Abhijeet Sinha, IAS – Economics Optional Strategy

UPSC CSE Optional Performance Analysis: Economics

The UPSC CSE examination is a rigorous test that assesses the candidates' knowledge and understanding across a wide array of subjects. One of the most significant observations from the performance analysis of the Optional Papers from 2013 to 2017 is the remarkable consistency of the Economics Optional. Economics has consistently ranked among the top-performing optional subjects during this period, making it an attractive choice for candidates aiming for high scores.

The Importance of Economics as an Optional

The analysis indicates that Economics has shown excellent performance in recent years, positioning itself as one of the top five best-performing optional subjects. This consistent performance can be attributed to several factors, including the subject's relevance to current affairs, the structured syllabus, and the availability of high-quality study materials. Economics, with its focus on theoretical frameworks and practical applications, offers candidates a balanced approach to preparation, making it a viable option for those aiming for top ranks.

Preparation Strategy of IAS Abhijeet Sinha

One of the successful candidates in the UPSC CSE who chose Economics as his optional is IAS Abhijeet Sinha. Abhijeet's approach to preparing for the Economics Optional offers valuable insights into strategies that can help candidates improve their performance.

Initial Challenges and Lessons Learned

Abhijeet's initial attempt at the Economics Optional resulted in a relatively low score, which he attributes to several factors. His lack of familiarity with the subject, the absence of structured preparation, and the failure to solve past years' papers were significant contributors to his poor performance. This experience underscored the importance of a well-planned strategy and the need to address structural flaws in preparation.

Key Strategies for Effective Preparation

1. Solving Past Papers:

   • Importance: Solving past years' papers is critical as it provides insights into the types of questions that are likely to be asked. Since the questions in the UPSC exam often have a repetitive nature, solving past papers helps in understanding the exam pattern and identifying areas that require focused preparation.
   • Resource: Abhijeet recommends using solved past years' papers available on platforms like Google Drive, highlighting the importance of these resources in the preparation process.

2. Practicing Diagrams:

   • Importance: Economics, particularly in its micro and macro aspects, often involves the use of diagrams to explain concepts. Practicing the drawing of these diagrams helps in better understanding and retention of the material.
   • Tip: The more candidates practice drawing diagrams, the more proficient they become, making the examination less daunting.

3. Focus on Syllabus:

   • Importance: The syllabus for the UPSC CSE Economics Optional is comprehensive. Candidates must ensure they cover every aspect of the syllabus, as questions can be directly based on the syllabus. For instance, questions on poverty schemes and their performance can be directly derived from the syllabus.
   • Tip: Candidates should make notes on each topic mentioned in the syllabus to ensure they are well-prepared for any question that might come up.

4. Making Own Notes:

   • Importance: While using notes from reputed sources like Gaurav Sir and Tejasvi Rana is beneficial, making own notes helps in better understanding, revision, and writing practice.
   • Tip: Candidates should use their own notes in conjunction with notes from reliable sources to create a well-rounded preparation strategy.

5. Regular Revision:

   • Importance: Regular revision is crucial, especially for Paper 2 of the Economics Optional, where memorization is essential. Abhijeet's strategy involved revising between the prelims and mains multiple times, each revision being shorter but more focused.
   • Effectiveness: Regular revision helps in retaining information better and improves the candidate's ability to recall and apply the information during the exam.

6. Answer Writing Practice:

   • Importance: Effective answer writing is vital for scoring well in the UPSC CSE. Candidates should aim to make their answers concise, data-rich, and well-structured, interlinking concepts from different sections where possible.
   • Tips: Including relevant data, names of economists, and examples can significantly enhance the answers. Trivial changes like using a pencil and scale for diagrams also demonstrate the candidate's preparedness.

Booklist for Economics Optional

Abhijeet provides a comprehensive booklist for the Economics Optional, categorizing the recommended books based on the topics covered in Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Paper 1

• Micro:
  • Ahuja: Recommended as a primary resource, along with Abhimanyu's notes as a summary.
• Macro and Money Banking:
  • Froyen: Main reference for macroeconomics and banking.
  • Ahuja: For new definitions and terms.
• International:
  • Salvatore: Recommended for international trade and economic development.
• Growth and Development:
  • Thirlwall: Main reference for growth and development.
  • Jhingan: For new terms and definitions.
• Public Finance:
  • Musgrave: Main reference for public finance.
  • Bhatia: For new terms and definitions.

Paper 2

For Paper 2, Abhijeet recommends a more topic-based approach, using multiple resources to cover each topic thoroughly.

• Notes from Various Sources:
  • Gaurav Sir’s notes
  • Tejasvi Rana’s notes
  • Riju Mam's notes
  • Mishra and Puri
  • Uma Kapila
  • Dutt and Sundaram
  • Abhijeet's own notes

Conclusion

The preparation strategy of IAS Abhijeet Sinha underscores the importance of a structured and disciplined approach to the Economics Optional. By focusing on past years' papers, practicing diagrams, making own notes, and engaging in regular revision, candidates can significantly improve their performance in the UPSC CSE. The booklist provided by Abhijeet offers a well-rounded approach to the preparation, covering all aspects of the Economics Optional syllabus. With consistent effort and the right strategy, candidates can achieve high scores in the Economics Optional and enhance their overall performance in the UPSC CSE examination.