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Economics Optional for UPSC Mains 2024: Strategy, Syllabus and Planning

Aditi Sinha August 17, 2023 03:45 18233 0

Prepare effectively for Economics Optional in UPSC Mains with our detailed article.

Economics Optional for UPSC Mains 2024: Strategy, Syllabus and Planning

The subject of Economics is slowly gaining prominence as an optional subject in recent years. Students preparing for Economics Optional for the first time need to go through the following article to get an idea about all the important aspects that will help in preparation. This article is all about a comprehensive guide covering strategy, syllabus, and planning to ace the exam effectively.

An Overview of Economics Optional for UPSC Exam Preparation

The science of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services across the world is termed as Economics. The subject is widely considered as an important component of administration and policy-making. Hence, IAS aspirants are inclined towards choosing Economics Optional for their preparation.

Economic subject consists of two Papers: Paper 1 focuses on core concepts of the subject, such as macro-economics, micro-economics, fiscal policy, monetary policy, growth, development etc. Paper 2 focuses on the Indian economy, both pre-independence and post-independence era.

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Paper 1 and Paper 2 both carry 250 marks each. Each paper is divided equally into two parts, each consisting of four questions. Out of these total eight questions, five have to be attempted. Question number 1 and 5 are compulsory while the candidates can choose any three from the remaining, with at least one from each section.

Advantages of Choosing Economics Optional for UPSC Exam Preparation

The rationale behind choosing Economics Optional is not just interest in the subject, but rather other benefits. These benefits make economics optional a suitable choice for aspirants:

  • Overlap with General Studies: The subject of Economics overlaps with General Studies III in UPSC mains, giving candidates an additional advantage.
  • Scoring Potential: Past results have shown that the subject has high scoring potential, provided the candidate prepares well.
  • Conceptual: The subject is rooted in concepts and logic, and does not require much of a rote learning. This makes many candidates choose Economics as an optional subject.
  • Future Career Growth: The understanding of economics will definitely have benefits in future career growth, even beyond civil services
  • Policy-making: The knowledge of economics will help civil servants in better policy-making in the future.
  • Versatility: Economics is a versatile subject, covering a wide range of topics. This diversity allows a candidate to develop a well-rounded understanding of the subject.

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Syllabus for Economics Optional in UPSC Exam

Economics syllabus consists of two Papers: Paper 1 focuses on economic concepts and basics, while Paper 2 focuses on Indian Economy. The detailed syllabus for Economics Optional can be found below:

Paper 1 Syllabus

Advanced Microeconomics
  • Approaches to Price Determination: Marshallian & Varassiam
  • Alternative Distribution Theories: Ricardo, Kaldor & Kaleeki.
  • Market Structures: Monopolistic, Duopoly, Oligopoly.
  • Modern Welfare Criteria: Pareto Hicks and Scitovsky, Arrow’s Impossibility Theorem, A.K. & Sen’s Social Welfare Function.
Advance Macro Economics Approaches to Employment Income Rate Determination: Classical, Keynes (IS)-LM) curve, Neo & New- Classical Synthesis, Theories of Interest, Rate Determination & Interest Rate Structures.
Money- Banking & Finance Demand for & Supply of Money

  • Money Multiplier Quantity Theory of Money (Fisher, Pique & Friedman) & Keynes’s Theory on Demand for Money
  • Goals & Instruments of Monetary Management in Closed & Open Economics
  • Relation between the Central Bank & the Treasury. 
  • Proposal for Ceiling on Growth Rate of Money.

Public Finance & its Role in Market Economy:

  • In Stabilisation of Supply, Allocative of Resources & in Distribution & Development
  • Sources of Government Revenue, Forms of Taxes & Subsidies, their Incidence & Effects
  • Limits to Taxation, Loans, Crowding-out, Effects & Limitations to Borrowing
  • Public Expenditure & its Effects.
International Economics Old & New Theories International Trade:

  • Comparative Advantage.
  • Terms of Trade & Offer Curve.
  • Product Cycle & Strategic Trade Theories.
  • Trade as an Engine of Growth & Theories of Underdevelopment in an Open Economy.

Forms of Protection: Tariff & Quota.

Balance of Payment Adjustments: Alternative Approaches:

  • Price versus Income, Income Adjustments under Fixed Exchange Rates.
  • Theories of Policy Mix.
  • Exchange Rate Adjustments Under Capital Mobility.
  • Floating Rates and their Implications for Developing Countries: Currency Boards.
  • Trade Policy & Developing Countries.
  • BOP, Adjustments & Policy Coordination in Open Economy Macro-model.
  • Speculative Attacks.
  • Trade Blocks & Monetary Unions.
  • WTO: TRIMS, TRIPS, Domestic Measures, Different Rounds of WTO talks.
Growth & Development Theories of Growth:

  • Harrod’s Model
  • Lewis Model of Development with Surplus Labour.
  • Balanced Unbalanced Growth.
  • Human Capitals & Economic Growth.
  • Research & Development

Process of Economic Development of Less Developed Countries:

  • Myrdal & Kuznets on Economic Development & Structural Change: Role of Agriculture in Economic Development of Less Developed Countries.

Economic Development & International Trade & Investment, Role of Multinationals.

Planning & Economic Development: Changing Role of Markets & Planning, Private- Public Partnership.

Welfare Indicators & Measures of Growth– Human Development Indices. The Basic Needs Approach.

Development & Environment Sustainability– Renewable & Non-renewable Resources, Environment Degradation, Intergenerational Equity Development.

Paper 2 Syllabus

Indian Economy in Pre-Independence Era
  • Land Systems & its Changes, 
  • Commercialization of Agriculture Drain Theory, 
  • Laissez-Faire Theory & Critique.
  • Manufacture & Transport: Jute, Cotton, Railways, Money & Credit.
Indian Economy after Independence The Pre-liberalisation Era:

  • Contribution of Vakil, Gadgil & V.K.R.V. Rao
  • Agriculture: Land Reforms & Land Tenure System, Green Revolution & Capital Formation in Agriculture.
  • Industry Trends in Composition & Growth, Role of Public & Private Sector, Small Scale & Cottage Industries.
  • National & Per Capita Income: Patterns, Trends, Aggregate & Sectoral Composition & Changes Therein.
  • Broad Factors Determining National Income & Distribution, Measures of Poverty, Trends in Poverty & Inequality.
The Post-liberalization Era:

  • New Economic Reform & Agriculture: Agriculture & WTO, Food Processing, Subsidies, Agriculture Prices & Public Distribution System, Impact of Public Expenditure on Agriculture Growth.
  • New Economic Policy & Industry: Strategy of industrialization, Privatization, Disinvestments, Role of Foreign Direct Investment & Multinationals.
  • New Economic Policy & Trade: Intellectual Property Rights: Implications of TRIPS, TRIMS, GATS & EXIM policy.
  • New Exchange Rate Regime: Partial & Full Convertibility, Capital Account Convertibility.
  • New Economic Policy & Public Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Act, Twelfth Finance Commission & Fiscal Federalism & Fiscal Consolidation.
  • New Economic Policy & Monetary System, Role of RBI under the New Regime.
  • Planning: From Central Planning to Indicative Planning, Relation between Planning & Markets for Growth & Decentralized Planning: 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendments.
  • New Economic Policy & Employment: Employment & Poverty, New Rural, Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Economics Optional Books for UPSC Exam Preparation

Economics optional can be covered comprehensively by referring to books that address core concepts of Paper 1 and Paper 2. Following is a list of books that can be referred for Economics Optional:

Paper 1 Paper 2
  • Modern Microeconomics by A. Koutsoyiannis
  • Advanced Economic Theory: Microeconomic Analysis by H. L. Ahuja
  • Macroeconomic Theories & Policies by R.T. Froyen
  • Macroeconomics by H. L. Ahuja
  • Monetary Economics by S. B. Gupta
  • Public Finance by Musgrave & Musgrave
  • International Economics by D. Salvatore
  • Growth & Development with special reference to Developing Countries by A. P. Thirwall
  • Economic Development by Todaro & Smith
  • Economic History of India: 1857-1947 – Tirthankar Roy
  • Indian Economy Since Independence by Uma Kapila
  • The New Oxford Companion to Economics in India by Kaushik Basu
  • Current Affairs from Newspaper editorials such as The Hindu, The Indian Express, Business Standard etc.
  • Economic Survey: Current & previous year.

Economics Optional: Key Strategies for UPSC Exam Success

For qualifying any subject of optional, a candidate has to have a clear strategy. This strategy will help them not only to familiarise with the core concepts, it also helps them address the demand of the question more appropriately. Following are some steps that may help a candidate prepare for Economics Optional:

  • PYQ Analysis: You can identify important topics for exams only by analysing PYQs. It also gives an idea of the nature of questions that can be asked from a particular topic.
  • Practice Answer Writing Regularly: Answer writing has to be practiced daily along with covering the syllabus. Before attempting the test series, an individual has to have experience of writing answers.
  • Build a Strong Foundation: Start by building a strong foundation in economics. Begin with basic concepts of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Understand the fundamental principles, theories, and their applications. Refer to standard textbooks recommended for the UPSC exam.
  • Focus on Current Affairs: In many parts of the paper, the static part is related directly to the dynamic part. For such questions, using current affairs examples will fetch additional marks.
  • Use of Diagrams and Graphs: Economics is a conceptual subject, which requires diagrammatic illustration for better understanding or making an argument.
  • Making Own Notes: Candidates making their own notes will always have some advantage over their competitors due to ease of revision.
  • Regular Revision: One has to finish revising the whole subject 3-4 times before writing the mains exam. This will help them cover all the topics more appropriately.
  • Test Series: Writing sectional and full-length tests is compulsory. Without knowing the actual level of preparation, a candidate will not know if they need to change their strategy.

Economics Optional PYQ analysis gives the candidate enough ideas to start preparing for the exam. Following is a table containing the links for previous year question paper of Economics Optional:

UPSC CSE Public Administration Optional PYQ 2023 Paper 1: Public Administration Optional
Paper 2: Public Administrative Optional
UPSC CSE Public Administration Optional PYQ 2022 Paper 1: Public Administration Optional
Paper 2: Public Administration Optional
UPSC CSE Public Administration Optional PYQ 2021 Paper 1: Public Administration Optional
Paper 2: Public Administration Optional
UPSC CSE Public Administration Optional PYQ 2020 Paper 1: Public Administration Optional
Paper 2: Public Administration Optional


Economics Optional provides a candidate a better chance of
excelling in UPSC IAS exam. They need to refer to the above information and develop their own strategies that will help them clear the exam with flying colours.

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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UPSC Economics Syllabus FAQs

Reading the topper copy gives a candidate an idea of the way of writing answers that not just addresses the demand of the question, but also fetches marks.

Making your own notes for Economics Optional is a strategy recommended by toppers. This does not just help understand the subject better, it will also help in revision.

The Optional subject consists of two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2, both carrying 250 marks each. Both of them consist of eight questions, divided equally into two parts of four each. A candidate has to attempt five questions. Question 1 and 5 are compulsory, while they can choose any three from the remaining, with at least one from each section.

It is advisable to cover the complete syllabus within three months of preparation. Rest of the time can be used for revision and answer writing.

The Paper 2 of the Economics Optional is based on current affairs. Candidates can expect questions linked to current affairs and hence need to be prepared.
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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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