The ideal method to start your UPSC preparation, according to myself and other prior IAS test toppers, is to study through the NCERT books for UPSC and then move on to the regular UPSC 2022 book list (consisting of the standard books).
You should also be careful about the IAS books you chose for your preparation, as the UPSC prelims and mains are significantly distinct from one another, necessitating two separate sets of reading material for each.
The UPSC Prelims, as a wholly objective sort of paper, would require its own set of book lists, while the UPSC Mains, as a completely subjective paper, would require its own.
Best NCERT Books for UPSC
Listed below are the best NCERT books for UPSC according to the various subjects of the UPSC exam (of both Prelims and Mains Phases)
NCERT Books for Art and Culture:
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- Art & Culture: Class 11: An Introduction to Indian Art
- Art & Culture: Class 11: Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters IX & X)
NCERT Books for Environment & Ecology:
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- Science: Class 12: Biology: last four Chapters (13 – 16)
NCERT Books for Economy:
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- Class 9 Economics
- Class 10: Understanding Economic Development
- Class 11: Indian Economic Development
- Class 12: Introductory Microeconomics
- Class 12: Introductory Macroeconomics
NCERT Books for Indian Society:
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- Indian Society: Class 6: Social Science: Social & Political Life I
- Indian Society: Class 7: Social Science: Social & Political Life II
- Indian Society: Class 8: Social Science: Social & Political Life III
- Indian Society: Class 11: Sociology: Understanding Society
- Indian Society: Class 12: Indian Society
- You can also refer to class 12th Sociology book.
Best UPSC Books for IAS Prelims
| Subject | UPSC Books |
|---|---|
| History | 1. India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra 2. Facets of Indian Culture – Spectrum |
| Geography | 1. Certificate Physical Geography – G C Leong 2. World Atlas |
| Indian Polity | 1. Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth |
| Economics | 1. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh 2. Economic Development and Policies in India: Jain & Ohri |
| International Relations | 1. Current Affairs |
| CSAT | 1. Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual 2. CSAT II – Arihant 3. Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning: R S Aggarwal |
Best UPSC Books for IAS Mains
| Subject | UPSC Books |
|---|---|
| History, Indian Heritage & Culture [GS Paper 1] | • Bipan Chadra’s India’s Struggle for Independence • Bipan Chandra’s India after Independence • Satish Chandra’s History of Medieval India • RS Sharma’s Ancient India |
| Geography [GS Paper 1] | • Majid Husain’s Geography of India • Majid Husain’s World Geography • World Atlas • GC Leong’s Certificate Physical and Human Geography |
| Polity & International Relations [GS Paper 2] | • M. Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity • DD Basu’s Introduction to the Constitution of India • Rajiv Sikri’s India’s Foreign Policy |
| Economy [GS Paper 3] | • Ramesh Singh’s Indian Economy |
| Ethics [GS Paper 4] | • Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary |
These are all the list of books that I have for you as far as the Prelims and the Mains rounds of the UPSC are concerned.
However, there are 2 optional subject papers in the Mains exam that would require you to read from the books pertaining to the particular subjects of your choice.
Read about: Commerce Optional Exam Analysis
