Introduction
UPSC books play a crucial role in preparing for the IAS exam. It is essential for aspirants to identify the most effective books for the UPSC exam, enabling them to organize their preparation and acquire the necessary resources. In addition to UPSC books, aspirants should also be familiar with the magazines and newspapers necessary for success in the IAS exam. This article provides a comprehensive UPSC book list, aiming to assist you in realizing your IAS aspirations.
The Value of UPSC Preparation Books
Preparing for UPSC exams in India? UPSC preparation books can be super useful! These exams are quite tough and determine who gets various government jobs like IAS, IPS, and IFS. These books help you understand the exam format, provide practice questions, and give study materials to get ready for the exams.
Remember, while these books are helpful, they shouldn’t be your only study material. It’s a good idea to use other resources like online guides, practice tests, and coaching classes to make sure you’re fully prepared for the UPSC exams.
UPSC Preparation Books – Best Books For IAS Prelims
Prelims have two papers, GS 1 and CSAT, both with objective-type questions and negative markings. Here are the top IAS books for Prelims:
| Subject | UPSC Books List |
| History | |
| – NCERT 11th Ancient and Medieval | |
| – NCERT 12th Modern Indian History | |
| – Indian Art & Culture by Nitin Singhania | |
| – India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra | |
| Geography | |
| – NCERT VI-X Old Syllabus | |
| – NCERT XI, XII New Syllabus | |
| – World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) | |
| – Certificate Physical Geography – G C Leong | |
| Indian Polity | |
| – NCERT IX-XII | |
| – Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth | |
| – NCERT XI | |
| Economics | |
| – Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania | |
| – Economic Development & Policies in India – Jain & Ohri | |
| International Relations | |
| – Current Affairs | |
| – NCERT XII (Contemporary World Politics) | |
| CSAT | |
| – Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual | |
| – Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal | |
| Solved Papers | |
| – IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers by Vishal Publications |
UPSC Preparation Book List – Best Books For IAS Mains
Candidates successful in the UPSC prelims examination proceed to the IAS Mains examination, consisting of 9 theory papers, with 2 being optional. For effective preparation for UPSC Mains 2023, consider the recommended general studies books provided below:
| Subject | UPSC Books |
| History, Indian Heritage & Culture | – Ancient India by RS Sharma |
| – India after Independence by Bipan Chandra | |
| – History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra | |
| – Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania | |
| – India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra | |
| Geography | – Geography of India by Majid Husain |
| – World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) | |
| – Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G C Leong | |
| – World Geography by Majid Husain | |
| – Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11 | |
| Polity & International Relations | – Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu |
| – Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth | |
| – International Relations: Pushpesh Pant | |
| Economy | – Environment and Disaster Management by Tata McGraw Hill |
| – Indian Economy – Nitin Singhania | |
| – Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar | |
| Ethics | – Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary |
| Solved Papers | – IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers – Vishal Publications |
UPSC Book List For Optional Subjects
| Subject | UPSC Books |
| Agriculture | – Agronomy By Yellamananda Reddy |
| – Soil Science – D.K Das Or Brady | |
| – Genetics By B.D.Singh | |
| – Entomology – Vasantha Raj & David | |
| – Special Issue of Agriculture by The Hindu | |
| Anthropology | – N. Hasnain: Tribal India |
| – Herskovits: Cultural Anthropology | |
| – Surender Nath: Forensic Anthropology | |
| – Herskovits: Cultural Anthropology | |
| – Stein & Rowe: An Introduction to Physical Anthropology | |
| Botany | – Taxonomy: Nair along with Datta |
| – Embryology: Bhojwani and Bhatnagar | |
| – Physiology and Biochemistry: Salisbury and Ross or Fritz and Noggle | |
| – Economic Botany: Kochar or Verma | |
| Chemistry | – Theoretical principles of inorganic chemistry – G.S. Manku |
| – Extradiction of metals, Principle of inorganic chemistry – Puri, Sharma, Jauhar | |
| – Advance physical chemistry – Gurdeep Raj | |
| – A guide to mechanism in organic chemistry – Peter Sykes | |
| Economics | – International Economics – Bo Soderston |
| – National Income Accounting – Bakerman | |
| – Banking – S.B. Gupta | |
| – International Trade – Bo Soderston | |
| History | – History of Modern India – Shekhar Bandopadhyaya/Bipan Chandra |
| – India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma | |
| – The Wonder That Was India – A.L. Basham | |
| – Ashoka and the Decline of the Mauryas – Romila Thapar | |
| – India’s Struggle For Independence – Bipan Chandra and Others | |
| Management | – Financial: Pandey/Chandra/Khan & Jain/Bearley |
| – Economics: Any good economics book | |
| – Operations: Adams/Taha | |
| – Organisational Design: Khandwala; Madhukar Shukla | |
| Mathematics | – Ordinary Differential EQs:- MD Raising Lumina, Golden series-NP Bali |
| – Real Analysis – Shantinarayan, Royden | |
| – Linear Programming – SD Sharma | |
| – Solid Mechanism – Kazmioo | |
| Electrical Engineering | – Modern Central Engineering – Ogata |
| – Electromagnetic Waives and Field – R.N. Singh | |
| – Surveying and Levelling – T P Kanetakar | |
| – Heat Conversion – Arora & Kundwar | |
| Urdu | – Urdu Shairi ka Tauqidi Mutala – Suenbul Nigar |
| – Urdu Nasr ka Tauqidi Mutala – Suenbul Nigar | |
| – Urdu Adab Ki Tarikh – Noorul Hasan Naqvi | |
| Psychology | – Psychology Robert A Baron |
| – Social Psychology Baron & Byrne | |
| – The Psychology of Small Groups Shaw |
Study Material for UPSC
In addition to the books listed earlier, important UPSC study materials include:
- 2nd ARC Report (For more on ARC Reports, read the linked article.)
- Economic Survey (Latest)
- Budget (Latest)
- Finance Commission Report (Latest)
- Annual reports from central ministries
- Current Affairs
- The Hindu Newspaper
- Yojana Magazine
- Press Information Bureau Releases
- Niti Aayog Action Agenda
UPSC Online Books
Nowadays, candidates can choose to download e-books, which are readily accessible online. Each subject requires a different book, and it’s impractical to carry a whole set everywhere.
UPSC online books offer easy access from any location. Candidates can download them for free, obtaining PDF files on their laptops or tablets.
These e-books are gaining popularity because technology allows candidates to find specific information quickly without delving into every detail of a topic. PDF versions of NCERT books, monthly magazines, and other essential materials are available for free on the internet, making it convenient for candidates to download these UPSC online books.
Read only the Best UPSC Books
Covering the extensive UPSC syllabus takes about a year. It’s crucial not to waste time on subpar books with incorrect information, as unlearning can be challenging.
Learning from recommended sources allows for efficient note-taking. Books tailored for the IAS exam, like Laxmikanth’s Polity, provide direct and relevant information.
Many such books are presented in a ‘notes’ format, ready for IAS preparation, saving time on note-taking. While some books contain valuable information, their relevance to the UPSC exam is essential. UPSC books should contribute directly to your preparation and aid in scoring well in the exam.
Significance of Quality IAS Study Materials
IAS books play a crucial role in civil services exam preparation for several reasons:
1. Comprehensive Coverage:
Good IAS books cover the extensive syllabus, ensuring aspirants are well-prepared for all exam topics and subjects.
2. Concept Clarity:
They simplify complex concepts, building a strong foundation and facilitating easier understanding and retention for candidates.
3. Relevance to Exam:
The right IAS books are tailored to UPSC exam requirements, offering content directly relevant to the test’s questions and topics.
4. Practice and Revision:
Many IAS books include practice questions, past papers, and revision notes, allowing candidates to test their knowledge and revise efficiently.
5. Time Efficiency:
Recommended IAS books guide aspirants to essential study materials, saving time and preventing them from getting overwhelmed by excessive information.
UPSC Books FAQS
1. Why are UPSC books important for IAS exam preparation?
UPSC books play a crucial role in comprehensive IAS exam preparation. They cover the vast syllabus, provide concept clarity, and offer relevant content tailored to the exam, facilitating effective learning.
2. Are UPSC preparation books necessary for tough exams like IAS, IPS, and IFS?
Absolutely! UPSC preparation books are invaluable for understanding exam formats, practicing questions, and acquiring study materials essential for success in tough government exams like IAS, IPS, and IFS.
3. Can I rely solely on UPSC books for exam preparation?
While UPSC books are crucial, it’s recommended to supplement them with other resources like online guides, practice tests, and coaching classes to ensure a well-rounded preparation for UPSC exams.
4. What are the best UPSC books for IAS Prelims?
The best books for IAS Prelims cover subjects like History, Geography, Indian Polity, Economics, International Relations, and CSAT. The recommended books list includes both subject-specific and general studies materials.
5. How can I effectively prepare for UPSC Mains using the recommended books?
The UPSC Mains preparation involves 9 theory papers, with 2 optional. The recommended general studies books listed for History, Geography, Polity, Economics, and Ethics provide a solid foundation for effective preparation.
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