UPSC Exam Analysis of Commerce & Management (Optionals)

The UPSC CSE is one of the most challenging examinations that are held in the country. It is considered so because of the unpredictability of the exam and the vastness of its syllabus.  

Yet lakhs of aspirants prepare every year to achieve their dream of becoming an administrative officer.  

While all the stages of this exam are known as equally difficult, however the factor which is seen as a game – changer are marks scored in the Mains examination.  

Therefore, a thorough analysis of the UPSC exam question papers is an absolute must to understand the pattern, the type of questions and is greatly beneficial in overall preparation.  

If you are an aspirant aiming to clear UPSC CSE 2024 with an optional in subjects like Commerce and Management, then this is just the right place for you! 

In the subsequent sections, I have provided a precise yet comprehensive UPSC optional exam analysis of Commerce Papers and UPSC Management optional Papers. Along with this, I have also attached PDFs of the previous year question papers.  

So, without any further ado, let’s us begin! 

About UPSC Commerce & Management Optionals

The Commerce and Management optional papers of the UPSC CSE Mains 2023 took place on 24th September 2023. The syllabus for both the subjects consists of Paper 1 and Paper 2.  

While Paper 1 was conducted in the morning shift of 9 A.M – 12 Noon, the Paper 2 commenced during afternoon time period of 2 P.M. – 5 P.M. 

Like all other optional subjects, the maximum marks allotted in both subjects is 500 marks which is further divided into 250 marks for paper 1, and 250 for paper 2. 

Furthermore, questions would be of either 10, 15, or 20 marks, and very rarely of 25 marks, in the papers, out of which the 10 marks questions are usually the compulsory ones.  

You can check the detailed syllabus for optional subjects of commerce and management by clicking on UPSC Commerce syllabus and UPSC Management syllabus respectively. 

So, without further ado, let us start with the Commerce Optional exam analysis. 

UPSC Commerce Optional Exam Analysis

In the UPSC Commerce optional past years paper analysis that I have given below, you shall find the exam analysis of the commerce papers of the past 4 years, i.e., from that of 2020 to that of 2023 

Let us understand the pattern of the Commerce optional papers for a bit. 

Both the commerce optional papers have 2 sections, namely Section A and Section B. 

• In Paper 1 of Commerce, the questions are asked on the topics of Tax, Audit, Accounts, Costing, and FM & IFS (Financial Management & Indian Financial System).  
• In Paper 2 of Commerce, the Section A consists of questions from the topics of Organizational Behaviour (OB), and Organizational Theory (OT), whereas Section B contains questions from the topics of Human Resource Management (HRM), and Industrial Relations (IR). 

Before you proceed with paper analysis, you can check the UPSC Commerce booklist which I have provided that help you prepare for the optional subject effectively. 

Talking about the difficulty level of both Paper 1 and Paper 2 of UPSC Commerce 2023, the overall exam was easy to moderate.  

In Commerce Paper 1, out of total 250 marks in both Section A and Section B, the theoretical part accounted for about 55% of the weightage and the practical section consisted of 45% of the paper.   

Therefore, the candidates are advised to prepare equally for theory as well as the practical part with emphasis on answer- writing.  

In Paper 2 of Commerce Subject, the nature of questions asked was simple, direct and straightforward, as similar questions were repeated in this year’s paper.  

Overall, if you’d covered the syllabus comprehensively, given relevant examples in answers and practiced previous year question papers, then scoring high marks in Commerce Optional Paper 1 and Paper 2 would be an easy task.  

2023 Commerce Paper 1

To give you a general idea of type of questions that were asked UPSC Commerce optional 2023 exam, I provided a table below.  

You can also go through the complete question paper by clicking on the link attached.  

PDF link to 2023 Commerce Paper 1  

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* N – Numerical

2023 Commerce Paper 2

In the table given below, I have provided a broad picture for you to know in detail about the questions asked from the topics in section – wise manner.  

For a detailed list of questions, you can click on the link I have attached below for UPSC Commerce Paper 2.  

PDF link to 2023 Commerce Paper 2

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* N – Numerical

2022 Commerce Paper 1

The below table gives a brief about the questions that featured in UPSC Mains 2022 Commerce Paper 1. I have also attached a link that will exhibit the entire question paper of the exam. Refer to it while studying the table.

PDF link to 2022 Commerce Paper 1

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* N – Numerical

2022 Commerce Paper 2

To give you comprehensive as well as concise knowledge about the UPSC Mains 2022 Commerce Paper 2, I have prepared a table. Refer to the table to get a general understanding of the exam and for detail head over to the link provided.

PDF link to 2022 Commerce Paper 2

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* N – Numerical

2021 Commerce Paper 1

Given below is a table with detailed information about each of the questions of the 2021 Commerce Paper 1. I have included the link to the same below. You can refer to it while studying the table below:

PDF link to 2021 Commerce Paper 1

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* N – Numerical

2021 Commerce Paper 2

Given below is a table with detailed information about each of the questions of the 2021 Commerce Paper 2. I have included the link to the same below. You can refer to it while studying the table below:

PDF link to 2021 Commerce Paper 2

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* N – Numerical

2020 Commerce Paper 1

Given below is a table with detailed information about each of the questions of the 2020 Commerce Paper 1. I have included the link to the same below. You can refer to it while studying the table below:

PDF link to 2020 Commerce Paper 1

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* N – Numerical

2020 Commerce Paper 2

Given below is a table with detailed information about each of the questions of the 2020 Commerce Paper 2. I have included the link to the same below. You can refer to it while studying the table below:

PDF link to 2020 Commerce Paper 2

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* N – Numerical

Commerce Paper Overall Analysis (2020-2023)

In this section, I have compiled the aggregates of all the tables given above and drawn a topic-wise conclusion according to the same. So, go through this section every carefully.

In the first part of this section are the topic-wise conclusions from the aggregates of all the paper 1 tables given above.

In the second part are the topic-wise conclusions from the aggregates of all the paper 2 tables given above.

Commerce Paper 1 Overall Analysis (2020-2023)

As you can see in the table above, I have listed the aggregates of all the Commerce paper 1 exam analysis tables, from the year 2020 to 2023.

Now let me quickly jot down the overall learnings (Topic wise) from the Commerce optional exam analysis that we have done of the Paper 1s of the years 2020-2023:

• Tax – The questions asked from the topic of Tax are generally easy. To score sufficiently in this topic, A thorough coverage of the syllabus should be enough.
• Audit – The weightage of the topic of Audit is not much in the exams, but most questions asked from this topic are compulsory. Hence, it cannot be ignored
• Accounts – The Numerical questions asked from the topic of Accounts would demand significant practice. Be thoroughly prepared in accounts.
• Costing – The questions from this topic are generally of the easy level. Covering the entire costing syllabus should ensure high scores for you.
• FM & IFS – This topic holds the highest weightage in Paper 1. So be as thorough as possible. Also, it should be noted that nowadays, even questions from current affairs are being asked in this topic.

You can check the UPSC commerce mock test I have provided to comprehensively prepare for this optional subject. 

This brings us to the end of the Commerce optional exam analysis of Paper 1. Now let’s look at the exam analysis of Paper 2 of the past years.

Commerce Paper 2 Overall Analysis (2020-2023)

As can be seen in the table above, I have listed the aggregates of all the Commerce paper 2 exam analysis tables, from the year 2020 to 2023.

Now let me quickly jot down the overall learnings (Topic wise) from the Commerce optional exam analysis that we have done of the Paper 2s of the years 2020-2023:

• OB – In this topic, a good coverage of the syllabus would be enough for you to score well.
• OT – This topic holds the higher weightage in the Section A of Paper 2. There are some indirect questions asked from this topic as well, but proper answer writing practice before the exam should do the trick.
• HRM – This topic is very easy to cover and holds a high weightage in Section B of Paper 2. Use standard notes and text to cover the entire syllabus to cover the topic of HRM, and you’d be able to score well.
• IR – This topic normally holds the least importance in Paper 2. However, the problem with IR is that most questions from the topic are of the compulsory kind, making it very difficult to pass them. So, make sure to cover the IR syllabus to score well here.

If Commerce is your optional subject for UPSC CSE 2024, then you should take a look into this complete UPSC Commerce Optional Course that I have made for you. 

This brings us to the end of the exam analysis of Paper 2, and the Commerce Optional past year paper analysis. Now it’s time to start with the topic of the UPSC Management optional exam analysis. 

UPSC Management Optional Exam Analysis

For the UPSC Management optional past year paper analysis that I have given below, you shall find the exam analysis of the Management papers of the past 4 years, i.e., from that of 2020 to that of 2023. 

Both Management optional papers have 2 sections, namely Section A and Section B. 

In paper 1, Section A of Management, the questions that are asked are usually based on the topics I have mentioned below:

• Management
• Organizational Behaviour (OB)
• Human Resource Management (HRM)

In paper 1, Section B of Management, the questions that are asked are usually based on the topics of:

• Accounting
• Financial Management (FM)
• Marketing
• Costing

Paper 2 of Management, Section A consists of questions from the topics of:

• Statistics
• Product Operations Management (POM)
• Management Information System (MIS)

Paper 2 of Management, Section B consists of questions from the topics of:

• Government Business Interface (GBI)
• Strategic Cost Management (SCM)
• International Business (IB)

Upon analyzing both papers, the difficulty level of UPSC Management optional exam 2023 ranges between moderate to difficult.  

 The Paper 1 of Management subject in its both sections A and B contained equal mix of theory and practical questions.  

As the questions asked in the paper were indirect and lengthy in nature, the time taken to solve questions was longer in duration.  

The Management Paper 2, likewise Paper 1, had questions from both theory and practical section of the syllabus. 

Before moving on, you can refer to list of UPSC Management books to effectively cover topics from the Management Syllabus.

Let’s begin:

2023 Management Paper 1

To prepare better for UPSC CSE 2024, you can take a look at the segregation of the questions subject wise provided in the tabular form below.  

For complete list of questions in the exam, I have attached the link for the UPSC Management Paper 1.  

PDF link to 2023 Management Paper 1  

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* P – Practical

2023 Management Paper 2

Since, a thorough analysis of the questions will help in understanding the level of the exam.  

Therefore, you can check the table which I have provided for compilation of section – wise questions asked in the Paper 2. Along with this, you can click on the link attached for Paper 2 exam.  

PDF link to 2023 Management Paper 2

2022 Management Paper 1

Give attention to the table attached below, as it has been made with the purpose of providing adequate knowledge about the 2022 Management Paper 1. Also, explore the following link to know the questions that were asked in the respective exam.

PDF link to 2022 Management Paper 1

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* P – Practical

2022 Management Paper 2

Through the table given below, I’ve communicated the required information about 2022 Management Paper 2. Moreover, I have provided the link through which you can access the questions asked in the exam.

PDF link to 2022 Management Paper 2

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* N – Numerical

2021 Management Paper 1

Given below is a table with detailed information about each of the questions of the 2021 Management Paper 1. I have included the link to the same below. You can refer to it while studying the table below:

PDF link to 2021 Management Paper 1

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* P – Practical

2021 Management Paper 2

Given below is a table with detailed information about each of the questions of the 2021 Management Paper 2. I have included the link to the same below. You can refer to it while studying the table below:

PDF link to 2021 Management Paper 2

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* N – Numerical

2020 Management Paper 1

Given below is a table with detailed information about each of the questions of the 2020 Management Paper 1. I have included the link to the same below. You can refer to it while studying the table below:

PDF link to 2020 Management Paper 1

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* N – Numerical

2020 Management Paper 2

Given below is a table with detailed information about each of the questions of the 2020 Management Paper 2. I have included the link to the same below. You can refer to it while studying the table below:

PDF link to 2020 Management Paper 2

* Qs – Questions
* E – Easy, M – Moderate, D – Difficult (Level)
* N – Numerical

Management Paper Overall Analysis (2020-2023)

In this section, I have compiled the aggregates of all the tables given above, and drawn a topic-wise conclusion according to the same. So, go through this section every carefully.

In the first part of this section are the topic-wise conclusions from the aggregates of all the paper 1 tables given above.

In the second part are the topic-wise conclusions from the aggregates of all the paper 2 tables given above.

Management Paper 1 Overall Analysis (2020-2023)

As you can see in the table above, I have listed the aggregates of all the Management paper 1 exam analysis tables, from the year 2020 to 2023.

Now let me quickly jot down the overall learnings (Topic wise) from the Management optional exam analysis that we have done of the Paper 1s of the years 2020-2023:

• Management – This subject is of consistently high weightage. It is Easy to cover and score.
• Organizational Behaviour (OB) – This subject is of consistently high weightage. It is easy to cover and score.
• Human Resource Management (HRM) – This subject is of consistently high weightage. It is easy to cover and score.
• Marketing – This subject is of consistently high weightage. It is easy to cover and score.
• Costing – This subject is of consistently low weightage. However, it is easy to cover and score.
• Accounting – This subject is of consistently low weightage. However, it is easy to cover and score.
• Financial Management (FM) – This subject is of consistently high weightage. It is Easy to cover and score.

This brings us to the end of the Management optional exam analysis of Paper 1. Now let’s look at the exam analysis of Paper 2 of the past years.

Management Paper 2 Overall Analysis (2020-2023)

As can be seen in the table above, I have listed the aggregates of all the Management paper 2 exam analysis tables, from the year 2020 to 2023.

Now let me quickly jot down the overall learnings (Topic wise) from the Management optional exam analysis that we have done of the Paper 2s of the years 2020-2023:

• Statistics – This subject carries consistently high weightage & requires a lot of practice to score well in.
• Product Operations Management (POM) – This subject carries consistently high weightage & requires a lot of practice to score well in.
• Management Information System (MIS) – This subject carries consistently high weightage & requires a lot of memorizations to score well in.
• Government Business Interface (GBI) – This subject carries consistently high weightage & requires a lot of memorizations to score well in. It is connected with GS.
• Strategic Cost Management (SCM) – This subject carries consistently high weightage & is easy to understand and score in.
• International Business (IB)– This subject carries consistently high weightage & is easy to understand and score in.
• Marketing – This subject is of consistently high weightage. It is easy to cover and score. (Usually asked in Paper 1 though)
• Costing – This subject is of consistently low weightage. However, it is easy to cover and score. (Usually asked in Paper 1 though)

This brings us to the end of the Management optional exam analysis of Paper 2, and also the article as a whole.

If you are thinking of opting Management as your optional subject, then enroll in the comprehensive UPSC Management Optional Course that I have designed for you

Conclusion

That brings us to the end of this massive article. In it I have talked in detail about the UPSC Optional papers of Commerce and Management, and I have also given the analysis of each and every past year paper of the same, along with its PDFs.

Please go through this article thoroughly & make use of it to better your understanding of the UPSC Commerce and Management optional papers. That said, it’s time for me to take leave. Until next time.

Have a great day!