For ease of convenience, we are dividing the books for UPSC Civil Service Preliminary Exam preparation into two categories – Essential and Reference. Books tagged ‘essential’ are fundamental books that will be highly useful to build your basics. Once you are thorough with these basic books, if you have time, you may check ‘reference books’ for additional knowledge.
Also, don’t miss the links to IAS manuals, previous year question papers, free online resources for Prelims and Mains etc. The mentioned books are based on the feedback from many aspirants/toppers who found them useful for the exam. We keep updating this page when new books worth the time and money of candidates appear in the market.
UPSC Books for Indian Polity and Constitution
- Indian Polity – by M. Laxmikanth (Click to buy from Amazon)
- Important Acts that Transformed India – by Alex Andrews George (Click to buy from Amazon)
- Important Judgments that Transformed India – by Alex Andrews George (Click to buy from Amazon)
UPSC Books for Indian History and Culture
- Indian Art and Culture – by Nitin Singhania (Click to buy from Amazon)
- Ancient and Medieval India – by Poonam Dalal Dahiya (Click to buy from Amazon)
- Modern Indian History – by Sonali Bansal and Snehil Tripathi (Click to buy from Amazon)
UPSC Books for Indian Geography and World Geography
- Certificate Physical And Human Geography – by Goh Cheng Leong (Click to buy from Amazon)
- Geography of India – by Majid Husain (Click to buy from Amazon)
- Oxford Student Atlas for India (Click to buy from Amazon)
UPSC Books for Indian Economy
- Indian Economy – by Ramesh Singh (Click to buy from Amazon)
- Indian Economy – by Nitin Singhania (Click to buy from Amazon)
- Indian Economy Key Concepts – by Sankarganesh Karuppiah (Click to buy from Amazon)
UPSC Books for Science and Technology
- Science and Technology – by Ravi P. Agrahari (Click to buy from Amazon)
UPSC Books for Environment – Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
- Environment – By Shankar IAS (Click to buy from Amazon)
UPSC Books for Current Affairs
- India 2021 Yearbook – by Rajiv Mehrishi (Click to buy from Amazon)
- The Malayala Manorama English Yearbook 2021 – by Mammen Mathew (Click to buy from Amazon)
- India 2021 – Publications Division Paperback – by Publications Division (Click to buy from Amazon)
UPSC Previous Year Question Papers
- 26 Years UPSC IAS/ IPS Prelims Topic-wise Solved Papers 1 & 2 (1995-2019) (Click to buy from Amazon)
Prelims Manual for GS (All-in-One Guide)
- General Studies Manual Paper-1 2021 Paperback – by Manohar Pandey (Click to buy from Amazon)
Prelims Manual for CSAT (All-in-One Guide)
- Cracking the CSAT Paper-2 – by Arihant Experts (Click to buy from Amazon)
Most Read Books for IAS Prelims: Subject-Specific List
- Books for UPSC Prelims – History.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – Geography.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – Indian Polity.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – Economics.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – Science And Technology.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – Environment.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – Current Affairs.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – General Studies Complete Guides / Question Papers.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – Logical Comprehension.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – English Language Comprehension.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – Quantitative and Basic Numeracy.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – Data Interpretation.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – Decision Making and Problem Solving.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – Interpersonal Skills including communication skills.
- Books for UPSC Prelims – CSAT Paper 2 Complete Guides / Question Papers.
Note: If you are running short of time to finish the syllabus before the exam, you may better focus on concise books instead of bulky ones. You can use Modern India by Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir IPS) then, which is a small book that covers almost all major points given in Modern India by Bipan Chandra. Similarly, you may just focus on Indian art and culture by Nithin Singhania IAS, for culture topics.
Free Online Resources For IAS Prelims and Mains
- NCERT Books Download.
- Buy NCERT Books Online.
- Yojana Magazine Download.
- Kurukshetra Magazine Download.
- Buy Pratiyogita Darpan Magazine.
- IGNOU Books Download.
- Clear IAS Online Study Materials.
Books for Other Exams (Click on the links to buy online)
Links to UPSC Books at online Stores! (Click on the links to buy online)
- IAS Books in Hindi: List of Useful Books For Hindi Medium Aspirants.
- Latest IAS Books: Click To Buy New Releases For UPSC Preparation.
- Recommended list of UPSC books available in Flipkart.
- The full list of UPSC books available in Flipkart.
- The full list of UPSC books available in Amazon.
UPSC Prelims Mock Test Series
As you may know, only when tested in an exam atmosphere with negative marking, you can improve the ability to deliver in the actual exam hall. Try for free the UPSC Prelims online mock exams by Clear IAS. This new innovative platform integrates learning with test-taking. You would be surprised to find how fast you can learn!
Great work..really helpful..thank you…
You are welcome! 🙂
Are there numerical subjects also in upsc prelim nd mains?
Nope
help me i am confune who i start prepration of ias exam .
First u start ncert books frm class6th to 12th in all subjects like ,political science, geogrphy, history u have to read 6th to 10(old ncert books) economic, class9th basic to 12th these are the starting basic study of upsc exam ..if u any enquriy of upsc examinations..u can call anytime 09838156198 ..i hope u satisfy this msg
Sir class 11 ,12 book required?
Old… Which year xactly?
What is the age for pre and mains
Exam
Sir there are 21-22 books for ias prelims.so for preparing we read all books or not. And acc. To upsc syllabus would me get all topics in these books ex, degraphis, bio-diversity etc.
MY FREN ALSO HV SOME PROBLEM WITH IAS PREPRATION..
ANYONE CAN ADVISE.
Tq sir for u reply ok sir I will start ncrt book tq so much
plzz tell me how to prepare for ias exam
too read Roma
How to prepair civil service exam?
sir i want to know how i should start my preparation for IAS becoz there are lot of subjects and books so from where i have to start and which books i have to follow plz help me…i am so confused
Request you all to start from these 2 posts: https://www.clearias.com/faqs/ and https://www.clearias.com/upsc-exam-guidance/
Thanks for this sincere approach
first you have to read Hindu paper and NCERT books.
Sir plz post about marathi reference books also for upsc mains.
Please suggest me how I can start preparation for IAS exam
LexisNexis India, a leading publisher of legal, tax, academic and test-prep books launched a new series for Indian Civil Services aspirants recently. These bookshave been conceptualized and designed by education industry experts based on several years of teaching and content development expertise. The new series has been published under LexisNexis test-prep imprint, ‘Catapult’. LexisNexis India is also the publisher of DD Basu’s Introduction to Constitution of India, a book that has been read and referred to by lakhs of Indian Civil Services aspirants over past several years.
The civil services examination is one that has undergone significant changes in the last few years. Mere conceptual understanding is not enough and aspirants are expected to have evolved critical thinking skills and an ability to apply the learned concepts in a constructive manner. Vikesh Dhyani, Director Marketing, Customer Discovery& Innovation, LexisNexis India said, “Indian Civil Services examination is one of the most prestigious and competitive exams with an overall final selection of about 0.1% – 0.3% only. This is such a broad based and tough exam that students often struggle for sourcing the relevant and effective reading material across multiple sources. Covering the entire spectrum of syllabi for the exam is a race against time and despite the best preparation one is never too sure of the final outcome. Our goal is to equip serious aspirants by providing a comprehensive series of pedagogically enhanced books based on years’ of class room teaching and test-prep content development expertise. We are also investing in conducting free educational seminars in partnership with leading coaching institutes, faculty and past successful students to share their wisdom, tips and techniques, and success secrets with thousands of aspirants who may not have access to good coaching institutes.”
Sir i am an arts graduate with humanities in plus two.for the general science portion in csat is it necessary to read class 11 and 12 ncert books on physics chemistry and biology?? is NIOS books sufficient
sir
i m tourism graduate n i want 2 apair ias exam caus i lik iac officer so much but i have no knowledge to prepare exam so sir kindly help me 4 give me ur valuable knowledge 4 preparing this heigh pristige exam
thank u
sir i want to know how i should start my preparation for Civil Service Pre Exam becoz there are lot of subjects and books so from where i have to start and which books i have to follow plz help me…i am so confused
Sir am finished my bsc nursing degree graduation. Is it eligible for upsc exam ?
yes ..u can
Sir this is uma.finished my degree graduation in zoology .please give me guidance how to start my preparation for civils exam
Sir i am Deepak please tell me how to prepare for preliminary exam- paper 1 and paper 2
sir, i want 2 know how to start my preparation for ias prelim exam bcoz lots of sub.and books so from where i have start and which books are refer pls help me i m realy confused
padhai pass hone k liye nhi k jati , sikhane k liye k jati hai
padhai sikhane k liye nhi ki jati hai. khud samjhne ke liye ki jati hai. vase to anpadh log bhi achcha sikhalete hai. par samjhana jaruri hai.
sir i want to know about books for IAS exam i am studying at B.Sc maths hons.
sir plz IAS ki tayri ka liya hindi mai book pdf download karna ka liya plz sand link
thanks
sir I want to know how to start my preparation for IAS prelim exam plzz tell me
Sir I would like to know correct syallbus for prelims .Is it enough to study the topics mentioned in clear ias.?
Dear it’s been a 3 year from now ..will u plss tell me boz I’m new one ..how do start and which book are enough for permeliar
thank you clear ias .com u r doing a great job 🙂
Where is my starting point? Pls help me sir I am so confused.
how to prepare prelims exam and correct syallbus for prelims.what is the study material prelims exam,prelims question types and how to make simple. how to start IAS preparation and how to become a IAS officer so plzz tell ma sir
pizz help me sir i am confused.correct syallbus for prelims and how to prepare sir pizz pizz tell ma
Since childhood I have dreamt of becoming an IAS officer…I really want to crack UPSC.. But I don’t know how to do it..please help assist and guide me…
how to preaper ias exam in tamil mediam students pleas mention the bookes to preaper
i am shankar shrawan gajbhe, how to prepare ias exam in marathi mediam students please mention the proper bookes to prepaer ias exam and help us
Among the books suggested for the Prelims, the book, “Geography of India” by Majid Hussain seems to be for those aspirants who have decided to take Geography as their Optional Paper in the Mains. This is mentioned in the book itself. Please clarify as to how useful this book would be while preparing for Prelims/Mains (General Studies Papers). In that case, what alternative books for the subject (Geography) are to be referred to?
Hi sir, how to prepare ias prelim exam and which books are study?
I am tamil medium student. How to prepare ias prelim exam, which books are followed?
sir, if someone passed prelim exam and failed in mains, will he appear in prelim again?
Hlww..sir or mam I m amarjeet
I passed 12th in 2016…i want to appear
Ias .. plz tell me ..how to apper ias exam..
How can i clear ias in 3 months?
tera dimag khrab hai bey 3 mahine me 100,000 ki salery k sapne chl hhhtttttt
your first goal should be of studying all the ncert books from class 6th to 12th and the hindu daily. after them you may go for further study like Arithmetic Objectives by RS Aggarwal, Reasoning by RS Aggarwal, indian polity by m lakshmikant
but first all you have to study all the ncert books at least thrice
Sir m b.com first year student i want to prepare for ias exams kindly guide me about the proper set of books for prelims and mains exam
sir i am studing first year public service i want to prepare for ias exam pls guide me
ClearIAS has been providing free online study materials for UPSC CSE. We hope our study-materials to give your right direction and will help you to understand difficult concepts faster. You need to supplement the same with UPSC exam preparation books, newspapers, NCERT books etc. To boost your marks for UPSC Prelims, we advise you all to enroll for ClearIAS Prelims test series, which offers high-quality questions and all-India mock-test-platform.
Sir,I am an average student.
How much time it take to.prepare for IAS for me?
my aim is ias,and your, i am formed in fb in gorup for upsc or politicz looked student aim then joind u
name is~ power of ind and add u and your frined
Sir medium is more effective in IAS exam ???I am Hindi medium student .I am confused to start ias preparation …..help me plzz
Sir I am plus 3 b.sc (hons-physics)2nd yr student.I want to prepare for IAS exam.l am so confused that from which subject I could start preparation.please give me syllabus of UPSC exam for prelims and mains.
i will apply for tnpsc g_1 examination how to prepare , i am totaly confused. plece help me give the study material
Please sir suggest me, how to prepare for IAS prelims
U just need to smart work. Most of all a positive attitude. Work hard at tge same time. Determination and motivation is key. Read hindu express learn the style of the english language.u also need confidence.
how to perpare ias exam in which place home or anyother coaching center .coaching center mean which coaching center,which place help me
how to apply ias exam, when open date of vacancy and oneness date of ias application
Sir i just want to know that when i am in 3 year my age is 20 . Will I give the upsc exam??
i am starting ias preparation please suggest me good books for both prelims and mains?
How should i start my preparation for civil service exam…..please suggest…..
sir tell me how to get all material of ias exam without money. it will be soft copy r hard.
I am 12th pass student I have become a ias officer I am confused which subject are choose between bsc and B tech
I have done 12th in Sci maths
Sir jitna ap log books padhne k liye kahte hai usase to yahi sabit hota hai Ki rattu tota ban jaye student plz sir koi solution nhi pata hai to faltu Ki advice n de student Ki help kare n Ki confuse.AGER KOI student 6th-12th NCERT HI PADHEGA TO wo gyani nhi balki rattu Ho jayega.JAISA Ki Mai manta Hu Ki UPSC samjhadar ko select karti hai nki rattu ko so give actual information and techniques that would help all excited student. sorry for any mistake by me I have no intention to heart anybody by above note.
Dear friend .read ncert from 6th to 12th does not mean to memorise every page of it. The idea behind read ncert is to revise the basics of all the subject which we tend to forget .
You can do selective reading for ncert but your basics need to be well prepared before exam.
How it feels if you lose 10 marks questions in prelims just becuase you forgot some basic formula of maths .
Reading best books for upsc exam has its own advantage . I have read some of the best upsc books which are very useful in ias exam preparation.
sir i am confused how to start ias prepartion please give fast repley
Sir.what is standard(i.e question level is inter level or matrik level) of prelims question….plz inform of this reply on my [email protected]
How to start basics study before ncert books prepare ,,,. Which books read that’s time
sir,how can I get the 10 years back previous question papers for IAS preparation?
Plz guide me for only one book ( which contain all subjects )for ias pre exam..
Sir ,
My name is bhawesh Dabi and I did apply for to first time upsc so I am so confused that how to do prepare for upsc prelims pls suggestions me
Regards
Bhawesh Dabi
Sir , I recently complete my 12th with science(pcm). How I start for upsc exam . How many subjects in this exam … Please inform me in detail ….I have no any type of information… please help me and also send your mobile number …. please🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😇
Iam the member of clear IAS academy still now i don’t know how to start the Preparation on the basic in which shall i start my preparation
will u pls send me daily notification to my mail id to learn everyday current affairs.
Im going to appear is prelims by 2020June by that time from which date of current affairs till today’s current date news pls guide me
There were more than one book for single subject ,(for example for history there were four books)
Is there any need to prepare all books for history