UPSC Booklist 2025
A comprehensive list of recommended books and resources for UPSC Civil Services Prelims and Mains. Curated based on the strategies of top rankers to help you streamline your preparation.
Prelims GS Booklist
Essential resources for General Studies Paper I. Focus on conceptual clarity and repeated revisions.
A Brief History of Modern India
by Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir)
Note: Comprehensive coverage for Modern History.
Ancient & Medieval India
by Old NCERTs (R.S. Sharma & Satish Chandra)
Note: Best for foundational knowledge.
Science & Tech
by NCERT + Current Affairs
Note: Focus on recent developments.
Prelims CSAT Booklist
Qualifying paper (33% required). Practice is key.
Mains GS 1
Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society.
Modern History
by Spectrum + NCERTs
Art & Culture
by Nitin Singhania
Indian Society
by Vision IAS Notes / NCERT Class 12
World History
by Norman Lowe / Vision IAS Notes
Note: Selective reading required.
Mains GS 2
Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations.
Polity & Constitution
by M. Laxmikanth
Governance
by ARC Reports (2nd ARC)
Note: Summary of reports is sufficient.
International Relations
by Rajiv Sikri / Current Affairs
Note: Focus on India's neighborhood and major powers.
Social Justice
by Current Affairs + NITI Aayog Reports
Mains GS 3
Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
Indian Economy
by Economic Survey + Budget
Internal Security
by Ashok Kumar IPS / TMH
Disaster Management
by NDMA Guidelines / IGNOU Notes
Environment
by Shankar IAS + Current Affairs
Science & Tech
by The Hindu (S&T Page) + Monthly Magazines
Mains GS 4 (Ethics)
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude.
Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
by Chronicle
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
by G. Subba Rao
Case Studies
by Lukmaan IAS / Vision IAS
Note: Practice is more important than theory.
Essay Preparation
Crucial for a high rank. Requires diverse reading and practice.
151 Essays
by S.C. Gupta / Arihant
Essay Transcripts
by Vision IAS / Triumph IAS
Selected Contemporary Essays
by Saumya Ranjan
Optional Subjects
Subject-specific recommendations.
Political Science & IR (PSIR)
Anthropology
Sociology
Related Resources
Pro Tip
Don't hoard books. Stick to one source per subject and revise it multiple times. "Less is more" in UPSC preparation.