Books for IAS are considered as inextricably important during IAS preparation. No person can say that he or she did not study the relevant books for the IAS Exam during IAS preparation. IAS Toppers and the teachers lay stress on reading the best available books available in the market both online and offline. The basic concepts are the same in all the books but the application of the concept makes all the difference hence some books are considered as the best books.
The main issue is to do a selection of appropriate or best books that are quite relevant and effective for IAS preparation. So, we have prepared a list essential books for IAS Exam suggested by the IAS Toppers of the last few years. These books have helped them immensely during IAS preparation and to score maximum marks in all the phases of IAS Exam. By choosing the below-mentioned books, IAS aspirants can save their precious time during exam preparation and can score high marks as well. Suggested books in this write-up have good coverage of topics of the UPSC IAS Exam syllabus.
General Studies Paper 1
Indian History
1. Ancient History: Ancient India by RS Sharma (Old NCERT) has good coverage of UPSC IAS Prelims syllabus and you will find a number of questions that have been directly asked from this book.
2. Medieval History: History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra (Old NCERT) is more relevant in this section because it has good coverage of topics of Medieval History of India.
3. Modern History: A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum as well as Concise History of Modern India by Sujata Menon have good coverage of the Modern History syllabus for IAS Prelims Exam.
4. Indian Culture: For this section, the aspirant should go through the book Facets of Indian Culture by Spectrum and also through the website of Centre for Cultural Resources and Training.
| Ancient History | 1. Ancient India by RS Sharma (Old NCERT) |
| Medieval History | 1. History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra (Old NCERT) |
| Modern History | 1. A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum 2. Concise History of Modern India by Sujata Menon |
| Indian Culture | 1. Facets of Indian Culture by Spectrum 2. CCRT website |
Indian Geography
Old NCERT books are most preferred for the preparation of Indian Geography. For Physical Geography Goh Cheng Leong’s ‘Certificate Physical and Human Geography’ is more relevant. Aspirants must go through the Oxford School Atlas while studying physical geography.
| Geography | 1. Old NCERT books 2. Physical Geography by Goh Cheng Leong 3. For Maps Oxford School Atlas |
Indian Polity
Books most recommended for the preparation of Indian Polity are ‘Indian Polity’ by Laxmikanth, ‘An Introduction to the Constitution of India’ by D. D. Basu and 'The Constitution of India’ by P. M. Bakshi. With the above standard books for Indian Polity, the IAS aspirant must finish the old NCERT books of Indian Polity.
| Indian Polity | 1. Indian Polity by Laxmikanth 2. An Introduction to the Constitution of India by D. D. Basu 3. The Constitution of India by P. M. Bakshi 4. Old NCERT books for Indian Polity |
Economy
For the basic concepts and terminologies of economics, NCERT books are enough for IAS Preparation. It is essential to reach the Macroeconomics Class 12th textbook by NCERT because it covers the basic terminologies of an economy which are quite helpful for understanding the growth and development of a country.
For further study on Indian Economy, most recommended books are ‘Indian Economy’ by Ramesh Singh, ‘Indian Economy’ by Mishra and Puri and the precise material of Economic Survey. But these study materials are quite comprehensive in content, so, aspirants have to be selective while preparing specifically for IAS Prelims Exam. For Economic Survey, part, every year, we provide an Indian Economy Quiz based on the Economic Survey of the respective year.
| Indian Economy | 1. Class 11 and Class 12 NCERTs 2. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh 3. Indian Economy by Mishra and Puri 4. Current Economic Survey |
Science & Technology
For this section, IAS aspirants must stick to the daily newspapers because the questions asked under Science & the Technology section of the IAS Prelims Exam, are generally based on current events. The NCERT books of class 9th and 10th are also recommendable for IAS Prelims Preparation but not necessary (in case they have enough time).
| Science and Technology | 1. Newspaper (The Hindu, Economic Times, The Indian Express) 2. ISRO Website, other Online Resources |
Environment and Ecology
For the preparation of the Environment and Ecology section, the IAS aspirants must go through the study materials provided by NIOS. Apart from that aspirants should keep a close watch on the development projects of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, and the United Nations’ UNFCCC.
| Environment and Ecology
| 1. NIOS Study Material for Environmental Studies 2.Newspaper, Online Study Material |
Important Books On Ethics:
These are some of the important books on Ethics that might be useful for UPSC CSE preparation
The Principles for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
Ethical Dilemmas Of A Civil Servant Paperback
Current Affairs
As usual, the study of newspapers on a daily basis will help them out for the preparation of Current Affairs for IAS Prelims Exam. Particularly, for this section, we to provide valuable study material for current affairs preparation at a regular interval. We are continuously providing Current Affairs Quiz as well as issue-based analytical articles which are quite relevant for IAS preparation.
| Current Affairs | 1. Newspaper (The Hindu, Economic Times, The Indian Express) 2. Jagran Josh, other Online Resources 3. Manorma Year Book (available in both Hindi and English language, the book is a great source to revise the year highlights) |
General Studies Paper-II CSAT (Aptitude)
General Studies Paper II CSAT of IAS Prelims Exam comprises of the topics like English Comprehension, Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability, Mathematics, Decision Making. Since, the Paper II CSAT has been made qualifying only, aspirants should tailor preparation by which they can score at least 40-50 marks easily. However, only 33% is required to qualify the Paper II CSAT.
English Comprehension
The passages asked in this section are generally taken from standard journals and newspapers. To buy a book, particularly for this section is a waste of money. So, stick to magazines like Yojana, Kurukshetra, Frontline and the newspapers like Indian Express, The Hindu, EPW and Livemint. Also, do the practice of Previous Year Question Papers.
Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
In this section, most of the aspirants prefer RS Aggrawal but they should also take the help of MK Pandey’s Analytical Reasoning. RS Aggarwal has good coverage of various topics, but in terms of comprehension MK Pandey’s explanations and illustrations are much more advanced and lucid.
Mathematics
RS Aggarwal of S Chand publication is enough for the preparation of Mathematics. This book has comprehensive coverage of the topics of IAS syllabus and there is no requirement of studying other books separately.
Decision Making
Read General articles from newspapers. The news articles related to the problems of a particular area or community and how the respective civic bodies solving those problems will help aspirants to develop decision-making skills in them.
Essential Books for IAS
| Subjects | Books | Subjects | Books |
| Ancient History | Ancient India by RS Sharma (Old NCERT) | World Geography | 1. Fundamentals of Human Geography (NCERT) 2. Certificate Physical And Human Geography |
| Medieval History | History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra (Old NCERT) | Economy | 1. India People and Economy (NCERT) 2. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh |
| Modern History | 1. A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir 2. World History by Norman Lowe 3. Concise History of Modern India by Sujata Menon | Polity | Indian Polity by Laxmikanth |
| Indian Culture | 1. Facets of Indian Culture’ by Spectrum 2. Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania 3. CCRT website | Current Affairs | The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, Jagran Josh |
| Physical Geography | Certificate Physical And Human Geography
| Science & Tech | 1. Notes by Shankar IAS 2. Daily Newspapers 3. ISRO website |
| Indian Geography | India: Physical Environment (NCERT) | Environment & Ecology | 1. Recent Events on Climate change through Newspapers 2. NIOS Study Materials |
Also Read: Best Books for IAS Mains GS Paper I
Also Read: Best Books for IAS Mains GS Paper II
Also Read: Best Books for IAS Main GS Paper III
Also Read: Current Affairs for Civil Services Exam
Conclusion
Success in the UPSC CSE examination lies in repetition. IAS aspirants should refrain from reading a large number of books for any subject. They should rather follow standard books and study materials, and learn them by heart by going through them again and again.