UPSC CSE (IAS) Prelims 2024: Preparation Strategy for GS Economics
Economics is one of the easiest and most high-yielding topics for the UPSC CSE exam. As an IAS officer, you will work for the country's economic development. Further, you will frame policies and lead various programmes to boost the country's Economy. Sound knowledge of economics will help you in other subjects of the UPSC CSE syllabus.
In this article, students will get a good preparation strategy for UPSC CSE Economics, a study plan for UPSC GS Economics, the best books for UPSC Economy preparation, and much more.
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| UPSC CSE (IAS) Prelims: Cutoffs, Subject-wise strategy and analysis | UPSC CSE (IAS) Interview: Syllabus, DAF, Questions & Strategy |
UPSC CSE (IAS) Prelims: Economics Previous Year Analysis
It's best to start UPSC Economics preparation by knowing the weightage of Economics in the previous year's UPSC CSE prelims exams. The weightage of Economics has remained about 15% of the total marks in the past UPSC CSE Prelims papers. The following table shows the year-wise weightage analysis of Economics in the previous year's UPSC CSE Prelims papers-
| Year | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 18 | 15 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 14 |
From the above chart, we can see that except in 2017, the weightage of Economics has always been more than 10 questions in the UPSC CSE prelims exam. Moreover, the questions are easy. Sometimes conceptual questions are also asked but can be answered easily.
Check out UPSC CSE (IAS) Prelims Paper 2 CSAT 2024: Topic Wise Syllabus, Analysis and Preparation Strategy.
UPSC CSE (IAS) Prelims: Economics Preparation Strategy
Students can watch the above playlist to best prepare for Economics and Indian Economy for UPSC CSE prelims. The entire syllabus of UPSC GS Economics is well covered in the above videos.
Check out Daily News Analysis and Current Affairs for UPSC & State PSCs in PDF.
Students can follow the following strategy to best prepare for GS Economics for the UPSC CSE Prelims exam-
- Start with the Class 11 and 12 NCERT books for Economics. They will help you build a solid Theoretical background.
- After that, you can take up the Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh.
- After completing the basic books, students should go through Economic Survey and Union Budget. These two are an absolute must for knowing about the Indian Economy.
- Throughout your preparation journey, regularly read economics current affairs, government policies and schemes.
- Make notes on important Reports, Rankings, Economic institutions, etc.
- After building up your knowledge, practise the previous year's UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains Questions.
- Revise the subject regularly to ensure you remember all the essential concepts during the exam.
Check out UPSC CSE (IAS) Mains Syllabus: GS, Language and Optional Syllabus.
UPSC CSE (IAS) Prelims: Syllabus for Economics
UPSC CSE notification has minimal details about the UPSC Prelims Economics syllabus. The UPSC CSE Prelims syllabus for economics, as per the notification, is-
- Economic and Social Development, Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
However, the syllabus given in the GS3 section is quite vast, and students should follow that for UPSC economics preparation. For notes on the Economy, it would be best if students go through- Indian Economy Notes.
UPSC CSE (IAS) – Books for Preparation of Economics Syllabus
NCERTs are the best books to prepare for the UPSC CSE exam. Students can watch the above playlist to study NCERT books for economics.
Check out Best Books for UPSC CSE (IAS) 2024 Prelims, CSAT, Mains, and Interview.
One thing students should always keep in mind is to limit their material and focus more on revision. Following is the complete booklist to cover the entire UPSC CSE Economics syllabus for Prelims and Mains.:
- Class 11th and 12th NCERT books for Economics.
- Indian Economy- Ramesh Singh
- Economic survey (of Current Year).
- Union Budget.
- Niti Aayog reports.
Check out UPSC Study Notes - IAS Prelims and IAS Mains.
UPSC CSE (IAS) Prelims: 6 Weeks Study Plan for Economics
Students can easily cover the entire syllabus of the UPSC CSE Economics in 6 weeks. Students should dedicate at least 6 to 8 hours daily for preparation and 1 to 2 hours to solve prelims and mains questions. Current affairs and Government Schemes are also essential aspects of UPSC Economics and should be thoroughly covered. The resources to be covered are recommended YouTube Playlist, Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh, Class 11th and 12th Economics NCERT, etc.
Check out Topper’s strategy for Economics Optional- Abhijeet Sinha, AIR 19, UPSC CSE 2017.
Following is a 6 weeks study plan for UPSC CSE Economics preparation:
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Conclusion
Economics is one of the most interesting topics in the UPSC CSE syllabus. Moreover, a good knowledge of economics will also help understand other subjects like international relations, Indian society, etc.
FAQs
Ques. How can I cover my Economy for UPSC CSE?
Ans. Economy is one of the easiest subjects in the USC CSE exam. Just follow the given steps to cover the Economy for UPSC:
- Start with Class 11 and 12 NCERT books for Economics.
- After that, you can read the Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh.
- After completing the above basic books, students should go through Economic Survey and Union Budget.
- Regularly read economics current affairs, government policies and schemes.
- Make short notes on the important topics. It will help you in revising the subject.
- Solve the previous year's UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains Questions.
- Solve at least one Test Series for UPSC CSE Prelims to gauge and improve your preparation.
- Revise regularly to ensure you remember all the essential concepts during the exam.
Ques. What study materials should I read for UPSC Economics preparation?
Ans. While studying for UPSC economy, focus more on developing conceptual clarity rather than rote learning. It’s best to always study limited materials and focus more on revision. Following is the complete booklist to cover the entire UPSC CSE Economics syllabus for the UPSC CSE exam:
- Class 11th and 12th NCERT books for Economics.
- Indian Economy- Ramesh Singh
- Economic Survey and Union Budget (of Current Year).
- Niti Aayog reports. Other Important reports and ranking.
- PIB News.
Ques. Which are the most important topics of the Economy for UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains?
Ans. As per the recent trend of the UPSC CSE exam, the most important topics for the Economy are:
- GDP, National Income, etc.
- Poverty, HDI, MDI, etc.
- REER, NEER, Inflation, Monetary Policy, etc.
- Government schemes and programmes for boosting the Economy.
- Important Economic Institutions- World Bank, IMF, WTO, ADB, etc.
- Recent Trends in Indian Economy, trade balance, foreign reserves, etc.
Ques. Which types of questions are asked on economics in the UPSC CSE prelims exam?
Ans. If we analyse the questions asked on economics in the UPSC CSE Prelims exam, most questions are factual or conceptual. In the factual type questions, some concept, fact, some organisation of any such information is, given and some options are given; students have to select the option which is factually correct. In the conceptual questions, various statements will be given; students have to go through each statement and check whether it is true or false.
Ques. Is the economics syllabus of UPSC difficult?
Ans. No, Economics is among the easiest and most interesting subjects in the UPSC CSE syllabus. Moreover, the economics syllabus is one of the easiest to cover as compared to other subjects. 6-weeks of preparation, and students can easily handle economics questions in UPSC CSE prelims.
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