Law Optional Books for UPSC IAS Exam
Law Optional Books for UPSC help in comprehensive coverage of the syllabus. Read on for section-wise Law Optional Books for UPSC Mains.
Deeksha Dixit7 Jun, 2024
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Law Optional Books for UPSC: In the UPSC CSE examination, law optional can be highly scoring if prepared well, as done by toppers like Saumya Sharma. With a well-structured approach and the right resources, candidates can achieve excellent marks. Law Optional Books for UPSC are key to understanding the syllabus and practicing answer writing.
This is why experts suggest utilizing standard law optional books for UPSC preparation . These books should simplify the complex topics and ensure conceptual clarity for UPSC Mains. Here is a list of Law Optional books PDF for each section covered in Paper 1 and Paper 2.Best Law Optional Books for UPSC
The Law Optional has a significant weightage of 500 marks, and candidates who do not have a good understanding of the basics and current legal developments struggle to cross 250 marks. Therefore, first strive to complete the syllabus from quality Law Optional Books for UPSC and then supplement with Bare Acts and the latest developments to maximize scores in the UPSC IAS. The table below mentions some of the must-read Law Optional Books for UPSC:| Best Law Optional Books for UPSC | ||
| Book Title | Author | Key Features |
| Indian Constitutional Law | M.P. Jain | Comprehensive coverage of constitutional law, updated with recent amendments and case laws, detailed analysis of fundamental rights and duties. |
| Administrative Law | S.P. Sathe | Clear explanation of administrative law principles, in-depth analysis of administrative tribunals, judicial review, and public interest litigation. |
| Law of Crimes | Ratanlal & Dhirajlal | Thorough coverage of the Indian Penal Code, detailed case studies, explanations of various crimes, and defenses. |
| Law of Torts | R.K. Bangia | Simplified concepts of tort law, extensive case references, and coverage of the Consumer Protection Act. |
| International Law | J.G. Starke | A standard and informative book for international law principles, detailed analysis of treaties, international organizations, and human rights. |
Law Optional Paper 1 Booklist
As per the UPSC Law Optional Paper 1 syllabus , it is essential to choose books that cover constitutional and administrative law thoroughly. Candidates should look for materials that provide a detailed understanding of fundamental rights, constitutional amendments, landmark judgments, and principles of administrative law. The list of Law Optional Books for UPSC that are important for Paper 1 is given below:| Law Optional Paper 1 Booklist | ||
| Section | Book Title | Author |
| Constitutional Law | Indian Constitutional Law | M.P. Jain |
| Corner State of a Nation | Granville Austin | |
| Indian Polity | M. Laxmikanth | |
| Introduction to the Constitution of India | D.D. Basu | |
| Comparative Constitutional Law | D.D. Basu | |
| Constitutional Law Of India | Dr. J.N. Pandey | |
| Administrative Law | Administrative Law | S.P. Sathe |
| Administrative Law | I.P. Massey | |
| Bare Acts to cover Ombudsman | ||
| International Law | International Law and Human Rights | Dr. S. K. Kapoor |
| UN Handbook on Peaceful Settlement of Disputes | United Nation | |
| International Law | J.G. Starke | |
| Legality of the use of Nuclear weapons | ICJ Website | |
| IGNOU material on International Terrorism | IGNOU | |
Law Optional Paper 2 Booklist
For UPSC Law Optional Paper 2, selecting the right books is crucial to covering topics like the Law of Crimes, the Law of Torts, the Law of Contracts and Mercantile Law, and Contemporary Legal Developments. Candidates should opt for materials that provide clear explanations of legal concepts, principles, and case laws related to each topic. Here are some of the recommended Law Optional Books for Paper 2:| Law Optional Paper 2 Booklist | ||
| Section | Book Title | Author |
| Law of Crimes | Law of Crimes | Dr. S.R. Myneni |
| General Principles of Criminal Law | Dr. K.N. Chandrasekharan Pillai | |
| Criminal Law: Cases and Materials | K.D. Gaur | |
| Law of Torts | Law of Torts | R.K. Bangia |
| The Law of Torts | Ratanlal and Dhirajlal | |
| Law of Contracts and Mercantile Law | Law of Contracts I & II | Dr. S.S. Srivastava |
| Principles of Mercantile Law | R.K. Bangia, S.K. Raghuvanshi | |
| Mercantile Law | M.C. Kuchhal | |
| Contemporary Legal Developments | Indian Constitutional Law | M.P. Jain |
| Laws relating to Intellectual Property Rights in India | Rajeev Babel | |
| Comparative Constitutional Law | D.D. Basu | |
Strategy to Cover Law Optional Books for UPSC
To cover Law Optional Books for UPSC, it's important to have a smart plan. This means breaking down the syllabus and deciding how much time to spend on each part. Here is how to cover UPSC Law Optional Books and score maximum marks in the exam:- Prioritise Syllabus: Stick to the UPSC Law Optional syllabus and understand the topics and subtopics.
- First Reading: Start with a first reading of each book to get an overview of topics.
- Detailed Reading: On the second reading, dive deep into the details and start taking notes for revision purposes.
- Concise Notes: Make concise notes for each chapter. Focus on key points, definitions, and important case laws. You can also maintain a separate notebook for important case laws, acts, and judgments to quote in answers.
- Legal Developments: Regularly follow the latest legal developments in contemporary issues such as Intellectual Property Rights, Cyber Laws, and Public Interest Litigation.
- Monthly Revisions: At the end of each month, revise the topics covered so far. This exercise is crucial to have a solid foundation for the exam.
- Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests and solve previous years’ law optional question papers to assess your understanding and improve answer writing skills.
| UPSC Related Articles | ||
| UPSC Prelims Questions | UPSC Prelims Marking Scheme | UPSC Mains Admit Card |
| UPSC Mains Exam Pattern 2024 | UPSC IFS Admit Card 2024 | UPSC Result 2024 |
Law Optional Books for UPSC FAQs
Which is the best book for UPSC law optional papers?
There's no single best book for UPSC law optional. Some of the key recommendations include books by M.P. Jain, D.D. Basu, and S.P. Sathe.
How to prepare law optional for UPSC Mains?
To prepare for UPSC Mains law optional, prioritize understanding the syllabus, make concise notes, stay updated with legal developments, and practice answer writing regularly.
Are BA LLB books good for IAS law optional?
While BA LLB books can be good they must be supplemented with standard law optional books for UPSC, as the exam requires an in-depth understanding of specific topics.
Which source to read for International Law?
Sources like books by J.G. Starke and UN Handbooks are recommended for studying International Law for UPSC law optional.
Is law optional good for non-law candidates?
Law optional can be suitable for non-law candidates with a keen interest in legal studies, but it requires significant hard work and dedication.
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