The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam is one of the most challenging competitive exams in India. Candidates seeking to crack this exam require comprehensive and focused study materials. While there are numerous resources available, it's imperative to select the right books that align with the UPSC syllabus. In this article, we have compiled a list of essential books for UPSC exam preparation. Remember, the key is not to read numerous books but to understand and revise the chosen ones thoroughly.

Indian Polity & Constitution

Syllabus

• Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
• Mains: General Studies Paper II – Governance, Constitution, Polity

Recommended Books

• NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work
• NCERT Class XII – Political Science I: Contemporary World Politics
• NCERT Class XII – Political Science II: Politics in India since Independence
• Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth

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History

Syllabus

• Prelims: History of India and Indian National Movement
• Mains: Modern Indian history, The freedom struggle, Post-independence history

Recommended Books

Ancient & Medieval History

• NCERT Class VI – Ancient India
• NCERT Class VII – Medieval India
• NCERT Class XI – Ancient India
• NCERT Class XI – Medieval India
• NCERT Class IX – Story of Civilization Part-I
• NCERT Class X – Story of Civilization Part-II
• Tamil Nadu Board History Textbook – Class 11th

Modern India

• NCERT Class VIII – Modern India
• NCERT Class XII – Modern India

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Indian Heritage and Culture

This subject covers the salient aspects of Art forms, literature, and architecture from Ancient to modern times.

Recommended Books

• NCERT Class XI – An Introduction to Indian Art
• NCERT Class XI – Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)
• Spectrum's Indian Art and Culture

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Geography

Syllabus

• Prelims: Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
• Mains: Geography of the World and Society, Distribution of key natural resources across the world, important geophysical phenomena, etc.

Recommended Books

Geography of India

• NCERT XI – Indian Physical Environment
• NCERT XII – India-People and Economy

Physical Geography

• NCERT VIII – Resource and Development
• NCERT XI – Fundamentals of Physical Geography

World Geography

• NCERT VI – Land and People Part-I
• NCERT VII – Land and People Part-II
• Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong (Chapters 15-25)
• Geography of India – Majid Husain
• Orient BlackSwan School Atlas
• Oxford School Atlas

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Indian Economy

Syllabus

• Prelims: Economic and social development - Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
• Mains: Economic Development, Government budgeting, Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment, Inclusive growth and issues, Issues related to indirect and direct subsidies, PDS, Food processing and related industries, Land reforms in India, effects of liberalization, Investment models, etc.

Recommended Books

• NCERT XI – Indian Economic Development
• NCERT XII – Macro Economics
• Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh
• Economic Survey (Selected Chapters)

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Science & Technology: Physics, Chemistry & Biology

Syllabus

• Prelims: General Science
• Mains: Science & Technology, Awareness in IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology

Recommended Books

• NCERT VI to X – Science
• NCERT XI – Computers and Communication Technology-I
• The Hindu Newspaper – Science and Technology section (Thursday Edition)
• Science Reporter Magazine – Selected Articles

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Environment

Syllabus

• Prelims: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity, and Climate Change
• Mains: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment

Recommended Books

• Current Affairs related to Environment
• ICSE Board Class X and XI – Environmental Studies
• NCERT VI to XII – Geography Books

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Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

Syllabus

• Mains: Ethics and Human Interface, Attitude, Aptitude, Emotional Intelligence, Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers from India and the World, Public/Civil Service Values and Ethics in Public Administration, Probity in Governance and Case Studies on Above-Issues

Recommended Books

• Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude – Nanda Kishore and Santhosh Ajmera (Mc Graw Hill Publications)
• IAS Mains General Studies Paper 4: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude – Arihant Experts

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Social Issues and Disaster Management

Syllabus

• Mains: Social Justice, Disaster and Disaster Management

Recommended Books

• India Yearbook
• Reputed Newspapers
• Yojana and Kurukshetra Magazines
• Internal Security & Disaster Management
• India’s National Security: A Reader
• CBSE Text Books for Disaster Management (Class VIII to X)

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International Relations

Recommended Books

• Pax Indica: India and the World of the 21st Century
• Editorials in The Hindu and Indian Express
• The Official Ministry of External Affairs Website
• IDSA Website

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Current Affairs

Syllabus

• Prelims: Current Events of National and International Importance
• Mains: Relevant in all spheres

Recommended Books

• Press Information Bureau
• PRS
• AIR News
• IDSA
• Yojana and Kurukshetra
• Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Debates
• The Hindu
• Business Standard

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CSAT

Syllabus

• Prelims: Comprehension, Interpersonal Skills Including Communication Skills, Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability, Decision Making and Problem-Solving, General Mental Ability, Basic Numeracy (Numbers and their Relation, Order of Magnitude etc. of Class X Level), Data Interpretation (Charts, Graphs, Tables, Data Sufficiency etc. of Class X Level)

Recommended Books

• CSAT Paper – 2 Manual by TMH or CSAT-II – Arihant (CSAT – Paper 2)
• Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R. S.Aggarwal (CSAT Paper 2: Reasoning)

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We hope this comprehensive list of books for UPSC exam preparation will be helpful for aspirants. If you have any suggestions or recommendations to add to this list, please feel free to leave a comment below.