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Books for UPSC IAS 2024 - Subject wise prelims & Mains Books

Books for UPSC IAS 2024 - Subject wise prelims & Mains Books

Edited By Vishnukumar | Updated on Feb 14, 2024 03:00 PM IST | #UPSC CSE

Candidates preparing for the UPSC Civil Services exam are advised to study from the best IAS books for preparation. To increase and enrich their knowledge base and preparation, candidates must study from the UPSC IAS books of different subjects. There is a myriad of study material available for the UPSC IAS exam, so it is important to choose books for preparation carefully.

Before selecting the best books for IAS preparation, candidates must also know the UPSC IAS syllabus. Candidates appearing for the IAS exam must have started preparing for the exam long before, if not they should immediately do so. Referring to the best books for IAS is not enough to qualify the IAS exam. Candidates must also work hard and practice as many IAS sample papers and previous year IAS question papers as possible to clear the exam.

UPSC IAS 2024 - Highlights

Candidates can check some basic details about UPSC IAS exam here.

Exam Name

Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Exam

Exam Conducting Authority

Union Public Service Commission

Stages of Exam

Preliminary

Mains

Personality Test

Exam Mode

Offline

Quick Links:


Best Books for IAS

Here is a list of some of the best and most commonly referred books for UPSC IAS exam preparation. Check the table below for the names of the most common UPSC IAS preparation books.]

Best books for UPSC IAS

Sr. No.

IAS syllabus books

1

NCERT books (Geography, Polity, History, Economics)

2

Indian polity by M Laxmikahth

3

Indian art and culture by Nitin Singhania

4

Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh

5

Environment by Shankar IAS

Books for IAS - Best Books for IAS Prelims and Mains exam

UPSC Civil Services exam is a three-stage exam - prelims, mains and personality test. Candidates preparing for the IAS exam are always looking for good IAS syllabus books to brush up their knowledge base. Check some of the books that they can refer to while preparing the IAS exam in the tables below.

IAS Books for Prelims

UPSC IAS prelims exam is a multiple choice question type having two papers - General studies and CSAT. In paper 1 questions are from subjects like history, geography, economy, polity, general knowledge, general science, etc. Whereas in CSAT candidates' reasoning and aptitude capabilities are tested. So to prepare for UPSC civil services prelims candidates can refer to the IAS syllabus books mentioned in the table below.

Books for UPSC IAS Prelims

Subject

Books for UPSC IAS Prelims

History

India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipin Chandra

Facets of Indian Culture – Spectrum

NCERT 11th (Ancient & Medieval)

NCERT 12th (Modern Indian History)

Geography

Certificate Physical Geography – G C Leong

NCERT 6th to 10th

NCERT 11th and 12th

World Atlas

Indian Polity

Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth

NCERT 9th to 12th

Economics

Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh

Economic Development & Policies in India – Jain & Ohri

NCERT 11th

International Relations

NCERT 12th (Contemporary World Politics)

Current Affairs

CSAT

Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual

CSAT – Arihant

Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R S Aggarwal

IAS Books for IAS Mains

UPSC IAS mains exam is descriptive in nature. It has a total of 9 papers all written. In IAS mains questions are asked from subjects like geography, history, economy, Hindi language, English language, etc. To know about the best books for UPSC IAS mains preparation check the table below:

UPSC IAS books for mains exam

Subject

Books for IAS mains

History, Indian Heritage & Culture

An Introduction to Indian Art Part 1: Textbook in Fine Arts for Class 11th

India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra

India after Independence by Bipin Chandra

History of Modern India by Bipin Chandra

History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra

India’s Ancient Past by R.S Sharma

Contemporary World History for class 12th

Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe

Geography

NCERT Class 11 - Physical Geography

NCERT Class 12 - Human Geography

World Geography by Majid Husain

Geography of India by Majid Husain

Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G C Leong

World Atlas

Polity

Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth

Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu

From Government to Governance by Kuldeep Mathur

Ethics in Governance, ARC Report

Human Development Report

World Development Report

Social Justice

NCERT of 11th on Indian Society

12th class NCERT

The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper

Human Development Report

World Development Report

International Relations

India’s Foreign Policy Since Independence by V.P. Dutt Or

India’s Foreign Policy by Rajiv Sikri

The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper

Economy

Indian Economic Development NCERT of 11th

Introductory Macroeconomics 12th class NCERT

Indian Economy by Sanjiv Verma

Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh

Economic Survey (latest)

The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper

Biodiversity, Environment

12th NCERT Book on Biology

India Year Book

The chapter on Climate Change from Economic Survey

The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper

Security and Disaster Management

India’s Security in a Turbulent World by Jasjit Singh, published by National Book Trust of India

The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper

Science & Technology

8th, 9th and 10th class NCERT books on Biology

The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper

Monthly Magazine ‘Science Reporter for Science & Technology

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudhary

Ethics in Governance

ARC Report

Lexicon

Best Study Material for UPSC Civil Services Exam- Prelims & Mains - Video Guide

How to Prepare for IAS Exam 2024?

Candidates preparing for UPSC IAS 2024 should have a preparation strategy on how to prepare for the UPSC IAS 2024 exam. The best way to prepare for the UPSC civil services exam is to have your own unique plan and not anyone else. Here a few tips on how to prepare for the UPSC IAS examination:

  • Candidates must go through the UPSC IAS syllabus and exam pattern before starting their preparation

  • Candidates must refer to the standard books for IAS exam

  • Candidates must develop a habit of reading the newspaper

  • Candidates should make short notes while studying for faster revision

  • Candidates must go through the previous year's UPSC IAS question papers to know the type and level of questions and more

UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy and Best Books
UPSC CSE preparation strategy along with best books for prelims as well as mains exam for sure success.
Download EBook

More Relevant Links - UPSC IAS Result 2024

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1. Which economy IAS books is best for the UPSC civil services exam?

Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh is the best book for the UPSC IAS exam.

2. Does UPSC release the IAS cutoff?

Yes, UPSC releases the IAS cutoff after the declaration of the final IAS result.

3. What is the minimum age required to apply for the UPSC IAS exam?

The minimum age required to apply for the IAS exam is 21 years.

4. Are NCERT books enough for IAS exam preparation?

No, NCERT books are good and much needed for IAS 2024 exam preparation. But alone they are not enough to crack the exam. To clear the IAS exam candidates must read other reference books too.

5. How can I choose best books for UPSC IAS?

While buying the books for UPSC 2024, keep in mind that books must be based on latest syllabus and exam pattern.

6. Which is better for preparation - books or online mode?

It completely depends on the students' perspective. There are students who prefer to study in online mode because of the amount of resources available there whereas some prefer books because of authenticity.

7. How can I get UPSC sample papers?

The sample papers of UPSC 2024 is available in the online mode. However, you can buy the books of UPSC IAS which contain the sample practice papers.

8. How can I choose best IAS books?

While choosing the best books for IAS, candidates must keep in mind that the books are based on latest exam pattern and syllabus of UPSC IAS 2024.

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Questions related to UPSC CSE

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

Hello,

When choosing an IAS coaching institute, it's important to consider factors such as faculty quality, study materials, success rate, infrastructure, fees, and student support. Here are some highly regarded IAS coaching institutes in India:

1. Vajiram & Ravi

  • Location: Delhi
  • Pros: Experienced faculty, comprehensive study materials, high success rate.
  • Cons: Relatively expensive.

2. ALS IAS

  • Location: Delhi, with branches in various cities.
  • Pros: Good faculty, structured programs, and regular tests.
  • Cons: Can be costly, and the quality may vary across branches.

3. Vision IAS

  • Location: Delhi, with branches in other cities.
  • Pros: Detailed study materials, current affairs updates, regular mock tests.
  • Cons: Some students find the pace fast.

4. Sriram IAS

  • Location: Delhi
  • Pros: Strong emphasis on comprehensive understanding, quality teaching.
  • Cons: Limited branches compared to others.

5. Drishti IAS

  • Location: Delhi, with a few branches in other cities.
  • Pros: Affordable fees, good study material, and supportive faculty.
  • Cons: Infrastructure might be less impressive.

6. Upkar Institute

  • Location: Multiple cities.
  • Pros: Focus on affordable coaching, quality materials.
  • Cons: Less known compared to the top-tier institutes.

7. The Hindu Zone

  • Location: Online coaching.
  • Pros: Flexibility of online classes, good faculty, and resources.
  • Cons: Online learning might not suit everyone.

Hope it helps !

It's great that you are taking the initiative to pursue your dream of becoming an IAS officer, Bettaswamy. Many working professionals like you crack the UPSC exam every year.

Anxiety often stems from dwelling on uncertainties. Instead, focus on what you can control – your daily preparation. Break down your study plan into manageable chunks and celebrate small goals. Challenge negative thoughts with realistic and empowering self-talk. Instead of "what if I fail," tell yourself, "I am putting in the effort to succeed, and I am capable of learning from any outcome." Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to calm your mind and reduce stress.

Plan your study schedule around your work commitments. Utilize pockets of time for revision and dedicate focused study time during evenings or weekends.

Plan your study schedule around your work commitments. Utilize pockets of time for revision and dedicate focused study time during evenings or weekends.

Connect with other UPSC aspirants or online forums for motivation and sharing strategies. Consider joining a coaching institute that caters to working professionals.

https://competition.careers360.com/exams/upsc-cse

I hope it helps!

Hello!

I assume you want to know the eligibility criteria to becoming an IAS. First of all, to become an IAS,  one has to clear UPSC CSE examiner. There are certain eligibility criteria for applying in this examination and they are as follows:

  • Bachelor's degree from any recognised college.
  • Age between 21-32; with some relaxation for reserved categories.
  • Citizen of India ora subject of Nepal/ Bhutan or Tibetan refugee who came to India, to permanently settle here before January 1, 1962, or People of Indian origin who migrated from Uganda, Burma, Pakistan, Zambia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam to permanently settle in India.

For more information, please visit the website by clicking on the link given below:

https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-ias-eligibility-criteria#toc_1

And other government jobs, the eligibility test is different for different jobs. It would have been if you could mention the government job you are interested in.

Hope this answers your query. Thank you

Dear aspirant !!

Hope you are doing good !

Yes it will be considered because Bachelor in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (BASLP) is a 4-year degree course . It is a multi-disciplinary profession with core subjects including speech pathology, language pathology, and audiology.

Hope it helps you ;

Thank you

Dear Aspirant !

Hope you are fine!

The main subjects for the UPSC Exam are Indian Politics, Indian Economy, International Relations, Science and Technology, Geography, History, Environment and Ecology, and related Current Affairs . There are 25 subjects and 23 literature optional that one can choose from in addition to this..

Thank you

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