I am Nishant Mehra, a postgraduate from Delhi School of Economics, and have been mentoring students for the MA Economics Entrance Exam since 2009 (now called CUET PG Economics Entrance) and the Indian Economic Services exam since 2016. You can take me as roughly more than a decade and a half old economics teacher. Now, I am making this course for IAS Economics Optional, after IES and CUET PG Economics Entrance Course. This IAS Economics Optional Coaching is for the 2026 attempt.
I have always liked creating and curating courses, have done several in the past, and now I am making this product. It is like I am creating a course so that if you do it, then your complete syllabus, along with previous years’ questions, should get completed easily. The research you have to do, I have already done. You have to write and learn alongside me. Ask questions where you get stuck.
While making this course, what I have realised is that many times, more tricky questions are asked in IAS Economics Optional as compared to Indian Economic Services, where mostly the questions are direct. But the Indian Economic Services course is a superset. It encompasses everything, while the IAS Economics Optional Course is a subset. It does not include everything, but whatever it includes, it requires a thorough and in-depth analysis of those topics.
IAS Economics Optional Course, although not as mathematical as Indian Economic Services, still I would say you should know basic calculus: simple utility maximisation, simple cost minimisation, and basic profit maximisation. All of this would help. Yes, this IAS Economics Optional course is not mathematical, but one should have a logical mind to analyse graphs, economic diagrams, and sometimes, we have to do a few derivations too. For all that, basic maths will be required. It should not deter you from taking this optional, but truth has to be told. You should see a few past years’ questions. They have asked very simple mathematical questions too. The reason for telling this is that you should be prepared for encountering maths, simple maths, in this course. You should know how to draw basic, simple, linear lines. All of that will assist you in drawing graphs. And learning all this is not difficult. Anyone can do that.
One good thing about this IAS Economics Optional Coaching is that if one picks up Economics Optional, I have seen many previous years’ questions being repeated. Not exactly repeated, but repeated in essence. I hope you understand what I meant. So having an eye on past years is a must.
This is different from the IES exam in two very broad ways. One, IAS Economics Optional includes Economic History, which is not there in IES. Two, the mathematical content is heavy in IES, which is not there in the IAS Course. There are a few other differences too, but these are broadly the two main differences. Indian economics has to be done at a very detailed level for both courses, be it IAS Economics Optional or Indian Economic Services.
This is a writing exam, so you should be writing a lot and have no aversion to writing. I mean, make your notes well first, and then only can you write better answers. Do not jump to writing answers before writing and summarising your notes. So there are steps in preparation. Do not skip any. Writing a good answer is a result; making good notes and reading relevant books is the cause. The result can never come before the cause.
In my IAS Economics Optional coaching, I will be doing past years, as and when we cover a topic, all questions related to that. While making notes, this should become our second nature. Don’t just look at previous years’ questions only and make notes around that, rather, read a book first , then, make notes and and then only check if you can answer few previous years questions. This way, we will have a better understanding, and we will also come to know, if we have missed any concept, which should have been included in our notes.
This is not unique to Economics Optional, but in general, for any UPSC optional, it is also true, that you have to revise regularly, and if possible from the first day itself. Make shorter version of your own notes, and revise them.
Write answers. But only after you have completed a topic. Dont be overwhelmed on looking at past years questions, they will all start making sense slowly, once your course gets over. Initially, when you look at questions, it may not come naturally, that which model has to be applied, but slowly, these questions themselves will start speaking to you; you will start getting subtle hints, which questions are giving, about which model has to be used and how answer should be written. But all of that will require practice. Require patience. and require handwork.
For few questions in the past, we have seen, topics are not clearly and directly mentioned in the syllabus, but they were still asked. So, taking hints, from previous years’ questions, we have to develop our notes around those too.
Syllabus Breakdown in IAS Economics Optional Coaching
There are two papers. Paper 1 broadly covers all of economics, apart from Indian economics, and Paper 2 covers Indian economics in detail.
Paper I of IAS Economics Optional covers Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Development Economics, Money and Banking, International Economics, and Public Economics. This is almost the complete economics syllabus taught at the undergraduate level in any Indian university. So yes, it is very broad. But it is not difficult. It is very doable if you have an economics degree (in which case economics should be your natural choice) or if you have a logical and fairly mathematical bent of mind. But you have to take up any optional as a challenge; nothing is going to be easy. It is your genuine interest only in that subject which can help in understanding its intricacies.
Be genuinely interested in the subject. This paper, its books, cannot be read like a novel. You have to sit with the register and pen. Read half a page, write what you understood, write diagrams, derivations, or any important point mentioned on that page, and then repeat the process.
Paper II of IAS Economics Optional covers Economic History of India and the Indian Economy since Independence, which is further divided into before and after the 1991 reforms. Economic History of India covers land tenure systems, railways, agriculture, modern Indian industries such as cotton and jute, economic drain, and a few other topics.
Indian Economy since 1947 is divided into pre- and post-liberalisation phases. Here we study national income, different sectors in the economy, problems such as poverty, unemployment, inflation, and other topics. It is expected that one will have in-depth knowledge of all topics mentioned in the syllabus.
For Indian economics, pick up a book like Uma Kapila and start reading it very slowly first, digesting it. She has mentioned all that has happened in the economy in a story form. Although its language is tough, I believe this is one of the best books written on Indian economics. The way the entire chronology of events that happened in the Indian economy opens up in her book is unmatched. The level of depth required for the exam and the language used also match the expectation of the examiner.
Who Should Join Our IAS Economics Optional Coaching
This IAS Economics Optional Coaching is designed for postgraduates, undergraduates, working professionals, and repeaters preparing seriously for the Civil Services Examination.
If you’re a postgraduate or undergraduate in economics, then economics is a natural choice as an optional for you. You have a solid subject background, this course can help in streamlining your preparation, by helping you make proper notes and writing answers. Few students join the course, in the beginning of their post grad, or sometimes in the middle of their undergrad degree, say, during second year of their bachelors.
This IAS Economics Optional Coaching is designed for postgraduates, undergraduates, working professionals, and repeaters preparing seriously for the Civil Services Examination.
If you’re a postgraduate or undergraduate in economics, then economics is a natural choice as an optional for you. You have a solid subject background, and this course can help in streamlining your preparation by helping you make proper notes and write answers. A few students join the course at the beginning of their postgrad, or sometimes in the middle of their undergrad degree, say, during the second year of their bachelor’s.
Even if you are not from economics, you can still understand this subject well, provided you have a genuine interest, are ready to make graphs and diagrams, and do a little bit of maths. In the optional syllabus, we have seen many concepts being repeated in previous years. So, doing questions side by side will also give you enough confidence and edge.
And if you’ve tried the IAS exam before but want to improve your preparation and approach, this course will guide you.
How We Help You Prepare for the Indian Economic Services Exam
Focus on completing the syllabus thoroughly while also understanding the relative importance of each topic.
Include Government policy examples in notes and answers, particularly for Indian economy
Practice past years’ papers regularly, which will sharpen your writing skills.
Once you have made solid notes and revised them well, you will feel confident and well-prepared to face the exam.
How You’ll Learn With Us
Classes are online. You can attend from anywhere. If you miss any class, watch the recording.
While I am writing on the board, ask questions, if yau have any.
Still have doubts after class? Just send me a WhatsApp message, and I’ll personally help you out.
Take 12 full-length mock tests, complete with constructive feedback to help you sharpen your performance.
IAS Economics Optional Coaching: Course Options and Fees
IAS Economics Optional Course — ₹38,000
This is the main course. You’ll get live classes where we break down concepts together, in-depth discussions on past years’ papers, full access to class recordings so you can revise anytime, and space to clear your doubts as they come up.
IAS Economics Optional + Test Series — ₹48,000
If you want to go all in, this is the package for you. Along with the full course, you’ll get 12 full-length mock tests, with feedback from me. Six tests for each paper. It will help in sharpening your writing skills, exam strategy, and time management so you walk into the exam fully prepared.
IAS Economics Optional Test Series Only — ₹12,000
If you’ve already covered the syllabus and just want to test yourself, this option gives you 12 full-length mock exams — six for each paper — with model answers and feedback on how to improve
FAQs about IAS Economics Optional Coaching
Will you cover the entire syllabus, I mean each word given in the syllabus?
Isn’t it given, that we have to complete the entire syllabus. That’s what coaching is meant for. The research around topics, which you have to do, we will do that for you, so that you save time on research. So, to answer your question, we will keep a close look at the syllabus, while classes are also going on, so that we dont miss any point
I want to do it really fast, can you complete it in 2-3 months?
No I can’t. While I am teaching, I am also preparing along side you, every year. I am also making notes with you. So this will take time. You should join, if you want to give for next year mains, not for this year.
In how many months, will the course get completed?
I will take around 10-11 months. We have to do past years along with topics, all this takes time.
How will I make notes ?
You will write along with me. I will mostly write everything. But you should write what I am writing as well as not writing on the board. Then after the class, you can read a relevant text and check if you want to add something more
Should I read reference books also, apart from your notes ?
Yes, and that is true for any course or coaching. Apart, from what is being taught in the class, you will also have to check , if there is anything left, which could be added to your notes. But you know what, you will have to understand that you are not here to write complete books, but to complete syllabus. So, whether any point from the reference book should be included or not, depends upon, is that relevant to our syllabus, or such a thing is even remotely asked in any of the previous year. And if the answer to either of these two is yes, then I would have already included in my notes. In simple words, if you are asking me, if you should read books, apart from notes, then yes you should
Will you include past years in your classes?
I dont have a choice. I have to. Without the yardstick of past years, we can’t be sure of the importance of any topic. Also, we can’t be sure, what we are writing is even relevant enough. So we need to have an eye on past years always .
What are the timings of the class?
Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 11 AM. Sometimes, in addition to this time, I may also call you in the evening
How will I revise ? or from when I should start revising ?
You should start revising from day 1. Don’t wait for the entire course to get over. Make shorter notes from our own class notes, and revise them again and again
Indian economy is very dynamic? How will you tackle that?
While doing Indian economics, I will be looking at economic survey and few government reports to substantiate our points, with data, and evidence
Will you take economic survey classes seprarely?
I will include economic survey organically in classes. Say, we are discussing about agriculture, then we will be picking up points relevant to our topic, from economic survey also. From where else, we will get data or evidence. So we have to include that in our notes.
Should I join your coaching or any coaching ?
I dont know. You should join anyone whom you trust and are comfortable with their teaching style. This question I can’t answer.
How long will I have access to the course content?
You will have an access to the course for 365 days from the date of your enrolment
Can I prepare if I have a non-economics background?
Yes, why not. But the only condition is that you should know basic calculus and functions. So, that much is required. Just class 12 maths would do. You should know how to read a diagram or graph. Apart from that, there is nothing which you cant understand. In Paper 2, there is no maths. In Paper 1, there is a little bit of maths. And they have asked very simple mathematical questions in paper 1 also in previous years, you may check that on your own too. So non economics background, is not a problem as such, but the requirement is basic maths, simple class 12th maths.
Is your course suitable for working professionals?
I am taking class in the morning and few days, I might call in the evening too. If you can balance that with work, then yes. But personally I dont know many people, who prepared for UPSC civil services alongside job. May be if you have a very long term view in the preparation, then yes, you may work too alongside. I mean may be you want to devote this complete year to your optional along with the job and then pick up GS and other subjects next year, then yes, you may do the course with the job, at least for this year. But again, this is a very personal question, and I dont have an answer to that, it depends an individual
What if I have a doubt ?
You can personally message me, if you have doubts.
Is there a demo class I can attend?
You may register here. We will give you a demo. Have a look at what we all have completed. You will get an idea of the platform too.
I have seen demo, and now want to finally join, how should I do that?
Once you have seen and satisfied with the demo, and want to finally join, mail us at nishantmehra01@gmail.com, we will give you payment options