Philosophy Books for UPSC IAS Exam 2024

PWOnlyIAS June 07, 2024 06:33 2136 0

Philosophy books for UPSC are crucial for candidates who take Philosophy as an optional subject in the UPSC IAS Mains exam. UPSC candidates can review the recommended Philosophy books for UPSC in this post.

Philosophy Books for UPSC IAS Exam 2024

Philosophy books for UPSC are crucial for candidates who take Philosophy as an optional subject in the UPSC IAS Mains exam. UPSC candidates can review the recommended Philosophy books for UPSC in this post.

Preparing for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination, particularly the Philosophy optional papers, requires a strategic selection of best Philosophy books for UPSC. The books you select must cover the syllabus comprehensively and should align with the exam pattern. 

In this blog, we will highlight some highly recommended Philosophy books for UPSC optional papers.

Philosophy Books for UPSC IAS Exam 2024:

There are two papers in the UPSC Philosophy optional subject. Philosophy books for UPSC vary for both the optional papers. The first paper discusses the history of philosophy in India, while the second paper addresses the philosophy of religion and socio-political philosophy. Here is a collection of Philosophy books for UPSC that go over these 2 optional papers in great detail.

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Paper I: Indian and Western Philosophy

The optional paper I of UPSC philosophy covers the foundational schools and thinkers of Indian philosophy, including Nyaya, Vedanta, and Buddhism, as well as major Western philosophers like Plato, Kant, and Sartre. 

The below table is the Philosophy books for UPSC optional I paper:

Philosophy books for UPSC – Optional Paper I
  1. A Critical History of Greek Philosophy (Plato and Aristotle) – W. T. Stace
  2. A History of Philosophy (Relevant Chapters from volume I, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX & XI) – Copleston
  3. A New History of Western Philosophy (OUP Oxford) – Anthony Kenny
  4. An Introduction to Indian Philosophy. Rupa Publishing – Datta & Chatterjee
  5. A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy (MLBD) – C. D. Sharma
  6. Indian Philosophy: Volume 1 & 2 – S. Radhakrishnan
  7. Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy.
  8. Contemporary Western Philosophy – Dr B.K. Lal
  9. A History Of Western Philosophy – Bertrand Russell
  10. A Critical History of Western Philosophy- Y Masih
  11. Existentialism: A Reconstruction – David Cooper
  12. Existentialism Is A Humanism – Jean-Paul

Paper II: Socio-Political Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion

The optional paper II of UPSC philosophy explores theories of social and political organization, justice, and rights through the ideas of philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, and Marx. 

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The below table is the best Philosophy books for UPSC optional II paper:

Philosophy books for UPSC – Optional Paper II
  1. Philosophy of Religion – John Hick
  2. Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction – Michael B. Wilkinson
  3. Social & Political Philosophy – O. P. Gauba
  4. Political Theory, An Introduction. Edited By Rajeev Bhargava & Ashok Acharya.
  5. Oxford Dictionary of Politics
  6. A History of Philosophy- Frank Thilly

Philosophy Books for UPSC Optional – Toppers Suggestions

Choosing the best Philosophy books for UPSC and maintaining a disciplined study routine will significantly enhance your preparation for the UPSC Philosophy optional papers. In below table, we have given the complete list of Philosophy books for UPSC which are suggested by toppers:

Philosophy Books for UPSC Optional – Toppers Suggestions
Book Title Author Description
A Critical History of Western Philosophy Y. Masih Comparative account of Greek, medieval, and modern thinkers
An Introduction to Indian Philosophy S. Chatterjee Covers ethics, logic, psychology, and epistemology in Indian thought
Existentialism – A Very Short Introduction Thomas Flynn Explores existential themes of Nietzsche, Heidegger, Kierkegaard, and others
An Introduction to Political Theory O. P. Gauba Concepts of social and political philosophy
A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy C. D. Sharma Overview of Indian philosophy, orthodox and heterodox schools
Indian Philosophy, A Counter Perspective Dr. Daya Krishna A unique perspective on Indian philosophy

How to Cover Philosophy books for UPSC:

  • To choose the Philosophy books for UPSC that best suit their understanding and comfort level, candidates must first review the philosophy syllabus.
  • To solidify your foundation, start with analyzing UPSC PYQs before moving on to the reference Philosophy books for UPSC. It will facilitate your preparation.
  • While reading a single topic from several books is not a good idea, it is a smart idea to learn more about a specific issue. 
  • Take brief notes as you read through the Philosophy books for UPSC to facilitate your revision.
  • In addition to the Philosophy books for UPSC, use other resources such as Physics Wallah online courses to ensure you don’t miss any crucial information.

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Wrapping Up!

It is essential for anyone considering philosophy as an optional subject for the UPSC exam to familiarize oneself with the Philosophy books for UPSC. We have looked at the best Philosophy books for UPSC list which were suggested by experts and UPSC toppers. Make use of these reference books and prepare well for your UPSC mains exam.

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Philosophy Books for UPSC FAQs

Because of its fixed syllabus and issues that cross over into General Studies and essay papers, UPSC Philosophy is an optional subject that receives excellent marks.

Candidates should first review the philosophy syllabus and the key subjects covered to select the best Philosophy books for UPSC. It will assist you in selecting the type of books you require.

The best books for Indian Philosophy are as follows: "A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy" by C.D. Sharma, "Indian Philosophy: Volume 1 & 2" by S. Radhakrishnan, "An Introduction to Indian Philosophy" by Satischandra Chatterjee and Dhirendramohan Datta.
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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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