Books for Economics Optional For UPSC Mains Exam

Books for Economics Optional For UPSC Paper -1 English

• Advanced Microeconomics by H L Ahuja
• Advanced Macroeconomics by H L Ahuja
• International Economics by Dominick Salvatore
• Public Finance by H L Bhatia
• Economics of Environment by Subhashini Muthukrishnan

Books for Economics Optional For UPSC Paper – 2 English

• Indian Economy by Sanjeev Varma (For Building Basics)
• Indian Economy since Independence by Uma Kapila
• Indian Economy by Datt and Sundaram
• Indian Economy by Mishra and Puri
• Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh

Books for Economics Optional For UPSC

• Sukhshma Arthshastra
• Samishth Arthshastra: Macroeconomics
• International Economics & Public Finance
• Development and Environmental Economics
• Bharatiya Arthvyavastha
• Ikkisveen Sadi Mein Bharatiya Arthvyavastha
• Bharatiya Arthavyavastha by Ramesh Singh

Why One Should Choose Economics Optional

• Since last two-three years, UPSC seems to be awarding economics well and it is no longer considered to be a ‘low-scoring’ optional.
• The subject is technical in comparison to the other mainstream optionals but is equally relevant in current times.
• The input output ratio of this optional is positively correlated and it is unlikely that if you have done the paper well that you will get low marks.
• Covers a major portion (around 30 marks) in UPSC prelims GS Paper-I
• Covers almost 50 – 60 % syllabus of GS Paper – 3
• Study material is readily available in market for reference

Points of Caution

• You need to be good with graphs as there are tons of them (but if u master them they’ll fetch u easy marks)
• You need to be good with mathematics (not brilliant but good)
• If taken up without genuine interest in the subject it will screw up your entire preparation