List Of History Books For UPSC Exam 2025: Download UPSC History Booklist Here
History Books For UPSC - Among all the subjects that are included in the UPSC Syllabus, History is one of the most important ones. In the UPSC CSE Exam, the history subject is divided into Ancient, Medieval, Modern, and World History. Many questions are asked from these sections in the IAS Prelims & Mains exams. Candidates can also choose history as an optional subject in the mains exam. So, to excel in this subject it becomes necessary to have the Best History Books for UPSC exam. In this article, we have provided the list of best history books for UPSC. We request aspiring candidates to have a look at this UPSC History Booklist.
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Weightage of Indian History in UPSC Exam
History forms a significant component in the UPSC Prelims GS Paper-1. Nearly 10 to 13 questions are asked from Indian History (Ancient, Medieval and Modern) in the GS Paper 1. In the Mains GS Paper-1, knowledge of history is equally significant from the point of view of Indian heritage, culture, modern history, and world history. UPSC aspirants must refer to expert suggested UPSC History Books to structure their preparation. Refer to standard textbooks and NCERT History Books as well as the expert recommendations provided in this article to cover Important History Topics for UPSC Prelims and Mains exams.
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includedHistory Books For UPSC Prelims & Mains
Candidates should be well-prepared for the history subject for the IAS Prelims, Mains and Optional in case they opt for it. It is essential for you to possess a comprehensive list of books for UPSC as per the syllabus to avoid confusion and enhance your IAS Preparation. Let us look at the table below for IAS history books with content that is simple & understandable.
Top Indian History Books for UPSC Prelims Exam
As mentioned above, 10-15 questions are expected from the Indian History section in the UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1. These include questions on Ancient, Medieval and Modern History periods. Refer to the important UPSC History Books for Indian History provided in the table below -
| Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|
| A Brief History of Modern India | Spectrum Publications |
| NCERT Class XI Modern India | Bipan Chandra |
| NCERT Class XI Medieval India | Satish Chandra |
| NCERT Class XI Ancient India | NCERT |
| NCERT Class XII Theme in Indian History - I | NCERT |
| NCERT Class XII Theme in Indian History - II | NCERT |
| NCERT Class XII Theme in Indian History - III | NCERT |
| NCERT Class XI An Introduction to Indian Art | NCERT |
| NCERT Class XI Living Crafts Traditions of India | NCERT |
| NCERT Class XI Crafts Tradition of India | NCERT |
Top Indian History Books for UPSC Mains Exam
Indian History is an important component in the UPSC Mains GS Paper 1. Questions are typically based on Modern History. Follow the expert recommended UPSC History Books provided in the table below to prepare for this subject -
| Book Title | Author(s) |
|---|---|
| History of Modern World | Jain and Mathur |
| Mastering Modern World History | Norman Lowe |
| India After Gandhi | Ramchandra Guha |
| India’s Struggle for Independence | Bipan Chandra |
| History Of Modern India | Bipan Chandra |
| Indian Art and Culture | Nitin Singhania |
| India’s Ancient Past | R.S. Sharma |
| The Wonder That Was India | A.L. Basham |
| From Plassey to Partition | Sekhar Bandyopadhyay |
| Get a detailed booklist for each history section of UPSC on the below links: | |
| World History Books For UPSC | Ancient History Books For UPSC |
| Medieval History Books For UPSC | Bipan Chandra History Books For UPSC |
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Importance of History Books For UPSC
History Books play a pivotal role in UPSC exam preparation, offering valuable insights which are essential for understanding contemporary issues, governance, and societal structures. These books are indispensable tools for aspirants aiming to excel in the UPSC examination. Check out the importance of these books below.
- Contextual Understanding: History books provide a historical context that helps candidates comprehend the evolution of societies, governance, and cultures.
- Comprehensive Coverage: A well-rounded collection of history books covers ancient, medieval, and modern Indian and world history.
- Connectivity: Historical knowledge helps aspirants draw connections between past events and contemporary challenges.
- Answer Writing: Historical insights enrich answer-writing skills, enabling candidates to provide well-rounded responses.
- Cultural Awareness: History books foster cultural sensitivity, crucial for diverse administrative roles.
- Ethical Insights: Historical accounts often contain ethical dilemmas, offering a foundation for ethical decision-making.
- Interdisciplinary Learning: History intersects with other subjects, enhancing a candidate's interdisciplinary approach to issues.
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