Best Books for UPSC | Books for UPSC Preparation 2025

While finding the best books for UPSC, you may find yourself buying every book in the bookstore. But you need to shortlist and get your hands on the right ones. Otherwise, when you finally sit to read those books, you may be overcome by thoughts like "too many books, too little time"!

Hence, to make you worry a little less and study a little more, we have compiled an exhaustive booklist of books for UPSC Preparation, recommended by toppers. You should follow only a specific UPSC book list   to ensure you're not digressing too much from the core syllabus. Please note that you do not have to read all the books in their entirety. Make sure you download our micro-topics syllabus PDF (redirect to lead form) and read the books provided in accordance with it, in the UPSC booklist. That way, you can keep yourself focused on the actual UPSC syllabus. 

Here’s the book list that is sure to help you with exhaustive preparation for UPSC.

Download an in-depth FREE UPSC syllabus PDF

Books for UPSC CSE Prelims

Although the best books for UPSC may vary in accordance with your previous knowledge and expertise, here is an exhaustive booklist that both fresh aspirants and experienced ones can refer to for their UPSC Preparation. Some of the books may be relevant for both Prelims and Main. Before checking it out, you must know the syllabus and exam pattern well. Check out this article to learn about UPSC CSE Exam Pattern & Syllabus.

Check out the table below for the only UPSC booklist you’ll need, while studying for the Civil Services Prelims examination.

Paper

Booklist

General Studies (Paper I)

  1. Indian and World Geography for General Studies Paper 1 (Prelims) by D.R. Khullar
  2. Objective Economy 2ed (UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination)
  3. Objective Indian History & National Movement 3ed (UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination)
  4. Objective Indian Polity & Governance 3ed (UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination) by N.D. Arora
  5. Objective Science and Technology 2ed (UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination)
  6. UPSC 2023 General Studies Paper I 26 Years Solved Papers 1997-2022
  7. UPSC 2022 General Studies Paper I 11 Years Solved Papers 2011-2021 Hindi
  8. UPSC 2022 General Studies Paper I 19 Practice Papers
  9. UPSC 2022 General Studies Paper I 19 Practice Papers Hindi

General Studies (Paper II)

  1. CSAT Paper II Reading Comprehension 6ed by Ashok Kumar Singh, Nagendra Pratap
  2. CSAT Paper II Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability & General Mental Ability 6ed by Sanjeev Joon, R A Sharma
  3. UPSC General Studies Paper II CSAT 28 Years Solved Papers 1995-2022
  4. UPSC 2022 Samanya Adhyayan Paper II CSAT - 11 Years Solved Papers 2011-2021 Hindi
  5. UPSC General Studies Paper II CSAT 20 Practice Papers
  6. UPSC 2022 Samanya Adhyayan Paper II CSAT - 19 Practice Papers Hindi

General Studies - 1 & 2

  1. UPSC 2023 General Studies Paper I & II - 22 Years Solved Papers 2001 - 2022

CSAT

 

  1. Career Launcher CSAT Study Material

Books for UPSC CSE Main

Here is the UPSC booklist that you should be reading while preparing for UPSC CSE Main:

Paper

Booklist

General Studies - 1

  1. History of Modern India, 2e by Sujata Menon 2018
  2. Comprehensive World History for civil Services Main Examination by Sujata Menon

General Studies -2 

  1. Social Problems, Women Empowerment, Population Issues and Diversity of India 2ed by Bitasta Das

General Studies-3

  1. Environment and Ecology A Dynamic Approach 3e by Neeraj Nachiketa 2021
  2. Economic Development in India (Policies, Reforms and Liberalisation) 3ed by A V Balakrishnan
  3. Indian Economy through Questions & Answers by A V Balakrishnan

General Studies- 4

  1. Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (For Civil Services Examination) by G. Subba Rao & P N Roy chowdhury 8ed
  2. 100 Case Studies in Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by G Subba Rao, PN Roy Chowdhury
  3. Concise Neetishastra, Satyanishta Evam Abhivriti (Hindi)
  4. Neetishastra, Satyanishtha Evam Abhivriti for Civil Seva Pariksha 8ed by G Subba Rao , P N Roy Chowdhury & PC Sen Hindi
  5. A Concise Analysis of Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by G Subba Rao, PN Roy Chowdhury

All  GS Main Papers I-IV

  1. UPSC Mains 2023 General Studies Paper I-IV - Solved Papers 2013-2022 by G. Subba Rao, DVK Rao, Uddipan Mukherjee, PN Roy Chowdhury, Kantesh Mishra
  2. UPSC Mains 2023 Samanya Adhyayan Prashn Patra I-IV, Hal Prashn Patra 2013-2022 by Subba Rao, P N Roy Chowdhury, Uddipan Mukherjee, DVK Rao, Kantesh Mishra Hindi

Compulsory English Paper

  1. Compulsory English: IAS Mains and Judicial Services Examinations, 3rd Edition, 2020
  2. IAS Mains 2023 Compulsory English - 22 Years Solved Papers 2001-2022 9ed by AP Bhardwaj

Compulsory Essay Paper

  1. UPSC Civil Services 2023 Essays (Papers from 1993 onwards) by DVK Rao

History  Optional Paper

  1. History Optional 2023 - Ancient & Medieval India - Previous Years UPSC Solved Papers (1979 - 2022) 2ed by Rashid Yasin
  2. UPSC 2019 - Complete History through Questions & Answers by Rashid Yasin, Ranjan Singh
  3. History Optional - Modern India & World History - Previous Years UPSC Solved Papers 1979-2022 2ed by Rashid Yasin
  4. Map Entries for History Optional 3ed by Rashid Yasin, Ranjan Singh
  5. Modern World History 3ed by Uddipan Mukerjee

Also, read | How to choose optional subjects for UPSC

NCERT Books for UPSC

Here is a list of all the titles of NCERT books for UPSC that every aspirant should read for preparation for the UPSC exam:

Subject

Title of the NCERT Book For UPSC

History

  • History: NCERT Class VI – Our Past
  • History: NCERT Class VII – Our Past -I
  • History: NCERT Class VIII – Our Past II and III
  • History: NCERT Class IX – India and the Contemporary World – I
  • History: NCERT Class X – India and the Contemporary World – II
  • History: NCERT Class XI – Themes In World History
  • History: NCERT Class XII – Themes In Indian History – I
  • History: NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – II
  • History: NCERT Class XII – Themes In Indian History – III

Art & Culture

  • Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – An Introduction to Indian Art,
  • Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)

Polity

  • Polity: NCERT Class IX – Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – I
  • Polity: NCERT Class X – Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – II
  • Polity: NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work
  • Polity: NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Political Theory
  • Polity: NCERT Class XII – Political Science I: Contemporary World Politics
  • Polity: NCERT Class XII – Political Science II: Politics in India since Independence

Geography

  • Geography: NCERT Class VI – The Earth Our Habitat
  • Geography: NCERT Class VII – Our Environment
  • Geography: NCERT Class VIII – Resource and Development
  • Geography: NCERT Class IX – Contemporary India – I
  • Geography: NCERT Class X – Contemporary India – II
  • Geography: NCERT Class XI – Fundamentals of Physical Geography
  • Geography: NCERT Class XI – India – Physical Environment
  • Geography: NCERT Class XII – Fundamentals of Human Geography
  • Geography: NCERT Class XII – India – People and Economy

Economy

  • Economy: NCERT Class IX – Economics
  • Economy: NCERT Class X – Understanding Economic Development
  • Economy: NCERT Class XI – Indian Economic Development
  • Economy: NCERT Class XII – Introductory Microeconomics
  • Economy: NCERT Class XII – Introductory Macroeconomics

Environment & Ecology

  • Biology: NCERT Class XII (Last 4 chapters)

Must-read | How to make NCERT Notes For UPSC | Download NCERT Compilations

This booklist for UPSC is recommended by almost all the toppers, as well as UPSC experts. Now that you have an entire list there should be no worrying about what to read!

If you need a kick-start to get you started and help you ace UPSC CSAT, check out our CSAT coaching programs here.

Frequently Asked Questions

NCERTs, along with some other standard books must be read for comprehensive UPSC Preparation. Check out the detailed list available on our website.

Yes, with a proper study strategy, you certainly can. Check out our detailed UPSC syllabus to get you started.

You can start with NCERT and then go through the detailed book suggestions by the toppers of the past year. Make sure you shortlist the books you are aiming to study before you start full-fledged preparation.