A big aspect of preparing for UPSC
is finding out what books to buy and what books to read.
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Book for UPSC preparation |
UPSC Aspirants often find
themselves drowning under book lists and suggestions of books to read.
So today we have compiled a list
of essential books for each subject of the UPSC Preparation.
List of recommended books for UPSC preparation.
Subject: History
India’s
Struggle for Independence
Author: Bipan Chandra
Publication: Orient Blackswan, 2009
This book traces the timeline of
the British Rule in India between the eighteenth and the nineteenth century
constituting a major part of Modern History of India. This book focuses more on
the sociological factors that made the British Rule possible rather than on the
historical and political narratives.
India’s
Ancient Past – (Ancient India)
Author: R.S. Sharma
Publication: Oxford University Press, 2005
This is a comprehensive book that
captures the history starting from neolithic and chalcolithic times to Harappan
civilization, Vedic times, rise of Mauryas, Gupta’s. Satvahanas right up to the
times of Harshavardhana. The ancient social milieu, the existing varna system,
developments in science and technology, commerce and trade and the cultural
legacy that shaped society are all treated in the context of the rise and fall
of empires.
History
Of Medieval India – (Medieval India)
Author: Satish Chandra
Publication: Orient BlackSwan, 2007
A history of India between the
eighth and the eighteenth century spanning across 1000 years is captured in
this book. Detailing the events and the empires that shaped India and what
makes India what it is today, this book is a detailed and easy read of the
medieval history of India.
Subject: Geography
Certificate
Physical Geography
Author: G C Leong
Publication: Oxford University Press, 1995
Whether it is climate change,
types of natural vegetation, mountain chains, desserts, climatic patterns,
glaciers, minerals or other natural phenomenon, Certificate Physical and Human
Geography is the best book to learn from. All elementary topics of physical and
human geography have been covered in this book in an easy language with lots of
maps and illustrations.
Oxford
School Atlas: India’s Most Trusted Atlas
Publication: Oxford University Press, 2016
With accurate and detailed maps,
charts and diagrams, it is easy for students to learn the locations of
countries, mountains, reserves and mineral reserves with the help of the Oxford
School Atlas: India’s Most Trusted Atlas.
Subject: Indian Polity
Indian
Polity
Author: M Laxmikanth
Publication: Resonance, 2019
This is the most popular and
comprehensive book on Indian Polity especially for UPSC Exams. This is not
available in an accessible epub version that lets students access it through
their mobile anytime anywhere.
Introduction
to the Constitution of India
Author: D. D. Basu (Constitution)
Publication: Lexis Nexis, 2018
This book is a pioneering work on
the origin and development of the Constitution of India. It is extensively used
for LL.B., LL.M., B.A. and M.A. (Political Science) courses as well as for
preparing for competitive examinations held by the Union and State Public
Service Commissions.
Subject: Economics
Indian
Economy
Author: Ramesh Singh
Publication: McGraw Hill Education, 2018
This book covers all aspects of
the syllabus for both prelims and mains for UPSC and has sold 1 million copies
in the last 10 years. Ramesh Singh is a subject expert and renowned teacher who
has done an extensive coverage of all aspects of the Indian Economy along with
the modern concerns plaguing it.
Economic
Development & Policies in India
Author: Jain & Ohri
Publication: VK Global Publications Private
Limited, 2019
Concentrating on both the
historical and social development of the Indian Economy through the years after
independence, this book is a comprehensive guide to understanding the Indian
Economy in depth.
Subject: Art and Culture
The
Wonder That Was India
Author: A.L. Bhasham
Publication: Picador; Indian edition, 2004
This book covers Indian history
that includes culture, religion, governance, social evolution, tradition,
languages, philosophy and science, and spans across the advent of the Harappa
civilization and settlement to Aryan invasion theory. It traces the rich
cultural history of India by tracing various time periods and eras of Indian
history in a simple to understand language and using an engaging narrative.
Facets of
Indian Culture
Author: Vidya, R. Rajaram, Kalpana
Publication: Spectrum, 2014
Along with solved and unsolved
questions from UPSC and similar examinations, this book comprises of chapters
on religion and philosophy, music, dance, theater and cinema, art and
architecture and language and literature. It is one of the most comprehensive
books on the subject.
Subject: International Relations
International
Relations
Author: Pavneet Singh
Publication: McGraw Hill Education, 2017
This book covers the complete
prelims and mains syllabus of UPSC Exam for International Relations and
Political Science. It covers world politics, foreign policy and international
relations entirely and is supplemented with a number of case studies and
mnemonics to aid comprehension and recall.
Pax
Indica
Author: Shashi Tharoor
Publication: Penguin India, 2013
Shashi Tharoor narrates the
importance of India’s role in the world stage in the backdrop of Indian Foreign
Policy. This book gives a very good coverage of India’s foreign policy and its
evolution since independence. This book also explains why foreign policy is
important even for domestic transformation and at the absolute ground level of
policy building.
Subject: CSAT
Tata
McGraw Hill CSAT Manual
Publication: Tata McGraw Hill
This is one of the most popular
and extensive books to practice and solve questions for CSAT for UPSC
CSAT II –
Arihant
Publication: Arihant, 2018
This is another very popular books
to practice and solve questions for CSAT for UPSC
Newspaper for Current Affairs
The Hindu
This is one of the most reads and
recommended newspapers to prepare for UPSC. Aspirants swear by its editorials
and well as its articles and in-depth coverage.
Indian
Express
This is another highly read and
recommended newspaper for UPSC preparation. Aspirants read it along with The
Hindu especially for preparing for the Mains and Interview round.
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