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UPSC Prelims Notes

In order to assist IAS aspirants with the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2023, this article aims to provide a list of recommended books that are specifically tailored for this purpose. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Exam in India. It is a very tough and respected exam. If you want to perform well in exam. It is important to access only best study materials and resources.This will assist you in succeeding in the exam.

The Importance of Choosing the Right UPSC Books for UPSC Exam Preparation

The importance of good UPSC Books cannot be overstated, especially with UPSC Prelims 2023 coming up on 28th May 2023. With the large number of study materials available online and offline, it is crucial for candidates to choose the best books for UPSC IAS preparation.

IAS toppers recommend to start with NCERT books and then move to standard reference books. The best UPSC Books may vary depending on the candidate’s previous expertise and knowledge in the subject. This article provides subject wise recommendations from UPSC book experts.

Choosing the right books for the different stages of the UPSC exam is crucial as Prelims contains only objective type questions while IAS Mains contains descriptive essays. Candidates should divide their reading list into prelims and mains.

Aspirants can find the list of best UPSC Books for quick reference by downloading them from the given link. Additionally, you can read or download UPSC Syllabus for Upcoming Civil Services Exam from the link in the article.

Click here to download UPSC Book PDF

Subject Suggested Books
History
  • India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra
  • Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
  • NCERT XI (Ancient & Medieval)
  • NCERT XII (Modern Indian History)
Geography
  • Certificate Physical Geography – G C Leong
  • NCERT VI – X (Old Syllabus)
  • NCERT XI, XII (New Syllabus)
  • World Atlas (Orient Black Swan)
Indian Polity
  • Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth
  • NCERT IX-XII
Economics
  • Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania
  • Economic Development & Policies in India – Jain & Ohri
  • NCERT XI
International Relations
  • NCERT XII (Contemporary World Politics)
  • Current Affairs
CSAT
  • Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual
  • Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R S Aggarwal
Solved Papers
  • IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers – Vishal Publications

For more information on CSAT, check the linked article

Top Recommendations for IAS Mains Books to Prepare for UPSC Exam

After clearing the Prelims stage of the IAS Exam, candidates move on to the Mains stage, which consists of 9 theory papers, including two on optional subjects. To prepare well, candidates should refer to the recommended IAS general studies Mains books. Below are some of the best general studies books for the UPSC Mains exam.

Subject Books
History, Indian Heritage & Culture

[GS Paper 1]

  • Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
  • India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
  • India after Independence by Bipan Chandra
  • History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra
  • Ancient India by R.S Sharma
Geography

[GS Paper 1]

  • Geography of India by Majid Husain
  • World Geography by Majid Husain
  • World Atlas (Orient Black Swan)
  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G C Leong
  • Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11
Polity & International Relations

[GS Paper 2]

  • Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu
  • International Relations: Pushpesh Pant
Economy

[GS Paper 3]

  • Indian Economy – Nitin Singhania
  • Environment and Disaster Management – Tata McGraw Hill
  • Challenges to Internal Security of India – Ashok Kumar
Ethics

[GS Paper 4]

  • Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary
Solved Papers
  • IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers – Vishal Publications

For the UPSC mains exam, aspirants have to choose an optional subject which carries a total of 500 marks. Consequently, it is necessary to carefully select and study relevant books for electives. To help you with this, below is a table with links to recommended UPSC Books for each respective elective.

UPSC Books on Optional Subjects

Table: Below table, you can find out the optional subject books

UPSC Books – History Optional UPSC Books – Political Science Optional UPSC Books – Public Administration Optional
UPSC Books – Geography Optional UPSC Books – Anthropology Optional UPSC Books – Sociology Optional
UPSC Books – Hindi Literature Optional UPSC Books – Economics Optional UPSC Books – Tamil Literature Optional
UPSC Books – Mathematics Optional UPSC Books – Philosophy Optional UPSC Books – Botany Optional
UPSC Books – Kannada Literature Optional UPSC Books – Gujarati Literature Optional UPSC Books – Chemistry Optional
UPSC Books – Physics Optional UPSC Books – English Literature Optional UPSC Books – Telugu Literature Optional
UPSC Books – Statistics Optional UPSC Books – Geology Optional UPSC Books – Commerce Optional
UPSC Books – Psychology Optional UPSC Books -Electrical Engineering Optional UPSC Books – Medical Science Optional
UPSC Books – Agriculture Optional UPSC Books – Civil Engineering Optional UPSC Books – Mechanical Engineering Optional
UPSC Books – Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences Optional UPSC Books – Law Optional UPSC Books – Zoology Optional
UPSC Books – Assamese Literature Optional UPSC Books – Sindhi Literature Optional UPSC Books – Kashmiri Literature Optional
UPSC Books – Malayalam Literature Optional UPSC Books – Nepali Literature Optional UPSC Books – Bengali Literature Optional
UPSC Books – Bodo Literature Optional UPSC Books – Konkani Literature Optional UPSC Books – Manipuri Literature Optional
UPSC Books – Oriya Literature Optional UPSC Books – Santhali Literature Optional UPSC Books – Urdu Literature Optional
UPSC Books – Maithili Literature Optional UPSC Books – Marathi Literature Optional UPSC Books – Punjabi Literature Optional
UPSC Books – Sanskrit Literature Optional

In addition to the books mentioned earlier, crucial UPSC study material includes:

2nd ARC Report (To learn more about ARC Reports, refer to the linked article.)

  1. Latest Economic Survey
  2. Latest Budget
  3. Latest Finance Commission Report
  4. Annual reports by central ministries
  5. Current Affairs
  • The Hindu Newspaper
  • Yojana Magazine
  • Press Information Bureau Releases
  1. Niti Aayog Action Agenda

UPSC E-books: Convenient and Accessible Study Material

Nowadays, candidates have the option to download e-books for UPSC preparation. These e-books are readily available online, allowing candidates to access them easily. Instead of carrying around a bundle of physical books, candidates can simply download the required e-books for each subject.

These UPSC online books are accessible from anywhere and can be downloaded for free using the internet. Candidates can save the PDF files on their laptops or tablets and carry them along.

E-books have gained popularity as they provide quick access to the desired information, thanks to technology. Candidates can obtain the necessary information within seconds without going through each detail under a topic. NCERT books, monthly magazines, and other essential books are available in PDF format for free use on the internet, making it easier for candidates to download these UPSC online books.

Best UPSC Books for Your Preparation

Covering the vast UPSC syllabus takes at least a year, and it’s crucial not to waste precious time on substandard books that may contain inaccurate information. Reading from recommended sources will save you from the hassle of having to unlearn incorrect information. Additionally, several books are tailor-made for the IAS exam, with information presented in a concise ‘notes’ format, such as Laxmikanth’s book on Polity. This book has been a go-to source for many UPSC candidates, as questions have been known to come directly from it. It’s important to note that not all excellent books are suitable for the UPSC exam, as some may be more relevant to academia and research. You need to select UPSC books that are beneficial to your preparation and can help you score well in the IAS exam.

Click here to download the NCERT Books.

Conclusion

To prepare for the UPSC IAS Prelims exam, you should begin by understanding the exam pattern, syllabus, and previous year’s question papers. Create a study plan with achievable targets, and use the right study materials such as NCERT books, reference books, and current affairs magazines. Practice MCQs regularly and take mock tests to test your knowledge.You need to build strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.

Make sure to keep yourself updated with what is happening locally and around the world. Take care of both your mind and body by looking after breaks. Remember that success in the UPSC IAS Prelims exam requires hard work, dedication, and effective preparation strategies.

FAQs

Q1:What books should I read for UPSC Prelims?

Ans: To prepare for UPSC Preliminary exam, it can be overwhelming to choose from many available books. If you want to prepare well, you should read some by M Laxmikanth, History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra, Geography of India by Majid Hussain,India Economy by Ramesh Singh,Environmental Studies from Crisis to cure by R, Rajagopalan, and India yearbook by the government of india Express, and magazines like Yojana, Kurukshetra, and Frontline.Make sure to pick book that match your learning style and strategy.

Q2:Which notes are best for UPSC Prelims?

Ans: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as different candidates have different learning styles and preferences. However, some popular options for UPSC Prelims preparation include NCERT textbooks, standard reference books, coaching institute notes, and self-made notes. It is important to choose a study material that suits your individual learning style and helps you effectively understand and retain the information.

Q3:How to prepare notes for prelims?

Ans: To prepare notes for UPSC Prelims, read the study materials thoroughly, highlight important points, organize the notes subject/topic-wise, simplify complex concepts, revise regularly, and use flashcards or online apps for quick revision.

Q4:What not to read for prelims?

Ans: To avoid overwhelming yourself and wasting time, it’s best to avoid reading non-essential or irrelevant materials for UPSC Prelims. Examples of what not to read for prelims include outdated or irrelevant news articles, highly technical academic books, materials on obscure or highly specialized topics, and any study materials that are not relevant to the UPSC syllabus.

Q5:Is toppers notes good for UPSC?

Ans: Toppers’ notes can be a good supplement to your UPSC preparation, but they should not be relied upon as the sole source of study material. It’s important to read the standard textbooks and reference materials to build a strong foundation for the UPSC exam.

Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023. PWOnlyIAS is NOW at three new locations Mukherjee Nagar ,Lucknow and Patna , Explore all centers Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz , 4) PDF Downloads UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023. PWOnlyIAS is NOW at three new locations Mukherjee Nagar ,Lucknow and Patna , Explore all centers Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz , 4) PDF Downloads UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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