32 Books For UPSC Beginners For Success in IAS Exam

Just started the UPSC preparation?

Looking for important books and study materials? then this is for you.

In this article, we have shared the complete list of books for UPSC beginners. The books shared below are based on the review and recommendations of IAS aspirants on Amazon India website.

NCERT books for UPSC beginners

Don’t dare to miss NCERT Books at the beginning of UPSC Preparation. These books will lay the foundation for your preparation. These are easily available in the local market.

You may also borrow these books from school kids studying in CBSE affiliated school or buy second hand from friends. If nothing works out then click on the link given below to buy from Amazon.

NCERT Text Books from Class 6 – 12 – Link to buy from amazon, you may also buy NCERT books for UPSC as a bundle here at discounted price.

A complete book list for IAS Prelims Paper 1

These all are the must-have books for UPSC Prelims Paper 1. Some of them are also helpful for mains preparation.

A complete book list for IAS Prelims Paper 2

These all are important books for UPSC Prelims Paper 2, which you must buy to effectively cover the syllabus.

All in one or GS Manual for UPSC Prelims Paper 1 & Paper 2

General Studies Paper 1 Manual – If you are a beginner, an all-in-one book can help you get a quick idea about the UPSC requirements. Manuals by Pearson, McGraw Hill, and Arihant are equally good. Buy any one book.
General Studies Paper 2 Manual – Selective practice of MCQs from any 1 of the following books – Pearson, McGraw Hill, or Arihant should be sufficient.

Practice set for IAS Prelims Paper 1 & 2

Practising old question papers before UPSC Prelims can boost up your preparation. So here we have recommended some of the best book available for practising old question papers of Prelims (paper 1 & 2)

Practice set for IAS prelims paper 1

You may anyone books from the option given below

25 Years UPSC IAS/ IPS Prelims Topic-wise Solved Papers 1 & 2 (1995-2019) – By Mrunal
25 Years’ Chapterwise Solved Questions IAS Pre General Studies Paper I – By Arihant

Practice set for IAS prelims paper 2

Here again, we will suggest two most popular books among aspirants. Prelims Paper 2 is consist of 100 questions with 200 marks to be completed in 120 minutes.

Cracking the CSAT Paper-2 – By Arihant
25 Years Solved Papers 1995-2019 General Studies Paper II CSAT for Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020 – By Access

Textbooks for UPSC Mains Paper 1 – (Indian Language)

There will be two qualifying papers in any Indian language and English each of 300 marks.

Textbooks for UPSC Mains Paper 3 – (Compulsory English )

Paper-II Compulsory English of civil services mains examination consists of 300 marks and is of qualifying nature.

Here we will suggest you two most important books which will help you to qualify this paper smoothly

Textbooks for UPSC Mains Paper 3 – (Essay)

Candidates will be required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice of subjects will be given.The following textbook will be useful for the preparation

Textbooks for UPSC Mains Paper 4 – (General Studies 1)

There are 11 topics under (GS – 1) Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society. Some of the books mentioned below are included in the prelims list, so you may exclude them.

Indian Art & Culture – Included in prelims books
A New Look at Modern Indian History: From 1707 To The Modern Times – By BL Grover
A Brief History of Modern India (2019 – 2020 edition) – Included in prelims books
India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra (1857 – 1947) – Included in prelims books
History Of The Modern World – by Jain and Mathur
History of the World – by Arjun Dev and Indira Arjun Dev
Social Problems In India – by Ram Ahuja
Contemporary Issues in Globalization – by Soumyen Sikdar
Certificate of P & M Geo – Included in prelims books
Indian and World Geography – by Majid Husain

Textbooks for UPSC Mains Paper 5 – (General Studies 2)

The topics of General studies 2 are mostly of administrative nature such as governance, constitution, polity and social justice. Let’s explore the available resources which will help you to sail through the examinations.

Textbooks for UPSC Mains Paper 6 – (General Studies 3)

Current affairs will play a crucial role In order to prepare this section of the syllabus. Apart from a few books, NCERT books will also help to cover some portion of the syllabus.

Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh
Indian Economy – Datt Rudder (Author), KPM Sundaram (Selected Topics)
India Year Book
Economic Survey

Textbooks for UPSC Mains Paper 7 – (General Studies 4)

This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life” basically question will be based upon the practical situations and case studies.

IAS Mains Paper 4 Ethics Integrity & Aptitude

Textbooks for UPSC Mains Paper 8 & 9 – (Optional Subjects)

For optional subjects, there are two papers, Here you need to choose one subject either you choose it from optional subjects or literature subjects. For any subject, there will be two papers.

All in one or GS Manual for UPSC Mains GS Paper (1,2,3 & 4)

Arihant expert has launched four books to cover up the Mains General Studies Syllabus and they are

You can buy these books separately or choose the combo pack, the cost will remain the same.

Books for UPSC Interview

Civil Services Interview – by Madhukar Bhagat
Common Mistakes At UPSC Civil Services Examination & How to Avoid Them – By Abhishek Dular
Esencia Current Affairs – By H.S Sidhu

UPSC CSE Mains Previous Year Solved Question Paper Books

IAS General Studies Main Solved Papers – New Vishal
IAS Mains General Studies Solved Papers – By Rohit Vadhwana (IFS)
IAS Mains Chapterwise Solved Papers General Studies – By Arihant Expert

So this is the complete set of books based on the syllabus and papers of UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Tips regarding the selection of books for IAS prelims and mains

First of all, keep this in mind you cant prepare for UPSC with a single book
You have to follow different resources of good quality
That’s why we have created this compilation based on different subjects of UPSC
The books mentioned here are selected after careful scrutiny of IAS toppers study materials
Photostats or PDFs supplied by coaching institutes may not give you the right information and broad perspective. If you are an IAS/IPS/IFS aspirant, you should invest in good textbooks.

We keep on updating this list, so whenever a new version is launched it’s reflected here too. So you download this list as PDF here or bookmark this page to keep yourself updated.