Preparing for UPSC Civil Services Examination requires the right set of books. Here’s a subject-wise list of the best books for Prelims & Mains, recommended by toppers and experts.
UPSC Prelims Booklist
1. History
- NCERT History Textbooks (Class 6-12) – Must-read for basics
- India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma
- History of Medieval India – Satish Chandra
- A Brief History of Modern India – Spectrum Publications
- Indian Art & Culture – Nitin Singhania
2. Geography
- NCERT Geography Textbooks (Class 6-12)
- Certificate Physical & Human Geography – G.C. Leong
- Oxford Student Atlas – Oxford Publication
- India: A Comprehensive Geography – D.R. Khullar (Optional for Mains)
3. Indian Polity
- Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth (Most essential book)
- Introduction to the Constitution of India – D.D. Basu (Optional for deeper understanding)
- NCERT Political Science Books (Class 9-12)
4. Economy
- Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh
- NCERT Economics Textbooks (Class 9-12)
- Economic Survey & Union Budget (Official Government Sources)
- India Year Book (Optional for in-depth understanding)
5. Environment & Ecology
- Environment – Shankar IAS
- NCERT Biology (Class 12 – Relevant Chapters)
- Reports by UNEP, IPCC, and Government Schemes
6. General Science & Technology
- NCERT Science Textbooks (Class 6-10)
- Current Affairs & Science Reporter Magazine
7. Current Affairs
- The Hindu or Indian Express (Daily Reading)
- PIB (Press Information Bureau) for Government Updates
- Yojana & Kurukshetra Magazines (For Social Issues & Policies)
UPSC Mains Booklist
1. Essay
- Essays for Civil Services – Pulkit Khare
- Previous Year UPSC Essay Topics for Practice
- Yojana, Kurukshetra & Editorials for Content Development
2. General Studies Paper 1 (History, Geography, Society)
- History: Spectrum (Modern India), Nitin Singhania (Art & Culture)
- Geography: NCERTs, G.C. Leong, Khullar
- Society: NCERT Sociology (Class 11-12), Reports from UNDP, World Bank
3. General Studies Paper 2 (Polity, Governance, IR)
- Polity: M. Laxmikanth, D.D. Basu
- Governance: Reports from ARC (Administrative Reforms Commission)
- International Relations: Challenges to Internal Security of India – Ashok Kumar
4. General Studies Paper 3 (Economy, Science, Environment, Security)
- Economy: Ramesh Singh, Economic Survey
- Science & Tech: Current Affairs, PIB, Science Reporter
- Environment: Shankar IAS, NCERTs
- Security Issues: Internal Security & Disaster Management – Ashok Kumar
5. General Studies Paper 4 (Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude)
- Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude – Chronicle Publications
- Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude – Subba Rao
- Reports by UNDP, ARC (Ethics in Governance)
6. Optional Subject Books
For optional subjects like Public Administration, Geography, Sociology, etc., refer to specialized books based on your chosen subject.
Conclusion
The right books, along with smart revision and note-making, are crucial for clearing UPSC. Stick to limited resources and revise multiple times instead of collecting too many books.
Would you like me to add a study plan based on these books? Let me know!