Is it necessary to read the NCERT economy (economy in statistic) for the UPSC exam? - pravinnath/upscpreparationguide GitHub Wiki

This article discusses preparation strategy for General Studies – 3 (i.e Paper-II, Paper-I is Essay)

Before you start reading further, please remember the following important mantra given by the Almighty UPSC:

“The questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyze, and take a view on conflicting socio‐ economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.”

This sentence is the guiding light for your preparation. You don’t have to master the topics, all you need is BASIC UNDERSTANDING and the ability to analyze. Basic understanding comes from reading and re-reading. Ability to analyze what you have understood from reading comes from WRITING PRACTICE.

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STRATEGY

GS-3 broadly covers –

Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management. (You can observe that it resembles GS-2 of old patters sans statistics and international relations) Two important things fundamental to your exam preparation:

Get familiar with all the topics and sub-topics by writing them many times – they should be strongly etched in your memory. Keep a copy of the syllabus always near you no matter where you are. Now, how to deal with GS-3? Assuming you are now familiar with the syllabus of GS-3, we will discuss a topic by topic what to read, from where to read and what not to read for these topics. TOPIC-1

Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

This is a very broad area and includes both static and dynamic part. Before going for big books, it is compulsory to read following NCERT textbooks (download full textbooks -PDF without watermark)

NCERT Class X – Understaning Economic Development NCERT Class XI – Indian Economic Development NCERT Class XII – Macroeconomics (chapters 2,5 and 6 are very important)

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Three books above will make your concepts very clear. After understanding your concepts, you have to read the above topics by relating them to the current events. For this reading one Business newspaper helps a lot. Business standard is the best (if you are comfortable with ET or FE, it is fine. But do try BS once)

More questions from Economics can be expected in this paper henceforth. To be ready for any questions that UPSC might ask, it is good to read a standard book on these topics.

There are many books on Indian economy – all bulky. Fortunately, TMH has released a book on Indian economy for Prelims and Mains, and it is very good (by Ramesh Singh)

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I think reading this book is a must. Don’t go for Uma Kapila, Dutt and Sundaram and Mishra-Puri unless you have plenty of time for these. For now sticking to onegood book is advised.

TOPIC-2

Inclusive growth and issues arising from it

We had 11th Five year plan which exhorted the ‘Inclusive Growth’ mantra and then 12th Fiver year document, going a step further aiming for a ‘Faster, More Inclusive and Sustainable Growth’.

These two documents are good to understand issues related to inclusive growth, approach of the government and achievements in the 11th plan period. However, to get conceptual clarity, reading one or two articles from the following document would help you immensely.

Conceptualizing Inclusive Growth For a thorough review of Inclusive Growth strategy in India read this article:

Inclusive Growth in India – Past Performance and Future Prospects TOPIC – 3

Government Budgeting

It is nothing but knowing about what is a budget and how it is passed in the parliament and then how it is implemented.

These documents should help you understand these:

First Basics –GOVERNMENT BUDGETING NCERT Class XII – Macroeconomics (Chapter 5) The Budgetary Process 2013-14 Budget Highlights TOPIC-4

Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems; storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers

Understanding concepts is important here too. NCERT comes to the aid here;

NCERT – Resources and Development (a quick reading of this book will also help in understanding many other topics in this paper) For cropping pattern read this, only this document:

Cropping Pattern in India (give stress to understanding the concept in it, no need to read entire paper) For irrigation methods, irrigation systems and Irrigation in India,

Irrigation Methods Types of Dams (storage structures) Irrigation types (Government Source) For agriculture marketing, storage and reforms in these areas, one should resort to ‘State of India Agriculture report’ and Economic Survey.

Agriculture Marketing Reforms Agricultural Prices and Markets – State of India Agriculture Report E-technology for the aid of Farmers

E-technology in the aid of farmers TOPIC – 5

Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing

This is the most important topic in this paper – all sub-topics are dynamic in nature and 1-2 questions will be directly asked from these. This topic encompasses the broad area of Food Security, which is a hot topic these days.

Apart of getting conceptual clarity on these topics, aspirants also have to develop critical perspective on these sub-topics. I will provide links to important articles that have come in The Hindu, Business Standard and Business Line.