3 Best Optional for MBA Graduates for UPSC

Optional for MBA graduates #1 Management

This subject may be the most natural choice for management graduates since it is their field of study. While the management syllabus is vast and requires a thorough understanding of concepts, there is little overlap with the GS papers, making it a good option for those who excel in this area.

Optional for MBA graduates #2 Public Administration

Another popular choice among management graduates is public administration, which deals with the administrative aspects of government. This subject is widely studied for the UPSC exam and is a scoring option with plenty of resources available for preparation. Additionally, there is significant overlap with the GS papers, making it a good option for those looking to maximize their study time.

Optional for MBA graduates #3 Economics

While not directly related to management, economics is often included in MBA programs, making it a good option for management graduates. However, it is important to have a genuine interest in the subject to pursue it as an optional for the UPSC exam. Like public administration, economics is also a scoring subject.

Who should choose management as optional?

Choosing Management optional for MBA graduates in the IAS exam is recommended for those who have a background in management. Aspirants at the graduate or post-graduate level can choose management. However, it is not an easy subject to master from scratch, particularly for the UPSC mains. UPSC aspirants who have studied management in college can use it to their advantage in the main exam.

There are several advantages to choosing management as an optional subject for MBA graduates:

• The questions are generally easy to medium level and straightforward if you have prepared well. Additionally, they tend to be predictable, so reviewing previous years’ question papers can give you a good idea of what to expect.
• There are not many candidates who choose management as an optional subject, so the competition is relatively low compared to subjects like public administration or geography.
• Management is a logical subject, and the answers are not subject to interpretation, making it more scoring than subjects like literature or history. THerefore it can be a good choice as optional for MBA graduates.
• As future administrators and managers, you can use your knowledge of management techniques in your job, making it a practical choice for those looking to enter civil services.

Pros and cons of Management as optional

Management optional may not be as popular as some other subjects like geography, public administration, or political science. However, it is considered a safe bet for UPSC aspirants. Every year, a few candidates with management optional clear the UPSC exam. Also, the subject has a consistent performance. The number of people who opt for this optional subject is generally less than 200. However, it has a decent success rate of around 12-15%. Also, the functions required for a UPSC officer and those of a manager have some common traits. So, management can be a strategic choice for UPSC aspirants who have a background in the subject.