Best Book for GS Paper II for UPSC by UPSCPAGE.IN

Best Book foe GS Paper II for UPSC by UPSCPAGE.IN

Are you searching for the best book for GS Paper II for UPSC that will help you master the syllabus and boost your mains score? General Studies Paper II, popularly known as GS Paper 2 or Polity & Governance paper, is a core component of the UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam. With the right guidance and study materials, you can score high marks in this paper.

In this comprehensive post, we’ll discuss:

  • Overview of GS Paper II Syllabus

  • Best Books for GS Paper II (Core + Supplementary)

  • Topic-wise Book Recommendations

  • How to Use These Books Effectively

  • FAQs about GS Paper II Book Selection

Let’s get started!

📘 What is GS Paper II in UPSC?

GS Paper II of the UPSC Mains Exam focuses on subjects such as Indian Polity, Governance, Constitution, Social Justice, and International Relations.

This paper requires not just theoretical understanding but also current relevance, analytical thinking, and conceptual clarity. You must be able to link concepts with ongoing issues in governance and public policy.

📚 Syllabus of GS Paper II (as per UPSC)

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the official syllabus for General Studies Paper II:

  1. Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, amendments, features, and basic structure

  2. Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States

  3. Separation of Powers, dispute redressal mechanisms

  4. Comparison of Indian Constitutional Scheme with other countries

  5. Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, powers & privileges

  6. Executive and Judiciary – structure, organization, functioning

  7. Ministries and Departments of the Government

  8. Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial Bodies

  9. Governance – transparency, accountability, e-governance

  10. Role of Civil Services in democracy

  11. Development processes and the role of NGOs, SHGs, etc.

  12. Social Justice – welfare schemes, vulnerable sections, rights issues

  13. International Relations – bilateral, regional and global groupings, Indian diaspora, foreign policy

To cover this wide range, we must choose the best book for GS Paper II UPSC wisely.

🏆 BEST BOOK for GS Paper II for UPSC – Top Recommendation

1. Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth (6th Edition)

Publisher: McGraw Hill Education
Why it's best:

  • Covers the entire polity section of the GS II syllabus

  • Conceptual clarity with structured and indexed content

  • Updated with all constitutional amendments and recent developments

  • Exam-centric layout with MCQs and practice questions

✅ Must-have book for both UPSC Prelims and Mains.

📖 Other Highly Recommended Books for GS Paper II

Apart from Laxmikanth, here are additional resources you should refer to for better depth and answer writing:

2. Governance in India by M. Laxmikanth

  • Deals with topics like e-Governance, transparency, and accountability

  • Covers issues related to civil services, government schemes, RTI, and more

  • Useful for Governance & Social Justice portions

3. Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu

  • Great for understanding constitutional philosophy and critical analysis

  • Highly useful for writing analytical answers and ethics-based governance answers

4. India’s Foreign Policy by Rajiv Sikri

  • Focused on Indian diplomacy and international relations

  • Good for understanding India’s position in global forums

5. Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja

  • Covers social issues like caste, gender inequality, poverty, and communalism

  • Great supplement for Social Justice topics in GS II

🧩 Topic-wise Book Recommendations for GS Paper II

Topic Recommended Books
Constitution & Polity M. Laxmikanth, D.D. Basu
Governance & E-Governance Governance in India by M. Laxmikanth
Civil Services ARC Reports, Governance in India
Social Justice Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja
Welfare Schemes PIB, Yojana, Kurukshetra
International Relations Rajiv Sikri, MEA website, The Hindu editorials

🧠 How to Use These Books Effectively?

To make the most out of the best books for GS Paper II, follow this strategic approach:

✅ Step 1: Begin with M. Laxmikanth

Start by reading Indian Polity thoroughly. Focus on:

  • Articles of the Constitution

  • Role of key institutions

  • Past UPSC Mains questions from each topic

✅ Step 2: Make Notes from Governance and Social Justice Books

  • Highlight key schemes and reforms

  • Map challenges and solutions related to vulnerable sections

✅ Step 3: Link Theory with Current Affairs

  • Use newspapers like The Hindu/Indian Express

  • Refer to PRS India and PIB for policy updates

  • Integrate current issues into answer writing

✅ Step 4: Use ARC Reports (2nd ARC)

  • Reports like "Ethics in Governance", "Public Order", and "Citizen-Centric Administration" are goldmines

✅ Step 5: Practice Answer Writing

  • Join a GS Mains Test Series

  • Write answers using the intro-body-conclusion format

  • Use Supreme Court judgments, examples, and statistics to enrich content

💡 Pro Tips to Score High in GS Paper II

  • Quote constitutional articles and Supreme Court cases

  • Incorporate NITI Aayog & ARC recommendations

  • Use government schemes with data to strengthen social justice answers

  • Include current events and editorials in governance and IR questions

  • Practice previous year questions (PYQs) to understand the question pattern

📌 List of Additional Resources for GS Paper II

Resource Purpose
Second ARC Reports Deep insights on governance reforms
NITI Aayog Reports Current policy analysis
Economic Survey + Budget Social schemes and welfare programs
Yojana & Kurukshetra Magazines Government programs and implementation
PRS India Legislative updates and policy briefs

🧾 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ Which is the best book for Indian Polity in GS Paper II?

Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth is the gold standard for Indian Polity. It covers all important topics and is aligned with the UPSC syllabus.

❓ Is DD Basu necessary for GS II?

Not mandatory, but useful for value addition, analytical depth, and comparative constitutional understanding.

❓ How to study Governance and Social Justice?

Use Governance in India by Laxmikanth, read Yojana magazine, and refer to ARC reports. Supplement this with current affairs from PIB and newspapers.

❓ Do I need to read multiple books?

Start with Laxmikanth, and then read selectively from others like Rajiv Sikri or Ram Ahuja, based on your weak areas.

❓ How to prepare for International Relations in GS II?

Focus on:

  • India’s bilateral relations

  • India’s role in global groupings (BRICS, G20, SCO)

  • Use Rajiv Sikri’s book, and The Hindu editorials, and stay updated via MEA.gov.in

✨ Conclusion

The best book for GS Paper II for UPSC is undoubtedly Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, but UPSC aspirants should combine it with topic-specific sources and current affairs. This holistic approach ensures conceptual clarity, policy understanding, and real-world applicability—exactly what UPSC Mains demands.

Remember, quality trumps quantity. Don’t run behind too many books. Stick to a few reliable sources and revise them multiple times.

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If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with your fellow aspirants. For more UPSC-related resources, strategies, and book lists, stay tuned! ✨

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