UPSC Books – Best Books For IAS Prelims
There are two papers in Prelims (GS 1 and CSAT) and both are of objective type with negative marking. The best IAS books for Prelims are given below:
| Subject | UPSC Books |
| History | India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania NCERT XI (Ancient & Medieval) NCERT XII (Modern Indian History) |
| Geography | Certificate Physical Geography – G C Leong NCERT VI – X (Old Syllabus) NCERT XI, XII (New Syllabus) World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) |
| Indian Polity | Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth NCERT IX-XII |
| Economics | Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania Economic Development & Policies in India – Jain & Ohri NCERT XI |
| International Relations | NCERT XII (Contemporary World Politics) Current Affairs |
| CSAT | Tata McGraw Hill CSAT Manual Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R S Aggarwal |
| Solved Papers | IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers – Vishal Publications For more information on CSAT, check the linked article |
UPSC Books – Best Books For IAS Mains
Candidates who clear the Prelims reach the Mains stage of the IAS Exam. There are 9 theory papers in UPSC 2026 out of which two papers are on the optional subject. Candidates should follow the important IAS general studies Mains books for the best preparation.
Given below are the best general studies books for the UPSC Mains:
| Subject | UPSC Books |
| History, Indian Heritage & Culture [GS Paper 1] | Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra India after Independence by Bipan Chandra History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra Ancient India by R.S Sharma |
| Geography [GS Paper 1] | Geography of India by Majid Husain World Geography by Majid Husain World Atlas (Orient Black Swan) Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G C Leong Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Class 11 |
| Polity & International Relations [GS Paper 2] | Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu International Relations: Pushpesh Pant |
| Economy [GS Paper 3] | Indian Economy – Nitin Singhania Environment and Disaster Management – Tata McGraw Hill Challenges to Internal Security of India – Ashok Kumar |
| Ethics [GS Paper 4] | Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Main Examination by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chaudary |
| Solved Papers | IAS General Studies Prelims Solved Papers – Vishal Publications |