UPSC CSE Study Materials
The Civil Services Exam is conducted every year by the UPSC to select suitable candidates for the Indian Administrative, Foreign, Police, and Revenue Services. Tap to learn more.
UPSC CSE Subjects
Read 50 topics on UPSC CSE Study Materials for UPSC preparation.
Ancient History
Anthropology
Army Exercise
Art and Culture
Banking and Finance
Biology
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Commerce
Defence
Disaster Management
Economy
Environment and Ecology
Famous Festivals in India
GDP at Current Price
General Awareness
General Science
Geography
Geology
Governance
Government Schemes
Gross Domestic Product
Human Geography
Indian Geography
Indian Society
Internal Security
International Relations
Law
Life Sciences
Mathematics
Medieval India
Modern Indian History
National Income
National Security
National Symbols of India
NCERT Notes for UPSC 2023
New Technology
Philosophy
Physical Geography
Physics
Plan Policy
Polity
Post Independence India
Psychology
Public Administration
Science and Technology
Sociology
Survey and Index
World Geography
World History
Notifications
Get all the important information related to the UPSC Civil Services Exam including the process of application, important calendar dates, eligibility criteria, exam centers etc.
Prayaas – UPSC Mains Offline Test 2022
Previous Year Question Papers for Optional Subjects
UPSC 2022 Prelims Results
UPSC Calendar
UPSC CSE GS Main Test Series 23
UPSC CSE Mains Mentorship Program – 2022
UPSC Cut Off Analysis
UPSC Dedicated Doubt Solving Sessions
UPSC Eligibility Criteria 2023
UPSC Exam Pattern 2023 – Check Prelims and Mains Exam Pattern
UPSC Free Doubt Solving Sessions – Doubt Darbaar
UPSC Mains 2023 – Exam Date, Syllabus, Exam Pattern
UPSC Marking Scheme
UPSC Prelims 2022 Results are Out!
UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2022
UPSC Prelims Previous Year Question Paper
UPSC Preparation Books – Best Books for IAS Prelims and Mains
UPSC Syllabus 2024 PDF – IAS Prelims and Mains Syllabus
UPSC Toppers
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लक्ष्य बैच हिंदी: UPSC CSE 2024
लक्ष्य बैच हिंदी: UPSC CSE 2024
The Civil Services form the backbone of India’s Administrative set-up. The selected candidates join various services and help run the administration in multiple domains of Governance. The Civil Servants don the mantle of being the policy executioners at the lowest level in the districts to the highest level of policy formulation in the Central Secretariat of the Union Government. Admittedly, the aspirants for the Civil Services Exam are expected to have an in-depth knowledge of wide ranging subjects like Economics, International Affairs, Geography, Polity and Governance Systems, Agriculture, Environment including latest developments in the field of Science and Technology. The CSE tests not only the depth of knowledge of the aspirants but also the ability of the candidates to apply the knowledge they possess. These content pages provide the aspirants with all the content relevant from the Preliminary and Mains Exam’s perspective.
UPSC test series & preparation
Get your preparation assessed by taking the tests according to the latest pattern of the Civil Services Examination.
2020: Mains test paper
Books & Syllabus
UPSC CSE Sample Papers
Frequently asked questions
Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Civil Service Examination Preparation.
Q. Which Optional Subject to Choose?
Q. How important is Role of Online Coaching in Civil Service Preparation?
Q. Is the General Studies Paper-II of qualifying nature? How much Cut-off Marks prescribed by UPSC for this Paper?
Q. Can a candidate write the Civil Service (Main) Examination in English and take the interview in any other Indian language?
Q. What are the Cut-off Marks for the compulsory language Papers?
Q. Is the Indian language Paper compulsory for candidates who belong to the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim?
UPSC Book List - Best Books for UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains
- UPSC Books for General Studies Booklist for UPSC Prelims & Mains
- UPSC Books for Public Administration Optional Booklist for UPSC Mains
- UPSC Books for Sociology Optional Booklist for UPSC Mains
- UPSC Books for History Optional Booklist for UPSC Mains
- UPSC Books for Philosophy Optional Booklist for UPSC Mains
- UPSC Books for Maths Optional Booklist for UPSC Mains
- UPSC Books for Geography Optional Booklist for UPSC Mains
- UPSC Books for Anthropology Optional Booklist for UPSC Mains
- UPSC Books for Commerce and Accountancy Optional Booklist for UPSC Mains
- UPSC Books for Political Science Booklist for UPSC Mains
- UPSC Books for International Relations Booklist for UPSC Mains
UPSC Booklist Recommended By Toppers | Latest Booklist for UPSC 2022
“What are the best UPSC Books?” "How many books are too many books?" are some thoughts that resonate with almost all the aspirants especially when it is about the IAS book list. When it comes to preparing a UPSC booklist for Civil Services, you may find yourself buying every book that is present in the book store. But wait, you need to shortlist and get your hands on the right ones. So, when you sit with those books to finally read, many-a-times thoughts like "too many books, too little time" make you feel distraught!
Hence, to make you worry a little less and study a little more, we have compiled an exhaustive booklist for UPSC that is recommended by toppers. You should follow only a specific UPSC book list in order to ensure you're not digressing too much from the core syllabus. Please note that you do not have to read all the books in their entirety. Make sure you download our micro-topics syllabus PDF and read the books provided in the UPSC booklist in accordance with it. That way, you'll be able to keep yourself focused on the actual UPSC syllabus.
Let's have a list of UPSC booklist that is sure to help you with an exhaustive preparation of UPSC.
Booklist for UPSC CSE Prelims
Although the booklist for UPSC may vary in accordance with your previous knowledge and expertise, here is an exhaustive booklist that both fresh aspirants and experienced ones can refer to for their UPSC Preparation needs. Some of the books may be relevant for both Prelims and Mains. Before checking it out, it is important that you know the syllabus and exam pattern well. Check out this article to know about UPSC CSE Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Check out the table below to know the UPSC booklist to refer to while studying for Civil Services Prelims examination.
Paper
Booklist
- Indian and World Geography for General Studies Paper 1 (Prelims) by D.R. Khullar
- Objective Economy 2ed (UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination)
- Objective Indian History & National Movement 3ed (UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination)
- Objective Indian Polity & Governance 3ed (UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination) by N.D. Arora
- Objective Science and Technology 2ed (UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination)
- UPSC 2023 General Studies Paper I 26 Years Solved Papers 1997-2022
- UPSC 2022 General Studies Paper I 11 Years Solved Papers 2011-2021 Hindi
- UPSC 2022 General Studies Paper I 19 Practice Papers
- UPSC 2022 General Studies Paper I 19 Practice Papers Hindi
General Studies (Paper II)
- CSAT Paper II Reading Comprehension 6ed by Ashok Kumar Singh, Nagendra Pratap
- CSAT Paper II Logical Reasoning, Analytical Ability & General Mental Ability 6ed by Sanjeev Joon, R A Sharma
- UPSC General Studies Paper II CSAT 28 Years Solved Papers 1995-2022
- UPSC 2022 Samanya Adhyayan Paper II CSAT - 11 Years Solved Papers 2011-2021 Hindi
- UPSC General Studies Paper II CSAT 20 Practice Papers
- UPSC 2022 Samanya Adhyayan Paper II CSAT - 19 Practice Papers Hindi
General Studies - 1 & 2
- Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning - RS Agarwal
- TMH CSAT Manual
- Quicker Maths by M.Tyra
- English Grammar & Composition Wren & Martin
Get Free syllabus pdf worth Rs. 599
Booklist for UPSC CSE Mains
Here is the UPSC booklist that you should be reading while preparing for UPSC CSE Mains:
Paper
Booklist
- History of Modern India, 2e by Sujata Menon 2018
- Comprehensive World History for civil Services Main Examination by Sujata Menon
- Environment and Ecology A Dynamic Approach 3e by Neeraj Nachiketa 2021
- Economic Development in India (Policies, Reforms and Liberalisation) 3ed by A V Balakrishnan
- Indian Economy through Questions & Answers by A V Balakrishnan
- Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (For Civil Services Examination) by G. Subba Rao & P N Roy chowdhury 8ed
- 100 Case Studies in Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by G Subba Rao, PN Roy Chowdhury
- Concise Neetishastra, Satyanishta Evam Abhivriti (Hindi)
- Neetishastra, Satyanishtha Evam Abhivriti for Civil Seva Pariksha 8ed by G Subba Rao , P N Roy Chowdhury & PC Sen Hindi
A Concise Analysis of Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by G Subba Rao, PN Roy Chowdhury
All GS Main Papers I-IV
- UPSC Mains 2023 General Studies Paper I-IV - Solved Papers 2013-2022 by G. Subba Rao, DVK Rao, Uddipan Mukherjee, PN Roy Chowdhury, Kantesh Mishra
- UPSC Mains 2023 Samanya Adhyayan Prashn Patra I-IV, Hal Prashn Patra 2013-2022 by Subba Rao, P N Roy Chowdhury, Uddipan Mukherjee, DVK Rao, Kantesh Mishra Hindi
Compulsory English Paper
- Compulsory English: IAS Mains and Judicial Services Examinations, 3rd Edition, 2020
- IAS Mains 2023 Compulsory English - 22 Years Solved Papers 2001-2022 9ed by AP Bhardwaj
Compulsory Essay Paper
History Optional Paper
- History Optional 2023 - Ancient & Medieval India - Previous Years UPSC Solved Papers (1979 - 2022) 2ed by Rashid Yasin
- UPSC 2019 - Complete History through Questions & Answers by Rashid Yasin, Ranjan Singh
- History Optional - Modern India & World History - Previous Years UPSC Solved Papers 1979-2022 2ed by Rashid Yasin
- Map Entries for History Optional 3ed by Rashid Yasin, Ranjan Singh
- Modern World History 3ed by Uddipan Mukerjee
Also, read | How to choose optional subjects for UPSC
NCERT Booklist for UPSC
Here is a list of all the titles of NCERT books for UPSC that every aspirant should read for preparation for the UPSC exam:
Subject
Title of the NCERT Book For UPSC
History
History: NCERT Class VI – Our Past- History: NCERT Class VII – Our Past -I
- History: NCERT Class VIII – Our Past II and III
- History: NCERT Class IX – India and the Contemporary World – I
- History: NCERT Class X – India and the Contemporary World – II
- History: NCERT Class XI – Themes In World History
- History: NCERT Class XII – Themes In Indian History – I
- History: NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – II
- History: NCERT Class XII – Themes In Indian History – III
Art & Culture
Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – An Introduction to Indian Art,- Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)
Polity
Polity: NCERT Class IX – Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – I- Polity: NCERT Class X – Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – II
- Polity: NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work
- Polity: NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Political Theory
- Polity: NCERT Class XII – Political Science I: Contemporary World Politics
- Polity: NCERT Class XII – Political Science II: Politics in India since Independence
Geography
Geography: NCERT Class VI – The Earth Our Habitat- Geography: NCERT Class VII – Our Environment
- Geography: NCERT Class VIII – Resource and Development
- Geography: NCERT Class IX – Contemporary India – I
- Geography: NCERT Class X – Contemporary India – II
- Geography: NCERT Class XI – Fundamentals of Physical Geography
- Geography: NCERT Class XI – India – Physical Environment
- Geography: NCERT Class XII – Fundamentals of Human Geography
- Geography: NCERT Class XII – India – People and Economy
Economy
Economy: NCERT Class IX – Economics- Economy: NCERT Class X – Understanding Economic Development
- Economy: NCERT Class XI – Indian Economic Development
- Economy: NCERT Class XII – Introductory Microeconomics
- Economy: NCERT Class XII – Introductory Macroeconomics
Environment & Ecology
Biology: NCERT Class XII (Last 4 chapters)
