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UPSC Economics Optional Paper is a very important part of the UPSC Exam, allowing candidates to show their knowledge of economics and their ability to analyse practical Indian economic issues. According to the UPSC’s most recent data from 2017, 233 candidates selected economics as an optional subject. 16 of them passed the test, making the subject’s success rate for that year 6.9%. Hence it is one of the scoring optional. The Economics optional paper is comprised of two papers, Paper I and Paper II, in the UPSC Mains examination. There are 250 marks assigned to each of these papers, for a total of 500 marks for this elective. UPSC offers 48 optional subjects, Economics being one of the options open to candidates. We have provided the pdf link to download Economics Optional PYQ UPSC in this article.
Table of Contents
- 1 Download Economics Optional PYQ UPSC
- 2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Choosing UPSC Economics Optional
- 3 Reasons to Consider Economics as an Optional Subject
- 4 UPSC Economics Optional Paper 1
- 5 UPSC Economics Optional Paper 2
- 6 Economics Optional PYQ UPSC Trend Analysis
- 7 Understanding the UPSC Economics Optional Paper
- 8 FAQs
Download Economics Optional PYQ UPSC
Economics Optional PYQ UPSC spanning from 2020 to 2023 is easily accessible for candidates looking to improve their marks in this subject. These UPSC Economics optional question papers are available to you in PDF format, which can greatly help your preparation.
Must Read: Best Books for Economic for UPSC Prelims and Mains
Advantages and Disadvantages of Choosing UPSC Economics Optional
Let us now go through some of the pros and cons of choosing UPSC Economics as an optional in UPSC mains exam:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| 1. Wide applicability in various fields such as finance, public policy, international relations, and business management. | 1. Can be perceived as a challenging subject for some students |
| 2. Helps in developing critical thinking and analytical skills. | 2. Requires a strong understanding of mathematical concepts and economic theories. |
| 3. Provides insights into understanding economic phenomena and decision-making processes. | 3. Vast syllabus may require extensive preparation and time commitment. |
| 4. Offers opportunities for interdisciplinary study and research. | 4. Limited availability of quality study materials and guidance compared to more popular optional subjects. |
| 5. Offers a deeper understanding of economic policy formulation and evaluation. | 5. Scoring may depend heavily on the subjective evaluation of answers, making it unpredictable at times. |
Reasons to Consider Economics as an Optional Subject
For those aspiring to the UPSC, economics offers an appealing combination of theory and practical applications. The following are strong arguments for candidates choosing Economics as an optional:
- Candidates with a strong grasp of socioeconomic concerns benefit from the intimate relationship between economics and current events as well as policymaking.
- The intersections of economics with political science, sociology, geography, and other courses can be useful in addressing a range of questions in the UPSC mains exam.
- Because the syllabus for economics is clear and concise compared to certain other alternatives, it is known to be a relatively scoring-optional topic.
Must Read: How to Prepare for Economics UPSC Prelims and Mains?
UPSC Economics Optional Paper 1
Microeconomics and macroeconomics are the main topics of the first UPSC Economics optional paper. It explores subjects like national income, inflation, market systems, consumer behavior, and production theory. Candidates must have in-depth understanding and critical thinking in these fields.
Must Read: Best Books for Economic Optional for UPSC
UPSC Economics Optional Paper 2
The subject of the second optional Economics paper is Indian Economic Planning and Development. Infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, and economic planning in India are among the subjects discussed. Additionally, it explores various government schemes and policies related to economic development.
Economics Optional PYQ UPSC Trend Analysis
The Economics optional paper requires historical trend analysis, which is necessary to pass. UPSC has demonstrated a change in pattern over the years for questions that call for a thorough comprehension of economic ideas and their real-world applications. The main goal for candidates should be to grasp these ideas and use them in practical situations.
- UPSC frequently incorporates geography, the environment, and current events with economics. Applicants must be ready to apply the ideas and concepts of economics to multidisciplinary subjects.
- It’s essential to practice frequently and manage your time well. It will be easier to create a planned approach to answering problems within the allotted time by working through past years’ papers and mock exams.
Must Read: How to Prepare for UPSC Optional Economics?
Must Read: Find Economics PYQ UPSC Mains Question Bank: 2021-2018
Understanding the UPSC Economics Optional Paper
Paper I and Paper II are the two papers that make up the UPSC mains examination’s optional Economics paper. Let’s examine the main ideas in each paper:
Paper-I: Microeconomics:
| Syllabus Topics |
| Consumer Behavior and Demand Analysis |
| Theory of Production and Costs |
| Market Structures and Pricing Strategies |
| Factor Pricing and Distribution |
| Welfare Economics and Market Failures |
| Tips for Paper-I |
| Build a strong foundation in microeconomic concepts to answer theoretical and analytical questions effectively. |
| Connect economic theories with real-world examples and case studies to enhance your answers’ depth and relevance. |
Must Read: Economics For UPSC Prelims: Previous Year Questions
Paper-II: Macroeconomics and Indian Economy:
| Syllabus Topics |
| National Income Accounting |
| Fiscal and Monetary Policies |
| Inflation and Unemployment |
| Economic Growth and Development |
| Indian Economy – Planning and Economic Reforms |
| Tips for Paper-II |
| Stay updated with current economic developments in India and the world, as this knowledge is invaluable when discussing policy issues. |
| Utilize graphs and diagrams wherever applicable to illustrate your points effectively. |
Must Read: Economics PYQ UPSC Prelims Question Bank
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FAQs
Economics optional is considered a difficult subject as it is quite technical. However, for this reason only , economics happens to be one of the most scoring optional.
The toughest optional in UPSC is geography since the syllabus of this subject is vast and it is very technical at times.
Yes, economics optional has a wide syllabus making this optional lengthy.It takes almost 8-9 months to prepare this subject comprehensively
UPSC AIR 1 IAS Gaurav Agrawal has scored the highest in Economics Optional.He got 34 and 162 marks in the optional papers
This was all about the “Economics Optional PYQ UPSC”. For more such informative blogs, check out our UPSC Exams Section, or you can learn more about us by visiting our Indian exams page.