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Books for UPSC Civil Service Main Exam Preparation

Filed Under: UPSC Books Review, UPSC Mains

Click to buy IAS books for mainsBooks for UPSC Civil Service Main Exam overlap with many books recommended for Prelims. But Mains stage demands certain additional books as there are new topics like Foreign Relations, Internal Security, Ethics etc. We suggest a mix of NCERT Books, Government websites, newspapers along with new textbooks in the market for mains preparation. Don’t forget to read our online study materials for mains too.
The mentioned books are based on the feedback from many aspirants/toppers who found them useful for the exam. We keep updating this page when new books worth the time and money of candidate appear in the market. So come back to check this page again!

Books for UPSC Civil Service Main Exam Preparation (Click on the links to buy online)

  1. NCERT Books Set for UPSC Exam (Set of 27 books or 40 books)
  2. The Wonder That Was India – A.L. Bhasham. (Culture)
  3. India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma. (Culture)
  4. Indian Art and Culture – Nitin Singhania. (Culture)
  5. History Of Modern India – Bipan Chandra. (History)
  6. India’s Struggle For Independence – Bipan Chandra. (History)
  7. Geography of India – Majid Husain. (Geography)
  8. Oxford School Atlas – Oxford. (Geography)
  9. Certificate Physical and Human Geography – Goh Cheng Leong. (Geography)
  10. Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations – M. Laxmikanth. (Polity)
  11. Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh. (Economy)
  12. Economic Survey. (Economy)
  13. Science and Technology in India – TMH. (Science and Technology)
  14. Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure – Rajagopalan. (Environment)
  15. Environment for Civil Services Prelims and Mains – Khuller. (Environment)
  16. India Year Book (Current Affairs)
  17. Manorama Yearbook. (Current Affairs)
  18. Essays for Civil Services – Pulkit Khare (Essay Paper)
  19. India After Gandhi – Ramchandra Guha (History – GS1)
  20. Norman Lowe OR History of Modern World – Jain and Mathur (World History – GS1)
  21. Social Problems In India – Ram Ahuja. (Indian Society – GS1)
  22. IAS Mains General Studies Paper 2 (Arihant Manual – GS2)
  23. Current Issues – What’s Hot Today (ClearIAS ebook – GS2)
  24. Governance in India for CSE. (Governance – GS2)
  25. Pax Indica – Shashi Tharoor. (Foreign Policy – GS2)
  26. India and the World by Surendra Kumar. (Foreign Policy – GS2)
  27. IAS Mains General Studies – GS3. (Arihant Manual – GS3)
  28. India’s National Security: A Reader. (Internal Security – GS3)
  29. Challenges to Internal Security of India. (Internal Security – GS3)
  30. Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. ( Ethics – GS4)
  31. IAS Mains General Studies – Ethics. ( Arihant Manual – GS4)

Civil Services Optional Subject Books (Paper 6 and Paper 7)

UPSC books main exam Books to Prepare Some of the Popular Optional Papers for IAS Mains:

  1. Sociology Optional: Books for Mains Exam.
  2. Public Administration Optional: Books for Mains Exam.
  3. History Optional: Books for Mains Exam.
  4. Geography Optional: Books for Mains Exam.
  5. Economics Optional: Books for Mains Exam.
  6. Philosophy Optional: Books for Mains Exam.
  7. Psychology Optional: Books for Mains Exam.
  8. Agriculture Optional: Books for Mains Exam.
  9. Political Science Optional: Books for Mains Exam.

Useful IAS Books and Magazines For Free Download and Reference

Books for Other Exams (Click on the links to buy online)

UPSC Books at Online Stores!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sir, if i am appearing for ias – 2014 when shall i start making notes out of daily newspaper. shall i start it by now or after mains 2013. although i am reading newspaper regularly but what is right tme to take notes.

    Reply

    • Sorry for not keeping tracking of all comments…But to answer your query, note taking is advised from Day1. But it should be done on priority basis after Mains 2013.

      Reply

  4. Sir I have tmh general studies.i recently bought Access Publishing general studies paper 1 and 2 which is very good too with all good authors.sir have you gone through these two later books.

    Reply

    • Dear Dharmesh,

      Thanks a lot for pointing out that. The link issue is fixed. Let us know if you find any further difficulties.

      Reply

  7. sir,i want to know that is english litt and langvage both are useful in ias if i do ba hons with english then up to whch extend it is useful for the preparation

    Reply

    • Not so important but it improves your language and if u r able to improve your language from side then choose those subjects as hons. Which is your optional in mains it manage your time other wise u have to concentrate on graduation also

      Reply

  8. Sir,
    I find no books on Anthropology for CIvil Services Main exam. would you kindly suggest me.

    Reply

  9. i’m looking for on line or postal coaching for civil service(main) exam…. please inform me….

    Reply

  10. your suggested booklist immensly helped me to select my required books on respective subjects…

    Reply

  11. sir,
    what books shall i refer for essay paper??i have few..they are argumentative indian and imagining india….i need you to suggest a few more…

    Reply

  17. hello sir
    thanks you for providing valuable information
    can you suggest
    for world history and culture baliyan notes better or vaji
    2. vaji printed or vaji handwritten which one is better

    Reply

  18. Sir my self Debtanu I am so in ubi how can I manage my to get into civil service which book should I start to get in to the prelims in 2015 although I have bought 2 books of one is history of modern India and Indian polity

    Reply

  21. sir, i am a clerk in para military forces . I want to know that can i preparation and get success in jpsc or not because i have spent my 8-9 hrs in office so it is possible or not

    Reply

  23. dear sir maire pas coching or dheli join karne ki koe samvawna nahi hai phir v mai esme saphal hona chahta hu apse kuchh feetback chahta hu sir

    Reply

  25. Hello Sir..Good evening…sir please tell the Name of the books that are very much helpful for CSE Mains examination of Political Science optional subject with their publication and author’s..Thank you

    Reply

  27. Hello,
    I’m planning to take political science as an optional subject..can you suggest me the books for it..nothing is mentioned regarding political science in this post

    Reply

  29. Thanks for giving a online free books and coaching, I decided to take management as my optional so i need a reference book and main book for my preparation thank you.Roghini Ravi Kumar

    Reply

  32. How important are NCERT books from preparation point of view? (Both for prelims and mains)
    I mean do i need to go through std 6-12 books or should I start with the books above mentioned?

    Reply

  35. A good and amuch useful site.very useful and good for ias aspirants.i have download it today and find it good.

    Reply

  36. An assamese medium is allowed for main written exam of all (except English) GS i-iv and optional subject. Please provide details.

    Reply

    • Great to know that aspirants like you are taking the best out of ClearIAS app. All the best!

      Reply

  38. Sir, i m really good at zoology. I will choose it as an optional subject. Its syllabus that u had posted is not typical, but still can you point out some books for zoology. Thank u 🙂

    Reply

  41. Hello sir my name is Saiyam and my dream is to become an IAS OFFICE but I am little bit confused related to the books that I should refer and also I want that some guide line so that I can be on the right track for becoming an IAS OFFICE and transforming my dream in to the reality …… So sir can u plzz help me by giving your guidance ……….

    Reply

  42. Sir, I am Master in fisheries with double graduation, one in zoology and other in fisheries (B. F.Sc.). I want to prepare and qualify IAS exam and I know only a little about it. Can you please help me in advising that how to start and how much knowledge is required. Actually, the problem with me is that I know very much about fisheries and zoology but my general knowledge is very poor.

    Reply

  45. Hello sir,
    I am complete double degree graduation,one in history,and other in law.and. I have take admission in IGNOU in MA history,am very confused can you p/s help me in advising that how to start and I decided to take history as my optional subject.so I need a reference book I want ur suggestion.p/s help me.

    Reply

  49. Hello sir, I’m not cleared about my doubt that there is scalling in optional subject paper 6 ,7 plz suggest I can take subject as veterinary science is useful bcoz I’m graduated in this subject or either geography in which I hv some interest

    Reply

  50. Sir my optional subject is political science and international relations…which book ‘ll refer to study…

    Reply

  51. Sir, I am a commerce graduate, I am worried about my optional papers. My first query, is it mandatory to choose two(2) optional paper? and another you does not share any link for commerce stream. If you share some idea it will be help full to me. I am still unable to choose 2nd optional paper (1st, Commerce & Accountancy). So please help me and suggest some books on commerce stream.

    Reply

  52. Sir good morning i am rajesh .i am confused that how to start prepartion for ias .and suggest me some books for ias exam and geography main books.

    Reply

  53. Hi sir I’m the very beginner for the upsc prpeartion sit pls provide me the list of books for the entire history prpeartion in the exam point of view

    Reply

  54. I want a personal email describing,
    1. The books to prepare for Pre and Mains, optional History
    2. What to read for Current Affirs with their backdrop
    3. Various surveys, programmes and schemes
    4. Various websites of government
    5. Last years papers of pre & mains, how to get (and if possible, with answers)

    Please give me this information, as I can’t join any coaching due to money issue and time constraints. (Email id given below)

    Reply

  55. Respected sir,
    I am a BALLB 1st sem student.I am interested too in social service.To serve the society IAS is the only platform for me.But I am in confusion that from where I should start my preparation. And also I want to take law as an optional .sir, plz suggest me.

    Reply

  58. Sir Im preparing with Geography as optional. But I really don’t have any idea for General studies Paper 1, 2,3,4 for Main.. Can you suggest me some best book .. please reply and also reply about the books about their speciality.

    Reply

  60. Sir, now I passed 12th class & after graduation I want to give ias exam , which books I should read which mainly not changed & how I should prepare for that.

    Reply

  61. Hello sir
    I need some books to suggested for anthropology optional ..I kindly request you to suggest me..
    Thank you

    Reply

  62. Hello ClearIAS,
    In your website, only sociology optional book list is seen instead of respective optional when selected, so kindly make a change in your website, so, the aspirants would have a chance to view the books list for other optional too.

    Thanks..

    Reply

  64. Sir if I select marathi language in ias mains exam, then are the optional subject in marathi language.
    Pls reply

    Reply

  66. hai sir….. iam preparing for ias but nt able to understand how to prepare for indian polity main plz suggest material for it plzzzzzz

    Reply

  67. Sir,First off aĺ thank you so much for guiding us.
    Please share your views regarding zoology as a optional,as my subject was zoology till my graduation.
    After graduation i have stopped my academics,Sir please give your suggestion.

    Reply

  68. Hello sir
    Firstly, thankyou so much for this wonderful opportunity.
    Can you list out the books for management subject as optional?
    Thanks

    Reply

  70. Sir it’s time for me ask u a valuable question that sir can I take my optional subject as education

    Reply

  71. sir,I want to take optional subject as physics.Please suggest me the books and notes.Want your Help.

    Reply

  76. After completion of law u may concentrate towards iAs …then both konowledge and power prosper in your life hopefully

    Reply

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