Economics as a UPSC Mains optional subject is important due to its significant overlap with the General Studies (GS) papers, particularly GS Paper III, and its direct relevance to current affairs and policymaking, which aids in GS answers and the essay paper. It has a high scoring potential for those with strong analytical skills due to its logical and objective nature, allowing for data-backed answers with graphs and diagrams. The scope includes microeconomics, macroeconomics, the Indian economy, and development theories, offering deep insights into economic development and contributing to better performance in the personality test.