UPSC CSE FAQs

War cannot be won without the right tools. UPSC is no less than a war room where each year lakhs of aspirants compete for their dream to come true. In this competition, books are their arms. You need to pick only the best standard books to help you clear each stage of the UPSC exam.

To begin with, having a strong foundation is required. To build this base, you need NCERT books. Then to enhance your knowledge and for conceptual clarity, you will need subject-specific books. Prelims or Mains, in both stages you need the best reading material or study material for Current Affairs for the integrated approach. Then, GS Papers 1,2,3 and 4, require the help of books that are comprehensively designed keeping the UPSC syllabus in mind. Even the optional subjects, require the right books. 

No matter how much you prepare but without having a good book as your guide, it is not possible to crack it. To make it easy for you we have come up with the best books and study material required to build up your conceptual clarity to ace the UPSC exam. For the interview, it is essential to develop a perspective to nurture the skills required to become a bureaucrat and these will be assessed at each step. Remember that UPSC does not make you an IAS, it chooses an IAS

UPSC IAS is an exam that can’t be cleared without a proper strategy and the right and relevant study materials. The choice of the wrong resources might jeopardize your chances of selection for the IAS exam. There are a plethora of best books for UPSC IAS prelims and mains with study material available in the market for UPSC Exam preparation but there is still ambiguity over the details of the right study material that gives you a surety of success in the Civil Services exam. Here we are suggesting the standard books and resources that could be read for selection in UPSC IAS Exam.

List of recommended Best Books for Prelims (Subject wise)

1. Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations by M. Laxmikanth (Polity)

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

2. Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania (Culture)

This best book is a gem for your entire UPSC 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.

3. Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong. (Geography)

This best book is a best-seller and is recommended by every UPSC topper. The 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 best book.

4. Oxford School Atlas by Oxford Publishers. (Geography)

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

5. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh (Economy)

This economics book by Ramesh Singh is a comprehensive text which covers every topic in a detailed manner. The book is a stellar product, with many years of bestselling performance.

6. Economic Survey by Ministry of Finance (Economy)

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

7. India Year Book

This reference book is an authoritative compilation of complete information about the current affairs of the country, which includes important dignitaries, state policy, public schemes and important data related to demographics, trade, economy and others.

8. A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Modern India)

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.

9. Current affairs

• The Hindu
• PIB
• Other important websites/applications

10. Science & Tech

• Notes 
• Daily Newspapers
• ISRO website

11. Environment & Ecology

Recent events on Climate change in newspapers

List of recommended best books for Mains (Paperwise)

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 M Laxmikanth
• Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu
• Governance in India by M 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

• GS Score Notes of Ethics and Case Studies by Manoj K Jha
• GS Score Workbook for Ethics