UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam: Recommended books

Paper I: General Studies

1. History (Indian History and Indian National Movement)

Essential:

a. NCERT books IX, X, XI, XII

b. Modern India by Bipin Chandra

Additional: History of Modern India by A.C Banerjee

2. Geography (Indian and World Geography)

Essential:

a. NCERT books IX, X, XI, XII

b. General Principals of World Geography by Charles Farro

c. School Atlas

Additional: Certificate Course in Geography by Goh Cheng Leong

3. Economics (Indian Economics and Economic Theory)

Essential:

a. An Evolution of Indian Economy by I.C. Dhingra

b. Economic Survey of India by Govt. of India

c. Economic Dictionary by Penguin

Additional:

d. Indian Economy by Dutta and Sundara

e. Indian Economy by Mishra and Puri

f. Economic Dictionary by Collins

4. Polity (Indian Constitution)

Essential: An Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu

Additional: Our Constitution by Dr. Subhash Kashyap

5. General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

Essential: NCERT books IX, X

Additional: Anatomy & Physiology by Evelyn Pearce

6. Environment (Ecology, Bio-diversity, Climate Change)

Essential: Biology and Geography NCERT Books plus current events on Environmental Issues

7. Current Affairs

Essential:

a. The Hindu and Economic Times Newspapers

b. Frontline, Political & Economic Weeks Periodicals

Additional: India Year Book

Paper II: Aptitude

1. Numeracy

Essential: NCERT Mathematics VII, IX, X

2. Data Interpretation

Essential: Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Tyra and Kundan

3. English Comprehension and Communication

Essential: Objective General English by R.S. Agarwal

4. Logical Reasoning

Essential: A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Agarwal

Additional: A new Approach to Reasoning by Sijwali and Sijwali