UPSC Books List has been prepared by the Editing Team.
The UPSC Civil Services Exam is one of the toughest exams in India, and the syllabus is vast and covers a wide range of topics. The exam is a comprehensive exam that tests candidates on various subjects and skills. Therefore, if a candidate wants to clear the UPSC Civil Services Exam then he/she needs is a good understanding of the examination, syllabus, pattern, process, effective study plan, right books, right guidance, well-organized and meticulous approach, perseverance, utmost enthusiasm and passion, and never-give-up attitude that will push gradually one from the preliminary step to the final stage.
This article gives a recommended UPSC Books List. However, these are not the only UPSC Books List that an aspirant should follow and can go for different books too.
Apart from the recommended UPSC books list given below, candidates should also develop good analytical and communication skills. Apart from these UPSC Books List, it is required that the candidate should be able to express their ideas and thoughts clearly and logically. Candidates should also practice writing essays, answering questions, and solving problems to develop their skills.
It is important to note that the UPSC exam is a highly competitive exam, and candidates need to have a deep understanding of the subject matter to succeed. Simply reading books alone may not be sufficient to clear the UPSC exam. It is also essential to develop a good study plan, stay disciplined, and be consistent in their efforts. Candidates may also consider enrolling in coaching institutes or attending online courses for guidance and mentorship in their preparation.
Also read: UPSC Syllabus for Civil Services Exam
Table of Contents
Best UPSC Books List for Civil Services Preliminary Exam
| Paper/Topic | UPSC Books List |
|---|---|
| History of India | 1. NCERT Class XI (Ancient and Medival India)
2. Ancient and Medieval India – by Poonam Dalal Dahiya 3. Indian Art and Culture – by Nitin Singhania |
| Indian National Movement | 1. NCERT Class XII (Modern India)
2. Comprehensive Modern Indian History – by Brijesh Singh |
| Indian Geography | 1. NCERT Class XII
2. Geography of India – by Majid Husain 3. Oxford Student Atlas for India |
| World Geography | 1. NCERT Class XI
2. Certificate Physical Geography – by G.C. Leong 3. Oxford World Atlas |
| Indian Polity | 1. NCERT Class IX-XII
2. Indian Polity – by M. Laxmikanth 3. The Constitution of India – by P.M. Bakshi 4. Bare Act on the Constitution of India |
| International Relations | 1. NCERT Class XII – Contemporary World Politics |
| Indian Economy | 1. NCERT Class IX-XII
2. Indian Economy – by Nitin Singhania 3. Indian Economy – by Ramesh Singh 4. Economic Development & Policies in India – by Jain & Ohri 5. Economic Survey of India – by Publication Division |
| Science & Technology | 1. NCERT Class IX-XII
2. Science and Technology – by Ravi P. Agrahari |
| Environment & Ecology | 1. NCERT Class IX-XII
2. Environment – by Shankar IAS 3. Environment – by PMF IAS |
| Current Events | 1. Newspapers like The Hindu, the Indian Express, and The Economic Times
2. Periodicals like Yojana, Kurukshetra 3. Periodicals on Current Affairs |
| Manuals and Guides | 1. Various reports by the government and institutions
2. India – Publications Division 3. India Yearbook – by Rajiv Mehrishi |
| Previous Years Papers | 1. Ten Years Previous Years Question Papers Solved |
| CSAT Paper II | 1. Cracking the CSAT Paper-2 – by Arihant Experts
2. Ten Years Previous Years Question Papers Solved |
Best UPSC Books List for Civil Services Mains Exam
| Paper/Topic | UPSC Books List |
|---|---|
| General Studies Paper I – Indian Culture and History | 1. NCERT Class XI & XII – History
2. Indian Art and Culture – by Nitin Singhania 3. Ancient and Medieval India – by Poonam Dalal Dahiya 4. Comprehensive Modern Indian History – by Brijesh Singh 5. India After Independence – by Bipan Chandra |
| General Studies Paper I – World and Indian Geography | 1. NCERT Class XI & XII – Geography
2. Geography of India – by Majid Husain 3. Certificate Physical Geography – by G.C. Leong 4. Oxford Student Atlas for India 5. Oxford World Atlas |
| General Studies Paper I – Indian Society | 1. NCERT Class XI & XII – Sociology
2. Social Problems in India – by Ram Ahuja 3. Contemporary Issues in Globalization – by Soumyen Sikdar 4. Newspaper Editorials and Periodicals |
| General Studies Paper II – Indian Polity | 1. NCERT Class XI & XII
2. Indian Polity – by M. Laxmikanth 3. The Constitution of India – by P.M. Bakshi 4. Bare Act on the Constitution of India |
| General Studies Paper II – International Relations | 1. NCERT Class XI & XII – Poltical Science
2. International Relations – by Pushpesh Pant 3. International Relations – by Pavneet Singh 4. India and the World – by Amb. Surendra Kumar 5. India’s Foreign Policy in the Post-Covid World – by Amb. Surendra Kumar |
| General Studies Paper III – Indian Economy | 1. NCERT Class XI & XII – Economics
2. Indian Economy – by Nitin Singhania 3. Indian Economy – by Ramesh Singh 4. Economic Development & Policies in India – by Jain & Ohri 5. Economic Survey of India – by Publication Division |
| General Studies Paper III – Science & Technology | 1. NCERT Class XI & XII – Science (Biology)
2. Science and Technology – by Ravi P. Agrahari |
| General Studies Paper III – Environment & Ecology | 1. NCERT Class IX-XII
2. Environment – by Shankar IAS 3. Environment – by PMF IAS |
| General Studies Paper III – Security | 1. Challenges to Internal Security of India – by Ashok Kumar and Vipul Anekant
2. Internal Security – by Rajkumar S.P. |
| General Studies Paper IV – Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | 1. Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination – by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudarys
2. Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude – by Niraj Kumar 3. Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude – by M. Karthikeyan 4. Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude – by Awdesh Singh 5. Ethics in Governance, ARC Report |
| Current Events | 1. Newspapers like The Hindu, the Indian Express, and The Economic Times
2. Periodicals like Yojana, Kurukshetra 3. Periodicals on Current Affairs |
| Manuals and Guides | 1. Various reports by the government and institutions
2. India – Publications Division 3. India Yearbook – by Rajiv Mehrishi |
| Previous Years Papers | 1. Ten Years Previous Years Question Papers Solved |
| Essay | 1. Fundamentals of Essay and Answer Writing – by Anudeep Durishetty
2. Mastering Essay and Answer Writing – by Awdesh Singh |
Best UPSC Books List for Personality Test / Interview
| Paper/Topic | UPSC Books List |
|---|---|
| Personality Test / Interview | 1. How to Ace Civil Service Interviews Paperback – by Remya Roshni
2. Civil Services Interview – by Madhukar Bhagat |
Also read: 5 Best Books for Indian Polity and Governance
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