The journey to crack the UPSC Civil Services Exam requires not just hard work, but also having the right books. In this guide, we’ll explore the most important books you need. We’ll start with NCERT textbooks, which are like building blocks for your preparation. This guide will help you choose the right books and get closer to your goal of clearing the exam.

The UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) is the gateway to prestigious administrative positions in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants chase this dream, and having the right study materials is crucial for success. This blog will guide you through the essential books for cracking the UPSC CSE, covering various sections and stages of the exam.

Books for UPSC: Building a Strong Foundation

NCERT textbooks, published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), are considered the foundational stones for UPSC preparation.  They provide a clear and concise understanding of core subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economics, and Science. Here’s why NCERTs are important:

• About NCERT:  The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an autonomous organisation set up in 1961 by the Government of India to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education.
• Simple Language: Written in clear and easy-to-understand language, they are perfect for grasping basic concepts.
• Strong Base: They lay a strong foundation for further study and advanced books.
• Syllabus Coverage: NCERTs cover a significant portion of the UPSC syllabus for General Studies (GS) Paper 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Here’s a list of Recommended NCERT books for UPSC:

• History: Class VI-XII (Focus on Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History)
• Geography: Class VI-XII
• Polity: Class XI (Indian Constitution at Work) & Class XII (Indian Political System)
• Economics: Class IX-XII (Focus on Macro and Micro Economics)
• Science: Class VI-X (Focus on basic concepts in Science and Technology)
  • Don’t just memorize NCERTs. Use them to build a strong foundation and develop a deeper understanding of concepts.

History Books for UPSC: Delving Deeper into the Past

Once candidate has covered NCERTs they can go deeper into History with these recommended books:

• Ancient India

  • India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma: This book covers the ancient history of India from the Stone Age to the 8th century AD.
  • Ancient India by R.S. Sharma: Provides a detailed analysis of ancient Indian history including social, economic, and cultural aspects.
  • The Wonder That Was India by A.L. Basham: A classic text providing insights into ancient Indian civilization, culture, and society.
  • Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300 by Romila Thapar – Covers the early history of India, including the Harappan Civilization, Vedic period, Mauryas, Guptas, etc.

• Medieval History:

  • History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra: A comprehensive overview of medieval Indian history from the 8th to the 18th century.
  • Medieval India: From Sultanate to the Mughals by Satish Chandra: Focuses on the political, social, and cultural developments during the medieval period.
  • Medieval India by Bipin Chandra: Offers insights into the political and socio-economic conditions of medieval India.
  • The Delhi Sultanate by K.A. Nizami: A detailed study of the Delhi Sultanate period, its rulers, administration, society, and culture.

• Modern History:

• • India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra: Covers the Indian independence movement from the 19th century to 1947.
  • From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India by Sekhar Bandyopadhyay – Offers a detailed account of modern Indian history, including British rule and the freedom struggle.
  • History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra: Provides a comprehensive analysis of modern Indian history from the mid-18th century to independence.
  • India After Gandhi: The History of the World’s Largest Democracy by Ramachandra Guha – Focuses on India’s political and socio-economic journey post-independence.

Supplement your reading with historical maps and online resources for a well-rounded understanding.

CSAT Books for UPSC: Mastering the Aptitude Test

The Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) assesses your analytical and problem-solving skills. Here’s a recommended book to ace this section:

• CSAT Manual: General Studies for Civil Services Preliminary Examination (Paper – 2) by TMH (Tata McGraw-Hill) – This book comprehensively covers the CSAT syllabus and includes practice questions for thorough preparation.
• Crack Civil Services General Studies IAS Prelims (CSAT) – Paper 2 by Arihant Experts – Provides detailed coverage of CSAT topics along with practice exercises and solved papers.

These two books are widely regarded as important resources for CSAT preparation due to their comprehensive coverage and effective practice material.

Additional Tips: Practice previous years’ CSAT papers and take mock tests to improve your speed and accuracy.

Geography Books for UPSC: Mapping Your Success

• Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong: This book is considered a must-read for UPSC Geography preparation. It covers both physical and human geography comprehensively and is known for its clear explanations and illustrations. 
  • It covers topics like climatology, geomorphology, economic geography, and environmental geography.
• Geography of India by Majid Husain: This book focuses specifically on the geography of India and covers various aspects such as physical, social, economic, and political geography. It provides detailed information on India’s physical features, climate, resources, and regional geography.
• World Geography by Majid Husain: This book covers world geography comprehensively, including physical, economic, and human geography. It provides an understanding of global geographical phenomena, regions, and processes, which is essential for the UPSC exam.

Economics Books for UPSC: Understanding the Indian Economy

• Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh: This book is one of the most recommended resources for UPSC Economics preparation. It covers various aspects of the Indian economy, including theoretical concepts, economic policies, sectoral analysis, and contemporary issues. The book is comprehensive yet easy to understand, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced learners.
• Economic Survey by Government of India (Yearly publication): The Economic Survey is an essential document published annually by the Government of India. 
  • It provides a comprehensive analysis of the Indian economy, including economic trends, policy initiatives, and sectoral performance. It is a valuable source of information for UPSC aspirants to understand the current economic scenario and emerging challenges.

Polity and Governance Books for UPSC

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth: This book is considered the go-to resource for Indian Polity preparation for UPSC exams. It covers the entire spectrum of the Indian political system, including the Constitution, fundamental rights, directive principles, governance, and important constitutional bodies.
• Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu: This book provides an in-depth analysis of the Indian Constitution. It covers the historical background, making of the constitution, fundamental rights, directive principles, and the structure of government institutions.
• Indian Administration by S.R. Maheshwari: This book offers insights into the administrative machinery of India. It covers topics such as civil services, administrative reforms, public policy, and governance issues.

Current Affairs Sources for UPSC Preparation

• Newspapers:

  • The Hindu: Known for its comprehensive coverage and unbiased reporting, The Hindu is highly recommended for UPSC aspirants.
  • The Indian Express: Another popular newspaper with in-depth analysis and coverage of current affairs, including editorials and opinion pieces.

• Magazines:

  • Yojana: A monthly magazine published by the Government of India, focusing on socio-economic issues and government schemes.
  • Kurukshetra: Another monthly magazine by the Government of India, focusing on rural development issues.
  • Frontline: Provides in-depth analysis and coverage of current events, national and international affairs, and socio-political issues.

• Government Websites:

  • Press Information Bureau (PIB): The official agency of the Government of India for disseminating government-related information. PIB releases press releases, updates, and announcements on various government initiatives and policies.
  • PRS Legislative Research: Provides analysis of legislative bills, parliamentary proceedings, and policy developments. It’s useful for understanding the legislative process and current policy debates.

Environment and Ecology Books for UPSC Aspirants

• Environment: Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change by Majid Husain – This book provides comprehensive coverage of environmental concepts, including ecology, biodiversity, climate change, and environmental conservation. It is tailored specifically for UPSC aspirants and covers relevant topics in a concise manner.
• Environment and Ecology by Shankar IAS Academy: This book is highly recommended for its detailed coverage of environmental topics relevant to the UPSC syllabus. It covers both basic concepts and contemporary issues related to the environment, making it suitable for UPSC preparation.
• Environment for Civil Services Prelims and Mains by Khuller and Bhardwaj: This book offers a holistic approach to environmental studies, covering both theoretical concepts and practical applications. It includes current developments, case studies, and practice questions to aid in UPSC preparation.

Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (GS Paper IV) Books for UPSC

• Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude by Chronicle Publications: This book is highly recommended for UPSC aspirants preparing for the Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude paper. 
  • It covers a wide range of topics such as ethics, integrity, probity in governance, emotional intelligence, and moral philosophy. The book provides definitions, explanations, and examples of key terms and concepts relevant to the UPSC syllabus.
• Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude by G. Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chowdhury: This book offers comprehensive coverage of ethical theories, moral dilemmas, case studies, and practical applications related to governance and public administration. 
  • It is structured according to the UPSC syllabus and provides insights into ethical decision-making and administrative conduct.

Conclusion

Selecting the right books is crucial for effective preparation for the UPSC exam. A well-curated booklist covering various subjects and topics outlined in the syllabus can significantly enhance an aspirant’s chances of success.