Best Books For UPSC Prelims & Mains Exam 2023

Name: 2 Years Testbook
Brand: Testbook
SKU: 63ab3ddb648cdedf83abe3e6
Price: 549 INR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (1736502 reviews)

The UPSC Exam is one of the most prestigious exams in India and requires rigorous preparation. One of the most important aspects of UPSC Exam Preparation is selecting the right books. The right books can not only help you cover the complete syllabus but also aid you in understanding the concepts better. To clear the IAS exam, you will need the best books, dedication, a lot of practice and patience, and so on.

Every year, lakhs of candidates register themselves in the UPSC IAS recruitment. To get selected for such a competitive exam, you have to start your preparations as early as possible, and for that, you need to refer to the best books which are easy to understand and also provide great information. UPSC books provide an in-depth understanding of the various topics and sub-topics of the exam syllabus. These books also offer practice exercises, IAS Previous Year Question Papers, and tips and tricks to solve the questions accurately and quickly. In this article, we'll provide you with a comprehensive list of the best books for UPSC preparation, including books for both the UPSC Prelims and Mains exams. Whether you're looking for books on Indian History, Polity, Geography, Economics, or any other subject, we've got you covered.

Want expert guidance? Enrol now in our IAS Coaching here!

Free Mentorship Program by

Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS

UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA

100+ Success Stories

Key Highlights

Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.
Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.

2 Lakh+ Students Mentored

Get Free Mentorship Now

98% of UPSC toppers follow a study plan to crack the exam

Get your personalized AI-generated study plan made by industry experts.

Download your Study Plan Now

Best Books For UPSC Prelims 2024

In the UPSC Prelims Exam, there are two papers, namely, GS Paper 1 & CSAT Paper. In this section, we will look at the list of best books for UPSC prelims exam.

List Of UPSC Prelims Books
Subjects	Best Books For UPSC Prelims
History	India’s Struggle for Independence - Bipan Chandra Indian Art & Culture by Nitin Singhania History of Medieval India (Old NCERT) - Satish Chandra ‘Concise History of Modern India’ - Sujata Menon NCERT 11th Ancient and Medieval NCERT 12th Modern Indian History
Geography	World Atlas - Orient Black Swan Certificate Physical Geography - G C Leong Fundamentals of Human Geography - NCERT India: Physical Environment - NCERT NCERT VI-X Old Syllabus NCERT XI, XII New Syllabus
Polity	NCERT IX-XII Indian Polity - M Laxmikanth The Constitution of India - PM Bakshi India’s Foreign Policy - Rajiv Sikri Introduction to the Constitution of India - DD Basu Economic Development & Policies in India – Jain & Ohri
Economics	Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania The Indian Economy - Sanjiv Verma Economic Development & Policies in India - Jain & Ohri NCERT XI
International Relations	Current Affairs NCERT XII (Contemporary World Politics)
Current Affairs	The Hindu Indian Express Yojana Magazine Economic and Political Weekly Kurukshetra Magazine
CSAT Books	Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R S Aggarwa
Solved Question Papers	IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers by Vishal Publications

Best Books For UPSC Mains 2024

Only those candidates who clear the prelims exam can appear for the Mains exam. The UPSC Mains exam includes a total of 9 papers and has a weightage of 1750 marks. Books for UPSC Mains provide in-depth knowledge of the diverse syllabus. They offer a structured approach to learning, cover the latest trends and developments in their respective fields, and help aspirants understand complex concepts. These UPSC books are crucial for an aspirant's success in cracking the UPSC exam and are regularly updated to keep up with the changing dynamics of the exam. Choosing the right books for UPSC Mains is essential for aspirants who want to excel in the exam and become civil servants.

We have tried to list down the best books for UPSC Mains based on the GS & Optional Papers You can find the complete UPSC booklist in the below sections.

List Of UPSC Books For Mains GS Papers
Subject	Mains Paper	UPSC Books
History, Indian Heritage & Culture	GS Paper 1	Ancient India by RS Sharma Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra India after Independence by Bipan Chandra India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
Geography	GS Paper 1	World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) World Geography by Majid Husain Geography of India by Majid Husain Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G C Leong Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11
Polity & International Relations	GS Paper 2	Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth International Relations: Pushpesh Pant Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu
Economy	GS Paper 3	Indian Economy – Nitin Singhania Environment and Disaster Management by Tata McGraw Hill Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar
Ethics	GS Paper 4	Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary

Subject-wise Books For UPSC Mains (Optional Paper)

UPSC books for optional subjects are an essential part of an aspirant's UPSC preparation. These books provide candidates with an opportunity to specialize in a subject of their choice and help them score well in the Mains exam. IAS books for optional subjects are written by subject matter experts and provide aspirants with a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in the syllabus. You can decide which UPSC preparation books you need to buy by looking at the booklist given in the table below for the optional subjects.

List Of IAS Books For Optional Subjects
Optional Subjects	Book Name
Agriculture Books	Fundamentals Of Agricultural Extension Education by U Barman A Text Book of Agricultural Statistics R. Rangaswamy Agronomy – Yellamanda Reddy Entomology – Vasantha Raj & David Genetics- B.D.Singh
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science	A guide on forest Entomology – Regupathy A Textbook Of Animal Husbandry- G C Banerjee Advanced Animal Nutrition- D. V Reddy Agricultural Economics- S Subba Reddy Animal husbandry & veterinary science- T.N. Palanivelu
Anthropology Books	Physical Anthropology – P Nath Fossil Evidence – S Das Social Anthropology – DN Majumdar & T N Madan Indian Anthropology – Nadeem Hasnain Anthropology Theories – Makhan Jha
Botany	Cell Biology- De Robertis & Ambrose and Easy or Powar Cryptograms- B.R. Vasista Botany for Degree Students; Pteridophyta (Vascular Cryptogams)-P.C. Vashishta Ecology, Microbiology, Animal Behaviour, Pollution and Toxicology For B. Sc. Part III, Paper III- Dr Veer Bala Rastogi Economic botany in the tropics- S. L. Kochhar
Chemistry	A guide to mechanism in organic chemistry – Peter Sykes A textbook of environmental chemistry and pollution – S.S. Dara. A textbook of organic chemistry – Bahl & Ba A textbook of physical chemistry (Vol. – IV) – K.L. Kapoor Advance physical chemistry – Gurdeep Raj
Civil Engineering	Engineering Mechanics: Statics and Dynamics – Irving Herman Shames Strength of Material- Prof. S. Ramamrutham Mechanics for Engineers- B Johnson Structural Analysis- C. K. Wang Limit state design of steel structures: S K Duggal
Commerce & Accountancy	Accounting Corporate Accounting – Naseem Ahmed Accounting Standards- D. S. Rawat Auditing Students’ Guide to Auditing- Aruna Jha Income Tax book by- V.K. Singhania or Girish Ahuja Cost Accounting; Theory & Problems- Maheshwari & Mittal
Economics Books	Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh The Indian Economy – Sanjiv Verma Indian Economy – Mishra and Puri Indian Economy – R. Dutt and KPM Sundaram Banking – S.B. Gupta Dictionary of Economics – Graham Bannock; T.E. Baxter, Ray Rees
Electrical Engineering	Electromagnetic Fields & Waves- Kd Prasad Energy Conversion: Ashfaq Hussain Circuit Theory: Analysis and Synthesis- A. Chakrabarti Signals and Systems-Alan V. Oppenheim, Alan V. Willsky, S. Hamid Nawab Physics of Semiconductor Devices – Simon Sze Analog Electronics: J.B. Gupta Digital Logic and Computer Design-M. Morris Mano Principles of Electronics – V .K. Mehta
Geography Books	A Geography by Population – R.C. Chandna Agricultural Geography – Majid Husain Climatology – D.S.Lal Economic and Social Geography – Made Simple – R.Knowles & J.Wareing Economic Geography- Hartshorn & Truman A
Geology	Advancing Frontiers in Geology and Geophysics: A Volume in Honour of M.S. Krishnan- A P Subramaniam & S. Balakrishnan Ananda K. Coomaraswamy Writings on Geology and Mineralogy: Scientific Papers and Comments- Ranganathan, A. & Rao, K. Srinivasa (Eds.) Concise Glossary of Geology- Mathur, S.M. Deccan Traverses: The Making of Bangalore’s Terrain-Mathur, Anuradha & Cunha, Dilip Da Delta Sedimentation: East Coast of India- Singh, I.B. & Swamy, A.S.R. Dimensions of Himalayan Geology- Biyani A.K.
History Books	A History of South India -K.A. Nilkantha Sastri Ancient India – Upinder Singh Anatomy of the Raj (PPH) - Suhash Chakravarty Age of Capital -E.J. Hobsbawm The story of Civilization, Vol. 2 (NCERT) -Arjun Dev
Law	International Law- S. K Kapoor Our Constitution – Subhash C. Kashyap The Constitution of India (Bare Act) – PM Bakshi An Introduction to Public International Law – S. K. Verma Introduction to the Constitution of India – D.D Basu Constitution of India- VN Shukla
Management	Fundamentals of Management by DeCenzo, Agarwal, Bhattacharya and Robbins Marketing Management by Philip Kotler Cost and Management Accounting by MN Arora Organization Behaviour by Stephen Robbins Financial Management by Prasanna Chandra
Mathematics Books	Dynamics, Statics and Hydrostatics – M. Ray Differential Calculus – Shanti Narayan, PK Mittal Analytic Geometry – Shanti Narayan, DK Jha, HC Sinha and Sharma Differential equations:- Golden series – NP Bali Vector Analysis – Shanti Narayan, PK Mittal Linear Algebra – K.C. Prasad, K B Datta
Mechanical Engineering	Thermodynamics – R Yadav Theory of Mechanics – S S Rattan Heat Conversion – Arora and Kundwar Heat Transfer – Gupta Prakash Heat and Mass Transfer – R. Yadav Theory of Mechanism and Mechanics – Jagdish Lal
Medical Science	Human Anatomy—B D Chaurasia Embryology from I B Singh Human Physiology– Ganong; Guyton and A.K. Jain book Biochemistry– by U. Satyanarayana book. Pathology– Robbins, and Cotran
Philosophy Books	A History of Philosophy by Frank Thilly Survey of Indian Philosophy by C D Sharma Existentialism: A Reconstruction by David Cooper An Introduction to Indian Philosophy- S Chatterjee A History of Philosophy-Frank Thilly An Introduction to Political Theory by O P Gauba Introduction to Religious Philosophy By Y Masih
Physics	Any fundamental book on electrical engineering like B.L Theraja (Vol 1) or Vincent Del Toro Classical Mechanism -Gupta, Kumar & Sharma – Takewale & Puranik -H.Goldstein Electricity & Magnetism: D.C. TAyal, B.S. Agarwal, Griffith Introduction of Electrodynamics – David Griffiths EM Theory -Chopra&Agarwal/Satya Prakash
Political Science & International Relations	An Introduction To Political Theory- O.P Gauba Fifty Major Political Thinkers- Ian Adams And R W Dyson A History Of Political Thought: Plato To Marx – Subrata Mukherjee And Sushila Ramaswamy An Oxford Companion To Politics In India-niraja Gopal Jayal And Pratap Bhanu Mehta Foundations Of Indian Political Thought- V.R Mehta
Psychology	Psychology XI & XII Std NCERT Introduction to Psychology Morgan & King Systems & Theories of Psychology Krawiec & Chaplin Psychology by Morgan and King Psychology by Ciccarelli
Public Administration Books	Administrative Thinkers by Prasad and Prasad Public Administration: Administrative Theories and Concepts by Fadia & Fadia Public Administration and Public Affairs 12th Edition – Nicholas Henry Mohit Bhattacharya- New horizons in Public administration Mohit Bhattacharya- Pub Ad A new look
Sociology Books	Sociology – Anthony Giddens Sociological Theory – Ritzer George Sociology – Haralambos & Holborn Oxford Dictionary Of Sociology Sociological Thought – M Francis Abraham and John Henry Morgan
Statistics	An Introduction to Probability Theory & Mathematical Statistics -V K Rohtagi An Outline of Statistical Theory (2 Vol.) -A M Goon, M K Gupta and B. Dass Gupta Fundamentals of Applied Statistics- S C Gupta and V K Kapoor Fundamentals of Mathematical Statistics-A C Gupta and V K Kapoor Fundamentals of Statistics (2 Vol.)- A M Goon, M K Gupta and B Dass Gupta
Zoology	Modern Zoology by Ramesh Gupta Organic Evolution (Evolutionary Biology) by Veer Bala Rastogi Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology Cell Biology by CB Powar

Attempt UPSC Civil Service Examination Test Series

Importance Of Books For UPSC Preparation

The UPSC exam is a highly competitive exam that requires thorough preparation to crack. One of the most important aspects of this preparation is the selection of the right study materials, and UPSC preparation books are an essential component of this. Let's understand the importance of these books in the below-mentioned pointers.

Syllabus Coverage -These IAS books are designed to cover the entire syllabus in a comprehensive and structured manner. They provide a step-by-step guide for aspirants to understand and master each topic in a detailed manner.
Develops Analytical Skills - These books help aspirants develop analytical and critical thinking skills that are essential for cracking the exam. By presenting multiple perspectives and approaches to a particular topic, these books encourage aspirants to think beyond rote learning and develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Provides Practice Questions - UPSC preparation books also provide ample practice questions and previous year question papers that help aspirants assess their preparation level and identify their strengths and weaknesses. By solving these questions and analyzing their mistakes, aspirants can improve their performance and increase their chances of clearing the exam.
In-depth Explanation - These preparation books are written by experts and experienced educators who have a deep understanding of the exam and its requirements. They provide valuable insights and tips on how to approach different types of questions and how to manage time effectively during the exam.
Easy Availability - IAS preparation books are also easily accessible and affordable, making them a popular choice among aspirants from diverse backgrounds and geographical locations. Aspirants can purchase these books from a wide range of sources, including online marketplaces, bookstores, and libraries.

Beyond Books: Supplementary Study Materials For UPSC

If you're serious about cracking the UPSC exam, it's not enough to depend solely on books. You need to go beyond the textbooks and explore a range of supplementary study materials that can help you ace the exam. These supplementary study materials can include everything from online forums and study groups to mock tests and current affairs magazines. By using a combination of these materials, you can enhance your preparation and stay ahead of the competition. Some of the supplementary study materials for UPSC are listed below.

2nd ARC Report
Budget (Latest)
Economic Survey (Latest)
Niti Aayog Action Agenda
Finance Commission Report (Latest)
Annual reports by central ministries
Current Affairs - The Hindu newspaper, Yojana Magazine, PIB releases, Testbook UPSC Current Affairs, and more.
Yearbooks and reference books like India Year Book, Economic Survey, and Manorama Yearbook.
Informative videos on Testbook's IAS SuperCoaching Youtube Channel.

Read Other UPSC IAS Related Articles on the Below Link:
UPSC Age Limit UPSC Recruitment UPSC Prelims Syllabus UPSC Mains Syllabus UPSC Exam Pattern	UPSC Prelims Strategy UPSC Mains Strategy NCERT Books for UPSC History Books for UPSC UPSC Admit Card	UPSC Answer Key IAS Interview Questions UPSC Previous Year Paper UPSC Pre Cutoff UPSC Prelims Analysis

Conclusion

To conclude, we can say that IAS books are the backbone of exam preparation, providing a strong foundation and in-depth knowledge of various subjects and their topics. However, to crack the toughest exam in India, candidates must also refer to other study materials such as newspapers, online courses, and mock tests. With the right combination of books and study materials, candidates can significantly improve their chances of clearing the exam with good marks. Best Luck!

We hope this article has provided valuable insights into the list of important UPSC books and supplementary study materials for comprehensive UPSC exam preparation. You can also install our latest Testbook app now and get access to mock tests, study materials and more!

Report An Error

Latest UPSC Civil Services Updates

Last updated: Apr 25, 2024

-> UPSC Civil Services 2025 Exam Dates have been announced.

-> The UPSC CSE 2025 Prelims Exam is scheduled to be conducted on 25th May 2025 while the Mains Exam will be conducted on 22nd August 2025.

-> For the 2024 cycle, the UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2024 will be held on 16th June 2024.

-> UPSC Civil Services Notification 2024 was released for 1056 vacancies.

-> Candidates who have completed graduation are eligible for the exam.

-> The candidates are required to go through a 3 stage selection process - Prelims, Main and Interview.

-> Go through the UPSC Previous Year Papers and UPSC Civil Services Test Series to enhance your preparation.

IAS Books - FAQs

Which are the best books for UPSC?

There are a lot of great books available in the market for IAS preparation, refer to the article, and pick the best of the lot today.

Which are the best books for UPSC History subject?

You can refer to Modern History by Bipin Chandra, Facets of Indian Culture by Spectrum, Ancient India by R.S Sharma, etc.

Which is the best book for UPSC IAS Economy?

To prepare for the Economy subject refer to Indian People and Economy by Ramesh Singh and the Recent Economic Survey.

Which is the Best UPSC Preparation Book for IAS Mains Paper I?

You should study various topics from Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania, Modern History by Bipin chandra. The Spectrum of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir, etc.

Which is the Best UPSC Syllabus Book for IAS Mains Paper II?

You can refer to Indian Polity by Laxmikanth, Contemporary World Politics by NCERT, Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu, etc.You can refer to Indian Polity by Laxmikanth, Contemporary World Politics by NCERT, Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu, etc.