Books for UPSC Civil Service Main Exam Preparation

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Click to buy IAS books for mains Books 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)

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

Useful IAS Books and Magazines For Free Download and Reference

NCERT Books Download.
Buy NCERT Books Online.
Yojana Magazine Download.
Kurukshetra Magazine Download.
Buy Pratiyogita Darpan Magazine.
IGNOU Books Download.
IAS Books Mains General Studies – For more reference in GS1, GS2, G3 and G4.
Free IAS Study Materials for UPSC Prelims and Mains.

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

UPSC Books at Online Stores!

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86 Responses to "Books for UPSC Civil Service Main Exam Preparation"

76gyan says:

July 30, 2013 at 2:27 pm

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
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  December 16, 2013 at 7:52 pm
  
  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
2. Chandan kumar singh says:
  
  April 17, 2014 at 8:20 pm
  
  Sir, u will provide online coachine .plz…..inform me
  
  Reply
  1. Satya prakash says:
    
    June 8, 2016 at 6:40 am
    
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    Reply
manu says:

September 19, 2013 at 4:56 pm

loved everything u posted here.!!! thank you just sooo much.!!!!! 🙂 😀 huge help…

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  December 16, 2013 at 7:53 pm
  
  Welcome. Appreciate the feedback 🙂
  
  Reply
avanish mishra says:

November 20, 2013 at 2:58 pm

this site is very useful for ias’s dreamer

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  December 16, 2013 at 7:55 pm
  
  Happy to hear the positive comments:-)
  
  Reply
  1. Vishal Ambigar says:
    
    April 14, 2016 at 9:34 pm
    
    Sir pls suggest me some management books for optional
    
    Reply
reema says:

January 14, 2014 at 10:49 pm

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
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  January 14, 2014 at 11:52 pm
  
  Not yet.
  
  Reply
vicky says:

January 20, 2014 at 4:50 pm

sir, I have taken admission in ignou January 2014 session in b.a. Will I be eligible for ias 2016

Reply
Dharmesh Kemparaju (@DharmeshMysore) says:

March 27, 2014 at 6:46 am

Sir, Cannot open Socialogy books link… Plz Fix it… 4 Sociology – Civil Services Books – Mains Exam.

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  March 29, 2014 at 7:58 pm
  
  Dear Dharmesh,
  
  Thanks a lot for pointing out that. The link issue is fixed. Let us know if you find any further difficulties.
  
  Reply
jeeni gupta says:

June 7, 2014 at 10:41 am

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
1. Atul Ranjan Singh says:
  
  June 1, 2017 at 9:20 am
  
  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
G.thirupal says:

June 8, 2014 at 3:36 pm

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

Reply
nandan says:

June 8, 2014 at 8:53 pm

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

Reply
Souvik Bhattacharya says:

June 9, 2014 at 12:08 am

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

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  June 6, 2016 at 9:57 am
  
  Great to know about that. All the best!
  
  Reply
Souvik Bhattacharya says:

June 9, 2014 at 12:13 am

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
jagat pal says:

June 18, 2014 at 9:33 pm

no material for animal husbandary & veterinary science

Reply
pranav Dwivedi says:

July 18, 2014 at 5:51 pm

Sir Kya ram chandra guha aur dusre writer ki book hindi me aati hai

Reply
Sachin says:

August 6, 2014 at 8:43 pm

Thanx for information

Reply
pranav says:

September 10, 2014 at 8:43 pm

Sir kya spectrum ki Indian culture Hindi me milegi

Reply
ramkumar says:

September 20, 2014 at 10:29 pm

Sir my optional is agriculture will u conduct online or postal classes for agriculture optional

Reply
rashmi says:

November 13, 2014 at 8:52 pm

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
Debtanu dey says:

December 2, 2014 at 9:02 pm

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
nanibabu says:

December 15, 2014 at 3:22 pm

Dis site iz very usful ias achivars
Tnx alot of u

Reply
rishikesh says:

December 24, 2014 at 9:24 am

best site for upsc aspirants

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  June 6, 2016 at 9:58 am
  
  Thank you for the feedback. All the best!
  
  Reply
viswajeet kumar says:

December 28, 2014 at 1:22 am

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
Rohidas Kove says:

January 2, 2015 at 7:49 am

This site is very useful for IAS aspirants.

Reply
manish says:

January 25, 2015 at 6:47 pm

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
G Abirami says:

February 1, 2015 at 3:16 pm

Hello sir,

Can u pls post the books needed to prepare for Electrical Engineering optional.

thank u,

Abi

Reply
Dhanjit Deka says:

February 5, 2015 at 5:19 pm

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
sange says:

March 6, 2015 at 9:10 am

So far so good..very much helpful

Reply
Sri Harish says:

March 31, 2015 at 3:34 pm

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
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  March 31, 2015 at 4:28 pm
  
  You may expect a post on Political Science optional, strategies and books to read soon.
  
  Reply
mori parixit says:

April 6, 2015 at 9:00 am

SIR, My birth date in 1995 year…what am i eligible for civil service exam-2016?

Reply
Roghini says:

April 24, 2015 at 7:38 pm

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
Malav yb says:

July 4, 2015 at 12:44 pm

Can we use second hand/old edition books for the preperation?

Reply
gspreddy says:

July 5, 2015 at 1:16 pm

Could you please suggest books for the optional subject Mathematics in mains?
Thanks,

Reply
AviSh says:

July 6, 2015 at 8:31 am

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
Kumar pankaj says:

August 1, 2015 at 11:56 am

plz suggest me maths books for optional.

Reply
Kumar Pankaj says:

August 1, 2015 at 6:04 pm

plz suggest me maths books for optional.also give me some important strategy for this subject.

Reply
lucky says:

August 22, 2015 at 6:15 pm

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

Reply
Haribrat Deuri says:

September 25, 2015 at 10:22 am

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

Reply
Shah Asif says:

October 6, 2015 at 11:18 am

Clear IAS is Best app for For me
i am IAS aspirant

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  June 6, 2016 at 9:59 am
  
  Great to know that aspirants like you are taking the best out of ClearIAS app. All the best!
  
  Reply
Sankalp says:

October 26, 2015 at 1:42 pm

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
Athili Moses says:

November 2, 2015 at 11:03 am

Sir, i shall be thankful to you if you kindly suggest a books for UPSC main 2016 with the latest edition.

Reply
chaitra says:

November 9, 2015 at 12:08 am

Sir,
Which are the optional subjects.. in which stage shoul i choose it in prelims or mains. ??

Reply
Saiyam Ohri says:

November 22, 2015 at 2:12 pm

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
Avinash says:

December 9, 2015 at 1:36 pm

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
rashmi mishra says:

December 12, 2015 at 5:51 am

sir tou will will provide online coching
please inform me

Reply
Jatin Joshi says:

February 27, 2016 at 7:43 am

Sir pls suggest me some good material for physics optional in mains

Reply
Deepthi AD says:

March 6, 2016 at 10:38 am

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
MurtuzaJafri says:

March 22, 2016 at 10:06 pm

which subject is the most important for the mains paper

Reply
Jatin Joshi says:

April 19, 2016 at 10:45 am

Books for optional – physics

Reply
sunny says:

April 23, 2016 at 12:16 pm

sir me ias ki teyari karna chata hu is ke liye kon si book lu.

Reply
D R Meghwal says:

May 23, 2016 at 8:11 pm

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
mahesh r s says:

June 6, 2016 at 11:20 pm

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

Reply
Bapi Karmakar says:

August 5, 2016 at 5:54 pm

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
rajesh sharmas says:

August 6, 2016 at 12:32 pm

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
Rajesh says:

August 19, 2016 at 1:28 am

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
Narsingh Lal says:

September 16, 2016 at 2:49 pm

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
Zakir Hussain says:

October 14, 2016 at 9:02 pm

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
R sreenath says:

October 25, 2016 at 7:38 pm

sir ji plz provide the anthropology option book or material for the mains

Reply
Vandhana Mangaldas says:

November 26, 2016 at 8:50 pm

Sir.. Way are the books to be referred for zoology optional

Reply
Nabajit Ray says:

February 25, 2017 at 10:38 pm

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
E.C. MANIDEEP says:

April 13, 2017 at 6:41 pm

Sir, Is it possible to post the latest YOJANA & KURUKSHETRA Magazines

Reply
bhoma ram says:

May 20, 2017 at 6:27 pm

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
1. Suhai Ahmad wani says:
  
  October 27, 2017 at 10:07 pm
  
  Clear your graduation first,In addition current affairs
  
  Reply
Naveenraj says:

June 1, 2017 at 12:52 pm

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

Reply
GOPI SRIDEVA says:

July 3, 2017 at 8:18 am

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
ClearIAS.com says:

July 3, 2017 at 11:02 am

@Gopi: Thank you for bringing this to our notice. We have updated the links now.

Reply
1. GOPI SRIDEVA says:
  
  July 16, 2017 at 10:00 pm
  
  Thanks @ClearIAS for your kind cooperation…
  
  Reply
Ram says:

July 12, 2017 at 5:09 pm

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

Reply
GOPI SRIDEVA says:

July 16, 2017 at 10:02 pm

Thanks @ClearIAS for your kind cooperation of making changes…

Reply
Ayesha says:

September 24, 2017 at 10:52 am

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
Suhai Ahmad wani says:

October 27, 2017 at 10:05 pm

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
Rajni says:

December 14, 2017 at 2:06 pm

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

Reply
Abdul Jaseem says:

January 4, 2018 at 2:03 pm

sir i need the english material in mains exam (optional) subject and telugu material also sir

Reply
Laishram bimsen says:

March 19, 2018 at 10:11 pm

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

Reply
Abhinandan Kumar Singh says:

March 29, 2018 at 4:18 am

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

Reply