📚List of books for UPSC CSE Preparation
Every day I get a number of messages regarding IAS exam prep. So, sharing a basic list in collaboration with @neuracap
👉Don't forget to bookmark for future reference.
👉See tweets below for youtube video references.
Booklist for General Studies:
Polity:
- 'Indian Polity' by M. Laxmikanth
- NCERT: 'Indian Constitution at Work'
- Bare Act for the Constitution of India
- Track latest happenings and compilation of important case laws
History:
- Ancient History- Old NCERT by R.S. Sharma
- Tamil Nadu Board Textbook for Ancient History
- Medieval History- Old NCERT by Satish Chandra
- Modern History- 'Spectrum'
- Old NCERT by Bipin Chandra
Art & Culture:
- NCERT - 'Introduction to Indian Art'
- Nitin Sangwan's Notes/Nitin Singhania's book
Geography:
- NCERTs for Class 11th and 12th
- G.C. Leong - Physical Geography
- OR use PMF Geography Book
- PMF or Shankar book for Environment and Ecology
- Orient/Oxford Atlas for maps with focus on current affairs
Indian Economy:
- NCERTs for Class 11th and 12th
- Gaurav Agarwal book/Sriram Notes/Mrunal videos - Not all but choose selectively.
Science and Technology:
- Any compilation
- Hindu Newspaper (Science and Tech section)
Current Affairs
- Newspapers (The Hindu or The Indian Express)
- Yearly compilations
For Mains:
- Value addition to these basic books is required. Follow any coaching material for Society, Governance, International relations, Internal security, Science & Tech etc
- World History & Post-independence history: In brief from any coaching notes as focus is low.
- Ethics: Prepare notes on static portion from any coaching notes/book. Keep adding examples from newspapers. Practice case studies through mocks
This is a basic book list. You can leave the books in italics in the first go. Later, after seeing the previous year question papers you will understand yourself what more you need to study.

@neuracap For Mains, do see this video on how to do value addition: youtube.com

@neuracap Also, make your own strategy after listening to a few toppers. Don't follow advice given by influencers who have never cleared prelims or mains, let alone the exam. So beware and be wise. Your time, attempts and opportunity cost is at risk!