It takes a lot of time and effort to become an IAS officer in India, where the exams are challenging, and the competition is high. UPSC or Union Public Service Exam is undoubtedly one of the most difficult examinations in India. People generally attempt it several times before they can crack it. However, those who pass the exam have a very bright future ahead.
If you are an aspiring UPSC student, you must have looked up a list of reference books on the internet. Unfortunately, many websites are loaded with information and can seem daunting to new students.
IAS Syllabus is vast and hence you would required to bread from quality books to qualify the exam. Here is a concise list of some must-have and must-read books for IAS aspirants. Alternatively, you can also download the list of essential books for UPSC through BYJU’s Exam Prep guide.
Important Books for IAS Syllabus
Candidates in lakhs apply for the IAS Exam 2022. Hence, your preparation should be done in such a way that you stand out amongst the lakhs of candidates who have applied for the exam. Here is a list of books that is listed as per the IAS Syllabus.
- NCERT Books: The Complete Package
A complete set of NCERT books will help build your foundation and make your basics stronger. Regardless of all the other books that you will eventually refer to, you must read and reread NCERT books while making meticulous notes. NCERT notes are crucial, and the more you read, the longer you can remember.
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
The book is extremely important for studying UPSC economics. It is well-written and is very comprehensive. It will give you an excellent overview and mapping of all the economics-based topics required to crack the UPSC exams. Newspapers will start making more sense once you give this book a thorough read. And as an IAS aspirant, you must be aware of the current affairs highlighted in the top newspapers.
- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
This book needs no introduction. Polity is one of the most challenging subjects in the IAS syllabus. Reading a book like this will help you develop the mindset required to clear the Polity paper. The book is written in general and easy-to-understand English. You only require four weeks to go through the complete text. After this, it is important to read other books on Polity because this book only helps build a strong foundation.
- India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
This is one of the best books you can purchase if you wish to write structured answers for UPSC level questions. It gives a detailed view of important events, their causes and consequences. When you finish studying such a book, you can write argumentative and detailed answers that will help fetch good marks.
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- Majid Hussain – Indian Geography
This is a must-have for students who opt for geography as their optional subject. The best way to study and understand this book is to read and practise the diagrams repeatedly. You can only get better at this subject if you learn to make perfect diagrams. However, you must note that you need other books for climatology.
- India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha
Ramachandra Guha has talked about the evolution of India after its independence in great detail. He has perfectly captured the growth of modern India, unlike most authors who have focussed on the pre-independence and independence periods. This book talks about some of the most important events that shaped the country we live in today. It will help you answer some critical questions asked in the IAS entrance exams.
If you are appearing for the IAS exams, you must note this list of books to help you prepare for the test. For theis, you can visit BYJU’S Exam Prep. It gudes you on preparing for the exam. You must also read other books to strengthen your concepts and understanding of topics. You will get one step closer to pursuing your dreams with regular practice and diligent reading!