Do you know which are the 5 books most aspirants study for geography preparation in the UPSC Civil Services Examination? Read further.
Geography is a major part of General Studies Paper 1 in Civil Services Exam Prelims.
This paper will include questions from Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the world.
Also read: Indian and World Geography – Physical, Social, Economic Geography of India and the World
Recommended IAS Books for Geography – Civil Services Preliminary Exam
In this post let’s see the most-referred books by aspirants to study Geography for UPSC CSE Preliminary exam. Links are provided to buy the books online at a discounted price.
1. Geography of India by Majid Husain
Majid Husain’s book “Geography of India” is a comprehensive book on the subject which is very popular amongst students preparing for various competitive examinations. The book covers almost all the topics of Indian Geography. Click to buy Geography of India by Majid Husain.
2. World Geography by Majid Husain
Various geographical regions of the world have been discussed in eighteen chapters with detailed text on individual nations within each of these regions. The Author Majid Husain is former Professor of Geography,Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University), New Delhi. Click to buy World Geography by Majid Husain.
3. Oxford School Atlas
The Oxford atlas includes 200 clear and easy-to-understand maps with 94 thematic maps of India supported by charts and diagrams. The atlas contains detailed physical and political maps related to India, new and informative preliminary pages, and extensive coverage of core thematic issues such as climate, natural vegetation, wildlife, agriculture, minerals, industry, demography, human development, environmental concerns, and natural hazards in a completely new design and layout. Click to buy Oxford School Atlas. (A good atlas is a must)
4. Certificate Physical and Human Geography
Elementary details of most topics that comprise of physical and human geography have been covered in an easy to understand language, with many photographs, illustrations and maps offering detailed explanation, wherever required. The book is considered very helpful by aspirants appearing for preliminary examination of Civil Services and other prestigious competitive examinations. Click to buy online Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong. (For physical geography).
5. Physical, Human and Economic Geography for Civil Services Examination by D R Khuller
The book is divided into two parts: Part 1 covers Physical Geography while Part 2 covers Human and Economic Geography. This is a good book to understand the concepts. Click to buy Physical, Human and Economic Geography for Civil Services Examination by D R Khuller.
Also read: How to Study Geography for UPSC CSE?
Additional books for reference: Civil Services Preliminary Exam Geography
- Geography Through Maps by K.Siddhartha
- Terms and Concepts of Geography – Majid Husain
- Indian and World Geography: Objective Questions with Explanatory Notes for Civil Services Preliminary Examination.
- Objective Indian and World Geography by Majid Husain
- Geography of India by Surender Singh (alternative to Majid Husain).
- India: A Comprehensive Geography by D.R Khuller (alternative to Majid Husain)
- Physical Geography by Savindra Singh. (alternative to Goh Ching Leong)
Note: If your optional is Geography, then also refer the recommended books for Geography Optional in Civil Services Mains Exam.
Must Read Books for Geography in IAS Exam Prelims:
- NCERT books IX, X, XI, XII – Click to download NCERT Books (Free).
- ClearIAS Geography notes (Free).
How to Study Geography for IAS Exam?
An in-depth knowledge of Indian and World Geography is necessary to score high in Geography questions of Paper 1 (General Studies). We suggest an approach which is a mix of ias books (text-books) and ClearIAS online notes (free).
The best source to study Geography is NCERT Text books from Standard 6 to 12. Most of the topics are explained in very simple language in the basic text books and it’s really helpful for the exam. Other useful books for Geography topics are Text book by Majid Hussain, book by Goh Ching Leong as well TMH GS Manual (Geography Section). A good atlas is also a must.
Bookmark Geography Section of ClearIAS.com for free notes, which will help you a lot for quick last-minute revision. And finally, enroll for ClearIAS Prelims Mock Test Series, which will help you be familiar with the type of objective questions asked in UPSC Civil Services Exam.
this is sharan from chennai ….i am studying 2nd year B.ARCH but i have arrears …am i eligible for ias exam…
YES. You are eligible for “Civil Service” exam but only after you have attained your B.Arch degree.
sir i am vivek .i m studying be from cs branch.. i m eligible for ias exam
I have done 12 from nios so can I prepairtion for upsc
First u get a bachelor degree or equivalent to bacher degree in any stream then u r eligible to appear in cse. Examination
Best indian histry book in hindi
Thank you so much for this information this is really very helpful thank you
which is best book for geography preparation for optional subect
G.c Leong….or go through 6 _12th ncert
plzz mention some books for hindi medium students
The best book for upsc is m. Laxmikant , Dr. Khullar, majid Hussain in hindi
Sir can I gve UPSC EXAM after my B.A
I took geography as my honours subject..
Ofcourse u can appear
Please tell me all books name in ias preparation
Thanks for the useful post. It really helped me a lot! I do believe that the books you listed will help. I also have the economic geography and basic physical geography by K. Siddhartha and I believe those books are also very useful at some stages. Many thanks for the great help to the aspirants!
One book that saves lot of time… Fundamentals of physical and human Geography…. Exam series.
Best book
Sir. I am preparing for school lecturer (geography) exam in rajasthan, plz suggest me authentic books.
Sir ,
I am rahul
Can we give both exam in hindi medium or gujarati medium?
Actually I want to ask that- which ATLAS is the best between OXFORD SCHOOL ATLAS and OXFORD STUDENT ATLAS.
And please tell if is there sny best ATLAS from these two ?
Please please tell
4th one is not good,dont go for it.