BEST BOOKS FOR IAS PREPARATION

Who doesn't want to clear the UPSC IAS examination? And in order to succeed in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services examination, it is important that the aspirant has access to the latest updated syllabus and uses the best study material to prepare for the examination.

Here, we are going to provide the list of important books for UPSC (IAS) Prelims and Mains preparation.

Important books for Prelims

NCERT Textbooks (Class 6-12)

It is ideal for all IAS aspirants to start with NCERT books from Class 6 to Class 12.

Here’s a class-wise list of must-read NCERT Books for UPSC Civil Services Examination.  

Click here to Download: https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php

POLITY

Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations by M. Laxmikanth

This book needs no introduction. This is the only book which can bring wonders to your study style and is recommended by each and every IAS topper. It has become a must-read book for aspirants appearing in various competitive examinations and the civil services examination in particular.

CULTURE

Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania

This one book is a gem for your entire syllabus of Indian Heritage and culture. The content is also supported with a plethora of questions that will help students to prepare for the examination.

An Introduction to Indian Art (Class XI)

NCERT Class XI – Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)

GEOGRAPHY

NCERT VI – X (Old Syllabus)

NCERT XI, XII (New Syllabus)

Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong

This book covers the whole geography syllabus which is required for your UPSC prelims and mains examination. One can also go for NCERT books from Class 6-12 but, if you want to build some extra knowledge, then you must go for this book.

Oxford School Atlas by Oxford Publishers

A must-have book for UPSC aspirants, the atlas includes 200 maps with 94 thematic maps of India.

ECONOMY

Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh

This economics book by Ramesh Singh is a comprehensive text which covers every topic in detailed manner.

Economic Survey by Ministry of Finance

The Economic Survey by Ministry of Finance is the most reliable source data on India's economy. This book provides complete information about the policy and performance of the government.

MODERN INDIA

A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir

A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir deals with the events that shaped the happening after the decline of the Mughal empire and the rise of East India Company and the advent of British rule in the country.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

THE IAS GAZETTE JOURNAL

It is the most comprehensive Current Affairs Journal for IAS preparation. Each and every topic which is relevant from the examination perspective is analyzed by a team of experts and then compiled in this Journal. One does not need to refer to multiple sources for a holistic preparation. If an aspirant wants to build some extra knowledge then only the aspirant can refer the flowing sources as add-ons.

The Hindu

PIB

PRS 

SCIENCE & TECH

The IAS Gazette Journal

Daily Newspapers

ISRO website

ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

Shankar IAS Environment Book

Recent events on Climate change through newspapers

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

NCERT XII (Contemporary World Politics)

Current Affairs

CSAT

Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual

CSAT II – Arihant

Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R S Aggarwal

Important Books for Mains

GS Paper 1

Indian Heritage and Culture

The Wonder That Was India A.L. Bhasham

Indian Art and Culture Nitin Singhania

India and World History

India's Ancient Past R.S. Sharma

History of Modern India Bipan Chandra

India's Struggle For Independence Bipan Chandra

Geography of the World and Society

Geography of India Majid Husain (Geography)

Oxford School Atlas Oxford (Geography)

Certificate Physical and Human Geography Goh Cheng Leong (Geography)

GS Paper 2

Indian Constitution at Work (NCERT)

Indian Polity by Laxmikanth

Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu

Governance in India by Laxmikanth

India Year Book

Contemporary World Politics (NCERT)

GS Paper 3

Economic Survey

Science and Technology in India TMH

The Environment for Civil Services prelims and Mains Khuller

India Year Book

ARC Report on Disaster Management

Indian Economy by Uma Kapila

GS Paper 4

Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

IAS Mains General Studies Ethics (Arihant Manual GS4)

1. Subbarao

Other important Study Materials

Apart from the books mentioned above, Study Materials which are essential for UPSC are:

2nd ARC Report

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

PRS Releases