Raw | |

Introduction

"2 lahks Hindi medium vidhyarthiyo mein kewal 25-30 hi ban pate hain IAS / IPS", this famous dialogue from the 12th fail movie has uncovered how tough the exam is. This movie inspired hundreds of students to start preparing for IAS/IPS and showcased how much hard work is required to crack this exam. 
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) Exam. As the country's most prestigious and toughest exam, cracking the IAS exam challenges the students. We can't simplify the exam, but we can make your preparation easier. This blog lists the best books to prepare for the IAS Prelims 2025 and the IAS Mains 2025 exam. 

Amongst many online and offline study materials, Global Tree has researched and treated out the best books and IAS toppers to help the upcoming generations. Share this blog if anyone in your circle is preparing for IAS exams. 

A common choice by most IAS toppers is to start preparation with NCERT Books, followed. 

(Read More: Top 10 Highest-paying Government Jobs in India)

Why Are Books Essential for UPSC Preparation?

Preparing for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is an ambitious journey that requires immense dedication, strategic planning, and the right resources. 

Books provide in-depth knowledge, conceptual clarity, and a holistic understanding of subjects. While online resources, coaching notes, and mobile apps are valuable, books remain the gold standard for building a strong foundation. They offer:

Comprehensive Coverage: UPSC books cover detailed topics, helping aspirants develop a nuanced understanding.
Credibility: Standard books are authored by subject matter experts and are widely recommended by toppers and mentors.
Retention: The structured content in books aids better retention than fragmented online material.

(Know More: How to Become an Income Tax Officer through UPSC ?)

What are the Stages of the UPSC Examination?

The UPSC Civil Services Examination comprises three stages:

1. Preliminary Exam (Prelims): A screening test with two papers—General Studies (GS) and Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT).

2. Main Exam (Mains): A descriptive test with nine papers, including four GS papers, two optional subject papers, an essay paper, and two qualifying language papers.

3. Personality Test (Interview): An assessment of a candidate's personality traits, including communication skills, decision-making, and general awareness.

Each stage demands a unique preparation approach, and book choices vary accordingly.

(Suggested Read: What is personality development for students? Is it important?)

Best Books for UPSC Prelims

1. General Studies Paper I

This paper assesses knowledge across history, geography, polity, economy, environment, and current affairs. Recommended books include:

History:

• India's Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma: For ancient Indian history.
• History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra: Covers the medieval period in detail.
• India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra: A comprehensive resource for modern Indian history.

Geography:

• Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong: Essential for understanding physical geography concepts.
• NCERT Geography textbooks (Class 6-12): For building foundational knowledge.

Indian Polity:

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth: A widely trusted resource covering the Indian Constitution and political system.

(Suggested Read: What is the full form of GS in education? Check out!)

Economy:

• Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh: Provides an in-depth analysis of economic concepts and trends.
• Economic Survey and Budget documents: To stay updated on government initiatives and policies.

Environment:

• Environment by Shankar IAS: A go-to book for environmental issues, biodiversity, and ecology.
• NCERT Science textbooks (Class 9-12): For basic environmental science concepts.

Current Affairs:

• Newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express.
• Monthly magazines such as Yojana and Kurukshetra.

2. CSAT (General Studies Paper II)

CSAT tests analytical, reasoning, and comprehension skills. Recommended resources include:

• Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
• Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey
• Previous years' question papers for practice

Read More: How can GRE verbal Reasoning help you to score better in CSAT exam?)

Must-Read Books for UPSC Mains

The main exam requires a deeper understanding and the ability to articulate thoughts effectively. The following books cater to various GS papers:

1. General Studies Paper I: Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography

Indian Heritage and Culture:

• Introduction to Indian Art (NCERT): Covers cultural aspects comprehensively.
• Cultural India by Nitin Singhania: Detailed insights into art, culture, and heritage.

History:

• Refer to the Prelims books mentioned above.

Geography:

• World Geography by Majid Husain: Ideal for understanding world geography.
• Oxford School Atlas: A must-have for map-based questions.

(Know More: Are you eligible to study Social Justice Course abroad?)

2. General Studies Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations

Polity and Governance:

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth (also useful for Prelims).
• Governance in India by M. Laxmikanth.

Social Justice:

• Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja: A thorough resource on social issues.

International Relations:

• The Hindu and Indian Express editorial sections.
• Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar and Vipul.

3. General Studies Paper III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management

Economy:

• Refer to Ramesh Singh's Indian Economy.
• Economic Development (NCERT Class 11): A good starting point for basic economic concepts.

Environment:

• Refer to Shankar IAS's Environment book.

Science and Technology:

• NCERT Science textbooks.
• Science Reporter magazine.

Security:

• Internal Security and Disaster Management by Ashok Kumar and Vipul.

(Suggested Read: How can pursuing Economics course abroad help in your UPSC preparation?)

4. General Studies Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

• Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude by Niraj Kumar.
• Ethics in Governance by ARC (Administrative Reforms Commission) Reports.

5. Essay Paper

• Essays for Civil Services by Pulkit Khare.
• Reading newspapers and practising essay writing on diverse topics.

6. Optional Subject Papers

Choosing the right optional subject is critical for Mains. Recommended books depend on the selected topic. For example:

Public Administration:

• Public Administration by M. Laxmikanth.
• New Horizons of Public Administration by Mohit Bhattacharya.

Geography:

• Physical Geography by Savindra Singh.
• Human Geography by Majid Husain.

Sociology:

• Sociology Themes and Perspectives by Haralambos and Holborn.
• Sociology by Anthony Giddens.

(Note: Are you intrigued by the study of human populations and their dynamics?  If so, pursuing a human geography course abroad is a perfect choice for you!)

Additional Resources for UPSC Interview

The UPSC Personality Test is designed to evaluate a candidate's personality traits. Apart from revising the main syllabus, consider these tips and resources:

Mock Interviews: Attend mock sessions conducted by reputed coaching institutes.

Newspapers and Magazines: Stay updated on current affairs and important events.

Books:

• Cracking the Civil Services Interview by Madhukar Bhagat.
• What After Money and Fame? by Anil Swarup.

General Preparation Tips

• Stick to Limited Resources: Avoid overloading yourself with too many books. Focus on a few high-quality resources and revise them multiple times.
• Make Notes: Summarize important points for quick revision.
• Solve Previous Year Question Papers: Analyze trends and understand the pattern of questions.
• Practice Answer Writing: Regular writing practice improves clarity and speed.
• Stay Consistent: Dedicate fixed hours daily to your preparation.

• Stick to Limited Resources: Avoid overloading yourself with too many books. Focus on a few high-quality resources and revise them multiple times.
• Make Notes: Summarize important points for quick revision.
• Solve Previous Year Question Papers: Analyze trends and understand the pattern of questions.
• Practice Answer Writing: Regular writing practice improves clarity and speed.
• Stay Consistent: Dedicate fixed hours daily to your preparation.

(Read More: How to study for long hours without distraction?)

Conclusion

UPSC preparation is a marathon, not a sprint. The right books and a disciplined approach can lead you to success. While books form the core of your preparation, complement them with current affairs, online resources, and mock tests. Remember, consistency and perseverance are key to cracking this prestigious exam. Choose your resources wisely and start your journey with confidence. Good luck!