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UPSC CMS Booklist 2025, List of Subject Wise Books for CMS Exam Preparation

UPSC CMS Booklist 2025 ensures focused and effective preparation. UPSC CMS Booklist 2025 includes Davidson’s for Medicine, Ghai for Pediatrics, Schwartz for Surgery, and Park’s PSM. Find a complete list of books for UPSC CMS 2025 exam here.
authorImageDeeksha Dixit25 Jul, 2025
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UPSC CMS Booklist

UPSC CMS Booklist 2025: Choosing the right books is the first and most crucial step in your UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) exam preparation. With a vast syllabus spanning subjects like General Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Gynecology, and Preventive & Social Medicine, having a well-curated booklist can streamline your study, save time, and boost retention. 

Before starting preparation, prepare the UPSC CMS booklist based on toppers and expert recommendations, and follow them to understand the concepts mentioned in the syllabus. Find the updated UPSC CMS Booklist 2025 for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 here.

UPSC CMS Booklist 2025

The UPSC CMS Booklist 2025 is a crucial tool for aspirants preparing for the exam. Therefore, prioritize quality over quantity while deciding on your CMS preparation material. By selecting the right books and following a structured approach, candidates can increase their chances of success. Here are books that must be part of your UPSC CMS booklist:
  • UPSC CMS Solved PYQs: Elsevier Comprehensive Guide to Combined Medical Services (UPSC)
  • General Medicine: Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine
  • Surgery: Schwartz's Principles of Surgery
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology: Williams Obstetrics and Berek & Novak's Gynecology
  • Pediatrics: Ghai Essential Pediatrics
  • Preventive and Social Medicine: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine.

UPSC CMS Subject-wise and Paper-wise Books

The UPSC CMS exam covers a wide range of subjects, including General Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Preventive and Social Medicine. A good booklist helps streamline the preparation process, saves time, and provides a clear direction.

UPSC CMS Paper 1 Books

The syllabus of Paper 1 includes topics from General Medicine and Pediatrics with Medicine dominating the question paper. Here is a table of toppers' recommended books for UPSC CMS Paper 1 preparation:
UPSC CMS Paper 1 Books
Subject Recommended Books Author
General Medicine Davidson’s Principles of Practice of Medicine Brian R. Walker
Textbook of Medicine S N Chugh
Prep Manual for Undergraduates George Mathews
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine Anthony S. Fauci
Pediatrics Essential Pediatrics O P Ghai, Paul, and Bagga
Practical Aspects Of Pediatrics Dr. Mayoor K Chheda

UPSC CMS Paper 2 Books

Paper 2 encompasses a vast syllabus of Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics, and Preventive & Social Medicine, each with equal weightage in the exam. The UPSC CMS booklist for Paper 2 is mentioned in the table below:
UPSC CMS Paper 2 Books
Subject Recommended Books Author
Surgery Love & Bailey’s Short Practice of Surgery Norman S. Williams
Clinical Surgery S Das
Manipal Manual of Surgery K. Rajgopal Shenoy
Gynecology & Obstetrics Essentials of Gynecology Lakshmi Shashirekha
Shaw’s Textbook of Gynecology Shirish Daftary and V. G. Padubidri
Textbook of Obstetrics Dr. J.B. Sharma
Essentials of Obstetrics Lakshmi Shashirekha
Preventive & Social Medicine Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine K. Park
Textbook of Community Medicine Sunder Lal

How to Choose UPSC CMS Booklist?

The UPSC CMS study guides suggest candidates must be careful in selecting the CMS preparation material, as the entire foundation will depend on these resources. Hence, make sure to choose the right UPSC CMS booklist for preparation. Here are some tips to help you select the best books:
  • Refer to expert recommendations: Look for books that have been recommended by successful candidates and experts in the medical services exam.
  • Opt for credible authors: Select books that are authored by widely recognized experts and are popular for quality research-based content.
  • Comprehensive syllabus coverage: The UPSC CMS syllabus is specific; therefore, select books that holistically cater to topics mentioned in the official syllabus notification.
  • Consider the latest editions: Always opt for the latest editions of the books to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information.
  • Prefer quality over quantity: Focus on a few high-quality books rather than trying to cover a large number of books.
  • Practice questions and examples: Books should have a sufficient number of practice questions at par with the UPSC CMS exam. Otherwise, get the latest practice book for the exam.

Are you looking for the UPSC exam preparation material? Join the UPSC courses offered by Physics Wallah for study resources and guidance. Hurry up!

UPSC CMS Booklist 2025 FAQs

Where to get the UPSC CMS Booklist 2025?

The detailed UPSC CMS Booklist 2025 for Paper 1 and Paper 2 can be found above.

Which is the best book for UPSC CMS preparation?

There is no single best book, some of the top recommended books include Ghai Essential Pediatrics, Textbook of Medicine by S N Chugh, and Manipal Manual of Surgery.

What are some must have books for the UPSC CMS exam?

Some of the must have books for UPSC CMS are ‘Elsevier Comprehensive Guide to Combined Medical Services’ and ‘Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine.’

How many books should I study for UPSC CMS 2025?

Focus on 1–2 high-quality books per subject. Quality matters more than quantity. Stick to standard textbooks and MCQ practice books aligned with the syllabus.

Can I cover the entire syllabus for UPSC CMS from one book?

No, covering the entire CMS syllabus from one book is not possible. Refer to a combination of subject-specific books for comprehensive preparation.
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