Books for IAS
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The IAS exam is a marathon and not a sprint and in this long journey of at least 12 months, you need to equip yourselves with the right magazines and books for IAS to ensure success in the Civil Services exam. This Hub lists all the books you will need to prepare for the Preliminary stage of IAS, also called the CSAT. The books listed here have been tried, tested and are highly recommended by generations of IAS aspirants, toppers, and those who have at least appeared for the IAS interview. It might be a good idea to take a print out of this page in case you need a handy list of IAS books. Also make sure you bookmark this page for future reference.
Books for Paper 1 of CSAT
Now that you know that the IAS Syllabus has changed and its implications you have to adopt a different approach for the Prelims. Before you could just score 90+ in your optionals and ignore the GS paper and still clear it but not any more. Now you will need to devote equal time to both papers of CSAT as both of them are General Studies (GS) based papers. But which books for IAS are required to get started with CSAT preparation?
- General Studies Manual:Before you get any other book for IAS get a GS manual as it covers all aspects of Paper 1 in good detail. It is also useful from revision point of view. Besides, if you don't get enough time to study text books the second best option is to go through a good GS manual.
- Modern History: India's Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra
- Ancient and Medieval History: NCERT text books of class VIII to X
- General Science: NCERT text books of class IX and X
- Geography: NCERT text books class XI and XII + a good Atlas +Certificate Course in Physical Geography by Goh Cheng Leong
- Indian Economy: Spectrum's books on Economy + Economic Survey for figures and analysis
- Current Affairs: Manorama Year Book + The Hindu newspaper + a good magazine like Civil Services Chronicle
- Polity: Our Constitution by Subhash Kashyap + bare constitution containing just the articles
Do you want a detailed review of each book listed here, apart from tips, quizzes, free e-Books on IAS preparation? Then visit IAS Kracker blog for detailed review of all Books for IAS as well as a FREE eBook for IAS Preparation.
Books for CSAT Paper 2
The second paper of IAS prelims is an altogether new ballgame for IAS aspirants. While the first paper is unchanged the second paper now contains many new topics like mental ability, data interpretation, English language test, passage, decision making, and logical reasoning. So how do you prepare for such varied topics? The answer is two fold. The mental ability, logical reasoning, and data interpretation topics can be covered by a single book whereas the other topics can be covered by another. For those who are from Hindi medium they might require some basic book for English language skills.
There are many new books being published for Paper 2. Some of the noteworthy are CSAT Manual by Pearson, Crack CSAT by Disha Experts, and CSAT Paper 2 by Unique Publications.
Why You Should Buy these Books
I have listed the Books for IAS and CSAT preparation but you should also know the reasons for buying each book as well as the method to study them. This required a separate article altogether which I have put up on my IAS exam blog. It contains in-depth information on each of the books listed above. I also guide you on how to study these Books for IAS to get an edge in your CSAT preparation. Also read about
- New IAS Syllabus from 2011 Prelims or CSAT
The complete UPSC CSAT Prelims syllabus with analysis and tips for mastering the IAS exam. - 19 months ago
- All About the IAS
There’s a reason as to why the IAS or Indian Administrative Service is the most preferred career in India. No other career or job can offer you the same power, perks, status, privileges, and job satisfaction as the IAS. Not to mention... - 14 months ago
- Books for IAS
Find out about suggested books for IAS exam including recommended books for CSAT prelims. - 16 months ago
- IPS Exam Eligibility
The IPS (Indian Police Service) Exam has special physical and national eligibility criteria that a candidate aspiring for the IPS Exam should fulfill. - 18 months ago
- Salary of an Indian Administrative Services IAS Officer
Find out about Salary of Indian Administrative Services Officers including IAS Salary after 6th Pay Commission. - 15 months ago
CommentsLoading...
Thnx Rahul for sharing.
please tell name of books for preparing history mains
your way of dealing with the topic is quite experience based and thank you, please make it much more relevant for young minds like us so that our tracks should be full of innovative thoughts....
what is the basic books for pre and main exam of isa?
please tell me very soon
THANX MAM
CAN U TELL ME BOOK NAME IN HISTORY AND HINDI. BUT IN HINDI SUBJECT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH
please let me Know the books related to the IAS exam as soon as possible. As i am pursuing B-Tech in electronics and communication. Thank u for the above information i appreciate this site.
I am interested in doing IAS please guide me how to preapre and also some of the reference books which will help me clear it very easily and also the time strata to do it.
I hav been looking 4 such typ of thngs which can forc me 2 liv 2 lif with grt powr nd passn bcoz i am kind of a persn who thinks tht i cam into ths world only 4. 2 do somthng uniq and difrnt frm othrs wll u cn say i am a day drmer... Bt ias is th oprtunty 4 me to show ths world tht i hav th ability to chang th destny in my way i found my self wel comptitor into ias exams now i am in b.a 1st yr actuly i hav jst gav my 1st yr exam.and aftr readng abt ias i ll tak thes exams as chalang in my lif. So frm now i l giv my body n soul togthr 2 clear thes exams. Bcz u motivte me n i ll try 2 mak th bst of this oprtunty.withot any coching thnk u vry much for ur work i am speechless abt u
your comments were very helpful thank you and help others also
tat was really helping one..Great job!Thank you.
please tell me the books for pre.& main exam. my subject is history
I felt all the above comments were boosting towards writing
Civils.Thank you
please tell me the books for prelims as soon as possible
respected sir/madam,
iam doing engineering third year, but i fix my career only in civil services. i very eager to start preparation now itself, i have confusion in selecting the optional subject in the main exam,and also i planned to write the main exam in TAMIL ,and i have interested in politics and administration related subjects. is all the optional subjects material available in tamil language? in this status how can i decide my optional subject ,kindly help me ,i am waiting for your reply .
my email id is charlespinny91@gmail.com
respected mam/sir,
i have completed my engineering but i have so much interest in civil services from childhood.i want to start my preparation from now itself.iam in so much confusion in selecting the optional subjects.so please show me the way in selecting the best optionals.And can i give my mains in Telugu language?.kindly help me sir.iam waiting for your reply
my email id is srilu.degree@gmail.com
i want some names of goods books for chemistry please give me the information THANKING YOU
Please send me to best books for preparation of commerce subject in mains
Please let me know books related to the IAS exam as soon as possible . As i am finishing my 9th standerd . Thank u for above information i appreciat and like this site.
please tel me basic books of prelims exam
I want to do preparation for IAS , i m science student can ýøù suggest me subject to choose
Very helpful
THANK YOU
i want ias gs hindi medium books
sir/madam,
i am in final year of b.tech from ec branch and want to prepare for ias .please give me the right guidance about books,optional subjects,preparation strategy & coaching institutes.
my email id:mukesh8120@gmail.com
Respected Sir,
My name is Vani,I am preparing for Civils my optional P.Adm. & Sociology, I am from Telugu medium background.
I want to attempt mains in my regional language. Hence i requesting to kindly advice for books & material in Telugu for both optional, GS & Essay
Plz tell me which books are very good for ias exam
PLZ give details of prelim & mains preparation.And list of Books.
hey, i want 2 crack the civil services..... and n persuing b.tech 3rd year.......and my age is 18 so i want 2 prepare for it..... kindly recommond the name of gud books with gud stuff............
IPS ITS MY DREAM......................WILL BECOME
hi, i now in nov have started to study for IAS, i am in a big confusion, all i need to know is what books to study for management and what subject to combine with it. and what is the best books for self study for pre exams. pls guide well pathania.aditi@gmail.
com
plz send me suggestion about various geography books for IAS main as optional paper. both paper 1st and 2nd.
awsome job mam/sir
really grt suggestions
thank u so much mam
you tell ma reference books.please
sir your services are good. please send the study materail for ias prelims to my email. samson999raj@gamil.com
Superb..
N
thx sir
SIR IAS IS MY DREAM.PLEASE SEND THE STUDY MATERIAL FOR IAS PRELIMS TO MY EMAIL. pranatianthro.sahoo@gmail.com
respected madam/sir,
Iam SaiLakshmi i have completed my MBA ( HR&Finance) but iam interested to takeup civil service exams this is a dream from my childhood.i want to start my preparation at the earliest. please guide me in selecting the optional subject .the medium of instruction would be in Telugu language? kindly help me sir/Madam.iam waiting for your kind reply.
Best regards,
T.Sai Mahesh.
I have wish to direct contact with an IAS for detailed information about ref.books & about how to prepare for this heaven.
thanks
Thanks. Its nice.
how can we prepare for ias from class 10.what are the best institutions
I m a student of class 8th and i want to become an IAS officer.
Can u pls tel me what shuld be my frst step to start my prepration ???
sir, i am graduate from external cell of delhi unversity in B.A program with 53%.am i eligible for ips exam if yes then please help me select books for main exam for law
RESPECTED,
SIR/MAM.I AM ABOUT TO START MY PREPARATION FOR CIVIL SERVICE,,,I AM GOING DELHI IN FEW DAYS CAN YOU PLZ GUIDE ME ABT THE BEST COACHINGS IN DELHI,,N PLZ SUGGEST ME OF THE SUBJECTS AS OPTIONALS
I am preparing for ias for the first time due to my financial problems. Now i want to beat ias at any cast. So please let me know what sort of books suits me better. language must be simple to read and understand. Kindly help me dears.
Hello sir........
I hav completed my PG. Knw I'm trying to prepare for civils. I hared dat, NCERT books are refer for prelims. I want to prepare in telugu medium. can u tell me that the ncert books willb available in telugu medium. and is it enough tostudy the telugu academy books for prelims....
Kindly give me the reply and help me.
send me the suggestions to my e-mail id as follows:
prathibha.kalyani16@gmail.com
Thanking you
i have done b.com and want to join civil services but i don't have any idea to select the subject please guide me my email id is sweetikool17@gmail.com
You wlll under me
Hi Sir/Madam,
Could you please guide me through to select the best study material for cse preparation as i am a working professioanl in software industry but can manage the time to study for it. please send me the tips and suggested material for the same on sandeep.kumar19860009@gmail.com
Respected Sir/Madam
I am studying Engineering .Iam willing to do I.A.S & its my dream from my childhood. plz give me breif details about I.A.S & give me the best tips and suggest materials for dhivyabharathivenkatesh@gmail.com
helowe sir,
what sub shoud v tek aftr the tnth clss fr ips??
ITS MY SMALL AGE DREAM.I WILL BECOME A IAS OFFICER AND I ENSURED MY DUTIES TO THE PEOPLE
dear sir/mam i have got 53% in BA. am i eligible for ips exam..?if yes suggest me how shud i have to prepare for prelm test also suggest about writers publication..my id avinash.abhi0387@gmail.com....thanks ..
Nw my mind is full refresh n nw from your words and experience i got the strength to become a IAS officer. I'm a 11th std student.
hi sir/mam
shall i write mains exam in telugu is there any chance.... plaese give the information..
my email id:princemady9@gmail.com
how to select an optional subject in prelims.. please give the info to my email
princemady9@gmail.com
ar sir/mam i have got 53% in BA. am i eligible for ips exam..?if yes suggest me how shud i have to prepare for prelm test also suggest about writers publication..my id avinash.abhi0387@gmail.com
plz can u tel me here wil get books for i.a.s and ho to prepare for the exam i am riting my email i.d if possile pl sent information on my i.d my email i.d is vishakaagarwal18@yahoo.com
I am b.tech 1yr ece student.could you please tell me exam patern of ias?
My email is ampolusantosh@gmail.com.
this is my first step,thank you.
i am 2nd year b tech student i an preparing for IAS please tell me books for geography mains
Hello s/m I want to know that ies exam Hindi me bhi hotha hi kya? Ager ha to how preper for it. My email id: deekshaas.1231@gmail.com
Hi! plz tell me the best books for preparing IAS prelims
My name is sohail,I am preparing for Civils
i requesting to kindly advice for books & material in urdu for optional language
mohdsuhel41@yahoo.in
i will start study from unique publication
i hope it boos are so helpful for me
respected mam/sir
i am pursuing b.tech 3rd year.I have completed my schooling in telugu medium,I want to attempt the exam in my regional language.can I get NCERT books in telugu version? and also suggest me what kind of books i should prepare for IAS? Thanking you.My email id:
kadepriyanka99@gmail.com
Hi! plz tell me the best books for preparing IAS prelims on geographi,history,science,polity,economics,genral awarness,genral knowledge,english,current affairs and the best magazine nd newspapr to read........
IPS MY DREAM......................
i want to know about books of publicadministration in hindi medium.
IAS MY DREAM
vry hlpfl infmtns.hrtyfl thks..........
Hi This Is RATHOD KUMAR iam preparing for ias examination
so u want any suggestion ask me...i help you..
i want to know which books to study for group 1 prilims pl help
IAS My AIM & Dream...
sir, IPS is my goal........
plz give me name of all best books in use of ISA exam pre.
sir IAS is my dream n i want to fulfil it so, kindly guide me i would be gladeful to you. firstly i want to know the subjects in Arts stream as now i m undergraduate student or B.A part 2 ,so after completing my final year i want to apply till that i will start preparing n i want to know the books n material for history .my email id is stanzinadol8@gmail.com plz help me thank you
im studing in class 12,so, plz tell me soon how to prepare after 12 class.which books i have to study?ITS MY DREAM TO BBECOME AN IAS OFFICER.SO PLZZ HELP ME OUT.
thanks for all the info.wish u all all the best! strike the chord several times & u can definitely bend it one day :)
Which subject will be the best in class 11 and 12 for IPS
thank u sir 4 ur best suggestion
My son is now in VII th Std.I want my son to be an IAS officer.Pls guide me to prepare him
hai sir,
i am mahesh,studying be- tech third year ece.my aim is social service.for this i choose civils.i am some what good in my studies.so please suggest me what i have to do from now onwards.
my email id is maheswar.785@gmail.com.
thanking you sir.
sir/madam will u please send me the civils materials in telugu language my e mail is santosh8345@gmail.com
Sir,
I am studying final year MCA. my aim is serve to people, so i choose civil service so please suggest me what i do for my further preparation.How to start preparation please help me.
MY Email id:thanigaimca144@gmail.com
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CommentsLoading...
Hey Rahul did you buy the section wise GS papers ?
Are there any specific coaching classes for IAS? Can anyone pls recommend some of the best????
Khan study group is the good coaching classes for preparation of upse and you will also read prtiyogita darpan for your knowledge of ias coaching classes in delhi
M b-tech 1 yr student..i opted e.c...its ma day drm to be an ias ...so plz suggess me the buks for physics, chemistry n physology n best coching city in rajasthan...thnx
I want to do prepare Ias exam . Can we do exam in hindi pattern.
Respected sir/mam i am doing my graduation . I want to know that which book is best for hindi language paper in main exam
thnx a lot mam...u gave us a beneficial advice...
RESPECTED SIR/MAM, I AM IN CLASS 8TH NOW.I WANT TO KNOW WHICH ALL BOOKS I HAVE TO START FOR STUDYING FROM NOW FOR IAS EXAM
I Have Done my MBA Now i am willing to do IAS can i apply for it as Commerce Student.I am Working for company which is into loan sector.Please give me brief details about IAS.
Regards
Asha K
hi mam.. IAS is my goal.. iam a telugu medium background student. is there any telugu pattern...... please give the instructions.
my emailid: thula.susmitharao@gmail.com
I have witnessed a stream of questions on what books to refer for the history optional. Well, that depends on personal orientation as there are a myraid of options available in the market. Anyway, i am enlisting some of the books by eminent authors:
Ancient India:
Romila Thapar
Medieval India:
Satish Chandra
Modern India
Bipin Chandra
Respected, sir/maidam please advice me for selection of book for IAS Exam-2012. Now i m posted in srinagar .For csat
this is my first attempt appear for Ias plz tell me the best books to prepare for the ias prelims
hai mam/sir now im doin ma mca in the 2nd year..i wants to become an ias officer...so what kinds of books are match for upsc exams please tell kindily mam/sir...thank yo....
hi sir/mam, i'm preparing for ias examination 2013 batch, share with me about ias...?
ex;book,tips etc
plz give me name of all best books in use of ISA exam pre.
monika.kanaujia0@gmail.com
iam doing engineering third year, but i fix my career only in civil services. i very eager to start preparation now itself, i have confusion in selecting the optional subject in the main exam,and also i planned to write the main exam in TAMIL ,and i have interested in politics and administration related subjects. is all the optional subjects material available in tamil language? in this status how can i decide my optional subject ,kindly help me ,i am waiting for your reply
my email id shadhanakannan1991@gamil.com
mam i am a student of class 10+2 and wish to appear in IAS exam amd also i am a medical student .....mam i scored less in my 10th class so kindly tell me dat how can i cover up and also prepare for ias..?????
ans me at aayush.gorki@gmail.com
i did my masters in chem n have planned to appear in IAS. please guide me how to start wid it specially about my subject chemistry .
rahul gupta 15 months ago
your words have been very helpful.
i am studying from the unique publishers general studies and csat also from unique as i along with my friends have found them to be of best quality in terms of content and the only well known publisher with books completely as per the new syllabus. last few editions of tmh general studies has been the best but the latest editions form unique have been extremely helpful. these books have also been highly recommended by all my teachers.
hope all u ias aspirant such as myself benefit from my experience!