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Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
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.
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. TheCivil 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
Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania - Covers art forms, literature, architecture, and other cultural aspects.
The Wonder That Was India by A.L. Basham - Focuses on the cultural history of India.
History
India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra - Detailed analysis of India’s freedom movement.
India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha - Important for understanding post-independence India.
History of Modern World by Jain and Mathur - Covers significant events in world history that shaped modern societies.
Geography
World Geography by Majid Husain - Discusses the physical and human geography of the world.
Geography of India by Majid Husain - Essential for Indian geography specifically.
Oxford School Atlas - Useful for map-based questions and a better understanding of geographical concepts.
General Studies Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations)
Governance, Constitution, and Polity
Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth - A comprehensive guide on the Indian constitution and political system.
Governance in India by M. Laxmikanth - Explores issues on governance.
Important Judgments that Transformed India by Alex Andrews George - Discusses landmark Supreme Court cases.
Social Justice and International Relations
Social Problems In India by Ram Ahuja - Covers social issues and justice in the Indian context.
International Relations by Pavneet Singh or Global Politics by Andrew Heywood
General Studies Paper III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)
Economy and Development
Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh - A detailed guide on the structure and state of the Indian economy.
Economic Survey (latest) - Offers insights into recent economic developments.
India’s Economic Development by Uma Kapila - Provides a narrative on economic policies and developments.
Environment
Environment by Shankar IAS - Comprehensive coverage of environmental topics.
Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar and Vipul Anekant
Science & Technology
Developments in Science and Technology by Kalpana Rajaram and Dr R K Suri
Science and Technology by Ravi. P. Agrahari
Disaster Management
Disaster Management in Brief by B. Singh
Internal Security and Disaster Management for UPSC by Syed Waqar Raza
Disaster Management: Warning Response & Community by Kamal Kishore and Muzamil M.
General Studies Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)
Theory
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
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:
