What are the best books for UPSC?

🧭 FOUNDATION: NCERTs (Non-Negotiable)

NCERTs build conceptual clarity and directly help in both Prelims MCQs and Mains answer writing.

Mandatory NCERT Coverage

• History: Class 6–12
• Geography: Class 6–12
• Polity: Class 9–12
• Economics: Class 9–12
• Science: Class 6–10
• Environment (Biology): Class 11–12

Read NCERTs at least 2 times before moving to standard books.

Best Books for UPSC Prelims (GS Paper I & CSAT)

The UPSC Prelims examination is objective in nature and demands a strong command over static subjects integrated with current affairs. The following booklist is source-limited, syllabus-aligned, and revision-friendly, making it suitable for both beginners and repeat aspirants.

General Studies Paper I (GS-I)

• History
  • NCERT History: Class 6 to 12
  • Ancient India
    • India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma
  • Medieval India
    • History of Medieval India – Satish Chandra
  • Modern India
    • History of Modern India – Bipan Chandra
    • A Brief History of Modern India – Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum)
• Geography
  • NCERT Geography: Class 6 to 12
  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G.C. Leong
  • LotusArise Geography Notes/Articles
  • Oxford School Atlas
    • Map-based questions
    • Physical features and location mapping
• Indian Polity
  • Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth
  • NCERT Political Science: Class 9 to 12
    • Constitution
    • Governance basics
• Indian Economy
  • NCERT Class 11: Indian Economic Development
  • NCERT Class 12: Macroeconomics
  • Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh
  • Latest Economic Survey
  • Union Budget (summary focus)
• Environment & Ecology
  • Environment and Ecology – D.R. Khullar
  • NCERT Biology: Class 11 & 12
  • Current affairs related to:
    • Climate change
    • Biodiversity
    • Environmental conventions
• Science & Technology
  • NCERT Science: Class 6 to 10
  • LotusArise Science and Tech Notes/Articles
  • Current developments in:
    • Space technology
    • Biotechnology
    • Defence
    • Digital and emerging technologies
• Current Affairs
  • Daily newspaper
    • The Hindu / Indian Express
  • Monthly current affairs magazine (any one, consistently)
  • Yearly current affairs compilation for final revision
  • Focus areas:
    • Government schemes
    • International relations
    • Environment & economy linkages
• Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
  • UPSC Prelims PYQs (1995–2023)
  • Used for:
    • Identifying repeated themes
    • Understanding UPSC’s option framing
    • Static–current integration

CSAT – General Studies Paper II (Qualifying)

• Quantitative Aptitude
  • Quantitative Aptitude – R.S. Aggarwal
  • Practice through previous years’ CSAT papers
• Logical Reasoning
  • Analytical Reasoning – M.K. Pandey
  • Topic-wise practice using UPSC PYQs
• Comprehension
  • Previous years’ CSAT question papers
  • Regular newspaper reading for speed and understanding

Best Books for UPSC Mains (GS Papers I–IV & Essay)

The UPSC Mains examination is descriptive and analytical, testing a candidate’s ability to present well-structured, multidimensional, and value-enriched answers. The following booklist focuses on depth of content, conceptual clarity, and articulation, while keeping sources limited and revision-friendly.

General Studies Paper I

(Indian Heritage, History, Geography, Society)

• Indian History
  • India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra
  • India Since Independence – Bipan Chandra (selective)
  • World History – Norman Lowe
    • World wars
    • Industrial revolution
    • Colonization and decolonization
• Indian Culture
  • NCERT History (Class 11 – Fine Arts, Culture chapters)
  • LotusArise Art & Culture Notes/Articles
  • Select chapters from standard Art & Culture books (temples, architecture, philosophy)
• Geography
  • Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G.C. Leong
  • NCERT Geography – Class 11 & 12
  • LotusArise Geography Notes/Articles
  • Geography of India (selective topics such as resources, agriculture, population)
• Indian Society
  • Society in India – Ram Ahuja
  • NCERT Sociology – Class 11 & 12
  • Current issues related to:
    • Social change
    • Women, caste, religion
    • Urbanization and globalization

General Studies Paper II

(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, International Relations)

• Indian Polity & Constitution
  • Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India – D.D. Basu (conceptual clarity)
• Governance & Social Justice
  • ARC Reports (selective)
  • Current government schemes and policies
  • Issues related to:
    • Health, education
    • Vulnerable sections
    • E-governance and transparency
• International Relations
  • NCERT Political Science – Class 12 (Contemporary World Politics)
  • Newspaper editorials and MEA-related developments
  • Focus on:
    • India’s bilateral relations
    • Regional groupings
    • Global institutions

General Studies Paper III

(Technology, Economy, Environment, Security, Disaster Management)

• Indian Economy
  • Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh
  • Economic Survey (analytical chapters)
  • Union Budget (policy direction and priorities)
• Science & Technology
  • NCERT Science – Class 6 to 10
  • LotusArise Science and Tech Notes/Articles
  • Current developments related to:
    • Space technology
    • Biotechnology
    • Digital technologies
    • Defence and AI
• Environment & Biodiversity
  • Standard environment sources used during Prelims
  • Current issues related to:
    • Climate change
    • Environmental impact assessment
    • Conservation efforts
• Internal Security
  • LotusArise Internal Security Notes/Articles
  • Challenges to Internal Security of India – Ashok Kumar
  • Focus areas:
    • Terrorism
    • Cyber security
    • Border management
    • Organized crime
• Disaster Management
  • LotusArise Disaster Management Notes/Articles
  • NCERT Geography (disaster-related chapters)
  • NDMA guidelines
  • Case studies from recent disasters

General Studies Paper IV

(Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude)

• Ethics Theory
  • LotusArise Ethics Notes (better than books)
  • Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude – Niraj Kumar
  • Selected chapters from moral philosophy (basic thinkers and values)
• Ethics Case Studies
  • Ethics case study compilations
  • Practice using real-life administrative situations
  • Focus on:
    • Decision-making
    • Integrity and accountability
    • Emotional intelligence