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Recommended UPSC 2025 Booklist for Prelims & Mains Preparation

PWOnlyIAS October 22, 2024 07:00 3025 0

UPSC 2025 Booklist for Prelims and Mains preparation is available. Explore the top recommended books for UPSC 2025 along with tips.

Recommended UPSC 2025 Booklist for Prelims & Mains Preparation

UPSC 2025 Booklist: Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 requires a well-rounded strategy, and choosing the right books is key to your success. The right set of UPSC Books 2025 can guide you through both the Prelims and Mains stages. Whether you’re preparing for General Studies, CSAT, or subject-specific papers, having reliable and updated books is crucial. Candidates who preparing for the first time for UPSC, this guide will walk you through the essential books for each stage of the exam and where to buy them.

UPSC 2025 Booklist for Prelims

The UPSC Prelims is the first hurdle in your Civil Services journey. To crack this stage, you need books that cover the vast syllabus effectively. For the Prelims, focus on General Studies and CSAT with a mix of NCERT booklists for UPSC resources and specialized books. Here is the essential UPSC 2025 booklist for Prelims 2025:

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UPSC 2025 Booklist for Prelims

Subject Book Title Author/Publisher
24 Subjects UPSC Wallah GS + CSAT Combo Set of 24 For Civil Services Exam 2024 Latest Edition PW OnlyIAS
History “India’s Struggle for Independence” Bipan Chandra
Geography “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” G.C. Leong
Polity “Indian Polity” M. Laxmikanth
Economy “Indian Economy” Ramesh Singh
Environment “Environment and Ecology” Shankar IAS
General Science NCERT Science Textbooks (Class 6-12) NCERT
Current Affairs Current Wallah PW OnlyIAS
All subjects UPSC UDAAN Prelims Wallah Physics Wallah

Best Books for CSAT 2025

The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) is a critical component of the Prelims. It assesses your logical reasoning, analytical ability, and comprehension skills.

Comprehensive Preparation with Prahaar Mains Wallah Combo Set

Prahaar Mains Wallah by PWOnlyIAS is a complete study package for UPSC Mains aspirants. It includes 14 booklets that cover the entire UPSC Mains syllabus. Each booklet has a mix of static and current topics, including Economy, Environment, Ethics, and Polity. The content is well-researched and updated with the latest facts and examples. It also includes Previous Years’ Questions (PYQs) and important keywords to help students write better answers and revise quickly. Prahaar is the best resource for students serious about cracking the UPSC exam.

  • Comprehensive coverage of the entire UPSC Mains syllabus.
  • Integration of static and current topics with updated data.
  • Includes Previous Years’ Questions (PYQs) for better preparation.
  • Designed for efficient revision with a focus on essential keywords.

To buy Prahaar Mains Wallah Booklets Click here.

NCERT Booklist for UPSC Prelims 2025

NCERT Books are essential for building a strong foundation for the UPSC Prelims 2025. These books provide clear and concise information on various subjects, making them highly recommended for beginners and advanced aspirants alike. The simple language and well-structured content help candidates grasp core concepts effectively, which is crucial for clearing the Prelims. Below is a list of NCERT books you should include in your UPSC preparation:

Subject NCERT Books
History History of Ancient India (Class XI)
Themes in Indian History Part I, II, III (Class XII)
Geography Fundamentals of Physical Geography (Class XI)
India: Physical Environment (Class XI)
Polity Indian Constitution at Work (Class XI)
Political Science: Contemporary World Politics (XII)
Economy Indian Economic Development (Class XI)
Science & Environment Biology (Class XII, relevant chapters)
General Science Science (Class VI – X, relevant chapters)

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UPSC 2025 Booklist for Mains

The UPSC Mains examination is a descriptive test that requires an in-depth understanding of various subjects. Here are the recommended books for Mains preparation:

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General Studies Paper I 

General Studies Paper I covers a wide range of topics including Indian Heritage, History, Geography, and Society. To excel in this paper, you need a deep understanding of these subjects. Below are the recommended Subject-wise books for UPSC Mains to help you prepare thoroughly for each section.

Indian Heritage and Culture
  • Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania – Covers art forms, literature, architecture, and other cultural aspects.
  • The Wonder That Was India by A.L. Basham – Focuses on the cultural history of India.
History
  • India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra – Detailed analysis of India’s freedom movement.
  • India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha – Important for understanding post-independence India.
  • History of Modern World by Jain and Mathur – Covers significant events in world history that shaped modern societies.
Indian Society
  • Themes and Social Issues by Nadeem Hasnain
  • Structure and Change by S.C. Dubey
  • Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja
  • Concepts, Theories, and Recent Trends by A.R. Desai
Geography
  • World Geography by Majid Husain – Discusses the physical and human geography of the world.
  • Geography of India by Majid Husain – Essential for Indian geography specifically.
  • Oxford School Atlas – Useful for map-based questions and a better understanding of geographical concepts.

General Studies Paper II 

General Studies Paper II focuses on Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations. This paper requires a comprehensive understanding of the Indian political system and global affairs.

Constitution, Polity and Governance
  • Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth – A comprehensive guide on the Indian constitution and political system.
  • Governance in India by M. Laxmikanth – Explores issues on governance.
  • Important Judgments that Transformed India by Alex Andrews George – Discusses landmark Supreme Court cases.
Social Justice and International Relations
  • Social Problems In India by Ram Ahuja – Covers social issues and justice in the Indian context.
  • International Relations by Pavneet Singh or Global Politics by Andrew Heywood

General Studies Paper III

General Studies Paper III covers Economic Development, Technology, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management. To tackle this paper effectively, focus on understanding both the theoretical concepts and their practical applications.

Economy and Development
  • Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh – A detailed guide on the structure and state of the Indian economy.
  • Economic Survey (latest) – Offers insights into recent economic developments.
  • India’s Economic Development by Uma Kapila – Provides a narrative on economic policies and developments.
Environment
  • Environment by Shankar IAS – Comprehensive coverage of environmental topics.
  • Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar and Vipul Anekant
Science & Technology
  • Developments in Science and Technology by Kalpana Rajaram and Dr R K Suri
  • Science and Technology by Ravi. P. Agrahari
International Relations
  • The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations” by John Baylis, Steve Smith, and Patricia Owens
  • “Global Politics” by Andrew Heywood
  • “Theories of Comparative Politics: The Search for a Paradigm Reconsidered” by Ronald H. Chilcote
  • IGNOU notes on Comparative Politics
  • “Theories of International Relations” by Palgrave Publications
  • “The Oxford Handbook of International Relations” by Christian Reus-Smit and Duncan Snidal
  • “Understanding International Relations” by Chris Brown and Kirsten Ainley
  • “Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches” by Georg Sorenson and Robert Jackson
  • “Indian Foreign Policy: An Overview” by Harsh Pant
Disaster Management
  • Disaster Management in Brief by B. Singh
  • Internal Security and Disaster Management for UPSC by Syed Waqar Raza
  • Disaster Management: Warning Response & Community by Kamal Kishore and Muzamil M.

General Studies Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)

General Studies Paper IV is centered around Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. This paper tests your moral and ethical thinking abilities, as well as your attitude toward various issues.

  • Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chowdhury
  • Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude for IAS General Studies Paper IV by Niraj Kumar
  • UPSC Prahaar Mains Wallah (Static + Current Affairs) 2024 by PWOnlyIAS

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Where to Buy UPSC Books Online?

Finding the right books is crucial for effective preparation. You can buy all the recommended UPSC Standard Books 2025 from various online platforms. PW’s online store offers a wide range of UPSC preparation materials, including the CSAT Wallah series and other essential books.

PW OnlyIAS offers a comprehensive selection of UPSC books, including exclusive PW publications. You can find the UPSC 2025 booklist PDF to cover all the comprehensive syllabi in classified booklets.

Sign up for the PWOnlyIAS Online Course by Physics Wallah and start your journey to IAS success today!

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Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store UPSC Test Series 2024
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Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store

 

FAQs On UPSC Books 2025

Recommended books include "Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth, "Indian Economy" by Ramesh Singh, and NCERT textbooks.

You can purchase them from the PW Online Store. You can also buy PWOnlyIAS books online from Amazon and Flipkart.

Yes, NCERT books provide a strong foundation for all subjects and are crucial for both Prelims and Mains.

The PW OnlyIAS "CSAT Wallah" series is highly recommended for comprehensive practice and revision.

YouTube offers free expert lectures, current affairs discussions, and study tips, making it an excellent supplement to your preparation.
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Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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