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ClearIAS » UPSC Books Review » Is there a single book which covers all topics for IAS exam (Prelims and Mains)?

Is there a single book which covers all topics for IAS exam (Prelims and Mains)?

Last updated on March 13, 2020 by Clear IAS Team

book which covers all topics for IAS exam Prelims and Mains“Is there a single book which covers all topics for IAS exam (Prelims and Mains)?”.

We get this query often from our readers.

Nothing wrong which such a line of thinking – as there are hundreds of books in the market for each specific area in the UPSC syllabus for Civil Services Exam, enough to confuse all beginners.

But is there such a book which covers all topics for IAS exam Prelims and Mains?

No. Unfortunately or fortunately – no. IAS exam is not like school or college exams, and there is no such all-in-one book which covers all possible questions in UPSC CSE.

Considering the vast UPSC syllabus, even if any publisher releases such a book, you can imagine how big and bulky it would be. Still, if an author creates a 10000-page all-in-one book, don’t you think that UPSC can frame questions outside the scope of the same? Yes, they can.

“Okay. There is no such thing as a complete all-in-one book. But can you suggest some books which can give proper directions for a beginner?”

Yes. We can. As a beginner, what you need is the proper direction. That’s why we always recommend a mix of three essential items – (1) ClearIAS mock exams (which include previous year questions), (2) ClearIAS study materials (which are easy-to-learn and free), and (3) good books.

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In this post, we shall suggest some good guides and manuals (apart from textbooks) from leading publishers, which you should not miss. Though not a replacement of authentic textbooks, Civil Services Exam manuals can sometimes be very handy – for beginners and veterans.

For beginners who don’t know what to study and whatnot, these manuals give a proper direction and thus help save time. For veterans, these books are quick-revision materials.

All-in-one manuals are prepared solely with IAS exam syllabus in focus. Also, these are less expensive considering the cost of purchasing numerous different books.

Guides for UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam (Paper 1 and Paper 2)

Single Book for IAS exam Prelims

General Studies for Civil Services Preliminary Examination Paper I by Pearson (combo of 6 books) is a good choice if you are looking for an all-in-one-manual for IAS prelims. This is a set of 6 books, each book in separate binding, which makes it handy. You can buy online English Edition or Hindi Edition.

For Prelims CS Paper 2 (CSAT), you may go for General Studies for Civil Services Preliminary Examination Paper 2 by Pearson.

There are similar manuals by many other leading publishers like McGraw Hill Education, Arihant etc. as well. See some of the popular options. Note: Just buy one book each for GS Paper 1 and GS Paper 2.

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  • Pearson CSE Manuals: Paper 1 (Buy English Edition | Buy Hindi Edition); Paper 2 (Buy English Edition)
  • MHE CSE Manuals: Paper 1 (Buy English Edition | Buy Hindi Edition); Paper 2 (Buy English Edition | Buy Hindi Edition)
  • Arihant CSE Manuals: Paper 1 (Buy English Edition | Buy Hindi Edition); Paper 2 (Buy English Edition | Buy Hindi Edition)

Now having covered the manuals for Prelims, let’s see the all-in-one manuals for Mains – which has papers like Essay, General Studies Paper 1, General Studies Paper 2, General Studies Paper 3, and General Studies Paper 4)

Guides for UPSC Civil Services Main Exam (Essay, GS1, GS2, GS3, and GS4)

Single Book for IAS exam Mains

Get the combo set which contains

  1. IAS Mains General Studies Paper 1 (GS1) by Arihant
  2. IAS Mains General Studies Paper 2 (GS2) by Arihant
  3. IAS Mains General Studies Paper 3 (GS3) by Arihant
  4. IAS Mains General Studies Paper 4 (GS4) by Arihant

Apart from these get the below books for the essay:

  • Essays for Civil Services and Other Competitive Examinations by Pulkit Khare.
  • Selected Contemporary Essays by Saumitra Mohan

How helpful are the above-discussed manuals and guides?

The manuals and guides can neither completely replace the authoritative textbooks nor assure you 100% of all questions. But these guides can serve as a good starting point for beginners and quick-revision material for veterans. If you go through these books, you will get all the basic essentials needed for cracking IAS exam.

Once you are on the proper-track, we recommend you read as many books from the recommended list of books for IAS preparation, based on the recommendation of toppers. This list includes many books like Laxmikanth for India Polity, Bipan Chandra for Indian History etc.

For updating current affairs topics, you may also need to reference books like Economic Survey, India Year Book, Yojana, Kurukshetra etc. Last but not least, only when you start taking ClearIAS mock exams along with your regular learning, you can ensure that you are on the right track. All the best!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Reena Sharma says

    January 15, 2018 at 1:38 pm

    Sir please make your every post also in hindi

    Reply
  2. Kavya says

    January 15, 2018 at 11:00 pm

    Sir, hw can we able to collect all the ncert books related to upsc

    Reply
    • Abit Kumar says

      March 28, 2018 at 9:10 am

      From market you can purchase all the ncert books (6-12). Go though page by page from 6-10 and you have to do selective study from 11-12.

  3. ashi says

    January 26, 2018 at 4:05 pm

    sir i am so glad and excited to go through the clearias app.coaching fees are expensive and this app will help me get through thank you sir and.i believe it covers all the two stages of examination papers prelims mains viva.

    Reply
  4. Sachin says

    April 13, 2018 at 8:50 am

    Mam and sir …plz do suggest me ..I am new starter for upsc plz do suggest me which all subjects shld be tak2n …I am studying..newspaper and ..n3cert but ..I have to .achieving it …so plz do guide me

    Reply
  5. Tulika garg says

    May 13, 2018 at 12:06 am

    I want to study about IAS plz tell me books name

    Reply
  6. Anju Bhardwaj says

    February 26, 2019 at 4:06 pm

    hi, i am 30th aug 1989 born, can i appear for exam in 2020.

    Reply
  7. Anju Bhardwaj says

    February 26, 2019 at 4:08 pm

    hi,
    what is the age limit for Civil services exam.
    my date of birth is 30th aug 1989.
    can i attempt for 2020 IAS exam.
    can i prepare in 4 months.

    Reply
  8. Suman kr. Das says

    April 10, 2019 at 10:01 am

    Sir I am Suman kr. Das, from West Bengal, District of Bankura, I am confused about the books that’s provided by you. Please mention the total prices of books for Prili+Main+Interview (with included ncert books and previous year question papers) asap as I am ready to prepare.

    Reply
  9. sakship shukla says

    April 15, 2019 at 10:39 am

    Can we cover all the course of history civics geography and other subjects from ncert books if want ti study with tbe basic level

    Reply
  10. linda roel says

    June 16, 2019 at 6:00 am

    Am very new to these..can you guide me to wat are the ways to crack upsc cse exam?

    Reply

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