What did UPSC CSE toppers study to clear IAS preliminary exam?
What are the best-selling books to crack UPSC Civil Services Prelims? See the list of 10 books referred by toppers to clear IAS preliminary exam. Links are provided to buy the books online at discounted prices.
If clearing UPSC Prelims is your immediate goal, we are sure this post would help you a lot. Most of the books are useful for UPSC Civil Services Main exam as well.
1. Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations by M. Laxmikanth (Polity)
Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth needs no introduction. It is one of the most popular and comprehensive books on the subject and has been a consistent bestseller for many years. It has become a must-read book for aspirants appearing in various competitive examinations and the civil services examination in particular.
- Link to buy Online: Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth (English).
- Link to buy Online: Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth (Hindi).
2. Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania. (Culture)
Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania covers the syllabus of Indian Heritage and Culture. The author has provided a wide-ranged knowledge base on Indian art, paintings, music and architecture with the help of several pictures and diagrams. The content is also supported with a plethora of questions that will help students to prepare for the examination.
- Link to buy Online: Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania (English).
3. Oxford School Atlas by Oxford Publishers. (Geography)
The Oxford school atlas includes 200 clear and easy-to-understand maps with 94 thematic maps of India supported by charts and diagrams. The atlas contains detailed physical and political maps related to India, new and informative preliminary pages, and extensive coverage of core thematic issues such as climate, natural vegetation, wildlife, agriculture, minerals, industry, demography, human development, environmental concerns, and natural hazards.
- Link to buy online: The Oxford School Atlas.
4. Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong. (Geography)
Elementary details of most topics that comprise of physical and human geography have been covered in an easy to understand language, with many photographs, illustrations, and maps offering a detailed explanation, wherever required. Be it climate change, types of natural vegetation, mountain chains, deserts, climatic patterns, glaciers, minerals or other natural phenomena, Certificate Physical and Human Geography is a natural companion book to know and learn from.
- Link to buy online: Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong.
5. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh. (Economy)
Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh is a comprehensive text, with detailed coverage of all topics in the UPSC Preliminary and Main syllabus. The book is a stellar product, with many years of bestselling performance.
- Link to buy online: Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh.
- Link to buy online: Bharatiya Arthavyavastha (Hindi).
6. Economic Survey by the Ministry of Finance. (Economy)
Economic Survey by the Ministry of Finance is the most authoritative and updated source of data on India’s economy. Economic Survey identifies wide-ranging challenges and summarizes policy and performance of the government. Get the latest copy corresponding to each exam year.
- Link to buy online: Economic Survey.
7. India Year Book (Current Affairs)
India Year Book is prepared by the Publication Division of the Indian Government. This reference book is an authoritative compilation of the complete information about the current affairs of the country, which includes important dignitaries, state policy, public schemes and important data related to demographics, trade, economy and others. Being a government publication, the information presented is authentic that is also used as a reference source by researchers, media and reputed publications.
- Link to buy online: India Year Book (English).
- Link to buy online: India Year Book (Hindi).
8. A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Modern India)
A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir deals with the events that shaped the happening after the decline of the Mughal empire and the rise of East India Company and the advent of British rule in the country. The important events – which include India’s first war of independence in 1857 to attaining freedom in 1947 – have been structured in a timeline that is easy to understand. If you are running short of time, and cannot finish Modern India by Bipan Chandra or India’s struggle for Independence, then, you should not miss this book.
- Link to buy online: A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir.
9. General Studies Paper 2 Manual by MHE (CSAT)
McGraw-Hill Education’s General Studies: Paper II is based on the prescribed syllabus and pattern of the examination. The content is synchronised with the syllabus. Only the relevant theory and practice material as required for serious preparation is provided. The content has been divided as per the prescribed syllabus into seven broad sections. An eighth section is given for practice questions.
- Link to buy online: General Studies Paper 2 Manual by MHE (CSAT).
10. NCERT Books
Last but not least, NCERT books are among the most recommended books by almost all toppers. Collect NCERT books for all Humanities subjects from standard 6-12. List of NCERT books/chapters to be referred to is given in another post.
- Link to buy online: NCERT Books.
Thankyou
plse suggest me maths for csat
10 th claas math only
thanks for giving a short summary of these best books ….which must have to gone through …thank u….
Can all syllabus covered by these books?
How many subject to be prepare for prelims examination of upsc.
Thanks for your help
it’s a best way to collect right things
From here any student can get right information which will help him to become an ias
Tq for giving such suggestions…..
Happy to help.
Thanks
Sir plz let me know, What’s patterns of upsc exam, which subjects have to study, and also age limit to attend.
Minimum age requirement is 21 and you must need bechlor degree, if you belong to General category then you have total 6 attempts and there is some relaxation for OBC and SC category.
There will be UPSC Prelims First In this you need to score minimum 33% and then after you will be able to give UPSC Mains.
English pattern is best and for general age limit is 31 .
What kind of syllabus comes in the exam
How we can start preparation for IAS
Thanks you sir for giving such suggestions…….
Sir me Ias ki preparation krna chati hu lst Year me hu political science hons Pls recommend the books 📖
Aap uper fir se padiye poora diya hua hai mam
These most offered books by the toppers are very helpful and commodious for the IAS aspirants. And we are greatly happy for this helping. Thank you so much.
Hello Team ,
I am preparing for Civils 2018, So I need the guidance and help to suggest the Books to refer
Thank you for giving the information regarding those books. I am really very happy as i am going to prepare. Hope these books will help me a lot.
Hi sir i am preparing for next year mains exam sir I’m very confusing which book will refer for mains sir please give some important tips how to prepare mains skills writing and books sir
I found Indian Polity by Spectrum very useful as there are brief discussions of topics related to many constitutional provisions.These essays are well researched and include the views of experts. Each chapter has such discussions. The book also contains Recent Legislations and important Court Decisions –this is very useful from the exam point of view as it updates the constitutional discussion.
These books are also helpfull after some years when the syllabus will change? Really these books are good for upsc. How many months we take to cover these all books. And for mains i saw books in your website that books are also good plzzzzzzzzz tell me because I’m very much stressed about upsc
Exactly one year with god’s grace
Thank so much for the useful information.
Thank you so much
Thaks for the reference of useful books regarding UPSC exam
I want join it
Plz specify guide book details for IPS Civil Services Exam. Selection procedure
Sir I want to know
Top three books for preliminary exam
For prepare.
The Hindu daily news paper.. ncert books (history and geography) , Indian polity by lakshmikanth..
This post did give me an idea of what i should expect from the Exam.
I wish to ask the author, Is it enough to read all these books and score good?
Or should we also refer to different guide too?
Thanks for the Reference of the Useful books.
thanks for recommanding these books
Thanks
Sir i want to be an ias. Please suggest me how can i start my prepration. Show me d right way. Thank you
I know nothing about UPSC. But I want to have the title of an IAS officer. From today I am trying to know about its exams etc but thank you for this page and updates.
I am from assam. I want some best books for APSC
Sir, are ncert books enough for ias preparation
Thank you so much for giving us the best books to study. It’s really good.
Really so much help full
Thnks.
Sir i wana prepare for the IAS exams. My aim to get success in first time. Now I’m 17.so want right suggestions to prepare for exams.
I think, we can add one or more books here, not just because this website has only few names, Mahesh Barnwal- Indian Geography, Indian Government and Politics by BL Fadia, and many other relevant books like International Relations: India and World by Abhishek Tyagi, are few applied and qualitative books for ias preparation. Thanks
Good evening sir. …
I’m Ankita vishwakarma. .
Sir I’m Totally confused for IAS preparaction.
How we can start preparation for IAS.
Thanks for helping , its really helpfull sir
Please sujjest a book for internal security in engilsh
Can you tell me the right time to start studying these books cause right now I’m in 11th . as soon as possible please reply.
sir i get confused about the books which are told us to study from class 6 to 12
there are 3 streams arts comm sci after 10th from which stream books should we read
plz reply as fast as you can
Sir all subjects NCERT IV to 12th books or history only plz sir suggest me to right information
This information is really helpful…but i am confuse sir …about how to start preparation …
tnq for ur valuble idea…… really now i am very happy to see such things
I want prepare for UPSC exxam please suggest me books for that.
Pls give me proper strategy for upsc preparation
Sir I’m satyam..recently I am preparing for cbse class 12th board with science(pcm) stream. I am not preparing for jee and my dream is to clear upsc . My dob is 19august,2003…..I just want to know exactly that what should I do just after 12th??? Should I take foundation course for 3 years along with graduation and give me some idea about optional.i researched & found that clear ias is the best platform for beginners………sir I will have to clear my dream exam in my 1st attempt which will consist of 5years after 12th. In 2025 I will give my dream exam.please reply me so that I will confirm that you sure help me in my journey. A lots of thanks and love for clear ias family…..I’m waiting.
u have to complete the degree in particular stream and then u have to start preparing for ups exam
i need all the subjet which of prilems just like maths or all others subject
All have doubts that which book is to study and which is not …………seriously speaking prelims of upsc exam needs smart study key to success is read only 1 book weather ncert or reference book is sufficient and current affairs reference book you use when you have lots of time otherwise ……………leave it except two Indian polity lakshmikant and rajiv ahir modern history …………………………..
all the best for upcoming upsc exam those who are appearing and keep follow clear ias …………….
Thanks u alot for giving great information
Great Information ….
Top IAS Books – https://www.firstmotive.online/2020/06/top-ias-books.html
I am auznain, I have recently qualified my 12th board examination. My aim is to become an “IAS” plz give me suggestion and support for my journey……. I am angrily waiting for your response….
I am Nayanmoni kalita , can you please help me to know what books i have for upsc cse prelims 2022 kindly reply me soon sir .
Thank you sir .
Which book most important for ias