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Essential Topper's Booklist for First Timers: IAS Prelims Books Suggested by Toppers

In this article, we will discuss the best books for IAS prelims 2022 recommended by toppers. If you are preparing for the IAS exam for the first time, this comprehensive list of subject-wise IAS books will be invaluable for your preparation.

The UPSC Prelims exam 2022 is your gateway to a rewarding career in civil services. If you're planning to take the 2022 prelims exam and don't know where to start, you've come to the right place. The IAS exam can lead to a challenging and fulfilling career where you can contribute positively to the nation's development.

As you begin your preparation for the UPSC 2023, it's important to have a clear prelims strategy. Every aspirant should refer to standard books to build their foundational knowledge. If time permits, additional resources can be referred to for a more in-depth understanding.

It's crucial to know which books you need to cover the UPSC syllabus comprehensively. There are numerous sources and books available both offline and online, but selecting the right ones can be a daunting task.

Indeed, you need to be selective and choose a few books for each subject, as it's important to study from the most credible and relevant sources. IAS toppers, with their vast experience, can guide you in deciding which books to start your preparation with.

Enhance your UPSC exam preparation by attempting UPSC Previous Years Question Papers now!!

To supplement your preparation for the upcoming exam, check the following links:

Recommended Books for IAS Prelims by Toppers

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Polity:

  • ‘Indian Polity’ by M Laxmikanth is a widely read and trusted book for Indian Polity.
  • The book is structured in a way that makes it easy to understand and remember, making it ideal for first-time readers.

Also, check out some helpful tips to study Polity from the textbook ‘Laxmikanth’.

Geography:

The following three books are recommended for Geography:

  1. NCERT Class XI
  2. NCERT Class XII
  3. Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G C Leong

If you find certain concepts in Geography challenging, you can always refer to our NCERT notes on Geography.

Aspirants can also find a comprehensive list of Geography Books for the Optional paper of UPSC Mains at the linked article.

History:

For History, there are three main classifications:

Ancient history

  • NCERT Class XI, ‘India’s Ancient Past’ by R S Sharma

Medieval history

  • NCERT Class XI, ‘History of Medieval India’ by Satish Chandra

Modern history

  • A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum Publications
    • This book is easy to understand as the content is given in points and there are compiled tables at the end of each chapter.
  • India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra

It is advisable to make your own notes for History to facilitate easy studying and remembering. You can find history NCERT Notes for the UPSC exam below:

Ancient History
Medieval History
Modern History

Economics:

  • ‘Indian Economy’ by Ramesh Singh
  • It's essential to read the Economic Survey of the respective year. Questions are often directly sourced from this. It's also important to read newspapers for current affairs related to economics.

The economy is also an important part of the UPSC Mains syllabus, candidates can acquaint themselves with the best IAS Economics Books at the linked article.

Environment:

  • Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure – R. Rajagopalan
  • Objective Environmental Sciences – B.B Singh
  • Newspapers are your most important source for this subject. Stay updated with the daily current affairs in this section.

Science and Technology:

  • NCERTs are a good source for basic concepts.
  • If reading all the science books from classes VI to X seems overwhelming, you can stay updated with current affairs in the science and technology topics through newspapers.
  • Questions are generally asked related to any technology or event that is frequently in the news. It's important to understand the basic science behind such topics.

Aspirants can download the PDF of NCERT Science Books for free and kickstart their preparation at the linked article.

Related Links:

UPSC Prelims UPSC Mains Syllabus
Complete List Of NCERT Books Needed For UPSC Preparation 10 Must-Read Books for IAS Aspirants
UPSC Calendar 2023 UPSC 2023
IAS Questions & Answers for UPSC 2021-22 Topic-wise IAS Prelims Questions with Solutions
Best Optional Subjects for UPSC UPSC Books In Hindi For Civil Services/IAS Exam
 
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