Note: My book, Fundamentals of Essay and Answer Writing is available now. It’s a comprehensive guide that helps you write better Essays and Answers in the UPSC Mains Exam. You can know about the book here.
In this article, we will go through my booklist for Civil Services Exam (Prelims). I’ve written this post keeping in mind an absolute beginner aspirant who is starting from level zero.
As you start your Prelims preparation and read these books, please keep the following points in mind:
- Along with these books, get a printout of the syllabus and read it carefully.
- And when you start, I recommend that you begin with NCERT books. Read and revise them methodically to gain absolute conceptual clarity. They form the foundation of your knowledge which will help you immensely through all stages of the exam.
- Do not be scared at the long list of books. For a beginner, one year is more than enough to cover the complete syllabus of GS (prelims and mains) and optional.
- In the book list, wherever I had mentioned selective reading, it means there’s no need to read the book cover to cover. Go through the past five years’ question papers to understand the kind of questions UPSC usually asks. It’ll give you a good perspective of what’s important and what’s not.
- For the same topic, do not refer to more than one material. For example, take India’s freedom struggle (1857-1947). If you read that portion from the Spectrum publications, there’s no need to do the same again from Bipan Chandra’s book. Read the latter to cover those parts not covered in the former.
- Use internet extensively. Let me give a few examples. Youtube’s PMFIAS channel is an excellent resource for understanding complex Geography topics. Similarly, for Art & Culture, I used to watch videos of classical dances, folk dances, puppetry shows on Youtube so that I could memorise their features better. In Science & Tech, if you come across a term, say, Blockchain Technology, go to Youtube and see explainer videos. Even for Environment, suppose you read about endangered species such as the Red Panda and Malabar Hornbill, Google them and see how they look. Visuals stick in your mind far longer. Your target must be to gain knowledge, be it through books or through internet.
- If you are taking coaching, by all means read their notes. But please keep in mind that you cannot just read those coaching notes and neglect these standard books. For example, take Polity topic. A coaching institute’s notes will never cover the complete subject, only Laxmikanth does. So even if you refer to your coaching notes, you still have to read Laxmikanth and know it like the back of your hand. This principle applies for all subjects.
- For all subjects, you have to superimpose current affairs over it. To illustrate, in Polity topic, apart from reading the static theory portion, you need to keep an eye on current happenings. For example, if the Govt brings in Constitutional amendment for GST, you must read both about the major provisions of the amendment and the Constitutional amendment procedure itself. Do this for all subjects.
- To perform well in Prelims, revision is crucial. Without it, you will not be able to recollect whatever you may have read. So please dedicate adequate time for revision before the actual exam.
- Just because I am AIR-1, it does not mean that this book list is the last word. If you have been studying some other material, that’s fine, too. To succeed in this exam, the source of material is not important. What’s important is you to understand the concepts, memorise the facts well and have a firm grip over the entire syllabus.
The Complete Booklist for UPSC Civil Services – Prelims Exam (Paper I)
Polity
- Indian Polity by Laxmikanth
Economy
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Mrunal.org articles
- Macroeconomics – NCERT Class XII
- Indian Economic Development – NCERT Class XI
- Economic Survey (Selective reading from Prelims perspective)
- The Hindu
- Internet for understanding concepts (Arthapedia, Google, Youtube)
Ancient History of India
- Old NCERT by RS Sharma
Medieval History of India
- Old NCERT by Satish Chandra (Selective Reading)
Modern History
- A Brief history of Modern India- Spectrum Publications
- India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra (Selective Reading)
- NCERT by Bipan Chandra (For the period 1700s to 1857)
Indian Art and Culture
- An Introduction to Indian Art – Class XI NCERT
- Chapters related to culture in Ancient and Medieval India NCERTs
- Centre for Cultural Resource and Training (CCRT) material
- Heritage Crafts: Living Craft Traditions of India -NCERT
Environment and Biodiversity
- Shankar IAS book
General Science
- General Science books – IX and X standard
- The Hindu (Note down and read about the latest scientific terms, discoveries and inventions frequently mentioned in news)
- Google and YouTube
Geography
- Fundamentals of Physical Geography XI NCERT
- India: Physical Environment XI NCERT
- Fundamentals of Human Geography XII NCERT
- India: People and Economy XII NCERT
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography: GC Leong
- PMFIAS (Excellent resource for understanding complex topics)
- Google and YouTube
Govt Schemes
- Govt schemes compilation by the website Civils Daily
General Trivia (Eg: Global groupings, Reports, Institutions, Rankings etc)
- Any coaching material
Current Affairs
- The Hindu
- Civils Daily
- ForumIAS
Mindset to tackle the UPSC Prelims Exam
Ten days before the Prelims is usually the time when your mind is rather restless and clouded in self-doubt. Even though you must have prepared thoroughly for the exam, covering all the sources, Some of you are worried that you haven’t yet finished a particular topic, some others are stressed whether they will make the final cut for Mains. Remember that it’s okay to be a little nervous at this point and that it happens to everyone. I was no different, too.
From my experience, I have distilled a few suggestions to help you perform well in the exam.
- In the final days preceding the exam, if you start reading entirely new material which you haven’t read before, you’ll only stress yourself out. Just refer to whatever you had already read. Revision is the absolute key. How effectively you perform in the actual exam depends on the quality of revision you do in these 10 days.
- Stay calm. While revising, do not get bogged down in one subject. Your target should be to revise all the topics methodically before the final day.
- Questions are going to be balanced and will be asked from across the syllabus. So if you are poor in one topic, that’s alright. You can offset it through performing well in your stronger areas. For example, if you are worried about Indian Art and Culture, do not freak out. You might lose out on some questions, but you will still have many others to solve.
- Just the day before the exam, ensure that you get 7-8 hours of quality sleep. A good night’s rest will rejuvenate your senses and ensures that your brain is alert and memory is on point.
- Many aspirants (especially engineering grads) tend to be careless about CSAT Paper 2. I’ve seen people who solve only 60 questions and think that’s enough to qualify them. Some are even more impulsive— they leave the hall 30 minutes before time. Don’t be that reckless brat. Your qualification for Mains will be based on your marks, not your audacity. Remember that just because the paper is qualifying, UPSC is not going to hand it you on a platter. This is why they have been constantly pushing up the difficulty level over the past few years. So solve CSAT with all the seriousness and intensity of Paper-1.
- While solving the paper, in the first iteration, go through all 100 questions sequentially and do three things: mark those answers you are confident about, round those questions that you are unsure or vaguely aware of (for guesswork later), and cross those questions which you have absolutely no idea about. In the second iteration, you come back again and try to answer those questions you are vaguely aware of through educated guesswork or elimination method.
- Don’t get mired in one question and waste your time. If you are unable to recall, make a side mark on the question paper and move on. Once you come back after solving remaining questions, chances are you’ll recollect.
- If we assume a moderately difficult paper, then you will confidently know answers to around 50-60 questions. But you must aim to attempt around 85-90 questions. That’s why educated guesswork is necessary and important.
- As you enter the exam hall, it doesn’t matter what books you may have read, or how many times you may have revised. What matters are those 100 questions. Put your emotions aside and solve those 100 questions with a laser like focus. Erase your fears, doubts and insecurities and stay positive and confident.
- Always believe and keep telling yourself that you have worked hard and prepared well so far and that you’ll do well. On the final day, summon your best self and you will absolutely ace the test.
For further reading,
A. You can check out my article on UPSC GS Mains Preparation
B. Article on how to make educated guess work in UPSC Prelims
So that was my Booklist for UPSC Prelims. Hope it’ll be useful to you.
– Anudeep
Note: My book, Fundamentals of Essay and Answer Writing is an Amazon bestseller. Since its release, the book helped countless candidates master the art of crafting exceptional essays and answers and elevate their performance in the UPSC Mains Exam. You can know about the book here.
Dear sir, I have read those standard books but do not remember anything
I thought reading the books (highlighted parts) again and again I would remember but I still don’t and the time is running out. I find them a little boring.
What would u suggest?
(ps self preparation with no contact with upsc aspirants+civil servant)
whether I should complete all ncerts 1st and go reference books subject wise or subject wise ncert and their reference book?
Sir can you please tell us how did you do satish chandra NCERT, i mean what all topics did you do because many questions are not asked from medieval history in prelims as well as mains. Please tell us what all topics did you do from satish chandra old ncert?
sir,i have some actually i want to know that how to make good notes any tips for making good notes,and one more question sir which method will be good for notes,making notes on A4 sheets or on notebook?
can you please guide me sir.
After cracking upsc I pass all creditis to my frndz & family .. so please forgiveness for this??♀️?
Once again congrats bro for you posted as Assistant Collector for Bhadradri kothagudem district
How to analyse Hindu news paper for current affairs
Congrats Anna.Anna naku m tlydu andaru ncert antunnaru ncert 6-12 books ante m books chadvali anna. Subjects perlu chpu anna.Please anna
Hi Sir ,
I just wanted to ask that – Whether studying only M Laxmikant for polity is sufficient or we need to cover some other books such as those written by DD Basu ?
Will be obliged if you answer this query.. ty ..?
Should I cover evrythever from remedy Singh indian economy book ? How to revise it ?
Bro,
As your mentioned different types of for single subject
Example: geography you had suggested near 5 soucre
My doubt is present I’m reading only gc Leong book is it sufficient or to need any extra
With respect,
I want to ask you that what to do to be confident over csat paper.
Practice model question papers, Arif. Do them enough, and crossing 66 mark barrier will become inevitable.
Sir it was my third attempt for upsc but i have not cleared even prelims till now.Sir please guide me what strategy should i follow?I have read all basic books several times but in every attempt i am getting a very low score in prelims.What should i do Sir?What approach i should follow to clear prelims?
Hi ANUDEEP. I am a upsc student .I have just passed the 12th exam,but I know basic information of UPSC. So,I wanted to ask that if I have more time,can I read the state board books of history,geography,etc and then read ncerts and then STANDARD BOOKS.Also we have to read ncerts and these books when should we remove notes while reading.Because direct questions come from these book!.also give me that advice that ,If I first read the past year question papers ,then I would come to know what to read,what questions will come and then to focus on that area.Please can you send me the list of ncert’s.But firstly it gets confused ,When it is written on for eg: on quora. Ncert for history :Old 12th standard only.How is it possible ,if we have to read all ncerts from 6th to 12th.And is it good to read both old as well as new ncerts!Thank you ,please give me all answers pointly.Thankyou.. I know you have shared the books on blog,but is only one book,of history ncert not the full list.Anudeep sir its ok.if you don’t forward the list ,But please GUIDE ME OR TELL WHAT NCERTS TO READ or their names,but please tell of each subject NAME OF EACH SUBJECTS i.e. HIST,GEO,POL,etc.Thankyou ,the main intention of writing this to you was For book list.You can also send the book list written by you in your preparation time.I will respect you.Please send @AIR 1
Sir could you explain how to make notes from news paper? and how to revise it?
Sir please suggest which questions bank I refer for prelim exam.
Hello sir, I have a dilemma that these books are preferred for mains and pre both or there is a difference. More more thing i opt for sociology as an optional but I don’t have any background in this subject. I don’t which best material i have to prefer for my optional subject and which subject i have to keep on priority base from the beginning. Kindly help me out
Sir first of all heartly congratulations on ur grand success sir. Sir i am preparing for ias while studying b-tech 3rd year. Sir I’m a civil aspirant with zero level knowledge. Sir i want to make my 1st attempt on civil in the year 2021.sir now I am start with prelims before that u said “you can start vth ncert books from 6th to 12th.
1.could u please tell me the subjects of ncert books.
2.The book list suggested by you will be useful for my 2021(year) attempt?
3.sir i heard that there is no use for preparing from onwards for my 2021 attempt because editions were changed year to year. Sir please clarify about these editions and please tell me how to prepare.
4.sir is it necessary to buy the editions of all subjects?
5.sir indian polity, economy, art and culture, gs,
current affairs changed year to year, atlas,geography, history were not changed over many years. Is it correct?
Sir please reply i have no sufficient time.
Sir,
Is the civils daily economy series good?
Sir, I want to ask about current affairs,
1)I read only the hindu and vajiram ravi current affairs app is it sufficient for upsc or any other must I follow.
2)should I take notes for current affairs or not
3)how to practice daily answer writing whether I will choose some previous upsc questions or write any other topic which I have finished .
4)how to understand the entire syllabus (I have the syllabus, I read it fully but I can’t understand what i have to study.
I will be waiting for your answer sir please clear my queries. After achieving my goal i want to see you sir. Is it possible to see you.
Sir , which year economic survey should we read for 2020 prelims .
Hi sir can i buy the ncert 11 and 12 directly or guide for it .can you name tha authors sir.pls
Sir, As I was planning for 2020 Civils ..Confused about Current affairs and GS dynamic part. I want to follow monthly magazines like Yojana , kurukshetra, or better to get synopsis of all those in daily magazine of Vision IAS ?. For daily current affairs need to follow multiple websites like Insights and Vajiram Ravi or better to follow only one website like Insights.? . And is it good to watch, Byju’s news analysis daily or need to read the entire news paper The Hindu by ourself?
Sir can u tell me anthro online class teesukovlaaaa or self ga teesukovalaaa
Sir can pls tell us that should we make separate note for current affairs of pre and mains?
Hello sir , I’m going to appear for mains this year , what should be the last moment strategy for performing good in exam . Presently I’m working with world Bank and posted in kandy, Srilanka , Regards
Sir I am very poor to write telugu their is one qualifying paper that we should write it in telugu only i mean regional language paper can u suggest me is this paper so tuff or normal students who are poor in telugu writing can write that paper without difficulty or not
Sir i had a goal to crack civil services but I had somany distractions to prepare at home is Hyderabad is good place for preparation
Hi sir, How to read and take notes from ncerts without memorizing it.
Sir plz answer to my question
Hi Anudeep sir, Congratulations for your success. What books and strategy did you followed for international relations. As we know it is highly dynamic in nature and very vast. Following only the Hindu will suffice? Can you please throw a lime light on this?
Sir how to use kurukshetra and Yojona for this exam?
Sir,for Ancient History old NCERT by R.S.Sharma means Ancient India or India’s Ancient Past.which to refer?