Best UPSC Books For Preparation Of IAS Mains and Prelims

UPSC Books: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is one of the most challenging competitive exams in India, leading to prestigious careers in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other Civil Services. However, the journey of its preparation can be daunting. UPSC CSE exam preparation requires access to the right resources , particularly the best books that cover the vast syllabus comprehensively. This guide provides insights into essential books for UPSC aspirants, recommended readings by toppers, and available formats to make your preparation better.

Standard UPSC Books List For IAS Prelims And Mains

UPSC Books List For IAS Preliminary Exam

1. History

• NCERT Textbooks (Class VI-XII) - Essential for a foundational understanding.
• History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra - Covers the medieval part of Indian history.
• Modern India: India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra - Detailed coverage of the Indian independence movement.
• UPSC UDAAN Prelims Wallah - Static Medieval India, Ancient India and Art and Culture
• A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum Edition) - Useful for quick revision and overview.

2. Geography

• NCERT Textbooks (Class VI-XII) - Foundation material for physical and human geography.
• Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong - Detailed information on physical geography, especially helpful for climatology and geomorphology.
• Geography of India by Majid Husain - Focuses on geography specifically related to India.
• UPSC UDAAN Prelims - Static Modern India, Polity, Science & Technology, Economy, Environment and Geography Combo Set of 6 Books
• PW UPSC Prelims Previous Years (2011-2023) Solved Question Papers

3. Polity

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth - Comprehensive coverage of the entire Indian Constitution, political system, and Panchayati Raj.
• Important Judgments that Transformed India by Alex Andrews George - For understanding important Supreme Court judgments.

4. Economics

• Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh - A comprehensive text on Indian economy.
• Economic Survey (latest edition) - Provides the official summary of the country's economic progress.
• NCERT Textbooks (Class XI-XII) - Basic economics concepts.

5. Environment and Ecology

• Environment by Shankar IAS - A complete guide on environmental ecology, bio-diversity, and climate change.
• NCERT Books on Biology and Geography (related sections for basic environment concepts).

6. Science and Technology

• NCERT Textbooks (Class VI - X for general science, Class XI - XII for specific topics) - Basic science concepts that cover physics, chemistry, and biology.
• Science and Technology by Ravi Agrahari - For detailed coverage of current advancements and applications relevant to modern India and its technology.

7. Current Affairs

• Newspapers like The Hindu, and Indian Express - Daily reading is crucial for staying updated on national and international events.
• Monthly magazines like Yojana, and Kurukshetra - Provide deep insights into government policies and schemes.

8. CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test)

• Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey - Useful for logical reasoning and mental ability.
• CSAT Manual by TMH or Arihant - Comprehensive resource covering verbal and non-verbal reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and reading comprehension.

UPSC Books List for IAS Mains

1. General Studies Paper I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society)

2. General Studies Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations)

3. General Studies Paper III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

4. General Studies Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)

• Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chowdhury
• Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude for IAS General Studies Paper IV by Niraj Kumar

UPSC Mains Optional Subject Books

Top UPSC Books in Hindi

Essential NCERT Books for UPSC Preparation

Additional Tips for Using NCERT Books for UPSC

• Start with NCERT books from lower classes and move to higher classes as they gradually build up the complexity of topics.
• Revise regularly to retain concepts and facts which are frequently tested in prelims and serve as a base for answering Mains questions.
• Supplement NCERT readings with standard reference books and current affairs materials to cover the UPSC syllabus comprehensively.

Recommended Books by Toppers

• India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra - Preferred for freedom movement topics.
• Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar - Offers insights into contemporary issues affecting national security.