By In this guide about UPSC Books, our goal is to give you a list of the best books for the IAS Exam Prelims & Mains. The IAS Exam, also known as the Civil Services Exam, is held by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It’s a very prestigious exam and one of the toughest in the country.
UPSC Books – Best Books For UPSC Prelims
| Subject | UPSC Books | ||
| History | India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania NCERT XI (Ancient & Medieval) NCERT XII (Modern Indian History) | ||
| Geography | Certificate Physical Geography – G C Leong NCERT VI – X (Old Syllabus) NCERT XI, XII (New Syllabus) World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) | ||
| Indian Polity | Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth NCERT IX-XII | ||
| Economics | Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania Economic Development & Policies in India – Jain & Ohri NCERT XI | ||
| International Relations | NCERT XII (Contemporary World Politics) Current Affairs | ||
| CSAT | Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R S Aggarwal | Solved Papers | IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers – Vishal Publications For more information on CSAT, check the linked article |
UPSC BookList – Best Books For UPSC Mains
Once candidates successfully navigate through the Prelims, they advance to the Mains phase of the IAS Exam. Within UPSC 2023, there exist 9 theoretical papers, inclusive of two dedicated to optional subjects. It is imperative for candidates to adhere to a selection of pivotal IAS general studies Mains literature to ensure optimal preparation.
Outlined below are the paramount general studies books for the UPSC Mains:
| Subject | UPSC Books |
| History, Indian Heritage & Culture [GS Paper 1] | Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra India after Independence by Bipan Chandra History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra Ancient India by R.S Sharma |
| Geography [GS Paper 1] | Geography of India by Majid Husain World Geography by Majid Husain World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G C Leong Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11 |
| Polity & International Relations [GS Paper 2] | Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu International Relations: Pushpesh Pant |
| Economy [GS Paper 3] | Indian Economy – Nitin Singhania Environment and Disaster Management – Tata McGraw Hill Challenges to Internal Security of India – Ashok Kumar |
| Ethics [GS Paper 4] | 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 |
Besides the books we talked about earlier, other important study materials for UPSC include:
- 2nd ARC Report (To read more on ARC Reports, check the linked article.)
- Economic Survey (Latest)
- Budget (Latest)
- Finance Commission Report (Latest)
- Annual reports by central ministries
- Current Affairs
- The Hindu Newspaper
- Yojana Magazine
- Press Information Bureau Releases
- Niti Aayog Action Agenda
