UPSC IAS Economics Syllabus 2024 - Topic Wise & Chapter wise Syllabus for Paper 1 & 2

UPSC IAS Economics Syllabus 2024 - Topic Wise & Chapter wise Syllabus for Paper 1 & 2

Updated on Feb 14, 2024 05:52 PM IST | #UPSC CSE
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UPSC published the syllabus of UPSC Economics 2024 for the mains online on their official website. The IAS economics syllabus can be downloaded in the form of a PDF from UPSC.gov.in. the IAS Syllabus 2024 is released in the IAS notification. The IAS Economics syllabus 2024 will contain a list of important topics covered by Economics Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Download - IAS syllabus 2024 for Economics

This Story also Contains
  1. UPSC Economics Syllabus 2024 - For IAS Mains Paper 1
  2. UPSC Economics Syllabus 2024 - For IAS Mains Paper 2
  3. UPSC IAS Exam Pattern 2024 - For Prelims & Mains Exam
UPSC IAS Economics Syllabus 2024 - Topic Wise & Chapter wise Syllabus for Paper 1 & 2
UPSC IAS Economics Syllabus 2024
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UPSC Economics is one of the 48 optional subjects offered in the IAS exams. Candidates can use the UPSC Economics optional syllabus to go through important topics such as Advanced Microeconomics, Money-Banking Finance, International Economics and Growth & Development.

Candidates can use the IAS economics syllabus as a guide to get a better understanding of the topics covered in the next IAS Economics optional and the types of questions asked. Candidates can also solve past IAS 2024 Economics Question papers to better prepare for the Economics optional UPSC exam. Candidates can consult the material below for details pertaining to the Economics UPSC syllabus.

UPSC Economics Syllabus 2024 - For IAS Mains Paper 1

The UPSC IAS 2024 mains exam has 9 papers out of which two are of optional subjects. For applicants who have opted for Economics as an optional subject, the syllabus for the IAS exam Economics Paper 1 has units like MicroEconomics, MacroEconomics, Money-Banking and finance, Tariff & quota, International Economics, and more which cover a wide range of topics within. To know more about the IAS Economics syllabus for mains Paper 1 refer to the table below.

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UPSC Economics syllabus for Paper 1

Chapters

Topics

Advanced MicroEconomics

A. K. Sen’s Social Welfare Function, Duopoly, Oligopoly, Ricardo, Kaldor, Kaleeki, Arrow’s Impossibility Theorem, Marshallian & Varrasiam Approach to Price determination, Alternative Distribution Theories; Markets Structure: Monopolistic Competition, Modern Welfare Criteria: Pareto Hicks & Scitovsky

Advanced Macro Economics

New classical, Keynes curve, Theories of Interest Rate determination & Interest Rate Structure, Approaches to Employment Income & Interest Rate determination, Classical, Neoclassical synthesis,

Money-Banking & Finance

Public expenditure and its effects, Public Finance & its Role in Market Economy, Sources of Government revenue, Forms of Taxes and Subsidies, Goals & Instruments of Monetary Management in Closed and Open Economies, Proposal for the ceiling on the growth rate of money, The relation between the Central Bank and the Treasury, Demand for & Supply of Money, Money Multiplier Quantity Theory of Money & Keynes Theory on Demand for Money, their incidence and effects

International Economics

Theories of underdevelopment in an open economy, Terms of Trade and Offer Curve, Product Cycle and Strategic Trade Theories, Trade as an engine of growth, Old & New theories of International Trade, Comparative advantage

Forms of Protection: Tariff & quota

Trade Policy and Developing Countries, WTO, Floating Rates and their Implications for Developing, Trade Blocks & Monetary Unions, income adjustments under fixed exchange rates, Currency Boards, BOP, Alternative Approaches, Price versus income, Balance of Payments Adjustment, Theories of Policy Mix, Exchange rate adjustments under capital mobility, adjustments & Policy Coordination in open economy macro model, Speculative attacks

Growth & Development

The changing role of Markets & Planning, Harrod’s model theory, Environmental Degradation, Planning & Economic, Intergenerational equity development, Role of Agriculture in Economic Development of less developed countries, Investment, Role of MNCs, PPP, Welfare indicators & measures of growth, Human Development Indices. The basic needs approach, Development & Environmental Sustainability, Renewable and Non-renewable Resources, Economic Development & International Trade, Process of Economic Development of less developed countries

Also read: Information about category-wise career exams

UPSC Economics Syllabus 2024 - For IAS Mains Paper 2

The IAS Economics mains Paper 2 exam has topics related to the pre-liberalization era, the post-liberalization era and more. To know more about the syllabus of the UPSC Economics Paper 2 mains exam check the table below.

UPSC Economics syllabus for Paper 2

Chapters

Topics

The Pre-Liberalization Era

Broad factors determining National Income & distribution, Role of the public & private sector, Land Reforms & land tenure system, Industry trends in composition & growth, Trends in poverty & inequality, Contribution of Vakil, Gadgil & V.K.R.V. Rao, Green Revolution and capital formation in agriculture, small scale and cottage industries, National income, Per capita income, Measures of poverty

The Post-Liberalization Era

Employment Guarantee Scheme, From central Planning to indicative planning, Fiscal Federalism & Fiscal Consolidation, Intellectual property rights, Agricultural prices & public distribution system, Food processing, Role of RBI under the new regime, Subsidies, Rural wages, Employment Generation, New Economic Reform & Agriculture & WTO, Impact of public expenditure on agricultural growth, New Economic Policy & Industry, New Economic Policy & Trade, New Exchange Rate Regime, Fiscal Responsibility Act, Twelfth Finance Commission & New Economic Policy and Monetary System, 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments, Employment & poverty, Poverty alleviation schemes

UPSC Subject-wise Questions for Various Subjects

UPSC IAS Exam Pattern 2024 - For Prelims & Mains Exam

Union Public Service Commission also prescribes the UPSC IAS exam pattern 2024. As per the official UPSC IAS notification, the UPSC CSE prelims exam is objective type in nature whereas the UPSC IAS mains exam is descriptive in nature. The Civil Services prelims exam is of 400 marks in total whereas the mains is of 2350 marks out of which 600 marks are assigned to qualifying subjects like general English and language. For more details on the prelims and mains, IAS exam pattern 2024 check the tables below.

IAS prelims exam pattern

Papers

Subjects

Marks

Duration

Paper 1

General studies 1

200

2 hrs

Paper 2

General studies 2

200

2 hrs

Also read: UPSC Mock Tests Series for UPSC

UPSC IAS mains exam pattern

Papers

Subjects

Marks

Duration

Paper 1

General English

300

3 hrs

Paper 2

Language (regional language)

300

3 hrs

Paper 3

Essay

250

3 hrs

Paper 4

General Studies 1

250

3 hrs

Paper 5

General Studies 2

250

3 hrs

Paper 6

Optional subject 1

250

3 hrs

Paper 7

Optional subject 1

250

3 hrs

Paper 8

Optional subject 2

250

3 hrs

Paper 9

Optional subject 2

250

3 hrs

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many optional subjects are there in the IAS examination?

UPSC CSE exam has 26 optional subjects from which the candidates have to select one.

2. When is the UPSC IAS 2024 application going to be released?

IAS application form 2024 will be released on February 14, 2024, on the UPSC website.

3. How many papers are there in the IAS mains exam?

The IAS mains exam has nine papers in total.

4. What is the minimum age to appear for the IAS exam?

The minimum age to appear for the UPSC IAS exam is 21 years.

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Questions related to UPSC CSE

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

Hello, it’s wonderful to see such clarity at such a young age. Becoming an IAS officer requires consistent preparation, strong general knowledge, and excellent analytical skills. Right now, your main focus should be building a strong base in academics, especially in subjects like History, Geography, and Economics. Start reading NCERT textbooks from class 6 to 12 for these subjects. Make it a habit to read a good newspaper like The Hindu or Indian Express daily to improve your current affairs knowledge. Practice writing short essays on important topics it will help you in the Mains stage later. Participate in debates, quizzes, and discussions to improve your speaking and thinking skills. After 12th, choose a graduation subject that you enjoy but also overlaps with UPSC syllabus. Most importantly, stay consistent and avoid distractions. You have plenty of time to prepare, so start slowly and build steadily.

Wishing you success in your IAS dream, and thank you for sharing.


The choice of your graduation path – integrated BSc BEd (Zoology), BTech CS, or integrated BS-MS at IISER Thiruvananthapuram – to pursue the dream of becoming an IAS officer requires careful consideration.

A Bachelor of Arts degree, particularly in subjects like Political Science, History, or Economics, is often considered the most aligned with the CSE syllabus, covering crucial topics relevant to General Studies papers.

However, a science background, especially with a BTech CS degree, develops analytical and logical reasoning skills beneficial for the CSAT paper and could be advantageous for certain optional subjects like Mathematics or potentially Engineering disciplines.

Even if you choose a science or engineering stream, you can still select humanities-based optional subjects that overlap with the General Studies papers like Anthropology, Sociology, or Public Administration, which many engineers have successfully opted for.The integrated BSc BEd (Zoology) offers a strong foundation in science and a backup career in teaching, but the primary focus of the BEd component may not be directly relevant to the UPSC syllabus. The integrated BS-MS at IISER offers a strong research focus and academic excellence, potentially leading to diverse career paths in science, academia, industry, or even government agencies But still it is not connected with your ias dream.

Among all b.tech is best as many successful candidates from engineering backgrounds, have utilized their analytical skills and knowledge to crack the exam.

Hello

This is the typical schedule of the IAS Exam (UPSC CSE):

Notification Release: February
Online Application Window: February to early March
Prelims Exam: May or June
Mains Exam: September/October

As for 2025, the registration date is already gone, so you have to see for 2026 now. The registration will open most probably in February 2026 so stay tuned.

To know more about the IAS Exam: UPSC CSE

Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!

A candidate who has undergone heart surgery can be eligible for the IAS post if they are medically fit and can perform the required duties without any serious health problems The UPSC allows candidates to appear for the exam if they meet the general physical and mental fitness criteria After clearing the main examination and interview all selected candidates must undergo a detailed medical examination by a government medical board If the candidate has recovered well from heart surgery and there are no complications they can be declared fit for service However if the surgery has caused any permanent disability and if it is certified under the benchmark disability rules then the candidate may be eligible for reservation under the persons with disabilities category Final eligibility depends on the report given by the medical board during the selection process

If a person has undergone heart surgery for ASD which means Atrial Septal Defect and is now medically fit then they can apply for the IAS exam There is no restriction for such candidates if their physical and mental condition is stable and they can perform the duties required in civil services However selection to IAS also depends on passing the medical test conducted after clearing the main exam and interview If the person has any lasting disability due to the heart condition and it is certified by a government medical board then they may be considered under the benchmark disability category as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act In such cases the candidate may come under reservation for persons with disabilities in the specific category mentioned by the medical authority It is always advised to check the official UPSC notification and consult with a government hospital for proper disability certification before applying

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