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Books for UPSC Civil Services

Preliminary Exam Preparation
May 5, 2012 by Prafull 59 Comments

Many friends preparing for UPSC CS exams generally ask one common question which
books are good for a fresher to start the preparation with?. The list of books is endless, some
topics are good in one book other is in another. You need to read anything you think its
worth reading. Here I am listing down some must have kind of books, mentioning this list is
not complete and perfect. I will keep updating this list. Following list is well recognized list
of Books for UPSC preparation.

1. Indian History India Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra; NCERT Books ( XI &
XII )
2. Geography Spectrum
3. Indian Polity DD Basu, Constitution of India by Bakshi
4. Indian Economy 11th & 12th Books (NCERT), Pratiyogita Darpan Special Edition
5. General Science Tata Mc Graw Hill Guide Books of 9th and 10th Standard.
6. Mental Ability Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
7. Current Affairs Some magazines and Newspapers
8. India- Yearbook Published from Publication Division

Some newspapers/magazines you may

count in:
i. The Hindu/The Times of India
ii. Frontline
iii. Civil Service Chronicle
iv. Chanakya
v. Competition WIZARD
vi. Civil Services Today

Guides You may Like to Read:

1. Tata McGraw Hill for GS
2. Arihant for CSAT
2. Spectrum
3. Unique
Topic Wise Reference On General
Studies
Books on Indian History & Culture:
NCERT (+ 2 level) Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India.
Publication Division : Gazetteer of India (Vol 2 : History & Culture)
Gandhi Nehru Tagore & Ambedkar Gopal Krishna
Bipin Chandra Modern India
A.C.Banerjee History of Modern India Raghavan Aiyer Mahatma Gandhi

Books on Geography:
NCERT : Physical Geography of India for X XII Std
A Good School Atlas
Sharma & Cotinho : Economic and Commercial Geography of India.
Khullar : India- A Comprehensive Geography
Charles Farro : General Principles of World Geography
Charles Farro : Monsoon Asia Reports published by Centre for Science and Enviornment
And Tata Energy Research Institute
National journal Kurukshetra, Yojana etc.
Down to earth

Books on Indian Economy:

NCERT (+1 level)Evolution of Indian Economy(I C Dhingra).
Mishra & Puri or Dutt & Sundaram Indian Economy
Economic Survey
The Economic Times,Business Standard
Yojana

Books on Social and National Issues:

Social Problem Ram Ahuja
Social Welfare Magazine Published by ministry of social welfare
Yojana/Kurukshetra
IIPa Journal

Books on Indian Polity:

NCERT (+1 level)Indian Political System
N.L. Madan : Bhartiya Rajya Vyavastha
D.D. BasuIndian Constitution
KashyapConstitution of India
Publication DivisionSubhash C. Kashyap : Our Parliament
P.M. BakshiIndian Constitution
Our Constitution : Subhash C. kashyap
Perspective on Constitution : S.C. Kashyap
Frontline Magazine
IIPa Journal

Books on Science & Technology:

NCERT : (10 level) : Science, (+2 level) : Biology.
Popular Science Series (CSIR)
Reports Of the Ministry of Science and Technology Yojana
Science Reporter
Science and Technology in India Spectrum

Books on Statistics:
(NCERT +1 level) Elementary Statistics
S.C.Gupta : Statistical Methods

Books on India and the World :

Journal of peace Studies
World Focus
Strategic Analysis
South Asian Journal

Other Books for General Studies:

1. India Year Book latest
2. One competitive Magazine
3. Guides like Tata Mc Graw Hill

Most important:
Dont forget installing our mobile app in your android phone IAS Times for current affairs
and General Studies,GK Quiz.
10 Must Read Books for UPSC
Aspirants
November 14, 2013 by Prafull 31 Comments

Generally you may easily find over hundred of books in the bookshelves of civil services
aspirants, but there are only few books they actually hangout with. I felt following are widely
accepted best books to read. So here is the list of 1o General Studies books for UPSC
aspirants.

Books for UPSC Aspirants

1. Introduction to the Constitution of India

21st Edition
Written by Durga Das Basu, the book is indispensable for politicians, journalists, statesmen
and administrative authorities and is also prescribed in several Universities even for under
graduate courses in Civics. It incorporates all amendments to the Constitution upto 98th
Constitutional Amendment Act, 2013 and contains materials, figures and charts not included
in any publication so far on the subject. Contains elaborate comments on separatism in
Punjab, Assam and elsewhere.

2. Constitutional Law of India A Critical

Commentary
Written by Hormasji Maneckji Seervai. One of the most read books by UPSC and other Civil
Service aspirants.

3. V. N. Shuklas Constitution of India

Written by Mahendra Pal Singh, this book has proved itself, over eleven editions, to be the
most authoritative and respected academic book on Indian Constitution. Its outstanding
reputation has established it in the foremost rank of classic legal textbooks.

4. The Wonder That Was India 3rd Edition

Written by Arthur Llewellyn Basham. The Wonder That was India takes a look at the
countrys history from the time of the Harappan or Indus Valley Civilization. It explores the
possible causes for the decline of the Harappan civilization and settlements. The book talks
about the possibility of the Harappans having moved towards the south and settled in the
peninsular region. The author also discusses the Aryan invasion theory, supporting it with
various research papers and findings of that time. The evolution of Hindu religion is also
talked about in this bookfrom the Harappan times, to the coming of the Aryans and the
mutual influence that Hinduism and its off shoots Jainism and Buddhism had on each other.

5. Ancient India
Written by Romila Thapar. The book provides insight of ancient India and considered as the
best choice for Civil Services aspirants.

6. Agrarian System of Mughal India

Written by Irfan Habib. A book read by most of UPSC aspirants as well as other competitive
exams related to civil services.

7. Indias Struggle for Independence

Written by Bipin Chandra. Designed for ardent history enthusiasts, Indias Struggle For
Independence is one of the most exhaustive and precise account of the struggle of Indian
Independence ever written in the literary world. Written and edited by five expert authors, it
presents a detailed outlook on one of the most important periods in Indian history. The facts
and details provided in this book have been gathered from oral and written sources, and
various other primary sources have been used along with years of intense research. Written
with a very concise approach, it is a one of a kind book that details the intricacies of the
Indian Independence struggle.
8. India: A Comprehensive Geography
Written by D. R. Khullar. As name suggests it is a comprehensive book of geography in
Indian context. The book is one of the best books for UPSC civil services exams.

9. General Principles of World Geography

Written by Charles Farro. Giving an insight of world geography to aspirants and geography
students. In the list of books for UPSC it must rightly included.

10. An Evolution of Indian Economy

Written by I.C. Dhingra. An essential book for economics, you can find this book easily in
must read book-list of any serious aspirant.