The Ultimate UPSC Booklist: Top Books for IAS Preparation (2025-26 Edition)

Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a challenging yet rewarding journey. To crack one of India’s toughest exams, choosing the right study material is crucial. With an abundance of resources available, many aspirants often feel overwhelmed. This blog will provide a curated list of the best UPSC books for Prelims and Mains, tailored for the 2025-26 exam, ensuring you have everything needed to succeed.

Why is Choosing the Right Books Important for UPSC?

The UPSC syllabus is vast, encompassing diverse subjects. Using the right books not only saves time but also ensures that your preparation is aligned with UPSC’s requirements. The right resources help you focus on key topics, build conceptual clarity, and cover both static and dynamic parts of the syllabus comprehensively.

UPSC Booklist for Prelims

The Prelims stage is all about objective-type questions focusing on General Studies (GS) and CSAT.

1. General Studies Paper I (GS I)

History:

• Ancient India: Indian History by R.S. Sharma (NCERT)
• Medieval India: A History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra (NCERT)
• Modern India: India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
• Art and Culture: Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania

Geography:

• NCERT Geography Textbooks (Class 6 to 12)
• Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong
• Oxford School Atlas by Oxford University Press

Polity:

• Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations by M. Laxmikanth

Economy:

• Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
• Economic Survey (latest edition)
• Union Budget Highlights (latest)

Environment and Ecology:

• Environment by Shankar IAS Academy
• NCERT Biology Class 12 (relevant chapters)

Current Affairs:

• Newspapers: The Hindu or Indian Express
• Monthly magazines: Yojana, Kurukshetra, and Vision IAS Monthly Compilation

2. General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

• Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
• Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
• Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey
• Past year question papers for practice

UPSC Booklist for Mains

The main exam is subjective, requiring in-depth knowledge and analytical writing skills.

1. General Studies Paper I

History, Culture, and Society:

• India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma
• India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha
• Caste in Modern India and Other Essays by M.N. Srinivas

Geography:

• Geography of India by Majid Husain
• NCERTs Class 11 and 12

2. General Studies Paper II

Governance, Polity, and International Relations:

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
• Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu
• India’s Foreign Policy by Rajiv Sikri

3. General Studies Paper III

Economy, Environment, Science & Technology, and Security:

• Indian Economy by Sanjiv Verma
• Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar and Vipul
• Science and Technology in India by Ravi P. Agrahari

4. General Studies Paper IV

Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude:

• Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chowdhury
• Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

5. Essay

• Essays for Civil Services and Other Competitive Examinations by Pulkit Khare
• Regular practice with previous year topics and editorial analysis

6. Optional Subjects

Choosing the right optional subject is vital. Here are some recommended books for popular options:

• Public Administration: Public Administration by M. Laxmikanth and Administrative Thinkers by Prasad and Prasad
• Geography: Geography of India by Majid Husain and Human Geography by Majid Husain
• Sociology: Sociology Themes and Perspectives by Haralambos and Holborn

Essential Resources for Current Affairs

Current affairs play a pivotal role in both Prelims and Mains.

• Newspapers: The Hindu, The Indian Express
• Government Reports: NITI Aayog reports, Economic Survey, and India Yearbook
• Monthly Compilations: Vision IAS, InsightsIAS

How to Effectively Use UPSC Books?

1. Start with NCERTs: They provide a strong foundation for concepts.
2. Follow a Study Plan: Prioritize high-yield topics first.
3. Revise Regularly: Consolidate your learning by revisiting important books.
4. Practice Writing: Use Main books to develop analytical and structured answers.
5. Solve Previous Year Papers: Understand question patterns and frequently asked topics.

Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes

1. Over-reliance on multiple books: Stick to one book per subject and revise thoroughly.
2. Ignoring NCERTs: These are indispensable for conceptual clarity.
3. Skipping mock tests: Test series are vital to evaluate your preparation.
4. Neglecting current affairs: Integrate current events with static portions for better answers.

FAQs on UPSC Books

Q1. Are NCERT books enough for UPSC preparation?

NCERTs are essential but not sufficient. Combine them with advanced reference books for in-depth preparation.

Q2. How many books should I read for each subject?

Focus on one or two books per subject to avoid confusion.

Q3. What are the best books for UPSC beginners?

Start with NCERTs (Class 6–12) for basic concepts and then move to standard reference books like Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth.

Q4. Can I rely on online resources alone for UPSC preparation?

While online resources are helpful, books provide structured content and depth, making them indispensable.

Q5. Which book is best for current affairs?

No single book is sufficient. Combine daily newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express), government publications, and monthly current affairs magazines.

Conclusion

Success in the UPSC exam demands a blend of hard work, strategic planning, and the right resources. This comprehensive UPSC booklist for 2025-26 will serve as your roadmap, ensuring you focus on quality over quantity. Stick to the essentials, revise consistently, and practice diligently.

Embark on your IAS journey with confidence, and remember: the right books, coupled with determination, can turn your dream into reality.