Preparing for the UPSC Prelims 2025 can be overwhelming given the vast syllabus and intense competition. One of the most important steps in the IAS preparation journey is choosing the right set of books. With updated exam patterns and evolving question styles, referring to the right UPSC books 2025 can significantly enhance your chances of clearing the first stage.
This guide brings together a curated list of books for GS Paper I and CSAT, based on recommendations from previous toppers, coaching institutes, and subject experts.
Understanding the UPSC Prelims Structure
The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam consists of two objective papers:
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General Studies Paper I (200 marks)
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CSAT Paper II (200 marks, qualifying in nature)
While CSAT is qualifying (33% marks required), GS Paper I is merit-based and determines your selection for the Mains. Thus, the right books must help you build conceptual clarity, factual knowledge, and analytical ability.
Subject-Wise Book List for UPSC Prelims 2025
Here’s the recommended book list for all major topics in GS Paper I:
1. History
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Ancient & Medieval History: “Old NCERT” by R.S. Sharma and Satish Chandra
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Modern History: “Spectrum’s A Brief History of Modern India” by Rajiv Ahir
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Art & Culture: “Indian Art and Culture” by Nitin Singhania
2. Polity
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Indian Polity: “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth (6th Edition or latest)
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Constitutional Developments: Class 11 & 12 Political Science NCERTs
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Current Affairs & Acts: Vision IAS Polity Handouts and PIB
3. Geography
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Physical Geography: NCERT Class 11 & 12
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Indian Geography: “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” by G.C. Leong
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Maps & Atlas: Oxford Student Atlas for India
4. Economy
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Basic Concepts: NCERT Class 11 Economics
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Indian Economy: “Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh
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Budget & Economic Survey: Government releases and Vision/Forum compilations
5. Environment & Ecology
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Standard Book: “Environment” by Shankar IAS Academy
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Reports: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) updates
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Prelims Trends: Down To Earth articles and current affairs magazines
6. Science & Technology
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Basics: NCERT Science books (Class 9 and 10)
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Current Tech Developments: ISRO, DRDO, and PIB updates
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Magazine Reference: Science Reporter or Vision IAS science handouts
7. Current Affairs
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Newspapers: The Hindu or Indian Express
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Monthly Magazines: Vision IAS / Insights / IAS Baba
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Annual Compilations: PT365 (Vision IAS), Prelims Capsule by ForumIAS
CSAT (General Studies Paper II)
Even though CSAT is qualifying, it must not be ignored. Here are the best books:
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Quantitative Aptitude: “RS Aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude”
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Logical Reasoning & Data Interpretation: “Analytical Reasoning” by M.K. Pandey
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Comprehension: Previous year papers and RC passages from GRE/GMAT prep books
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Practice Papers: CSAT Test Series (Vision IAS, GS Score)
A daily 30–45 minute practice routine can help you avoid surprises, especially since UPSC has been increasing the CSAT difficulty in recent years.
Toppers’ Tips on Using These Books
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Don’t buy everything at once – start with NCERTs and one standard book per subject
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Revise frequently – Multiple revisions are more effective than covering 10 different books
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Make concise notes – Prefer handwritten or digital one-pagers for fast revisions
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Use PYQs – Solve at least 10 years of previous question papers to understand UPSC’s trend
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Combine with mock tests – Books give knowledge, but test series gives application
Many toppers recommend making a single source for each subject your main base, and relying on online compilations for monthly updates.
Buying Guide for UPSC Books
You can purchase these books from the following sources:
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Amazon/Flipkart: Offers original editions with fast delivery and combo discounts
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Local Bookstores: Help with comparing editions and budget packs
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Coaching Institutes: Offer printed study material based on these books
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E-book Versions: Available for Polity, History, and Economy books via Kindle or Google Play Books
Ensure you buy the latest edition (2024–25) to stay updated with syllabus changes or factual revisions.
FAQs
Are NCERTs still relevant for UPSC Prelims 2025?
Yes, NCERTs from Class 6 to 12 are essential for History, Geography, Economics, and Science. They form the conceptual base.
Can I clear UPSC Prelims using only these books?
Yes, if studied deeply and revised well. These are the core materials used by most toppers. Combine them with current affairs and mock tests for best results.
How many times should I revise each book?
At least 3–4 times before the exam. The more you revise, the more confident and quick you become during the test.
Should I follow multiple books for each subject?
No. Stick to one core book per subject. Add notes or handouts only if they help with clarity or revision.
When should I start solving previous year papers?
Begin after your first revision. PYQs help understand what UPSC actually asks and how to filter the most relevant content from each book.
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