Best Book for UPSC Prelims Exam by upscpage.in

Best Book for upsc prelims exam by upscpage.in

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams in India. Lakhs of aspirants dream of becoming IAS, IPS, or IFS officers, but only a few succeed. The first step to achieving this dream is to crack the UPSC Prelims, which acts as a screening test for the Mains exam. A strong foundation built on the best books for UPSC Prelims is crucial.

In this blog, we will cover:

  • The best subject-wise books for UPSC Prelims

  • Booklist for both GS Paper 1 and CSAT

  • Preparation strategy using these books

  • Free PDF sources

  • FAQs on UPSC booklist

Let’s dive into the ultimate UPSC prelims booklist to supercharge your preparation.

📘 Why Choosing the Right Books Matters

UPSC Prelims tests your conceptual clarity, analytical ability, and factual accuracy. It consists of:

  • General Studies Paper I (GS-I): 100 questions, 200 marks

  • CSAT (Paper II): 80 questions, 200 marks (qualifying in nature)

Aspirants often get lost in the sea of study material available. But smart study with standard books is better than reading 10 books once.

📚 Best Booklist for UPSC Prelims – GS Paper 1 (Subject-Wise)

1. History

a) Ancient & Medieval India:

  • "Old NCERT – Ancient India" by R.S. Sharma

  • "Medieval India" by Satish Chandra (Old NCERT)

  • Tamil Nadu Board Class 11 & 12 History Books (for additional insights)

b) Modern India:

  • "A Brief History of Modern India" by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum) – MUST READ

  • "India’s Struggle for Independence" by Bipan Chandra – For deeper understanding

2. Geography

  • "Certificate Physical and Human Geography" by G.C. Leong – For conceptual clarity

  • NCERT Class 6 to 12 Geography books – Fundamental for map-based questions

  • Atlas (Oxford or Orient BlackSwan) – Practice India and World maps daily

3. Indian Polity

  • "Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth – UPSC BIBLE for Polity

  • NCERT Class 9 to 12 Political Science books – For basic understanding

4. Economy

  • "Indian Economy" by Nitin Singhania – Updated and UPSC-specific

  • "Indian Economy" by Ramesh Singh – For beginners

  • NCERT Class 11, 12 (Macro & Micro Economics)

5. Environment and Ecology

  • "Environment" by Shankar IAS Academy – Comprehensive and updated

  • NCERT Biology Class 12 (Selective Chapters)

  • Current Affairs – For updates on biodiversity, climate change, etc.

6. Science and Technology

  • NCERT Science books (Class 6 to 10)

  • Current Affairs – For new discoveries, ISRO missions, biotech developments

7. Current Affairs

  • The Hindu / The Indian Express – Daily reading for editorial and analysis

  • Monthly Magazines like Vision IAS, Insights IAS, or ForumIAS

  • PIB (Press Information Bureau) and PRS India

🧠 Best Booklist for UPSC Prelims – CSAT (Paper II)

Even though CSAT is qualifying, aspirants must take it seriously. Scoring below 33% means disqualification.

1. Comprehension & English Language

  • Previous Year Papers

  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

  • NCERT English Grammar Books

2. Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability

  • Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal

  • Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey

3. Quantitative Aptitude

  • Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal

  • Class 6-10 NCERT Mathematics

🎯 How to Use These Books Effectively?

1. Start with NCERTs:

  • Read Class 6–12 NCERTs for Polity, History, Geography, and Economy.

  • Highlight key concepts.

  • Make short notes.

2. Move to Standard Books:

  • After one reading of NCERTs, jump to Laxmikanth, Spectrum, GC Leong, etc.

3. Practice Previous Year Questions (PYQs):

  • Analyze trends and focus on repeated topics.

  • Buy a book like "UPSC Prelims 25 Years Papers – Disha/ Arihant".

4. Revise multiple times:

  • UPSC is a test of revision.

  • Make one-pager summaries, flashcards.

5. Mock Tests:

  • Join a test series from Vision IAS, ForumIAS, or Insights.

  • Analyze your mistakes.

🔍 Free PDF Sources for UPSC Booklist

  1. NCERT PDFs:
    https://ncert.nic.in/ebooks.html

  2. PIB Updates:
    https://pib.gov.in/

  3. PRS India:
    https://prsindia.org/

  4. Yojana and Kurukshetra Magazines (Govt.):
    https://yojana.gov.in/

  5. Shankar IAS Environment Notes (search on Google)

  6. Mrunal Economy Handouts (search “Mrunal Economy PDF”)

💡 Caution: Always cross-verify PDFs to avoid outdated versions.

📅 Month-wise Plan Using These Books

Month Focus
July – September NCERTs + GS Foundations (Laxmikanth, Spectrum)
October – December Standard Books + First Revision
January – February PYQs + CSAT Practice
March – April Full-Length Mocks + Weak Area Revision
May Final Revisions + Test Series

✅ Quick Summary Table – Best Books for UPSC Prelims

Subject Book Name Author/Source
Polity Indian Polity M. Laxmikanth
History Modern India Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum)
History Ancient & Medieval India R.S. Sharma, Satish Chandra
Geography Physical & Human Geography G.C. Leong
Economy Indian Economy Nitin Singhania
Environment Environment Shankar IAS
Science NCERT Science Class 6–10
CSAT Quantitative Aptitude R.S. Aggarwal
Reasoning Analytical Reasoning M.K. Pandey
Current Affairs Monthly Compilations + Newspapers Vision/ The Hindu

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How many books should I read for UPSC Prelims?

A: Focus on limited but standard books. Stick to 1-2 sources per subject and revise them multiple times.

Q2. Is NCERT enough for UPSC Prelims?

A: NCERTs form the base. But you must follow standard books like Laxmikanth, Spectrum, GC Leong, etc., for depth.

Q3. Can I clear UPSC Prelims without coaching?

A: Absolutely! Many toppers have cleared UPSC through self-study using the right booklist and strategy.

Q4. Which book is best for UPSC Prelims History?

A: Spectrum (Modern India) is best. Complement with RS Sharma and Satish Chandra for ancient and medieval.

Q5. What is the best source for current affairs?

A: The Hindu, Indian Express, Vision IAS monthly, and PIB are great sources.

🏁 Conclusion

Cracking the UPSC Prelims 2025 is all about smart preparation, not just hard work. The right set of books, a solid strategy, and consistent revision will ensure your success. Stick to the above booklist for UPSC Prelims, avoid too many sources, and practice mock tests regularly.

Stay focused, stay humble—and remember, your preparation today builds the nation tomorrow.