
Agents of social change.
Education and social change.
Science, technology and social change.
PAPER II : INDIAN SOCIETY : STRUCTURE AND CHANGE
A. Introducing Indian Society:
(i) Perspectives on the study of Indian society:
Indology (GS. Ghurye).
Structural functionalism (M N Srinivas).
Marxist sociology (A R Desai).

(ii)

B.
(i)

Impact of colonial rule on Indian society :

Social background of Indian nationalism.
Modernization of Indian tradition.
Protests and movements during the colonial period.
Social reforms.
Social Structure:
Rural and Agrarian Social Structure:
The idea of Indian village and village studies.
Agrarian social structure - evolution of land tenure system, land
reforms.
(ii) Caste System:
Perspectives on the study of caste systems: GS Ghurye, M N
Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.
Features of caste system.
Untouchability - forms and perspectives.
(iii) Tribal communities in India:
Definitional problems.
Geographical spread.
Colonial policies and tribes. Issues of integration & autonomy.
(iv) Social Classes in India:
Agrarian class structure.
Industrial class structure.
Middle classes in India.
(v) Systems of Kinship in India:
Lineage and descent in India.
Types of kinship systems.
Family and marriage in India.
Household dimensions of the family.
(vi) Religion and Society:
Religious communities in India.
Problems of religious minorities.
C. Social Changes in India:
(i) Visions of Social Change in India:
Idea of development planning and mixed economy.
Constitution, law and social change.
Education and social change.
(ii) Rural and Agrarian transformation in India:
Programmes of rural development, Community Development
Programme, cooperatives, poverty alleviation schemes.
Green revolution and social change.
Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture.
Problems of rural labour, bondage, migration.
(iii) Industrialization and Urbanisation in India:
Evolution of modern industry in India.
Growth of urban settlements in India.
Working class: structure, growth, class mobilization.
Informal sector, child labour.
Slums and deprivation in urban areas.
(iv) Politics and Society:
Nation, democracy and citizenship.
Political parties, pressure groups , social and political elite.
Regionalism and decentralization of power.
Secularization
(v) Social Movements in Modern India:
Peasants and farmers movements.
Womens movement.
Backward classes & Dalit movement.
Environmental movements.
Ethnicity and Identity movements.
(vi) Population Dynamics:
Population size, growth, composition and distribution.
Components of population growth: birth, death, migration.
Population policy and family planning.
Emerging issues: ageing, sex ratios, child and infant mortality,
reproductive health.
(vii)Challenges of Social Transformation:
Crisis of development: displacement, environmental problems
and sustainability.
Poverty, deprivation and inequalities.
Violence against women.
Caste conflicts.
Ethnic conflicts, communalism, religious revivalism.
Illiteracy and disparities in education.

Read, Learn, Apply - Key to Success in CSE - Vikash Ranjan