Best Books for UPSC Prelims & Mains 2024
Last Updated :
05 Jan, 2024
Looking for reliable resources when studying for the UPSC CSE? Nowadays, aspirants have access to a plethora of books and study materials both online and in print, but they must do their homework to determine which ones will best serve them in their preparation. If you want to get into the UPSC, start with the NCERT books and then move on to the more advanced reference books. The candidate’s familiarity with the material and their level of experience with the exam will inform their decision over which UPSC exam book guide to use.
In this article, you will learn recommended books for ias by toppers and the Best Books for UPSC Prelims 2024 and Best Books for UPSC mains 2024 Examination. Also, you will have valuable insights about the importance of books and study material for the UPSC IAS Exam.
UPSC Prelims books – Best Books for IAS Prelims
It is recommended that everyone preparing for UPSC CSE 2024 thoroughly review the Prelims booklist.
The General Studies Paper 1 and the Computer-Based Aptitude Test are the prerequisites for entry into the IAS. Each of these works is an objective study.
Candidates should put more effort into understanding the concepts behind the topics for the prelims. Therefore, both journals need to have a dependable yet condensed booklist.
The booklist they have supplied comprises both UPSC prelims GS books and books for CSAT, which will assist you in covering the topics and provide an in-depth grasp of themes given in the curriculum.
It would help to familiarise yourself with the UPSC curriculum in detail to understand the material better.
Next, they included a table with the finest IAS books for prelims, including a list of GS books and a booklist for the UPSC CSAT (excluding NCERTS):
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UPSC Prelims books
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• NCERT 11th Ancient and Medieval
• NCERT 12th Modern Indian History
• Indian Art & Culture by Nitin Singhania
• India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra
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• NCERT VI-X Old Syllabus
• NCERT XI, XII New Syllabus
• World Atlas (Orient Black Swan)
• Certificate Physical Geography – G C Leong
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• NCERT IX-XII
• Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth
• NCERT XI
• Economic Development & Policies in India – Jain & Ohri
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• Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania
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• Current Affairs
• NCERT XII (Contemporary World Politics)
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• Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual
• Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal
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• IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers by Vishal Publications
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UPSC Mains books – Best Books for IAS Mains
Those who do well enough in the UPSC preliminary exam will move on to the IAS main exam. There are nine theory papers, out of which two papers are optional. Those interested in studying for the UPSC Preparation 2023 exam can use the information provided here.
We’ve compiled a list of the top books on general knowledge that you can use to ace the UPSC Mains Exam in 2023.
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UPSC Mains books
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• Ancient India by RS Sharma
• India after Independence by Bipan Chandra
• History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra
• Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
• India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
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• Geography of India by Majid Husain
• World Atlas (Orient Black Swan)
• Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G C Leong
• World Geography by Majid Husain
• Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11
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• Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu
• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
• International Relations: Pushpesh Pant
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• Environment and Disaster Management by Tata McGraw Hill
• Indian Economy – Nitin Singhania
• Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar
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• Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary
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• IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers – Vishal Publications
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UPSC Book List for Optional Subjects – Best books for UPSC
To help you succeed in the UPSC Mains Exam 2023, they have developed a list of the available UPSC Optional Subjects.
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• Agronomy By Yellamananda Reddy
• Soil Science – D.K Das Or Brady
• Genetics By B.D.Singh
• Entomology – Vasantha Raj & David
• Special Issue of Agriculture by The Hindu
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• N. Hasnain: Tribal India
• Herskovits: Cultural Anthropology
• Surender Nath: Forensic Anthropology
• Herskovits: Cultural Anthropology
• Stein & Rowe: An Introduction to Physical Anthropology
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• Taxonomy: Nair along with Datta
• Embryology: Bhojwani and Bhatnagar
• Physiology and Biochemistry: Salisbury and Ross or Fritz and Noggle
• Economic Botany: Kochar or Verma
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• Theoretical principles of inorganic chemistry – G.S. Manku,
• Extradiction of metals, Principle of inorganic chemistry – Puri, Sharma, Jauhar.
• Advance physical chemistry – Gurdeep Raj
• A guide to mechanism in organic chemistry – Peter Sykes
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• International Economics – Bo Soderston
• National Income Accounting – Bakerman
• Banking – S.B. Gupta
• International Trade – Bo Soderston
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• History of Modern India – Shekhar Bandopadhyaya/Bipan Chandra
• India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma
• The Wonder That Was India – A.L. Basham
• Ashoka and the Decline of the Mauryas – Romila Thapar
• India’s Struggle For Independence – Bipan Chandra and Others
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• Financial: Pandey/Chandra/Khan & Jain/Bearley
• Economics: Any good economics book
• Operations: Adams/Taha
• Organisational Design: Khandwala; Madhukar Shukla
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• Ordinary Differential EQs:- MD Raising Lumina, Golden series-NP Bali
• Real Analysis – Shantinarayan, Royden
• Linear Programming – SD Sharma
• Solid Mechanism – Kazmioo
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• Modern Central Engineering – Ogata
• Electromagnetic Waives and Field – R.N. Singh
• Surveying and Levelling – T P Kanetakar
• Heat Conversion – Arora & Kundwar
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• Urdu Shairi ka Tauqidi Mutala – Suenbul Nigar
• Urdu Nasr ka Tauqidi Mutala – Suenbul Nigar
• Urdu Adab Ki Tarikh – Noorul Hasan Naqvi
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• Psychology Robert A Baron
• Social Psychology Baron & Byrne
• The Psychology of Small Groups Shaw
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Importance of IAS preparation books
Books written specifically for India’s Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams can be invaluable study tools. Candidates for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) are chosen through these rigorous examinations. Examinees can benefit from preparation books since they provide valuable insight into the structure and content of tests, sample questions and other study aids.
Books written specifically to prepare for the UPSC exam can be useful, but they shouldn’t be your only resource. A well-rounded and comprehensive preparation for the UPSC exams requires utilising multiple resources, including online study aids, practice tests, and coaching programmes.
Highlights of UPSC study material
1. UPSC PYQs Integrated
Notes 2.0 includes all of the UPSC Mains Exam questions from 2013 to 2020. Students can better prepare for tests if they know what is expected.
UPSC also has a habit of asking the same questions more than once. Comparing India with Western secularism is only one example; questions about urban flooding have also come up frequently in previous UPSC exams. Mastering PYQs will aid in providing suitable responses.
2. Concept Maps and Timelines
Tables, flowcharts, bullet points, and timelines are all condensed forms of high-yield information that will aid with memorization and recall. When it comes time to study, this will be invaluable. Students can revise a single page rather than the entire chapter.
3. Every subject is thoroughly covered
Notes cover many current events, including the Taliban’s conquest of Afghanistan, the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend internet access, the SC’s decision to create a quota for the economically disadvantaged Scheduled Castes, and the controversies surrounding Indian secularism.
Critical Opinions covers a wide range of subjects related to critical thinking. Most questions answered in the UPSC Mains test are opinion-based; they have tried to teach the same in Notes 2.0. The question of why the Congress party agreed to India’s partition is one such case. Could India’s split have been prevented? Notes 2.0 has this covered.
4. Pearls of Knowledge
There are pearls of wisdom hidden in Notes 2.0. Was it the British who brought political unity to India, for instance?
5. Other Features
- Thin and crisp volumes on themes like Disaster Management, Post-Independence, and World History so busy professionals can read them in their spare time. Reading and reviewing books is simple.
- Notes 2.0 is a cost-effective alternative to purchasing numerous textbooks, as it covers current events, theory, critical opinion concerns, and PYQs.
- The paper and binding are of good enough quality that a student’s use of a highlighter or pen won’t damage the pages.
- India’s most popular online educational hub provides study guides for the UPSC test. Visit their site for the best UPSC prep, hand-picked by the industry’s foremost instructors.
Significance of Quality IAS Study Materials
You can only prepare for the civil services test with solid IAS books. Here are five reasons why they’re so crucial:
- Coverage That Goes Above And Beyond: The best IAS preparation materials thoroughly cover the exam’s extensive curriculum, helping candidates hone their knowledge in every study area.
- Clarity of Thought: They aid in laying a solid groundwork by simplifying difficult topics for their readers, who are thus more able to absorb and apply the information presented.
- Importance of the Exam: The best IAS books are designed with the UPSC exam in mind, including material similar to that found on the exam.
- Exercise and Review: Candidates can test their knowledge and prepare for the exam with the help of practice questions, past papers and revision notes found in many IAS publications.
- Effective use of Time: Using recommended IAS books might help candidates make the most efficient use of their time by pointing them toward the most relevant and useful study materials.
Conclusion
This brings us to the end of this part. Up to this point, they’ve given you all the information you need to succeed with the UPSC exam book guide. Hope you find the extensive talk above valuable for your preparation. We wish you the best of luck in your upcoming UPSC exam and ask that you please excuse us. To Your Success!! Don’t Stop Studying!
Useful Resources:
Starting Your UPSC Journey
PSC Exam Resources and Materials
UPSC Syllabus and Exam Pattern
UPSC Prelims and Mains Preparation
UPSC Interview Preparation and Insights
FAQs on Best Books for UPSC Prelims and Mains
1. What are the must-read books for UPSC Prelims?
- For General Studies, books like NCERT textbooks, ‘Indian Polity’ by M. Laxmikanth, and ‘Certificate Physical and Human Geography’ by G.C. Leong are highly recommended.
- For current affairs, regular reading of newspapers like ‘The Hindu’ or ‘Indian Express’ is essential.
2. Which books are best for UPSC Mains preparation?
- ‘An Introduction to the Constitution of India’ by D.D. Basu, ‘India After Gandhi’ by Ramachandra Guha for Indian History, and ‘Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude’ by Subba Rao are crucial for Mains.
- Subject-specific books based on the chosen optional subject are also important.
3. Are NCERT books enough for UPSC preparation?
NCERT books are fundamental for building a strong base, especially for subjects like History, Geography, and Science. However, advanced preparation requires additional standard books.
4. How can I cover current affairs effectively for UPSC?
Regular reading of newspapers, following credible news websites, and monthly magazines like ‘Yojana’ and ‘Kurukshetra’ are effective for covering current affairs.
5. Can you suggest some books for UPSC Prelims CSAT paper?
‘CSAT Manual by TMH’ or ‘Cracking the CSAT Paper-2’ by Arihant Experts are good choices for CSAT preparation.
6. What books should I read for UPSC Ethics paper?
‘Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude’ by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary is a popular choice for the Ethics paper in Mains.
7. Are there any comprehensive guides for UPSC Prelims and Mains?
Comprehensive guides like ‘IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers’ by Disha Experts can be helpful for practice and understanding the exam pattern.
8. How important are previous year question papers for UPSC preparation?
Solving previous year question papers is crucial for understanding the exam pattern and type of questions asked. Books like ’22 years CSAT General Studies IAS Prelims Topic-wise Solved Papers’ by Disha Publication are useful.
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