Hello my dear seniors i am new player for 2016 attempt and i am bit confused about choosing my optional right now. I am not a economics graduate but I had economics in my 11-12th std back in school (Commerce stream) and i scored good marks in it and my basic concepts are still pretty much clear. I have been very confused recently regarding my choice of optional as i have done hotel management so all optionals kind of looked unfamiliar to me. So i first drifted towards sociology thinking less syllabus, then philosophy for same reason and then PSIR for its wide coverage in GS. The only reason i could not think of Economics at first because when i saw the past years question papers i was totally blank asgot scared of it's technicality and i thought i would be competing against Economic graduates and i don't stand a chance. Then, after seeing some engineering graduates taking up this optional here i got motivated enough take up this optional but i still have some queries like, what are its prons and crons and is it wise for someone like me to take up this optional and how it fares in comparison with Sociology and PSIR in terms of scoring potentiality, syllabus and other things? Your advise would be great great help for me.
Thank you
Comments
Summary is that: You can take it, standard text books are prescribed. 80-90% comes from strictly within syllabus. You should be able to do it in 5 months. Paper 2 is mostly internet based search and collection.
Coaching is of no help but Vajiram has also started one and it is better than Kalinga or Axiom.
Iam a teacher in this field for past 35 years,and i experience regarding upsc economics optional as well as Indian economic service .for upsc for economic optional you need a thorough understanding of the subject especially conceptual clarity is atmost important.paper2 is vast and you need wide reading but paper2 is based on paper1 which u shd know in depth,that is your base.
In all these years I have seen students attempting all questions they feel happy but getting low marks in economics this is mainly because they do not know the concept the crux of the matter,for example if we take keynesian model i know that most students just write first my drawing few elastic supply curves increase in price due to demand etc.How can examiner give you good marks for this that is just degree level superficial knowledge but that is not what keynes brought about it is a revolution,same way in upsc for each topic of economics u need to be able to differentiate between models .there should good writing practice
difference between ies and upsc preparation upsc economic optional requires much more clarity on concept rather than mathematical approach ,bu I suggest you need to look both aspect u never know upsc example in 2014 IEs paper requires very high conceptual clarity
This is a subject which requires step by step logical deduction and ability to distinguish.
iam planning to teach few students online there will be larifications ,test series,test series correction and feedback ,doubt clearing as well as model answer and materials based on upsc pattern strictly.though what I teach will be very useful for gs3 paper also but i will do it only as per optional requirement.as you all know what you study for gs and optional is not same depth .eg:if i upsc ask about effect of tax change in economy inyour general studies paper then it is question open to all candidates but when it ask for economic optional if he/she writes same answer no examiner can award same marks because then u should display u knowledge iun the subject.
I cannot commit to lot of students just60-70 maximum ,please note only those who are serious and willing to write test series within time frame i suggest need to join,it is for your own benefit ,if your interested can pm me to sriranjinieconomics@gmail.com.if i can get enough students who are commited even if there are only 50 students who are serious that is enough.i will be lauching it by november,test series,material doubt clearnace ,feebback and evaluation will be online but i need to have your address also sometimes if i feel i need to clarify further regarding your way of naswering etc would send you by postal also.
if you are interested pls mail to sriranjinieconomics@gmail.com,I prefer students who are willing to put effort and serious about mains preparation because ain allthese years i see students just want to pass prelims then after that enthusiasm for mains is gone .i do not want such students please it will not be useful for you and me,I have planned to do this seeing the pathetic way of some coaching places where the teach economics.how can any examiner leave alone upsc to give marks foir such superficial knowledge this is not degree exam for passing.
once again dear students please join my course only if u meet following criteria
1) economics optional for upsc or IES
2) willing to put effort to write test ,mini test etc
3) willing to pariticipate asking doubts
4) seeing cse preparation wholly not just prelim stage