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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 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.
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.
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 |
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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.
The below table is the best Philosophy books for UPSC optional II paper:
| Philosophy books for UPSC – Optional Paper II |
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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 |
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.
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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