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Which are the best books for the preparation

of UPSC IAS exam?

Greetings Dear Aspirant,

This article contains the list of essential books needed for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The list of books mentioned here will be useful for different stages of the examination and should not be taken in separate water tight compartments.

Books for Basic Foundation Before, beginning the UPSC Civil services exam preparation, every aspirant should work on building his/her basic foundation. In order to build strong foundation, one has to read the basic NCERT books thoroughly. The list of books is:

History (for both Prelims & Main Exam) History: NCERT Class VI Our Past

History: NCERT Class VII Our Past -I

History: NCERT Class VIII Our Past II and III

History: NCERT Class IX India and the Contemporary World I

History: NCERT Class IX India and the Contemporary World II

History: NCERT Class X Themes in World History

History: NCERT Class XII Themes In Indian History I (V. Imp)

History: NCERT Class XII Themes in Indian History II (V. Imp)

History: NCERT Class XII Themes in Indian History III (V. Imp)

Art & Culture NCERTs (for both Prelims & Main Exam)

Art & Culture : NCERT Class XI An Introduction to Indian Art (V. Imp)

Art & Culture : NCERT Class XI Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)

Geography (for both Prelims & Main Exam) Geography: NCERT Class VI The Earth Our

Habitat

Geography: NCERT Class VII Our Environment

Geography: NCERT Class VIII Resource and Development

Geography: NCERT Class IX Contemporary India I

Geography: NCERT Class X Contemporary India II

Geography: NCERT Class XI Fundamentals of Physical Geography (V. Imp)

Geography: NCERT Class XI India Physical Environment (V. Imp)

Geography: NCERT Class XII Fundamentals of Human Geography

Geography: NCERT Class XII India People and Economy (V. Imp)

Indian Society (for both Prelims & Main Exam)

Indian Society: NCERT Class VI Social Science: Social & Political Life I

Indian Society: NCERT Class VII Social Science: Social & Political Life II

Indian Society: NCERT Class VIII Social Science: Social & Political Life III

Indian Society: NCERT Class XII Indian Society (Selective Reading)

Indian Society: NCERT Class XII Social Change and Development in India (V. Imp)

Polity (for both Prelims & Main Exam) Polity: NCERT Class IX Political Science:

Democratic Politics Part I

Polity: NCERT Class X Political Science: Democratic Politics Part II

Polity: NCERT Class XI Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work

Polity: NCERT Class XI Political Science: Political Theory

Polity: NCERT Class XII Political Science I: Contemporary World Politics

Polity: NCERT Class XII Political Science II: Politics in India since Independence

Economy (for both Prelims & Main Exam) Economy: NCERT Class IX Economics: Economics

Economy: NCERT Class X Understanding Economic Development

Economy: NCERT Class XI Indian Economic Development

Economy: NCERT Class XII Introductory Microeconomics

Economy: NCERT Class XII Introductory Macroeconomics

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Essential Books for Prelims Stage

The above list of books will help in building a strong foundation for the UPSC IAS examination. The following list of books contains many of the basic NCERTs mentioned above and other additional books. The list of books given below is very important keeping in mind the current pattern of the examination. The list is as follows:

History and Art & Culture Ancient India: Class XI Old NCERT by RS Sharma. This

NCERT covers the ancient Indian history syllabus completely.

Medieval India: Class XI Old NCERT by Satish Chandra

Modern India: Spectrum Publications A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir. Buy latest edition as it contains some additional material.

Art & Culture: One should read art and culture after reading the two NCERTs of Ancient and Medieval India mentioned above. NCERT Class XI An Introduction to Indian Art will help in building basic understanding. Indian Art & Culture by Nitin Singhania is another essential book.

Geography NCERT Class XI Fundamentals of Physical Geography

(V. Imp)

NCERT Class XI India Physical Environment (V. Imp)

NCERT Class XII Fundamentals of Human Geography

NCERT Class XII India People and Economy (V. Imp)

Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong (Author)

Ecology & Environment Science: Class XII Biology: last four Chapters (13 to

16)

Environment booklet by Shankar IAS Academy (Important keeping in mind the current trend)

Indian Polity and Governance Indian Polity by Laxmikanth (Kindly read latest edition)

Economic and Social Development Economy: NCERT Class XII Introductory

Microeconomics

Economy: NCERT Class XII Introductory Macroeconomics

Indian Economy Key Concepts by K Sankarganesh (Very good book for basic concepts & definitions). These books are sufficient for Prelims stage.

General Science For this section read the science NCERT summary available in the market by various famous coaching institutes. Refer to previous year questions to understand the kind of questions being asked in the examination from this particular section.

Current events of National and International Importance Reading newspaper religiously is crucial for

wholesome coverage of the current events. Follow either The Hindu or Indian Express newspaper.

Apart from newspapers, go through current events compilation (Prelims specific) of various coaching institutes to further supplement the newspaper reading.

Other Miscellaneous Books India Year Book Either read directly from the text or refer to year book summary available in market. Year book summary by New Vishal Publication is famous among students.

Essential Books for Main Examination Stage General Studies -1 History and Art & Culture of India Same list of books mentioned at Prelims stage. Also, read selective chapters of India Since Independence by Bipan Chandra. World History

NCERT Class IX India and the Contemporary World I,

NCERT Class IX India and the Contemporary World II

NCERT Class X Themes in World History

Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe Geography of India & World List of NCERTs mentioned above at Prelims stage and for building basic foundation are sufficient. Society

NCERTs mentioned above for basic Foundation in Society section.

Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja

General Studies -2 Polity, Social Justice & Governance

Indian Polity by Laxmikanth is sufficient for Polity section.

Refer to notes available in market by various coaching institutes for some sections which are not covered in Laxmikanth.

Reading newspapers on a regular basis is the key as the focus is primarily on current issues.

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International Relations

Indias Foreign Policy since Independence by V P Dutt (essential book)

Challenge and Strategy: Rethinking India's Foreign Policy by Rajiv Sikri

Newspaper reading is crucial for this section.

General Studies -3 Economic Development

Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh

Refer to notes by various coaching institutes for sections not covered in the above book.

Reading newspapers regularly is key to cover various issues from current perspective

Bio diversity, Environment Technology

There is no particular book to cover these topics. Newspaper reading is crucial for this section.

Security and Disaster Management

Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar is more than enough for this section.

General Studies- IV Read any one of the following two books:

Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude for IAS General Studies Paper IV

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Examination by G Subba Rao

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