Get Complete Booklist for UPSC IAS
- In this article on UPSC Books, we are going to provide you the complete Booklist for UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains Exam which is recommended by Toppers only.
- I have seen a lot of aspirants are sometimes confused that which book should I read for our UPSC exam preparation, this happens because of watching different videos of toppers for the same content on youtube.
- Perhaps, You have heard in almost every topper’s talk, and It should be clear in your mind that minimum resources and maximum revision is the key to success in the UPSC IAS exam.
- But now this question arises in mind that What does mean by minimum resources i.e. how many books are included in the ‘minimum resources‘?
- Actually ‘minimum resources’ refer to a ‘single source for single Topic’.
- Toppers suggest minimum resources to UPSC aspirants because of a plethora of study material available both online and offline.
- Therefore, it is crucial that the candidates select the best books for UPSC IAS preparation and stick to it.
- IAS toppers recommend that aspirant start their UPSC Preparation with NCERT books and then move on to the standard reference books.
- The best Booklist for UPSC can vary from candidate to candidate depending on their previous expertise and knowledge of the subject matter & Optional Subject. However, the books for UPSC recommended by experts are listed in this article subject-wise.
- Taking inputs from toppers, we have prepared a detailed list of the best UPSC books available in the market.
Booklist for UPSC Prelims and Mains
- The Best Books for UPSC Civil Services Examination preparation are those that offer a well-organized and comprehensive coverage of the syllabus. These books should help you save time by providing detailed explanations and stay updated with the latest changes in the exam pattern and content. Selecting the right UPSC CSE Books is crucial for each stage of the exam.
- The Prelims consist of objective-type questions, while the Mains require descriptive answer writing skills. It’s essential for aspirants to be discerning in their choice of books and categorize their reading list into Prelims and Mains preparation materials.
UPSC IAS Question Papers
Booklist for UPSC Prelims
NCERT
- NCERT History Books
- NCERT Geography Books
- NCERT Political Science
- NCERT Economics
Standard Reference Books
- Geography Complete Notes by LotusArise
- Certificate of Physical and human geography
- Environment – Shankar IAS
- A Brief History of Modern India
- Indian Art and Culture by LotusArise / Nitin Singhania
- Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Science and Technology – LotusArise / Ravi P. Agrahari
- Oxford Students Atlas for India & LotusArise Mapping Notes
Booklist for UPSC Mains
In UPSC Mains Booklist, I am not writing the name of Prelims Books again so, you will have to include the Prelims Booklist also.
General Studies – 1
- India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
- History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra / Medieval Indian History by LotusArise
- Ancient India by R.S Sharma /or Ancient and Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh
- India after Independence by Bipan Chandra /or LotusArise Notes (recommended)
- Modern World History by Norman Lowe /or World History – LotusArise Notes (recommended)
- India Geography – D.R. Khullar
- Indian Geography Mapping
- Indian Society Class: 12 NCERT & Society LotusArise Notes
General Studies – 2
- Governance in India – by LotusArise / M Laxmikanth
- International Relations – by LotusArise / Pavneet Singh
- Social Justice – LotusArise Notes
General Studies – 3
- Challenges to Internal Security of India – by LotusArise Ashok Kumar
General Studies – 4
- Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude Notes by LotusArise / Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude /or A Practical Approach to Ethics Integrity and Aptitude – DK BALAJI IAS
- Decode Ethics by Mudit Jain
UPSC Booklist and Resources: Subject-wise
UPSC Booklist for History
Indian Cultural Heritage and History (Art and Culture)
- LotusArise Notes
- NCERT: Class- 11th – An Introduction to Indian Arts – PART -I
- NCERT: Class – 12th – An Introduction to Indian Arts – PART -II
- Tamil Nadu Class 11th History Book Volume I
- Tamil Nadu Class 11th history Book Volume II
- CCRT Website or compilation
Ancient History
- NCERT: Class- 11th: Themes in India History: Part I
- Old NCERT Class XI By RS Sharma
- Tamil Nadu Class 11th History Book Volume I
- India’s Ancient Past by RS Sharma
Medieval India
- Medieval Indian History by LotusArise
- NCERT: Class- 12th: Themes in Indian History: Part II
- Old NCERT- History of Medieval India- Satish Chandra
- Tamil Nadu Class 11th Volume II – History Book
- History of Medieval India: 800-1700 by Satish Chandra
Modern India
- Modern India: Old NCERT by Bipin Chandra
- Themes in India History: Part III (NCERT)
- A Brief History of Modern India : Spectrum
- Tamil Nadu Class 12th History Book
- India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra
Post Independent India
- NCERT: Class 12 – Politics in India Since Independence
- India Since Independence by Bipin Chandra
- Post-Independence Indian History by LotusArise
World History
- World History Notes by LotusArise
- The Story of Civilization (Old NCERT): Part 2 by Arjun Dev
- NCERT: The Contemporary
- World History (Old NCERT): Class XII
- NCERT – Themes in World History
- Tamil Nadu Class XIIth History Book
UPSC Booklist for Geography
- Geography Notes by LotusArise
- World Geography Notes by LotusArise
- NCERT Class XI (India Physical Environment)
- NCERT Class XII (India People and Economy)
- NCERT: Class 12 Indian Society; Social Change and Development in India
- Geography by Majid Hussain.
- Down to Earth Magazine
- Indian Geography Mapping
- Atlas
- Newspapers: The Hindu/Indian Express
Indian Polity
- NCERT: Class 11 – Indian Constitution at Work
- NCERT: Class 12th Politics in India since Independence
- Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth
- The Indian Constitution by Madhav Khosla
Social Justice and Governance
International Affairs
- International Relations Notes by LotusArise
- NCERT 12th – Contemporary World Politics
- Pax Indica by Shashi Tharoor
- The Indian Express & The Hindu
- PIB
Indian Economy
- Mrunal Sir Notes
- NCERT 11th Class (Indian Economic Development)
- NCERT 12th Class (Introductory Macroeconomics)
- Economic Survey and Budget (Summary)
- The Hindu/Indian Express
- Government Schemes
- Report by NITI Aayog: Strategy for New India @ 75
- Yojana Magazine
Science and Technology
- Science and Technology Notes by LotusArise
- NCERTs 6th – 10th
- The Hindu and Indian Express
- Science Reporter Magazine
- Government Schemes
Environment and Ecology + Disaster Management
- Environment Book by Shankar IAS
- Disaster Management Notes by LotusArise
- NCERTs:
- Class 12th Biology (Chapter 10:Ecology)
- Class 11th Chemistry (Chapter 14: Environmental Chemistry)
- Class 12 Chemistry (Chapter 16 – Chemistry in Everyday Life)
- NCERT 11th book – Natural Hazards and Disaster Management
- Newspapers – The Hindu / Indian Express
- Down To Earth Magazine
- Government Schemes
- IGNOU – MPA – 018 Disaster management
Internal Security
- Internal Security Notes by LotusArise
- Government Schemes Yellow Book
- The Hindu and Indian Express
- IDSA reports
- Selective articles from EPW
- Yojana Magazine
Ethic, Integrity and Aptitude
- Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by LotusArise
- Ethics in Public Administration- A Philosophical Approach by Patrick Sheeran
- 2nd ARC 4th Report: Ethics in Governance
- Newspapers: The Hindu/Indian Express
- The Better India site
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