Comprehensive Booklist for UPSC Preparation 2024

A Comprehensive Booklist

If you are an UPSC aspirant, you must be aware of the importance of choosing the right books for your preparation. The UPSC syllabus is vast and covers a wide range of subjects. You need to read and revise multiple books for each subject to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topics and concepts. Thus, choosing the right set of books that cover the entire syllabus becomes important.

But how do you decide which books are the best for UPSC preparation? How do you avoid getting confused by the plethora of study material available in market, both online and offline? How do you balance the quality and quantity of your reading?

In this blog, I will share with you some tips and tricks to help you select the a comprehensive booklist for UPSC Exam as recommended by previous UPSC toppers and best faculties in coaching.

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Prelims Booklist ↗

Mains Booklist ↗

Read a detailed blog on ‘Importance of NCERT for UPSC, How to Read them? Should you make notes out of it? List of Must Read NCERT Book’ ->

Table of Contents

Whats UPSC Booklist all about?

UPSC Booklist is a set of books that helps us in covering entire topics given in the UPSC syllabus.

Types of Booklist:

Basic Booklist help you to develop a basic understanding of all subjects in UPSC exam. It’s introductory in nature for UPSC Aspirants. For example, NCERT Books.
Prelims/Mains Specific Booklist deals with specific topics of Prelims or Mains Exam in great depth.
Integrated Booklist is a set of different books that cover all the important aspects of both Prelims & Mains together.
Comprehensive Booklist is Booklist that covers all the topics given in the UPSC Syllabus.

Why Booklist is important?

Having a booklist have multiple advantages;

It set’s a direction in your preparation. Once you prepare your own booklist, you don’t need to search here and there during preparation phase.
You protect yourself from Content Bombardment.

Mental Model 💡

Content Bombardment

This term can be resonated with ‘Information Bombardment’, meaning person is bombarded with a lot of information and as a result he/she isn’t unable process information effectively.

Given the lack of proper guidance, UPSC Aspirants buy more books on same topics initially. Also every coaching is in a race to provide the best material that includes everything under sky. As a result aspirants can’t revise those huge compliation of books multiple times and in the end, they just can’t perform well in the exam.

What Toppers say’s on having a Booklist?

There are some basic thumbrules when it comes to UPSC Booklist that every topper suggests in toppers talk-

1. Keep Limited Resources

“Keep limited resources and revise them again and again.”
-Toppers

We have seen Content Bombardment, which suggest us to keep resources limited in order to process information effectively. Given the vast UPSC syllabus, multiple books makes revision hard and ultimately deteriorate preparation

Thus, every year, toppers stress upon keeping limited resources.

2. Make your own Booklist

When it comes grasping content from a book, every person has an unique abilities. Some aspirants can understand it in first reading and some get clear picture after 2-3 readings.

Also, every book has its own vibe. Some writter use simple language to write a book and some uses uses complex words & language. What suits you, may not suits somebody else.

Thus, making your own booklist is very important for every UPSC aspirant.

How to make your own booklist?

Initially, making a booklist may appear a time consuming task but it has it’s fruits in the end. Statistically, there are some key-points to consider while preparing a booklist;

It should cover maximum topics in single book.
It should have less unnecessary content.
It should high output per total pages in given book.

Take for example Spectrum for Modern History or M. Laxmikanth For Polity. Both these books cover maximum upsc syllabus and has less irrelevant content from exam perspective. By studying and revising time to time, you definitely solve 70-80% questions asked in both UPSC Prelims and Mains exam. And effectively this makes them highly productive. Therefore every toppers recommended these books.

UPSC Booklist as Recommended By Toppers

I have created subject-wise list of UPSC Booklist recommended by Toppers. These books will build a base for your further reading as you go through the UPSC Exam process.

You can use this booklist list as a reference and modify it as per your preference and convenience.

1. UPSC Best Essay Book

2. History Books

As per UPSC Syllabus, History can be divided into multiple parts and each section has a specific books.

Art & Culture

Class 11 NCERT on Art and Culture – notes should be made
Class 12th NCERT on Art and Culture
For art and culture, you should read the new NCERT books by Nitin Singhania and Ananda Coomaraswamy. These books cover the various aspects of Indian art and culture, such as architecture, sculpture, painting, music, dance, literature, religion, and philosophy. You should also refer to the CCRT website, which provides a rich and diverse source of information on Indian art and culture. You should also read the book by NIOS, which covers the topics in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.

Ancient Indian History

Ancient India by R.S.Sharma – recommended but not necessary to make notes

Ancient and Mediaeval History: For ancient and mediaeval history, you should read the old NCERT books by R S Sharma and Satish Chandra. These books cover the major events, dynasties, cultures, and civilizations of ancient and mediaeval India. You should also read the new NCERT books by Romila Thapar and Harun-al-Rashid. These books provide a thematic and analytical approach to the history of ancient and mediaeval India. You should also refer to the Tamil Nadu board history textbook for class 11, which covers the topics in a simple and lucid manner.

Medieval Indian History

Medieval India by Satish Chandra – notes-making not required

Modern History of India

Modern India by Bipin Chandra – notes should be made.

For modern history, you should read the new NCERT book by Bipan Chandra. This book covers the history of India from the 18th century to the present day, with a focus on the freedom struggle and the nationalist movement. You should also read the book by Spectrum Publications, which provides a concise and comprehensive summary of the modern history of India. You should also read the book by Rajiv Ahir, which covers the post-independence history of India and the major events and developments that shaped the nation.

India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra

This book is an authoritative account of the Indian freedom struggle. It provides a detailed analysis of the social, political, and economic factors that led to India’s independence. It covers the period from the revolt of 1857 to India’s freedom in 1947.

India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra is a must-read for understanding the freedom struggle and the socio-political dynamics that shaped modern India. The book covers the period from the revolt of 1857 to India’s independence in 1947, providing a comprehensive overview of the events, personalities, and ideologies involved.

Post Independence India

History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir is a concise and well-structured book that covers the major events and developments in India from the mid-18th century to the present. It is a valuable resource for understanding the socio-political, economic, and cultural aspects of modern Indian history.

World History

World History by Arjun Dev – notes should be made

3. Geography

Physical Geography

Human Geography

World Geography

Four NCERT books (New ones) – notes should be made. If you are referring to some other material also, make integrated notes by compiling everything in one place.

World Geography- For world geography, you should read the NCERT books from class 6 to 12. These books cover the physical and human geography of the world, such as the landforms, climate, vegetation, population, resources, and regions. You should also read the book by G C Leong, which provides a clear and concise explanation of the physical geography of the world. You should also refer to a world atlas, such as the one by Orient Black Swan, which provides a visual and graphical representation of world geography.

Indian Geography- For Indian geography, you should read the NCERT books from class 6 to 12. These books cover the physical and human geography of India, such as the physiography, climate, soil, agriculture, industry, transport, and regional development. You should also read the book by Majid Husain, which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of Indian geography. You should also refer to the Economic Survey and the India Year Book, which provide the latest and relevant information on Indian geography.

Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong

This book is a comprehensive guide to physical and human geography. It covers topics such as landforms, climate, population, agriculture, and urbanisation. The content is structured in a way that simplifies complex concepts and aids in conceptual clarity.

4. Indian Society

Geography of India by Majid Hussain is a comprehensive book that covers various aspects of India’s physical, human, and economic geography. It provides a detailed analysis of the country’s geographical features, climate, resources, and regional development, making it an indispensable resource for UPSC preparation.

Class 12 NCERTs – 2 books (New ones) – recommended but not necessary to make notes
XI Standard NCERT on Indian Society (Chapters on Unity & Diversity and Population Issues)
XII Standard NCERT (Chapters on Communalism, Secularism and Urban Issues such as Poverty, Housing, etc.)

5. Indian Polity & Constitution

Class 11 NCERT (New one) – notes-making not required.
Indian Polity- For Indian polity, you should read the NCERT books from class 9 to 12. These books cover the basic concepts and principles of the Indian polity, such as the constitution, the political system, the governance, and the rights and duties of the citizens. You should also read the book by M Laxmikanth, which is the bible for Indian polity. This book covers the entire syllabus of Indian polity in a systematic and lucid manner. You should also refer to the Indian Constitution and the 2nd ARC reports, which provide the original and authentic source of information on the Indian polity.

Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

This book is considered the bible for Indian polity preparation. It covers various aspects of the Indian political system, including the Constitution, the three branches of government, and the functioning of various institutions. It is a comprehensive guide that is suitable for both beginners and advanced learners.

Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth is considered the Bible for UPSC aspirants. It covers all aspects of the Indian political system, including the Constitution, governance, and various institutions. The book is well-structured and provides in-depth knowledge on the subject.

For a detailed understanding of governance in India, this book is highly recommended. It explores topics such as bureaucracy, decentralization, and the role of various stakeholders in governance. It also provides insights into the challenges and reforms required for effective governance.

9. Economic Development and Agriculture

Class 11 NCERT (New one) – notes-making not required
Indian Economy- For Indian economy, you should read the NCERT books from class 9 to 12. These books cover the basic concepts and theories of the Indian economy, such as the national income, the money and banking, the fiscal policy, the foreign trade, and the economic development. You should also read the book by Nitin Singhania, which provides a simple and easy-to-understand explanation of the Indian economy. You should also read the book by Ramesh Singh, which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the Indian economy. You should also refer to the Economic Survey and the Budget, which provide the latest and relevant information on the Indian economy.

Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh is a comprehensive book that covers all aspects of the Indian economy, including its structure, policies, and challenges. The book provides a clear understanding of economic concepts and their application in the Indian context, making it an essential resource for UPSC aspirants.

10. Science and Technology

Not very necessary to read these NCERTs. Rather read some compiled material such as Sriram IAS’s Science & Tech notes or VisionIAS PT 365 Science & Tech module.

For science and technology, you should read the NCERT books from class 6 to 12. These books cover the basic concepts and applications of science and technology, such as the physics, chemistry, biology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and space technology. You should also read the book by Ashok Kumar Singh, which provides a comprehensive and updated coverage of the science and technology syllabus. You should also refer to the The Hindu newspaper, which provides the latest and relevant information on the science and technology.

11. Environment and Ecology

Environment for Civil Services Prelims and Mains by D.R. Khullar

Biology: 12th – last unit only.

To understand the environmental aspects of the UPSC syllabus, Environment for Civil Services Prelims and Mains by D.R. Khullar is highly recommended. It covers various topics, including environmental conservation, biodiversity, climate change, and sustainability.

For the environment, you should read the NCERT books from class 6 to 12. These books cover the basic concepts and issues of the environment, such as the ecology, biodiversity, pollution, climate change, and environmental conservation. You should also read the book by Shankar IAS Academy, which provides a complete and updated coverage of the environment syllabus. You should also refer to the NIOS book, which covers the topics in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. You should also read the Down to Earth magazine, which provides the latest and relevant information on the environment.

12. Internal Security

13. Disaster Management

14. Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

For ethics, you should read the NCERT books from class 6 to 12. These books cover the basic concepts and values of ethics, such as the moral reasoning, the ethical dilemmas, the emotional intelligence, the human values, and the public service values. You should also read the book by Subba Rao, which provides a complete and updated coverage of the ethics syllabus. You should also refer to the 2nd ARC reports, which provide the original and authentic source of information on the ethics.

GS 4- How important is it to read the ARC report for the UPSC examination?

6. General Studies Paper I by MHE

General Studies Paper I by McGraw-Hill Education (MHE) is a comprehensive book that covers a wide range of topics, including history, geography, polity, economy, art and culture, and current affairs. It is a valuable resource for building a strong foundation in the general studies subjects.

7. General Studies Paper II by MHE

General Studies Paper II by MHE is a comprehensive book that covers topics related to governance, constitution, polity, international relations, and current affairs. It provides a holistic understanding of the subjects and is essential for scoring well in the UPSC mains examination.

8. Current Affairs

India Year Book

The India Year Book is an annual publication by the Publications Division of the Government of India. It provides comprehensive information on various aspects of the country, including government schemes, policies, and initiatives. It is a valuable resource for staying updated with current affairs and gaining insights into government programs.

Optional Booklist

Can we prepare without booklist?

Conclusion

Choosing the right set of books is crucial for effective UPSC preparation. The booklist mentioned in this blog post covers the major subjects and provides comprehensive knowledge on the required topics. Remember, while books are important, it is equally essential to supplement your preparation with newspapers, magazines, and online resources to stay updated with current affairs. Best of luck with your UPSC journey!