UPSC Books – Best Books for IAS Prelims

There are two papers in Prelims (GS 1 and CSAT) and both are of objective type with negative
marking. The best IAS books for Prelims are given below:

Subject UPSC Books

History 1. India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipin Chandra

2. Facets of Indian Culture – Spectrum
3. NCERT XI (Ancient & Medieval)
4. NCERT XII (Modern Indian History)

Geography 1. Certificate Physical Geography – G C Leong

2. NCERT VI – X (Old Syllabus)
3. NCERT XI, XII (New Syllabus)
4. World Atlas

Indian Polity 1. Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth

2. NCERT IX-XII

Economics 1. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh

2. Economic Development & Policies in India – Jain & Ohri
3. NCERT XI

International Relations 1. NCERT XII (Contemporary World Politics)

2. Current Affairs

CSAT 1. Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual

2. CSAT II – Arihant
3. Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R S Aggarwal

For more information on CSAT, check the linked article

4.
UPSC Books – Best Books For IAS Mains
Candidates who clear the Prelims reach the Mains stage of the IAS Exam. There are 9 theory
papers out of which two papers are on the optional subject.
Given below are the best books for the 4 General Studies papers in the UPSC Mains:

Subject UPSC Books

History, Indian Heritage 1. An Introduction to Indian Art Part 1: Textbook in Fine Arts
& Culture for Class XI
[GS Paper 1] 2. India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
3. India after Independence by Bipan Chandra
4. History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra
5. Ancient India by R.S Sharma

Geography 1. Geography of India by Majid Husain

[GS Paper 1] 2. World Geography by Majid Husain
3. World Atlas
4. Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G C Leong
5. Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11

Polity & International 1. Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

Relations 2. Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu
[GS Paper 2] 3. India’s Foreign Policy by Rajiv Sikri

Economy 1. Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh

[GS Paper 3]

Ethics 1. Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main

[GS Paper 4] Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary

Study Material for UPSC

Apart from the books mentioned above, the essential UPSC Study Material includes:
 1. 2nd ARC Report
2. Economic Survey (latest)
3. Budget (latest)
4. Finance Commission Report (latest)
5. Annual reports by central ministries
6. Current Affairs

o The Hindu
o Yojana Magazine
o Press Information Bureau
 Niti Aayog Action Agenda

NCERT Books for General Studies Paper I

 UPSC Preparation Books from NCERT History Books:
 

o History: NCERT Class VI – Our Past

o History: NCERT Class VII – Our Past -I
o History: NCERT Class VIII – Our Past II and III
o History: NCERT Class IX – India and the Contemporary World – I
o History: NCERT Class IX – India and the Contemporary World – II
o History: NCERT Class X – Themes In World History
o History: NCERT Class XII – Themes In Indian History – I
o History: NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – II
o History: NCERT Class XII – Themes In Indian History – III

 NCERT Books about Indian Society for UPSC exam:

o Indian Society: NCERT Class VI – Social Science: Social & Political Life I
o Indian Society: NCERT Class VII – Social Science: Social & Political Life II
o Indian Society: NCERT Class VIII – Social Science: Social & Political Life III
o Indian Society: NCERT Class XI – Sociology: Understanding Society
o Indian Society: NCERT Class XII – Indian Society
o Indian Society: NCERT Class XII – Social Change and Development in India
o IAS aspirants can also refer class 12 book for Sociology.
 NCERT Indian Art and Culture books for UPSC:
o Art & Culture : NCERT Class XI – An Introduction to Indian Art
o Art & Culture : NCERT Class XI – Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 &
10)
 UPSC Preparation Books fromNCERT Geography Books for IAS:
o Geography: NCERT Class VI – The Earth Our Habitat
o Geography: NCERT Class VII – Our Environment
o Geography: NCERT Class VIII – Resource and Development
o Geography: NCERT Class IX – Contemporary India – I
o Geography: NCERT Class X – Contemporary India – II
o Geography: NCERT Class XI – Fundamentals of Physical Geography
o Geography: NCERT Class XI – India – Physical Environment
o Geography: NCERT Class XII – Fundamentals of Human Geography
o Geography: NCERT Class XII – India – People and Economy

 Additional IAS preparation books for reference: Old NCERT books for History (Pre
2000s):

o Ancient India (class XI) by RS Sharma: This covers the ancient Indian history
syllabus completely.
o Alternative Published version: India’s Ancient Past – RS Sharma: Covers all of
the NCERT syllabus for IAS and is more detailed in all aspects. Should be a good
substitute.
o Medieval India (class IX) by Satish Chandra.
 o Alternative Published version: History of Medieval India – Satish Chandra: More
detailed than the NCERT but less easy to read. NCERT would be better.
o Modern India (class X) by Bipin Chandra: Best book for UPSC Medieval History
o Alternative Published version: India Before Independence: Bipan Chandra’s
published book is easily available is more comprehensive, but the NCERT is
more objective and easier to read.
o World History (Class X): Should be enough for an intro to world history
Continue reading below to know which NCERT books to study for IAS for General Studies Paper
II.

NCERT UPSC Preparation Books for General Studies Paper II:

 Polity NCERT Books for UPSC

o Polity: NCERT Class IX – Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – I

o Polity: NCERT Class X – Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – II
o Polity: NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work
o Polity: NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Political Theory
o Polity: NCERT Class XII – Political Science I: Contemporary World Politics
o Polity: NCERT Class XII – Political Science II: Politics in India since
Independence
o For Polity: Class 9 to 12 NCERT books should be read in detail, with a focus on
11th and 12th (of which World Politics, only if time permits).
Read on for information on which books to read for UPSC GS Paper III

UPSC Books from NCERT for General Studies Paper III:

 NCERT Books on Economy for UPSC

o Economy: NCERT Class IX – Economics

o Economy: NCERT Class X – Understanding Economic Development
o Economy: NCERT Class XI – Indian Economic Development
o Economy: NCERT Class XII – Introductory Microeconomics
o Economy: NCERT Class XII – Introductory Macroeconomics
 Science & Technology IAS Preparation Books from NCERT
o Science: NCERT Class VI
o Science: NCERT Class VII
o Science: NCERT Class VIII
o Science: NCERT Class IX
o Science: NCERT Class X
o Science: NCERT Class XI – Chemistry: Unit 14 & Biology: Units 4 & 5
o Science: NCERT Class XII – Chemistry: Unit 16 & Biology: Units 8, 9 & 10
 UPSC Books from NCERT on Environment & Ecology
o Science: Class XII – Biology: last four Chapters (13 to 16)
For Economics: Reference of class 9 to 12 NCERT books for IAS should be ideal, but if you are
familiar with the subject, class 11 and some chapters in class 11 and class 12 (micro + macro)
would be sufficient. So, read selectively!
For Science: Refer textbooks of class IX and X that would be good enough for your IAS exam
preparation.
The next list covers IAS Books from NCERT for Civil Services GS IV.

NCERT IAS Books for General Studies Paper IV

 Ethics: NCERT Class XII – Psychology: Not too important from the exam perspective,
however good for some basics. Read selectively.
019:

Class Textbooks

6th  History: Our Past

 Geography: The Earth Our Habitat
 Social Science: Social & Political Life I
 Science: Science: Class VI

7th  History: Our Past – II

 Geography: Our Environment
 Social Science: Social & Political Life II
 Science: Science – Class VII

8th  History: Our Past III – Part I & II

 Geography: Resource and Development
 Social Science: Social & Political Life III
 Science: Science – Class VIII

9th  History: India and the Contemporary World-I

 Geography: Contemporary India – I
 Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – I
 Science: Class IX
 Economics: Economics

10th  History: India and the Contemporary World – II

 Geography: Contemporary India – II
 Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – II
 Science: Class X
 Economics: Understanding Economic Development
11th
 History: Themes in World History
 Geography:

o Fundamentals Of Physical Geography

o India- Physical Environment
 Science:
o Chemistry: Unit 14
o Biology: Unit 4 & 5
 Economics:Indian Economic Development
 Sociology: Understanding Society
 Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work
 Indian Culture:
o An Introduction to Indian Art
o Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)

12th  History: Themes in Indian History

 Geography:

o Fundamentals Of Human Geography

o India – People & Economy
 Science:
o Chemistry: Unit 16
o Biology: Unit 8, 9 & 10
 Economics:Introductory Macroeconomics
 Sociology:
o Indian Society
o Social Change and Development in India
 Political Science: Contemporary World Politics