UPSC General Studies Books For IAS Prelims and Mains Preparation
UPSC General Studies books are essential resources for candidates preparing for the Civil Services exam. Get complete insights into the right set of books for the GS papers here.
Sheetal Gaur17 Feb, 2025
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UPSC General Studies Books: Are you looking for the top UPSC General Studies Books to boost your preparation? If so, you're in the right spot. The Civil Services Examination by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is among India's most prestigious exams. It requires extensive preparation, especially in the General Studies (GS) domain, for both Prelims and Mains. Choosing the right set of books for UPSC preparation can significantly impact your performance. Therefore, to help candidates through their preparation journey, here we have provided a detailed overview of the useful UPSC GS books for Prelims and Mains.
UPSC General Studies Books for Prelims
Here is a curated list of subject-wise UPSC General Studies books for Prelims preparation. These GS 1 books for UPSC provide comprehensive coverage of the UPSC Prelims syllabus and are recommended for aspirants aiming to crack the UPSC Prelims examination.| Subject | Books |
| History | 1. India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra |
| 2. A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum Publications | |
| 3. Ancient India by R.S. Sharma | |
| 4. Medieval India by Satish Chandra | |
| 5. India's Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma | |
| Geography | 1. Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong |
| 2. Oxford School Atlas by Oxford University Press | |
| 3. Geography of India by Majid Husain | |
| 4. NCERT Class 11 & 12 Geography Books | |
| 5. Geography of India by Majid Husain | |
| Polity | 1. Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth |
| 2. Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu | |
| 3. NCERT Class 11 & 12 Political Science Books | |
| 4. Our Parliament by Subhash Kashyap | |
| 5. Governance in India by M. Laxmikanth | |
| Economy | 1. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh |
| 2. Economic Development & Policies in India by Jain & Ohri | |
| 3. NCERT Class 11 & 12 Economics Books | |
| 4. Indian Economy by Sanjiv Verma | |
| 5. Indian Economy by Uma Kapila | |
| Environment & Ecology | 1. Environment for Civil Services Prelims and Mains by Khuller |
| 2. Environment: Ecology, Biodiversity, and Climate Change by Majid Husain | |
| 3. Shankar IAS Environment Book by Shankar IAS Academy | |
| 4. NCERT Class 12 Biology (Environment and Ecology) | |
| 5. Oxford Student Atlas for India by Oxford University Press |
UPSC CSAT Books List
Candidates must clear the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), assessing their comprehension and reasoning skills. For the GS Paper II & CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) paper, the following are some useful books:- CSAT Simplified: For UPSC and State Civil Services Examinations by MHE
- CSAT Paper 2 General Studies 2022 by Arihant Experts
- Cracking the CSAT Paper-2 by Arihant Experts
- CSAT Manual: General Studies for Civil Services Preliminary Examination (Paper - 2) by TMH Publications
UPSC General Studies Books for Mains
For the UPSC Mains General Studies paper, you need to have a deep understanding of a wide range of topics. Here are some recommended books and resources that will help you prepare for the General Studies papers effectively:
| General Studies Paper I (Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society) | |
| Indian Heritage and Culture |
|
| History |
|
| Geography |
|
| General Studies Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations) | |
| Governance, Constitution, and Polity |
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| Social Justice and International Relations |
|
| General Studies Paper III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management) | |
| Economy and Development |
|
| Environment |
|
| Science & Technology |
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| Disaster Management |
|
| General Studies Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude) | |
| Theory |
|
General Resources for GS Preparation
To enhance your preparation for the UPSC General Studies papers, regular use of the following resources is crucial:
- Current Affairs: Daily reading of newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express along with PW Current Affairs magazines to stay updated on national and international events.
- Yojana and Kurukshetra Magazines: These publications provide in-depth knowledge about government schemes, socio-economic issues, and development.
- India Yearbook: Published by the Government of India, it offers a comprehensive understanding of the country's governance, policies, and initiatives.
- Economic Survey and Union Budget: These annual documents help you understand the economic landscape and government priorities.
- Government Schemes: Websites like PRS India and PIB (Press Information Bureau) are helpful for tracking important government schemes and policies.
PW Books for UPSC GS 2025 Preparation
For candidates looking to boost their UPSC GS 2025 preparation, PW (UPSC Wallah) offers a range of subject wise books and combo sets to cover both Prelims and Mains. These books are tailored to meet the UPSC syllabus requirements and help students prepare well for the examination. Here’s a curated list of PW Books for General Studies (GS) and CSAT preparation:
- PWONLYIAS UPSC Wallah GS + CSAT Combo Set of 24 (Latest Edition)
- UPSC Mains Wallah Previous 11 Years' (2013-2023) General Studies Solved Papers 1 to 4 Combo Set of 4 Books
- Monthly Current Wallah Magazines
- UDAAN (Prelims Wallah Static) Combo Set of 11 Books
For further enhancement of your preparation, consider exploring PW UPSC Courses!
UPSC General Studies Books FAQs
Can I rely solely on NCERT books for UPSC preparation?
While NCERT books provide a good foundation, supplementing them with standard reference UPSC General Studies books is recommended for comprehensive preparation.
Are coaching institute materials necessary for UPSC preparation?
Coaching materials can be helpful but not mandatory. Self-study with the right set of UPSC General Studies books and online resources can also lead to success.
How many hours should I study daily for UPSC preparation?
There is no fixed number of hours. Focus on quality rather than quantity. Consistent and dedicated study with periodic breaks is crucial.
Should I focus more on Prelims or Mains preparation initially?
It's advisable to give equal importance to both Prelims and Mains from the beginning to cover the vast syllabus effectively.
Is it necessary to read newspapers for UPSC preparation?
Yes, stay updated with current affairs through newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express, for both Prelims and Mains.
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