Book List For UPSC Prelims and Mains

Certainly! Here are some recommended NCERT books and standard source books for UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation:

NCERT Books:

1. History:

• Ancient India: “Ancient India” (Class XI)
• Medieval India: “Medieval India” (Class XI)
• Modern India: “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra (Class XII)

1. Geography:

• Class VI to XII NCERTs (especially “Geography of India” – Class IX, and “Fundamentals of Physical Geography” – Class XI)

1. Polity:

• “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth (For in-depth understanding)
• Class XI Political Science – “Indian Constitution at Work”

1. Economy:

• Class IX to XII NCERTs (especially “Economics” – Class IX, and “Indian Economic Development” – Class XI)

1. Environment:

• “Class XII Biology: Last Four Chapters”
• “Class VI to X: Science NCERTs”

1. Science and Technology:

• Class VI to X NCERTs (especially “Science” – Class X)
• “Science and Technology” by Ravi Agrahari

Source Books:

1. History:

• “India’s Ancient Past” by R.S. Sharma
• “Medieval India” by Satish Chandra
• “A History of Modern India” by Bipan Chandra

1. Geography:

• “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” by Goh Cheng Leong
• “Oxford School Atlas” (For map-based questions)

1. Polity:

• “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth (For in-depth understanding)
• “Introduction to the Constitution of India” by D.D. Basu

1. Economy:

• “Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh
• “Economic Survey” and “Budget” (For current economic trends)

1. Environment and Ecology:

• “PM IAS Environment” by PM IAS Academy
• “Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure” by R.Rajagopalan

1. Science and Technology:

• “Science and Technology in India” by Rajiv Mehrishi
• Newspapers for current developments in S&T

1. Ethics:

• “Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude” by Chronicle
• “Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude” by Subba Rao and Roy Chowdhury

1. Current Affairs:

• “The Hindu” or “The Indian Express” (Newspapers)
• “Yojana” and “Kurukshetra” magazines

General Tips:

1. Regular Updates:

• Keep your sources updated, especially for current affairs.
• Refer to the latest editions of the books.

1. Consolidation:

• Consolidate your notes as you study.
• Create concise summaries for quick revision.

1. Multiple Readings:

• Read the source books and NCERTs multiple times.
• Each reading can provide deeper insights.

1. Mock Tests and Previous Papers:

• Practice mock tests and solve previous years’ question papers.
• Analyze your performance and identify areas for improvement.

1. Stay Focused:

• Stick to the syllabus and avoid excessive reading.
• Prioritize topics based on their weightage in the exam.

• Secondary Sources:
  1. https://pib.gov.in/indexd.aspx
  2. http://newsonair.com/
  3. https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/
  4. Sansad TV Debates
  5. India Year Book by publication division, Government of India (Yearly )
  6. https://www.prsindia.org/
  7. https://vikaspedia.in/InDG
  8. Down to Earth magazine- https://www.downtoearth.org.in/

Remember, the key is not just reading but understanding the concepts and being able to apply them. While these recommendations are comprehensive, it’s also crucial to adapt your study plan based on your strengths and weaknesses.