**What effect does economic awareness have on a candidate's performance in UPSC?**
Economic awareness significantly impacts a candidate's performance in UPSC examinations, enhancing their ability to tackle questions related to economics, budgeting, and policy formulation. Familiarity with current economic trends and issues enables candidates to engage with economic phenomena critically, fostering a deeper understanding of their implications for governance. This awareness proves especially beneficial during interviews, where candidates might discuss economic policies and their societal impact. Moreover, a solid grasp of economic concepts enriches the overall analytical framework candidates use to evaluate social issues and policy decisions, thereby improving their overall performance in exams.