PAPER I

1.From Plassey to Partition A History Of Modern India (A must buy in my opinion)orA Brief History
of Modern India Spectrum Publications (For Mains, you should read the book by Bipan Chandra,
but it is better if one can finish it before Prelims if you have more time)
2.The Indian Economy Sanjiv Verma (this is for people who find economy difficult/distasteful -a
must read before you hop for other books)
3.Indian Economy : For Civil Services Examinations 5th Edition (2013) Ramesh Singh (This book is
now universally recommended by every one should be read only after reading the above book by
Sanjiv Verma)
4.Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations 4th Edition Laxmikanth (For prelims you dont have
read any other book on Polity except this one. However, for Mains, you should read D D Basu as it
helps you to form opinions to attempt some difficult questions in the exam)
5.Certified Physical and Human Geography Goh Cheng Leong
6.Environment & Ecology: Biodiversity, Climate Change and Disaster Management : General Studies
for Civil Services (Main) Examination Paper II and IV (This is both for Prelims and Mains )
7.1000 Plus Questions on Indian Polity: General Studies for Civil Services Preliminary Examination
(Paper 1)
(Purely for Practice purpose dont expect questions from these books to appear in the exam)
8.The Pearson CSAT Manual 2013: ( This book is for not reading the material inside. Buy it for
Questions inside for practice purpose. Strictly for beginners) or you can buy this: General Studies
for Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2013 (Again for Questions buy any one) - Remember to
buy the latest Editions!!
9. India 2013 Publication Division, Govt. of India (Buy the latest edition next year, or even this one
will do)
10.Indian Polity Question Bank TMH
11.General Science Question Bank TMH
12.Geography (India+World) Question Bank TMH
13.Social & Economic Development Question Bank TMH
14.14000+ MCQs For Paper-I Prelims

PAPER II

Actually, you dont need any special books for Paper- II if you have some basic knowledge in Maths
and relatively good in basic English. But, for most beginners, especially from Arts/Commerce
background, some basic idea is needed on Paper II, if not unnecessarily they start to think that
Paper-II is full of Maths, reasoning and its is very difficult etc.
1.Cracking the CSAT Civil Services Aptitude Test with Solved Papers
2.Tata Mcgraw Hill Manual of GS Paper-II 2014

Above books must be read only after completely reading NCERT textbooks:

Class VI to Class XII Social Science (Geography, Polity, History, Economics and Sociology Class XI
and XII)

Class VI to X Science for non-Science students + Class XII Biology last 5 chapters.
Jump to Comments
Reference Books For UPSC Civil Services Mains 2013 (New Pattern Syllabus)


See : BOOKS FOR PRELIMS




Strategy For Mains Exam

A Guide For Mains Excellent Book

NEW: Daily Answer Writing Challenge!

For UPSC mains one need to supplement their every day Newspaper (The Hindu) reading with
certain books to have a deep insight over varied topics that are now part of the new syllabus.

To gain knowledge on diverse topics it is prudent to read standard texts rather than depending on
materials provided by various coaching institutions. First hand reading of basic books enables
aspirant to tackle questions of different dimensions.

Reading newspaper everyday is sine qua non of UPSC preparation. A fortnightly magazine like
Frontline is a must to enhance understanding about current events related to India and abroad. If
possible, also go through The Economist magazine to understand international events.

Following is the list of books that are necessary for UPSC Civil Services Mains exam (links are given to
Flipkart which provides nearly 40% 50% discount on each book and it has home delivery facility to
every corner in India- Of course you can buy from nearest shop if that is comfortable and
affordable!):

1) Shorter Constitution Of India (Set of 2 Volumes) 14th Editon D.D.Basu (THIS IS PURELY FOR
REFERENCE VERY GOOD BOOK TO HAVE)

OR This Small Book : Introduction to the Constitution of India 20 Edition or

Introduction to the Constitution of India

2) India 2014 Publication Division, Govt.of India



3) Economic Survey 2012-2013



4) India Since Independence Bipan Chandra

India Since Independence new edition



5) Ideology And Politics in Modern India



6) Indias Struggle For Independence Bipan Chandra



Or

From Plassey to Partition A History Of Modern India (Now Super Hit With Aspirants Choice is
yours! )



7)Indian Economy : For Civil Services Examinations 5th Edition (2013) Ramesh Singh



For Beginners:

The Indian Economy Sanjiv Verma

Available on Amazon India

(read reviews on Flipkart - but not available.)

8) Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations 4th Edition Laxmikanth



9) Geography of India- Majid Hussain



10) Ethics In Governance



11) India After Gandhi: The History Of The Worlds Largest Democracy



12) Mastering Modern World History New Edition Norman Lowe

Or Buy this Imported Vesrion updated with in-depth chapters on Arab Spring and 2008 Financial
Crisis: Mastering Modern World History -5th Edition, Norman Lowe



13) Trends in Indian Culture and Heritage: For Civil Services



Or this book from Government of India: The Gazetteer of India: History and Culture Vol II



14) Select Constitutions: 16th Edition S Chand

(BUY FROM AMAZON)

15) Indias Foreign Policy Muchkund Dubey



16) Challenge And Strategy : Rethinking Indias Foreign Policy Rajiv Sikri

(Buy from AMAZON India)

17) History of the World from the Late Nineteenth to the Early Twenty First Century Arjun Dev (As
Norman Lowe is not available anywhere, This is the best book available that covers all the topics)



18) Social Problems in India 2 Edition Ram Ahuja



19) Politics and Ethics of the Indian Constitution - Review



20) Public Institutions in India: Performance and Design PRATAPA BHANU MEHTA

21) Certified Physical and Human Geography Goh Cheng Leong

22) Indias National Security A Reader (Oxford University Press Important for Paper-IV GS)

Available On Amazon India

23) Indian Social System Ram Ahuja




Other Books Civil Services Aspirants Must Read (DURING LEISURE):
1) The Wonder That Was India- A.L.Basham



2) India Unbound: The Social and Economic Revolution from Independence to the Global
Information Age Gurcharan Das



3) Pax Indica: India and the World of the 21st Century Shashi Tharoor (Pre-order 30% off )



4) An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions Amartya Sen and Jean Dreze



5) The Argumentative Indian : Writings on Indian History Amartya Sen



Of course you need to read NCERT texts as well. The above list is for reference and reading as well.
As you have plenty of time for Mains, you can savour these books leisurely.

Dont forget: The Hindu is the mother of Mains preparation now. Cut and Paste every article related
to syllabus from October 2012 to November 2013!