Management Optional Strategy – Saurabh Sharma, IRS

Introduction

The civil service examination, conducted by the UPSC, is a highly competitive and rigorous process. Among the various optional subjects offered, Management stands out as one of the lesser chosen options, making it a unique and challenging field of study. Saurabh Sharma, an IRS officer and a civil service aspirant, shares his comprehensive strategy for Management as an optional in the UPSC examination. This strategy is particularly valuable for aspirants who wish to explore Management as an optional, given its unique characteristics and potential for success.

The Success Rate and Performance of Management as an Optional

Decoding the Performance Metrics

Management, often referred to as a minority optional in the UPSC exam, has a decent success rate but is not as strong as some other popular options. Saurabh Sharma's analysis reveals that Management stands at the 14th position among 47 optional subjects based on the average success percentage. However, a closer look at the data over the past five years indicates a declining trend in success rates, dropping from 12.8% in 2015 to 8.1% in 2017. This decline highlights the increasing competition and the shrinking number of aspirants opting for Management.

Key Observations

The decreasing trend in the success rate is accompanied by a significant decline in the number of aspirants choosing Management as their optional. From 167 candidates in 2013, the figure dropped to just 86 in 2017, a reduction of about 50%. This reduction can be attributed to the lack of adequate guidance and coaching available for Management, making it a challenging option for aspirants.

Implications for Aspirants

While Management offers a decent success rate for those aiming to make it to the UPSC list, it is generally not enough to secure a top rank. Only one or two aspirants from Management usually make it to the top 100 list each year. This implies that aspirants must combine their Management scores with exceptional performance in General Studies and Essay to break into the top ranks. Therefore, Management can be a good optional for aspirants aiming to become civil servants, but it is challenging to become an IAS officer solely relying on Management as the optional.

Recommended Books and Coaching for Management

Books for Paper I

For the theoretical component (Paper I) of Management, Saurabh Sharma recommends a selection of books that cover the essential aspects of Management. These include:

• Managerial Function and Process: "Management by Stephen Robbins and Mary Coulter"
• Organizational Behaviour and Design: "Organisational Behavior – Robbins, Judge & Sanghi"
• Human Resource Management: "Human resource and personnel management – Gary Dessler" or "HRM – Aswathappa"
• Accounting for Managers: "Cost Management & Accounting – MN Arora"
• Financial Management: "Financial Management – Eugene F Brigham"
• Marketing Management: "Marketing Management: A South Asian Perspective by Kotler"

These books provide a comprehensive coverage of the syllabus and are essential for aspirants preparing for Management as an optional.

Books for Paper II

For the practical component (Paper II), Saurabh Sharma suggests the following books:

• Quantitative Techniques in Decision Making: "Quantitative approaches to Management – Levin and Rubin"
• Production and Operations Management: "Operations management by Heizer and Render"
• Management Information System: "Management Information system Laudon and Laudon"
• Government Business Interface: Questions can be sourced from GS III notes and 10-year questions from the internet, with an additional reference to "Business environment by Fernando" if time permits.
• Strategic Management: "Competitive Strategy by Michael E Porter," Harvard business review articles, and IGNOU notes.
• International Business: Focus on relevant portions from "International Business – Arun Jain" and "Foreign Trade Policy 2015–20."

Coaching and Preparation Strategy

Given the complexity of the Management syllabus, Saurabh Sharma advises aspirants to start by solving 10-year paper questions to understand the exam pattern and common topics. He also emphasizes the importance of making notes on the topics covered in the last 10 years' papers and revising these notes regularly.

For formal coaching, Saurabh Sharma recommends Fraternity IAS, a coaching institution in Delhi run by IIM graduates, which provides updated notes and test series for Management as an optional.

Maximizing Score in Management in Mains

Essential Steps for Success

Saurabh Sharma offers several pointers to help aspirants maximize their score in Management:

• Make Your Own Notes: Aspirants should make their own notes based on the important questions from each of the 12 subjects, using the recommended books as a reference.
• Time Management: Utilize time effectively by dedicating at least 2 hours daily to the optional subject. Make a Two-Pager on every topic of the syllabus for better understanding.
• Regular Revision: Revise the notes at least 4 times before the exam to ensure comprehensive understanding.
• Mock Tests: Enroll in a test series and give at least 4-5 mocks to familiarize with the exam pattern and improve performance. Mock tests are crucial for setting up aspirants for the final main exam.
• Answer Writing: In the mains exam, it is important to make diagrams in theoretical questions and use case studies related to Indian companies or MNCs to gain an edge over competitors.
• Leverage Strengths: Aspirants should have a balanced approach to attempting questions but should leverage their strengths in the exam. For instance, if an aspirant is skilled in Quantitative techniques, they should focus on those sections.

Conclusion

By following Saurabh Sharma's detailed strategy, aspirants can significantly improve their chances of success in Management as an optional in the UPSC examination. This strategy emphasizes the importance of preparing well, understanding the exam pattern, and utilizing the available resources effectively. With dedication and hard work, Management can be a valuable addition to an aspirant's preparation plan for the civil service examination.