Every year lakhs of UPSC Aspirants gives UPSC exam but many don’t even clear the UPSC Prelims exam. One of the major reason behind it is lack of awareness about Books. For UPSC Preparation, there is material is flooded everywhere but no one even knows which material would be beneficial for them.
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In this article, we will try to look into all those books which can help us in succeeding and clearing UPSC Prelims Exam. Below we are providing a list of Books which you must read for UPSC Prelims.
Booklist For UPSC Prelims

General Studies I
- Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations – M. Laxmikanth
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong.
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- India’s Ancient Past by RS Sharma
- A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Most Preferred)
- India’s Struggle For Independence by Bipin Chandra (Widely Known)
- Indian Art And Culture by Nitin Singhania
- Current Affairs
- The Hindu/ The Indian Express
- PIB ( Press Information Bureau)
- Shankar IAS Notes
- NCERT Books
- Environment & Ecology
- Oxford School Atlas
- India Year Book
Download: UPSC Prelims Question Paper (2014-2019)
Booklist For UPSC Prelims
General Studies II or CSAT
- Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual
- CSAT II – Arihant Publication
- Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwal
Read: UPSC Prelims 2019 Question Paper Analysis with Detailed Explanation
Now, we will be going to discuss some Best Books for UPSC Mains Exam
Booklist For UPSC Mains
General Studies Paper 1
Indian And World History
- Introduction to Indian Art Class 11 NCERT
- India’s Ancient Past by RS Sharma
- Medieval History of India by Satish Chandra (English)
- Medieval History of India by Satish Chandra (Hindi)
- India’s Struggle For Independence by Bipin Chandra
- India Since Independence
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Culture
Geography
- Geography of India by Majid Hussain
- Bharat Ka Bhugol
- Indian and World Geography by Majid Hussain
- Bharat Evam Vishwa Ka Bhugol
- Oxford School Atlas
IAS Mains Paper 1 Indian Heritage & Culture History & Geography of the world & Society
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General Studies Paper 2
- Governance in India by M Laxmikant
- Indian Polity by M Laxmikant
- Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu
- India’s Foreign Policy in a Changing World
Read: UPSC Exam Pattern For 2020 Civil Services Exam
General Studies Paper 3
- Economic Survey
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- The Environment for Civil Services Prelims and Mains by Dr. Khuller
- India Year Book
- Science and Technology in India
- ARC Report on Disaster Management
Download: UPSC 2019 Mains Language Paper
General Studies Paper 4
- Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude for IAS
- IAS Mains General Studies Ethics
- Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary
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Booklist For UPSC Interview
- How To Excel by By Madhukar Bhagat
- How to Ace Civil Service Interviews
- How To Become An IAS by Dr. Vijay Agrawal.
- Aap IAS Kaise Banenge – Dr. Vijay Agrawal
These were some of the best books which are usually studied by most of the Toppers and helped them to succeed. These books will really going to increase your Mains marks. So, read them and start studying.
If you have any problem regarding the best booklist for UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains Exam then do ask your doubts in the comment section.
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