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UPSC Mains Standard Booklist

upsc mains standard booklist

UPSC Mains Exam 2023 is among India’s most prestigious and competitive exams, designed to select candidates for the country’s most challenging and rewarding civil service posts.

The UPSC Mains Exam 2023 is highly interesting and requires a lot of practice and an excellent understanding of the different topics. The selection of the right books to study is one of the key aspects of preparing for exams. In preparing for the UPSC Main exams 2023, the UPSC Mains Standard booklist can make all the difference.

This article will introduce you to the UPSC Mains standard booklist. This will help you understand the significance of theIAS books, how to choose the UPSC preparation books, and the essential subjects you must focus on. So, let’s get started!

Importance of UPSC Mains Standard Booklist

The UPSC Mains Examination 2023 assesses candidates’ knowledge and understanding of various subjects. Nine papers, including two qualifying papers in English and a modern Indian language, and seven papers contributing to the final ranking, are included in the examination. In addition to Indian heritage, culture, ethics, and integrity, the seven papers cover governance, international relations and economy, science and technology, and environment and ecology.

Choosing the UPSC Mains Standard booklist is crucial to preparing for the UPSC Mains exam 2023. The UPSC Standard Books can provide you with a deep understanding of the subject matter, offer insights into complex topics, and provide the necessary information to crack the UPSC Mains Exam 2023. However, with the vast number of books for UPSC Mains available, selecting the UPSC Standard Booklist can be daunting.

Also, check the UPSC Syllabus 2023

List of UPSC Mains Standard Books

The UPSC Mains Standard booklist is a collection of books experts, and previous successful candidates recommend. These books cover the entire UPSC Syllabus 2023 and comprehensively understand the subject matter. They are an excellent starting point for candidates preparing for the UPSC Mains exam 2023.

We’ll give you an overview of the UPSC Mains Standard booklist, which will help you learn more about each book, and show you how to get the most from your UPSC Mains Standard Booklist. This will give you the confidence and ease in preparing for your UPSC Mains exam 2023, even if you’re a new candidate or an experienced Union Public Service Commission Candidate.

UPSC Preparation Booklist – Best Books For IAS Mains

The IAS Mains examination 2023 shall be open to candidates who have qualified for the Preliminary Examination of the Union Public Service Commission. Out of 9 theory papers, there are 2 that can’t be used. For the preparation of UPSC 2023, candidates will be guided by the given book details.

For the UPSC Mains 2023, we have listed the UPSC Standard Booklist:

Subject UPSC Books
History, Indian Heritage & Culture

[GS Paper 1]

  • 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
Geography

[GS Paper 1]

  • 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
Polity & International Relations

[GS Paper 2]

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

[GS Paper 3]

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

UPSC Books For Optional Subjects 

Agriculture
  • 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
Anthropology
  • N. Hasnain: Tribal India
  • Herskovits: Cultural Anthropology
  • Surender Nath: Forensic Anthropology
  • Herskovits: Cultural Anthropology
  • Stein & Rowe: An Introduction to Physical Anthropology
Botany
  • Taxonomy: Nair, along with Datta
  • Embryology: Bhojwani and Bhatnagar
  • Physiology and Biochemistry: Salisbury and Ross or Fritz and Noggle
  • Economic Botany: Kochar or Verma
Chemistry
  • Theoretical principles of inorganic chemistry – G.S. Manku,
  • Extradiction of metals, Principle of inorganic chemistry – Puri, Sharma, Jauhar.
  • Advanced physical chemistry – Gurdeep Raj
  • A guide to mechanism in organic chemistry – Peter Sykes
Economics
  • International Economics – Bo Soderston
  • National Income Accounting – Bakerman
  • Banking – S.B. Gupta
  • International Trade – Bo Soderston
History
  • 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
Management
  • Financial: Pandey/Chandra/Khan & Jain/Bearley
  • Economics: Any good economics book
  • Operations: Adams/Taha
  • Organisational Design: Khandwala; Madhukar Shukla
Mathematics
  • Ordinary Differential EQs:- MD Raising Lumina, Golden series-NP Bali
  • Real Analysis – Shanti Narayan, Royden
  • Linear Programming – SD Sharma
  • Solid Mechanism – Kazmioo
Electrical Engineering
  • Modern Central Engineering – Ogata
  • Electromagnetic Waves and Field – R.N. Singh
  • Surveying and Levelling – T P Kanetakar
  • Heat Conversion – Arora & Kundwar
Urdu
  • Urdu Shairi ka Tauqidi Mutala – Suenbul Nigar
  •  Urdu Nasr ka Tauqidi Mutala – Suenbul Nigar
  • Urdu Adab Ki Tarikh – Noorul Hasan Naqvi
Psychology
  • Psychology Robert A Baron
  • Social Psychology Baron & Byrne
  • The Psychology of Small Groups Shaw

Also, Check UPSC Previous Year’s Papers

Study Material for UPSC

As well as the books mentioned above, the essential UPSC Study Material includes:

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

Also, download UPSC Book list pdf

The following articles given in the table below can be referred to for UPSC IAS exam preparation:
UPSC IAS Interview Courses IAS INTERVIEW QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
OLD INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTIONS UPSC INTERVIEW MARKS
UPSC IAS Interview 2023 NOTES/BOOKS FOR UPSC INTERVIEW

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is Laxmikant sufficient for UPSC mains?

Ans. Laxmikant’s “Indian Polity” is a widely recommended book for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, particularly for General Studies Paper II, which covers topics related to Indian Polity and Governance. Therefore, while Laxmikant’s book is a valuable resource for the UPSC Mains exam, it should be used as a part of a larger, more comprehensive preparation strategy.

Q2. Is standard books sufficient for UPSC?

Ans. To prepare effectively for the UPSC exam, it is recommended to use UPSC Mains Standard booklist as a starting point and supplement your preparation with other resources such as government reports, newspapers, magazines, online sources, and current affairs material. It is also important to regularly practice answer writing and revision to ensure that you are able to apply your knowledge effectively in the exam.

Q3. How many standard books for UPSC?

Ans. The number of UPSC Mains Standard booklist required for UPSC preparation can vary from person to person depending on factors such as their background knowledge, level of understanding of the subjects, and the time available for preparation. However, it is important to note that simply reading standard books may not be sufficient to crack the exam. It is important to supplement your preparation with other resources and techniques

Q4. Which standard book is best for UPSC?

Ans. Here are some commonly recommended UPSC Mains Standard booklist that are considered to be very useful for UPSC Mains preparation 2023. Here are some examples:

  1. Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
  2. A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir
  3. India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
  4. Geography of India by Majid Hussain
  5. Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu

Q5. Is NCERT 6 to 12 enough for UPSC?

Ans. While NCERT textbooks are an important resource for UPSC preparation 2023, it is recommended to supplement them with other UPSC Mains Standard booklist and resources. It is also important to regularly practice answer writing and revision to ensure that you are able to apply your knowledge effectively in the exam.

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     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.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     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

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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