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UPSC CSE Economics Optional

Have you chosen Economics as your optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE)? At Ecoholics, we’re excited to help you excel! With 48 optional subjects to choose from, your selection can significantly impact your strategy. The UPSC conducts the CSE annually to recruit officers for prestigious services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS).

Candidates opt for Economics as an optional subject in the UPSC exam due to the extensive availability of resources for the UPSC Mains examination and the significant overlap with the General Studies syllabus for both Prelims and Mains. Opting for Economics could give you a strategic edge. At Ecoholics, we provide expert guidance, tailored daily study plans, and all the resources you need to master the Economics Optional and shine in the UPSC CSE. Explore how we can support your success!

UPSC CSE Economics Optional Eligibility Criteria

  • A candidate must possess a degree from Government-recognized University or an equivalent qualification. Candidates in their final year of graduation or awaiting results are also eligible to appear for the UPSC Prelims Examination. However, they must provide proof of having passed the required examination while applying for the UPSC Mains Examination.
  • The UPSC age limit for the General category candidates is 21 to 32 years. For eligibility in the UPSC examination, candidates must meet the age criteria specified as follows: they must be at least 21 years old and not more than 32 years old as of August 1, 2024. This means candidates must have been born between August 2, 1992, and August 1, 2003

The UPSC upper age limit mentioned above can be relaxed under certain circumstances:

  • Candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes are eligible for a maximum relaxation of five years.

  • Candidates from Other Backward Classes (OBC) eligible for reservation can avail of a maximum relaxation of three years.
  • Defence Services Personnel who were disabled in operations during hostilities with a foreign country or in a disturbed area and subsequently released can get a maximum relaxation of three years.

 

UPSC CSE Economics Optional Exam Pattern

  • Aspirant has to appear for two optional papers: Economics Optional Paper I & II. 
  • Each paper accounts for 250 marks. 
  • Duration for each paper is 3 hours. 
  • Questions will be divided in two sections: Section A & B. 
  • Out of eight questions, candidates have to attempt 5 questions.
  • Question number 1 to 5 are compulsory. 
  • Out of the remaining 3 questions, the aspirant has to choose one from each section. Each paper carries 250 marks.
  • These questions may be analytical, theoretical, or numerical in nature. 
  • Candidates must use appropriate diagrams, graphs, equations, and examples to support their answers. 
  • These answers have to be written in medium authorised in the admission certificate.

NOTE: Kindly check the latest official notification of UPSC for more details.

Why Should You Choose Economics Optional?

The Mains exam has two papers for the chosen optional subject, each worth 250 marks. Meaning if you choose Economics optional subject, then you have a chance to score big out of 500 marks.

Choosing Economics as an optional subject in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) can be highly beneficial for several reasons:

  1. Relevance and Overlap with General Studies
  • Paper III (General Studies): Economics overlaps significantly with General Studies Paper III, covering topics like Indian Economy, planning, growth, development, budgeting, agricultural issues, infrastructure, etc.
  • Paper II (General Studies): Economic concepts also help in understanding social issues, international relations, and governance. You can interlink all these. 
  1. Scoring Potential
  • Economics is considered a scoring subject due to its analytical and objective nature. There are clear right and wrong answers, especially in areas involving diagrams, models, and mathematical equations.

3. Relevance in Interview

  • Economic awareness and understanding are crucial during the interview stage, as current affairs often include economic policies, budget discussions, and economic reforms.
  1. Practical Application
  • Knowledge of economics is directly applicable to various administrative roles. As a civil servant, one often deals with policy formulation, economic planning, resource allocation, and development projects.
  1. Ever-Evolving Subject
  • Economics is a dynamic subject that evolves with global and domestic changes. This ensures that the study material remains interesting and up-to-date, preventing monotony in preparation.
  1. Interdisciplinary Nature
  • Economics intersects with subjects like Public Administration, Sociology, Political Science, and International Relations, offering a comprehensive view of various socio-economic issues.
  1. Enhanced Analytical Skills
  • Studying economics enhances analytical and critical thinking skills. It involves analysing data, understanding trends, and making predictions based on economic theories.
  1. Prominent Success Stories
  • Many successful candidates have opted for Economics and have performed exceedingly well in the examination. Their experiences and strategies can serve as valuable guidance for new aspirants.

Convenience and Considerations of Choosing Economics

 

Convenience 

Considerations 

Economics overlaps with General Studies Paper III Syllabus

Requires good conceptual knowledge & numerical ability

Helps in generating good analytical & Logical skills.

Requires extensive reading & revision of theories, development & trends.

A well defined & concise syllabus

Demands high level of accuracy & precision in answer writing

Has clear objective marking scheme, reducing subjectivity and bias

Candidates must provide proper terminologies, with details and analytics. 

What Ecoholics provide ?

UPSC Economics Optional Syllabus

Please find the Economics Optional UPSC syllabus pdf.

Economics Optional Preparation Roadmap

A strategic roadmap is imperative for success, it becomes even more important if you are an aspirant preparing to be a civil servant. Ofcourse, every aspirant is eligible to prepare their own road map, but our experts using years of experience have curated the following roadmap. If followed to the T, it can immensely help an aspirant.

How Can Ecoholics Help in this?

We at Ecoholics leveraging on our years of experience and expertise can help you in Economics optional. Our experts provide extensive in-depth live classes, hard copy of study material, we conduct weekly tests, and access your model answers. Our expert mentorship sessions and unlimited doubt resolution can make the difference. 

Our test series encompasses 25 tests, live discussion on each and every test, to better access your position. We also provide model answers and unlimited doubt resolution facility along with free mentorship.


Frequently Asked Questions:

CSE stands for Civil Services Examinations in context to UPSC. Hence, jointly stated as UPSC CSE.

Their are some of the commonly recommended books and study material for economics optional are:

  • For Paper I:
    • Microeconomics by H.L. Ahuja
    • Macroeconomics by H.L. Ahuja
    • Money and Banking by S.B. Gupta
    • Public Finance by H.L. Bhatia
    • International Economics by Dominick Salvatore
  • For Paper II:
    • Indian Economy by Uma Kapila
    • Indian Economy by Mishra and Puri
    • Economic Survey of India by Ministry of Finance
    • Economic Development and Policy in India by Uma Kapila
    • Statistical Methods by S.P. Gupta

Aspirants can also refer to NCERT books for clearing basic concepts. 

Aspirants need to have a degree level knowledge of economics. As it covers mathematical application to theories, a huge syllabus, and technically written books. However, a strategic approach can help any aspirant crack the code.  

An aspirant needs to aim for around 150+ in both papers taking their added score to 300+ for the optional paper. This strategy can increase your chance to clear the main exam and get selected for the interview. 

    What is 6 + 8 ?

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