Best Books for preparation of UPSC (IAS) Preliminary Exam

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Selection of right books for different stages of UPSC exam is quite important. As we all know, UPSC Prelim Exam comprises of only objective type questions and Mains contains descriptive essay type questions, hence require different study strategies at every stage.

In this article, we have suggested some very important books for UPSC (IAS) Preliminary and Mains preparation which are recommended by various IAS toppers. These books have helped them to achieve their goal and score good marks in all the phases of the UPSC exams. We have prepared a list of such important books so that our readers can get benefit of the same during their UPSC Preparation. We have also provided the links to buy the books online at the discounted price.

If cracking UPSC exam is your primary goal, we are sure this post will help you to attain you goal and also by choosing these below mentioned books, you can save your precious time.

Disclaimer: This article does contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of my links I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Indian Polity

Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

If you are preparing for the any competitive exam or Civil Services Examination, M. Laxmikanth's Indian Polity is must read book. It is one of the most popular book for UPSC examination particularly for Public Administration, consistent bestseller, contains high quality content and recommended by various IAS toppers.
Following Topics are covered under this Book:
1. Constitutional Framework 2. System of Government 3. Central Government 4. State Government  5. Local Government  6. Union Territories and Special Areas  7. Constitutional Bodies  8. Non-constitutional Bodies  9. Other constitutional Dimensions  10. Political Dynamics  11. Working of the Constitution

Introduction to constitution of India by D.D. Basu

Introduction to the Constitution of India written by Durga Das Basu is a fantastic book on the subject of Indian Constitution and presents a wonderful commentary on the same with simple beautiful language. Indian constitution is the bulkiest written constitution of the world and it is very difficult to read and understand everything. By writing this unique Book, D.D. Basu has made all the things very easy for all of us.

all the topics in this book are covered under 9 parts:

1. Nature of the Constitution  2. Government of the Union  3. Government of the States  4. Administration of Union Territories  5. Local Government  6. Administration of Special Areas  7. The Judicature  8. The Federal System  9. Miscellaneous

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Indian History

Ancient History: Ancient History by RS Sharma (Old NCERT)

If you have just started or going to start your UPSC preparation, Old NCERT books are the basic text books to start with. It is essential to read ancient India by RS Sharma (old NCERT books) for History. You can read new edition too but old edition is mandatory. It does not mean that new edition is poor in quality rather old book is relevant to our topics.
Topics covered under this Book:
1. The Importance of Ancient Indian History  2. The Construction of Ancient Indian History.  3. The Geographical Setting  4. The Stone Age  5. The Stone-Copper Phase  6. The Harappan Civilization.  7. Advent of the Aryans and the Age of the Rig Veda  8. The Later Vedic Phase : Transition to State and Social Formation .  9. Jainism and Buddhism  10. Territorial States and the First Magadhan Empire  11. Iranian and Macedonian Invasions  12. State and Varna Society in the Age of the Buddha  13. The Age of the Mauryas  14. Significance of the Maurya Rule!  15. Central Asian Contacts and Their Results  16. The Age of the Satavahanas.

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Medieval History: Class XI NCERT (Ancient and Medieval History)

History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra is very important book for students preparing for UPSC Civil Service Exam. Even, all OLD NCERT History books are the best books to prepare for UPSC Exams. As it covers all the aspects From Ancient, Medieval to modern history in a simple language.

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Indian Geography

Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong

Certificate Physical and Human Geography" is very important and unique book which brings together all the main aspects of physical geography, world climatic, vegetation regions and human geography so that the relationships between them can be easily appreciated. This Book covers detailed chapters related to Earth and Atmosphere , Earth Crust, Vulcanism and Earthquakes, Weathering , Mass movement, Various Types of Landforms, Islands and Coral Reefs, Oceans, Various Climate Types, Weather Cycles etc. This book is written by Goh Cheng Leong in a very attractive manner with Maps, diagrams, graphs and photographs which assist students in their interpretation of geographical facts.This book is must read book for the subject geography.
Book is divided into two parts:
1. Physical Geography
2. Weather, Climate and Vegetation.

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Indian Economy

Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh

Indian Economy by Ramesh singh is the bestseller book in the market for Indian Economy. It provides all the essential data and topics in short and sharp. The book gives a brief overview of chronological developments in Indian economy from the past and describes the current status of the economy and finance. It also provides details about different financial instruments in the country.

Table of Content:

1. INTRODUCTION  2. PROGRESS, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT  3. EVOLUTION OF THE INDIAN ECONOMY  4. ECONOMIC PLANNING  5. PLANNING IN INDIA  6. ECONOMIC REFORMS  7. INFLATION AND BUSINESS CYCLE  8. INDIAN AGRICULTURE  9. INDIAN INDUSTRY & INFRASTRUCTURE  10. INDIA AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY  11. INDIAN FINANCIAL MARKET  12. BANKING IN INDIA  13. INSURANCE IN INDIA  14. SECURITY MARKET IN INDIA  15. EXTERNAL SECTOR OF INDIA  16. INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANISATIONS & INDIA  17. TAX STRUCTURE IN INDIA  18. PUBLIC FINANCE IN INDIA  19. THE TECHNOLOGY-ENVIRONMENT DILEMMA  20. SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE: INDIA AND THE WORLD  21. PREPARING FOR THE DEMOGRAPHIC DIVIDEND  22. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA  23. MODEL ANSWERS TO SELECTED QUESTIONS  24. ECONOMICS CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGIES

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Economic Survey by Ministry of Finance (Latest)

Economic Survey is an annual document prepared by the Ministry of Finance and presented in the Parliament a day before the Union Budget. This Economic Survey report summarize the performance of the country on major development programmes, and highlights the policy initiatives of the government and the prospects of the economy in the short to medium term, which is very useful for IAS aspirants to prepare them for UPSC exam.
Download Latest Economic Survey of India here 

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Indian Culture

Environment and Ecology

General Studies (Paper II)

General Studies Manual by Tata McGraw Hill (CSAT)

Topics Covered under this book:
  • Comprehensive
  • Decision Making & Problem Solving
  • Basic Numeracy
  • Interpersonal skills including Communication skills
  • Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
  • General Mental Ability

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Current Affairs

Misc

Budget (latest)

Budget 2019-20 Presentation of Finance Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman)

Website Link: Click Here

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