UPSC Mains examination requires a deep understanding of multiple subjects. Selecting the right set of books can make a significant difference in your preparation. Here’s a detailed list of books provided by TheIASHub that can help you with General Studies (GS) paper and other subjects in the UPSC Mains.
About the Book:
About the Author:
TheIASHub UPSC Mains booklet covers a list of subject-wise books for UPSC Mains, covering all 9 papers. These books are recommended for aspirants to build a strong understanding of the syllabus and excel in the exam.
Indian Heritage & Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International Relations
Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management
Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
Subject |
Books |
General Studies Paper I |
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General Studies Paper II |
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General Studies Paper III |
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General Studies Paper IV |
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Essay Papers |
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Choosing the right books for your optional subject is equally important. Below are some commonly chosen options:
Category |
Recommended Books |
Political Theory |
Political Theory – Rajeev Bhargava |
Introduction to Political Theory – O.P. Gauba |
|
A History Of Political Thought: Plato To Marx – Mukherjee and Susheela Ramaswamy |
|
Indian Constitution |
Introduction to the Constitution of India – D.D. Basu |
International Relations |
Does The Elephant Dance? Contemporary India Foreign Policy – Malone |
World Politics |
Politics – Heywood |
Foundations of Indian Thought |
Foundations of Indian Political Thought – V.R. Mehta |
Category |
Recommended Books |
Indian Administration |
Indian Public Administration – Arora and Goyal |
Public Administration in India (1st Edition) – Maheshwari |
|
Public Administration in India – B.L. Fadia (Optional) |
|
General Reference |
Public Administration – M. Laxmikanth |
Thinkers and Theories |
Administrative Thinkers – Prasad and Prasad |
Advanced Concepts |
New Horizons of Public Administration – Mohit Bhattacharya |
Comparative Public Administration |
Public Administration and Public Affairs (12th Edition) – Nicholas Henry |
Organizational Behavior |
Essentials of Organizational Behaviour (10th Edition) – Robbins, Sanghi, and Judge |
Category |
Recommended Books |
Modern History |
History of Modern India – Shekhar Bandopadhyaya/Bipan Chandra |
India’s Struggle For Independence – Bipan Chandra and Others |
|
Ancient History |
India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma |
The Wonder That Was India – A.L. Basham |
|
Ashoka and Mauryas |
Ashoka and the Decline of the Mauryas – Romila Thapar |
Medieval History |
Medieval India: From Sultanat to Mughals (Vol 1 & 2) – Satish Chandra |
World History |
Mastering Modern World History – Norman Lowe |
History of the World – Arjun Dev |
Category |
Recommended Books |
Microeconomics |
Microeconomics – Ahuja and Koutsyansis |
Macroeconomics |
Macroeconomics – Ahuja and Mankiw |
International Trade |
International Economics – Salvatore and M.C. Vaish |
Public Finance |
Public Finance – Lekhi, Balton, and Bhatia |
Banking |
Money and Banking – Gupta and Ahuja |
Growth & Development |
Development Economics – Debraj Ray, Mishra and Puri |
Indian Economy |
Indian Economy – Mishra and Puri, Dutt and Sundaram |
Economic Survey, EPW, RBI Reports |
|
Current Affairs |
Any Business Newspaper (ET, The Economist) |
Geography: Paper-I |
|
Category |
Recommended Books |
Physical Geography |
Physical Geography – Majid Hussain/Savindra Singh |
Modern Physical Geography – Strahler and Strahler (Optional) |
|
Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong |
|
Physical Geography Made Simple – Rupa Publication |
|
Dictionary of Physical Geography – Penguin |
|
Human Geography |
Evolution of Geographical Thought – Majid Hussain |
Economic and Social Geography Made Simple – Rupa Publication |
|
Models in Geography – Majid Hussain |
|
Atlas |
Oxford Student Atlas |
Geography: Paper-II |
|
Category |
Recommended Books |
Indian Geography |
India: A Comprehensive Geography – Khullar |
Regional Planning |
Regional Planning in India – Mahesh Chand |
Current Affairs |
India Year Book – Publication Division |
Periodicals |
Yojana and Kurukshetra Magazines |
Category |
Recommended Books |
Sociological Theory |
Sociology by Giddens |
Sociology by Haralambos |
|
Indian Society |
Indian Society by G.R Madan |
Indian Society and Social Change by C.N. Shankar Rao |
|
Social Thinkers |
Sociological Thoughts by R.K. Mukherjee |
Sociological Thoughts by George Ritzer |
|
Research Methodology |
Research Methodology in Social Sciences by O.P. Sharma |
Methods of Social Research by Goode and Hatt |
|
Social Problems |
Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja |
Contemporary Issues |
Social Change in Modern India by M.N. Srinivas |
For UPSC Mains Essay, the following books are recommended:
For the English Language Paper, the following book is often recommended:
NCERT books are essential for building a solid foundation in UPSC preparation, particularly for General Studies. They offer clear and concise content, making them vital for strengthening your understanding across various subjects. Candidates should make it a habit to read and revise these books consistently.
Here is a list of NCERT books:
Subject |
Books |
History |
NCERT Class 6-12 (Ancient, Medieval, Modern) |
Geography |
NCERT Class 6-12 (Physical and Human Geography) |
Polity |
NCERT Class 6-12 (Political Science) |
Economics |
NCERT Class 9-12 (Indian Economy) |
Science |
NCERT Class 6-12 (Biology, Physics, Chemistry) |
Environment and Ecology |
NCERT Class 12 (Environmental Studies) |
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Email Us:
info@theiashub.comContact Us:
+91 95600-82909*theIAShub is a coaching institute and a study platform, it’s a comprehensive mentorship driven program for UPSC success.*
Email Us:
info@theiashub.comContact Us:
+91 95600-82909*theIAShub is a coaching institute and a study platform, it’s a comprehensive mentorship driven program for UPSC success.*
theIAShub is dedicated to shaping the next generation of civil
servants by providing a transformative preparation platform tailored
to the unique challenges of UPSC CSE. From mastering the
foundational concepts for Prelims to crafting impactful answers for
Mains and excelling in the Personality Test, we ensure every
aspirant is equipped with the skills and strategies required to
succeed.
With a perfect blend of online and offline learning options, our
programs are designed to deliver personalized guidance and
cutting-edge resources. theIAShub’s renowned Test Series for GS
Prelims, Mains, CSAT, Essay, and Optional Subjects empowers
aspirants through continuous evaluation and improvement, fostering a
deep understanding and readiness for every stage of the examination.
At theIAShub, our mission is to inspire, guide, and empower aspirants to transform their potential into tangible success. Through our innovative mentorship ecosystem, aspirants receive individualized feedback, actionable strategies, and focused attention that help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals. As pioneers in UPSC preparation, we combine expertise, innovation, and commitment to create an unparalleled learning experience. Whether through engaging workshops, insightful resources, or interactive sessions, theIAShub fosters a community where aspirants not only prepare for exams but also develop the mindset of future leaders dedicated to nation-building.
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