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.
Hi Sir’
Currently I am working in a software company But i have a dream to Qualify u.p.s.c. my core subject in Graduation is english literature and sociology Could you please let me know how to start From here is any coaching institution important Currently am 23 years old
sir, Heartiest Congratulation for great success!.
I request to u please share your Whatsapp number, I have to take some suggestion to u.
My number is 9971056974,
Regards
I will be turning 32 yrs and 4 month in march 2019 and I am a general candidate. Will I be allowed to write UPSC exam in 2019. I know its irrelevant and immature question but it matters to me.
Upper age limit of 32 is calculated as on Aug 1st of the year in which a candidate is giving the exam. Since you will be over 32 as on Aug 1, 2019, you will be ineligible to sit for the exam.
Well explained points for begginners, thank u.
Sir m little bit confused …!
About whether to study bipin Chandra or not
Coz in some lines you mentioned that if whole NCERTs are covered and laxmikanth also then no need to go for binpin chandra, and for modern history you suggested to read bipin Chandra??
Sir please help me out
And thanks for helping us 🙂
Thank you for the post Sir, I have a question as to should I prepare the notes from newspaper and PIB daily or the everyday reading and the coaching handouts will be sufficient?
I explained in one of the previous comments.
Thanks….got it!
Sir can u specify which chapter to study from India’s struggle for independence.
Thank you so much Sir for your concern and selflessness..your post will immensely clear doubts of in-numerous aspirants.. Well, my query is that these books and strategies when applied nicely, will definitely serve out to qualify the CSE, but can you mention some of those extraordinary efforts (tricks, techniques) which took you to the TOP rank; because everyone is having some or the other study material, conceptual study, practice, revision etc. then what remains left which obstructs the aspirants from coming into top 5 or top 10??
Sir please do reply, it’s a genuine request!
You never prepare with a top 10 rank in mind. Give your absolute best every day, day after day. Read, revise and practice consistently. That’s all in your hands and that’s all you are accountable for.
Once you give your 100%, with some additional stroke of luck, you’ll end up in Top 10.
Sir you are very humble yor replied to each and everyone’s queries and more over after qualifying for such a difficult exm you haven’t grown any sort of ego or grtness which is tooooo appreciating……. Thank You so much for sharing your views… . Wish you all the best for your bzy and wonderfuw journey of IAS
Thank you, Anonymous.
Sir what are the non fiction books that we should read for UPSC?
Sir what are the booklist for csat paper 2?
Any book by TMH or Arihant will do. Also practise previous year question papers.
Sir I am doing my bachelor’s degree last year. Should I start reading the books necessary for upsc?Or should i wait for the completion of that course? I want to take my graduate subject(ZoologyZas optional, so should i first start with optional?
Hello sir….I am studying b.tech 3 rd year in jntuk-ucev.sir I want to crack CIVILS exam in short time can you please help me by giving some plans how to start my preparation effectively …plzz
sir how much Time is needed to cover anthropology optional??
With job, I took 6 months. Should be fewer if you are preparing for UPSC full time.
Sir I graduated in ba,I took coaching for paper 2 last year
So should I take coaching for anthro this year or after prelims
Pls reply to my query am really confused
Sir, In you have mentioned, refer some coaching notes in many areas. Please can you let us know which coaching material to refer for example topic like Indian Society and International relations u said refer coaching notes as I am preparing from home please suggest me which one to refer.
Thank you!
Congrats sir!!!
I’m 4rm A.P
Can u suggest me which chapters shud I read for medieval history as u said that we shud do selective reading for medieval.
Sir, I didn’t clear prelims for 4 times and now I started my preparation for next year. Every time my score is around 90. I’m not knowing where iam committing mistakes. Could you suggest any solution..please! If possible please give some rough schedule for whole preparation sir..
My friend Abhijeet (AIR 19) always scored exceptionally well in Prelims. Hope you find his write-up useful.
Read: https://iasbaba.com/2018/05/prelims-tips-topper-abhijeet-sinha-rank-19-upsc-cse-2017-iasbabas-ilp-student-scored-163-152-6-2-attempts-shares-preparation-strategy-special-focus-prelims/
Thank you sir.
Hello sir, m a upsc aspirant nd u r my inspiration…your story motivates me d most…can u please make an article on CSAT paper?? Its a lil tricky…n yaa it would mean a world to me if u reply :p n jst 4 the sake of interest what was the quote which motivated u d most during ur preparation???
Refer to any book by TMH or Arihant will do. Also practise previous year question papers. This should be enough for clearing CSAT paper II.
hello Mr.Durishetty,how can we cover current affairs apart from newspaper reading from civils daily?i mean do we have to read the NEWS section that the sites updates daily or may be follow their monthly compilation?.I was thinking about following vision ias monthly compilation and insights monthly compilation/may be daily ca analysis apart from reading a newspaper??
I did not make notes from newspapers but always read them carefully. I’d make a mental note of important recurring issues. I would do this exercise for a week and then on a fine weekend, I would just sit and go through 7 days current affairs compilation from CD/Forum/Insights (choose as per your liking, all of cover the same content anyway) As I read these online compilation, I used to highlight important things so that they became my revision material when I refer to it later.
Thanks,Mr.Durishetty.
Sir I’m studying degree 1year and I wanted to crack upsc in my first attempt how can I start my upsc journey from which prelims or mains
Which one i should choose for more helpful and bright full for my journey
i am hindi medium student so what reference book in hindi
First of all congratulations???? sir I have an one doubt that for prelims as well as mains which book is the best for environment ?? Or what I will do tell me sir? Plzz
Does one’s writing skill develops by reading Novels ? Just asking.
Not novels but non-fiction books, yes.
Congratulations sir.. I ve a basic doubt. There is a myth dat one should take coaching for optinslo n it’s a mandadyma also. Did you also took voavjong for anthro or prepatef yoursekf? My optional is also anthropology so curious
i am a very serious candidate for upsc 2019 cse and was dejected for last 2-3 days coz i was going through basic medieval history book nd i was not able to understand …i had that feeling of ..time running out of me….but that was when i saw some of ur videos of ur toppers talk at forum ias nd i realize that my zeal got scattered nd ur words r so deeply imprinted on my mind that i regained my self that how u moved on again nd again from ur journey of despair to success thank u so much sir for ur incredible words…u r a very humble nd thats what made me work again with a greater zeal thanks sir
Thank you!
Sir please suggest any one of the test series for prelims
Congratulations sir !!
Sir is it enough to read the updated ncert books ? Or do u suggest to go through the old books of ncert as well ??? N one more thing
How to work on memorize wat Eva v study ???
Thanks in advance sir 🙂
Congrats sir. How should a working person chart out his preparation as there is paucity of time? As you were working so please throw some light on this aspect.
The first thing I convinced myself to believe in was that even with a full-time job, I can give a rigorous attempt. So from that base belief, I shaped my preparation. Whenever I faced obstacles to my study because of the job, I tried to work around them instead of worrying incessantly about not getting as much time to prepare as, say, a full-time aspirant.
One advantage with the IRS is that the workload is mostly under control and only rarely overwhelming. So, on each workday, I used to dedicate at least 3-4 hours of focussed study. I cut down every distraction that would take this time away. During these 4 hours, my mobile would be in flight mode, all social gatherings declined and anything that wasn’t in line with my exam prep was ignored. Time was my most precious resource, so I had to prioritise the exam preparation at all costs.
And weekends was the time when I would absolutely fire in on all cylinders. A minimum of 12-13 hours was the norm, which would usually include reading books/notes, giving a test (either GS or Essay) and catching up with the week’s current affairs.
Another thing that helped me was the support of my boss. He never insisted that I come to office on weekends to finish reports (even during the peak time of GST launch.) So my suggestion is, always be in the good books of your boss (even if you don’t like him personally). Avoid bitterness at all costs, even if it means you taking that odd censure, or walking that extra mile to build that rapport. Whatever that helps your cause, man.
I also used to make a week wise plan based on the amount of time I had over the course of a week. Planning in advance is vital so that you know exactly what to do next once you are done with a topic. It brings out the ruthless machine in you and also makes you accountable to the goals you set for yourself.
It is possible to give a rigorous attempt even with a job. What matters is the quality of attention. You’d be surprised how much stuff you can get done once you focus like a laser.
I don’t think he see any query on this platform and talk any further.
Hello, Yash.
Hello sir,I hope you don’t mind because it is very rare to see toppers activity on their website for long time and reply for every query,like you do.