IAS Aspirants looking for Must have books for UPSC are usually looking for the best written material that can help them get ahead in their preparation. However, searching for the best books for UPSC can take them down many complicated UPSC books lists. Many such lists are designed to scare Aspirants into buying as many books as possible.
A better strategy for finding useful UPSC books is to first understand the UPSC Exam stages and format and buy books accordingly.
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3 Stages for UPSC Exam
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UPSC Exam is divided into
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1 Essay
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2 Language Papers
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Personality Test or Interview
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4 GS Papers
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2 Optional Papers
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GS Paper 1 Syllabus covers—history, polity, economy, environment, geography, science and tech. Best books for GS Paper 1 are:
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is a complete text guide for UPSC GS paper 1 as it contains all the important topics, Previous Year Questions and even expert advice and pointers for prelims and mains |
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India at 76—Post-Independence India |
covers the entire history of India after independence detailing all the achievements and struggles of post-partition India. |
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covers the old + new NCERT textbooks from VI-XII, with 30+ hours of video course. |
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covers the old + new NCERT textbooks from IX to XII, with 30+ hours of video course |
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Ecology, Environment, Biodiversity, & Climate Change Text Guide |
features the complete UPSC syllabus along with Previous Year Question Papers, expert advice and pointers for prelims and mains |
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covers the old + new NCERT textbooks from VI to XII, with 30+ hours of video course |
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an excellent addition to help with geography preparation. Featuring 105 colored maps, expert advice, charts and tables |
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covers the old + new NCERT textbooks from VI to XII, with 30+ hours of video course |
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Covers 130 topics with pictorials and infographics to help aspirants retain maximum information. |
CSAT or Paper 2 Syllabus—English Comprehension, Logical Reasoning and Analytical Skills. Best books for CSAT or UPSC GS Paper II:
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Comprehension, Decision making & Problem-Solving Compendium |
This one book captures all the important topics with detailed theory and solved past questions 2011 onwards. |
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General Mental Ability & Logical Reasoning Compendium |
An exhaustive book which covers all the important topics from the past few years with Practice Exercises and detailed theory. |
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Basic Numeracy & Data Interpretation Compendium |
Covers all important topics and provides previous year solved papers from 2011 onwards. |
Aside from these books it is important to go through UPSC Previous Year Question Papers for both GS Papers I & II.
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Has 10000+ MCQs, covers History, Polity, Economy, Geography, General Science, Ecology, Environment & Biodiversity, Key Govt. Initiatives, Major Events (India & World), General Knowledge, Exam Special and Current Affairs. |
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11 Topic-wise UPSC Civil Services IAS Mains Previous Year Solved Papers |
Solved Previous Year Question Papers from 2013 to 2023 for GS 1 to 4, Essay-writing and Compulsory English |
For UPSC Essay writing books, these are great for learning different writing styles and practice:
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By Awdhesh Singh, contains decades of experience of Civil Services with expertise of the author. |
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develops Craft of Essay Writing and covers topics on Polity, Governance, Economy, Environment, Social Justice, Social Development, Social Challenges, Culture, Education, Science & Technology, Philosophy and Many More |
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Covers all the important topics from Architecture, sculpture & pottery to music and UNESCO World Heritage sites in India |
For optional subjects, based on the chosen subject these are some of the best UPSC books:
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IAS Aniruddh Yadav Handwritten notes Anthropology Optional Paper I & II |
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Disaster Management Text Guide for Civil Services UPSC & State |
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Political Science and International Relations |
35 Landmark Political Developments for UPSC IAS / IPS |
International Relations–Interests & Challenges by Deepanshu Singh
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Economics |
35 Landmark Economic Developments for UPSC & State PSC Civil Services Prelim & Mains |
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35 Landmark Historical (Ancient/Medieval India) Developments for UPSC IAS/IPS Prelim & Mains |
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360-degree approach to Agriculture Text Guide by Neeraj Nachiketa |
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Law |
35 Landmark Supreme Court Judgements Simplified for UPSC |
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This list is not exhaustive as there are too many optional subjects to cover here.
Other than these you can also choose these UPSC books by toppers and UPSC previous year question paper books to enhance your preparation even further:
- IAS Aniruddh Yadav Handwritten Notes with Toppers Shortcuts/ Tricks for UPSC & State PSC Civil Services for General Studies Paper 2 Prelim & Main Exams | Governance, Constitution, Indian Polity, Social Justice and International Relations
- IAS Aniruddh Yadav Handwritten Notes with Toppers Shortcuts/ Tricks for UPSC & State PSC Civil Services for General Studies Paper 3 Prelim & Main Exams | Economy, Environment, Security, Disaster Management, Science & Technology
- IAS Aniruddh Yadav Handwritten Notes with Toppers Shortcuts/ Tricks for UPSC & State PSC Civil Services for General Studies Paper 4 Prelim & Main Exams | Ethics & Integrity Aptitude
- Super 10 New Pattern MOCK TEST SERIES for UPSC Civil Services IAS Prelims General Studies Paper 1 - 6th Edition
- Super 10 MOCK TEST SERIES for UPSC Civil Services CSAT IAS Prelims General Studies Paper 2 - 3rd Edition
- 29 Previous Years UPSC Civil Services IAS Prelims Topic-wise Solved Papers 1 & 2 (1995 - 2023) 14th Edition | General Studies & Aptitude (CSAT) PYQs Question Bank
- Errorless 13 Previous Years UPSC Civil Services IAS Prelims Year-wise Solved Papers 1 & 2 (2023 - 11) 5th Edition | PYQs Question Bank
- 11 Year-wise UPSC Civil Services IAS Mains English (Compulsory) Previous Year Solved Papers (2013 - 2023) 5th Edition | PYQs Question Bank | Precis, Comprehension, Essay Writing, Grammar
