Aspirants should always adhere to 

UPSC Syllabus while preparing for the IAS Exam!

IAS aspirants can check the links mentioned below for UPSC preparation:

 UPSC Books
 UPSC CSAT
 Daily News Analysis for UPSC
 UPSC Previous Year Question Paper

 NCERT Books for UPSC

If you are thinking of making a serious attempt at UPSC preparation these UPSC books
should be your first companions. We have listed 10 Must-read books for UPSC Mains &
Prelims and briefly described why we think it is a must-read for UPSC exam.
Also, this article gives a brief idea for IAS Aspirants on how to make maximum use of the
IAS books. The UPSC Exam preparation books listed in the recommended order in which
they should be read once you start your preparation.
Remember: These are the Must-have books for UPSC Exam and are also the Best
books for IAS preparation.
Reading these must-have books will impart IAS Aspirants with enough information
regarding the topics given in the UPSC syllabus for IAS Exam.
Candidates should practice reading and understanding the depth of the topics properly
so that its easier for them to memorize important events, dates, etc.

Important Books
The top 10 must-have books for IAS aspirants preparing for the UPSC Exam are as
follows:

1. India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha

Why you must read it: It is not easy to put a lot of things in context in Indian Politics
without knowing what has been playing out over the years. Most of our history textbooks
stop their chapters after the one on Independence of India.
Guha takes up the story from there and brings it close to modern India we have grown up
in. The book will give you a better understanding of how India has changed since
Independence and some of the big events that shaped today’s India.
How you should read it: It is close to 900 pages in length, so let us not pretend we can
finish it in one sitting. The best approach is to read one chapter a week. This is because
our aim is not to just to read the whole book as fast as possible but to read and then
remember as much of it as possible. There are some tricks to help you remember all that
you learn, as we have seen. What you should do is read one chapter this week and then
read around about the incidents from that chapter. Read Wikipedia, read some blogs
about it, read newspaper articles about it, think about it. Then make a short summary of
the main events/arguments of the chapter from memory. If you want you can send us
your chapter summaries and we will publish the best ones – the best summaries (the
ones that get published – they need to be at least 1/4th of the chapter’s actual length to
be published) will get gift vouchers from Amazon/Flipkart. After this make an outline of
the chapter with only some keywords, this time looking through the actual book. Now get
your study partner (you should have one, if not contact us and we can arrange for one) or
your mentor and explain the chapter to that person – looking only at your key-word notes,
and not at the book itself! Do this for each chapter and you will be the Grand Master of
Modern Indian History within a few months! Of course, if you want you can speed up the
process and make it 1 chapter per 3 days instead of per week – but make sure to engage
with each chapter and make it stick! Supplementary Read: India Since Independence by
Bipan Chandra

2. NCERT books: The Complete Package

Why you must read it: They should form the basics of your preparation. No matter what
coaching you go to or what books you refer to, NCERTs are a must-read for every
aspirant. How to Read NCERTs is a separate article. Read it for a comprehensive
overview of NCERT study Strategy. Point to note: NCERTs should be read in parallel
with the other books we have given here and with the rest of your preparation – do not
think you will finish NCERTs first and then read other things. NCERTs are not enough for
your preparation. Make sure you read the relevant NCERTs when reading the other
books on the list – don’t mix subjects too much in a single day. Give a whole day to
polity, for example.

3. Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

(Must-read book for UPSC – Polity/Laxmikant book for IAS)
Why you must read it: This is one book that is sure to find a place in the IAS aspirants
list of books for the UPSC exam. Polity is a tough subject to get into. Unfortunately,
Laxmikanth won’t make it easier. However, reading through Laxmikanth is the best way
we know to get students attuned to the subject. Laxmikanth alone won’t get you good
marks or teach you how to think about the Indian Polity, but if you allocate 3 weeks to
Laxmikanth and just finish the book off, you can be confident that at least whatever you
read in Polity will make some sense to you.
That is why all IAS Aspirants should read this book very early during preparation. It is one
of the best books to prepare for IAS exam.
How you should read it:
Step-by-step:
1. First Reading: IAS Aspirants should not make a complete mess of the book by
underlining all over the place. Most things in the book should be new to you, so in
the first read do not try to make notes. Just underline or highlight everything you
think you are not familiar with or you might forget. This might take you 2-3 weeks.
2. Second Reading: Wait for a week before you go for a second reading. Just go
through the parts you highlighted and see if you are able to recollect things. Go to
our practice tests and test your knowledge. Mark in a different colour anything
that looks like complete greek to you now! Google things you forgot to see if
better explanations are there. Make short notes on those things and stick them to
the relevant pages.
3. Third Reading: Do this immediately after Second Round. This time read from
cover to cover again. If possible get a fresh book to read from. Make chapter
summaries of each chapter. (Send them to us and if we publish you can buy your
fresh book with the gift voucher!!) make sure chapter summaries include better
explanations you found on the web or in the NCERTs.
4. Make skeleton notes with only key terms for each chapter too. Go for a walk and
try to see if you remember what everything means. Now call your mentor or study
partner and try to explain each chapter to them, looking only at your skeleton
notes! Ask them to bow to the new Grand Master of Polity!

4. Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh

Why you must read it: Again, not a great book by any shot but it is the most
comprehensive in the market. Our tablet students can skip it altogether if they want, but it
is advised that you approach Ramesh Singh in the same manner as Laxmikanth above.
— SEE ABOVE — This should be the fourth book you read. Aim to finish this too at the
earliest so that newspapers will start making good sense.
What you should focus on: One big difference is that here the skeleton notes are
already provided for you – the Table of Contents of Ramesh Singh is phenomenal – it is
comprehensive and covers everything. If you want to look at only the Table of Contents,
have a look here for a downloadable version. It is in a poster format. Download it, print it
and stick it up! The ToC is more useful than the book – use it for constant revision once
you have read the book at least once. Make sure you get the latest edition. Again, send
us chapter summaries to win gift vouchers you can use to purchase new editions, etc.

5. Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu

Why you must read it: Once you have the basics of modern history, economy and polity
in hand, it is time to go a bit deeper. You can do this by choosing DD Basu. Here things
covered in a shallow manner in Laxmikanth is given in more detail. Reading this book will
teach you how to think about some of the important constitutional issues and how the
constitution itself took shape.
How you should read it: Do not go for a very exhaustive reading here. The focus should
be on understanding well. Hence skip directly to making skeleton notes of key points and
then explaining to mentor/study partner. Get feedback on how much sense your
explanation is making. Start writing mains level questions in our answer practice session.
Again, if you want you can make and send us chapter summaries. We will publish them
and reward the best ones.

6. India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra

Why you must read it: Except for a few books such as the Spectrum books civil
services, this is the most structured book on Modern Indian History you can read. Some
blogs will ask you to read Spectrum book for IAS but do not do it unless you have no time
at all and just want to know the events. BC is essential if you want to learn how things
turned out the way they did and able to write informed and well-argued answers to UPSC
level questions. That is why this book is always on the list of must-read books for UPSC
exam preparation.
What you should focus on: Instead of focusing on dates and names, focus on causes
and effects and the various explanations for various events. You should be able to
explain why any particular event took place in a very simple and concise manner. You
should be able to talk about various theories/explanations for the various big events. You
should be able to remember and list of the details of certain bills, provisions,
proclamations, etc – such as the 1935 act, for example.
How you should read it:
1. Go decade by decade. Read the relevant chapters for each decade and then list
out all the big events of that decade.
2. Try to draw out connections between all the big events and write them down.
Also, check for connections from the previous decade or earlier.
3. Summarize the entire decade in a nice story like manner, but including details.
Try to teach your study partner/mentor and send to us for publishing + feedback.
4. After you finish, start writing essays on each big event.
5. Attempt UPSC level questions and get feedback at our Answer Writing Practice
section.

7. 2nd ARC Reports

Why you must read it: The best way to get deep into the policymaking world. You
understand most of the basic concepts now. Time to start thinking about how to change
the country. 2nd ARC had thought a lot about it. Go check out what they thought and
improve upon them!
What you should focus on: Primarily on the big challenges in each paper. And chapter
level recommendations.
How you should read it:
1. Skim each chapter and try to understand what issues are being discussed
2. Try to come up with your own recommendations after you understand the
chapter’s concerns
3. Read the recommendations – summarize them. Try to make a single statement
or two/three which captures the spirit of the recommendations.
4. Do this for each chapter in each report
5. Summarize entire report in less than 1000 pages after finishing a report. Do not
look at the report – look only at your skeleton notes

Read about ARC reports in the linked article.

8. The Wonder That Was India by AL Basham

Why you must read it: There is not much ROI in reading about ancient history. This
book, on the other hand, is an easy-to-read classic. It will make you proud to be an
Indian. How you should read it:
1. Also, buy spectrum culture book and keep it nearby
 2. Go through spectrum book and mark out the “syllabus areas” and identify where
they are covered in AL Basham.
3. Focus on the major arts and cultural aspects. Make notes on important items
(identified from the spectrum)
4. Whenever you reach a topic mentioned in the spectrum as well, make good notes
– both from Basham and from Spectrum!
5. Again, send summaries/teach, etc.
6. Try to draw and practice some simple diagrams of things like gopurams, etc.

9. Majid Hussain – Indian Geography

Why you must read it: More organized than NCERT. Quick Read.
How you should read it: Make detailed notes of all concepts. Make skeleton notes,
teach, etc. as above. Practice all the important diagrams. We will be giving you a list of
important diagrams to practice for UPSC geography. Practice actual questions. Go
through the optional syllabus as well, once. Use google to fill some of those also into your
notes. You can send us chapter summaries to get feedback. You can get feedback on
your answers over at the answer writing practice section.

10. IGNOU Material on Disaster Management

Why you must read it: It is comprehensive and covers most of the required fields if you
read with ARC on the same topic. Free marks if you study it well! Questions do not
change in this section much over the years. So good ROI Process: follow similar study
processes.

Bonus: I C Dhingra & Uma Kapila

Why you must read it: We are cheating here a bit. These are two extra books, either
should be enough. Ramesh Singh will tell you the important topics, but these two books
can give you an understanding of how the economy has changed or evolved over time.
Uma Kapila is better researched and more scholarly, Dhingra is easier to read and
specifically exam-oriented. It is your call which you read.
How you should read it:
1. Understand each concept as it is introduced, and in a decade by decade manner
2. List out major reforms as and when discussed: Summarize the need for the
reform and the effects of the reform.
3. Make a list of important events, concepts and reform ideas
4. Explain each via short notes or chapter summaries or by talking to your
mentor/study partner
 5. Connect concepts to things you read in the newspaper, discuss with your
parents, uncles etc if they lived through those reforms and what were the
newspaper headlines back then, etc.
6. Get extra familiar with all this weird alien stuff!
7. Share your chapter summaries and explanations and get feedback from us or
mentor/study partner.
8. Start giving your Grand Master level opinion pieces on current events such as
RBI sticking to the status quo in this MP reviews.
9. You can share your opinions on each day’s comprehensive news analysis
sections. Best opinion pieces on important policy measures will be published and
rewarded with gift vouchers!

Well, that is it. 10 books you should not miss out on once you start your preparation! If
you follow the methods given here properly and understand each book well (without
neglecting newspapers, of course!), you would be well on your way to mains, interviews
and beyond! Get reading!

IAS exam-related queries

How to prepare for UPSC Exam?
All IAS Aspirants should understand the UPSC Exam Syllabus in the first place. The next
step is to read the NCERT Books from class 6 to class 12 to build a strong foundation in
the subjects. Make short notes from the NCERT books which will be of help during
revision.
Subsequently, the IAS Aspirants should prepare a list of standard books required to
cover the General Studies syllabus for Prelims as well as Mains and cover the syllabus
holistically.
Make revision a ritual. Without regular revision, one cannot crack this examination.
Stick to your booklist and time table. Do not change either your preparation strategy or
book list frequently. Doing so will only derail you from making progress.
The UPSC Syllabus is indicative. Stick to the syllabus while preparing for the exam. All
the questions in the exam will be well within the framework of the syllabus.
For more such tips, read UPSC Preparation Strategy.
For latest details on UPSC 2022, refer to the linked article.
How to choose an optional subject for UPSC Exam?
Interest in a subject is the most important factor for choosing an optional for UPSC
Mains. However, a few other factors do play a role in determining the rate of success.
Here is a checklist for all IAS Aspirants to go through before choosing an optional
subject.

 Is the study material easily available in the market?

 Can the entire syllabus be completed before the exam?
 Are coaching and test series available for that particular optional?
 You can choose one optional that fulfils the above-mentioned criteria from
the List of Optional Subjects for UPSC Mains.

Are NCERT books important for UPSC Exam Preparation?

NCERT books are indispensable for IAS Exam preparation. For IAS Aspirants, they
provide a solid foundation during the preparation.
Hence it is important to go through all the NCERT books and keep short notes from
NCERT books handy for revision. For crisp and concise notes on NCERT Books, refer
to NCERT Notes.
Which are the top magazines one should follow for IAS Exam?
Monthly magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra are widely followed by the aspirants
for Civil Services Exam Preparation.
From previous year question papers, it is safe to infer that a few of the questions
appearing in the Prelims exam are directly picked up from these magazines.
In addition, fodder points for mains answer writing can be gathered from these
magazines. For a summary of the articles refer to :

 Gist of Yojana
 Gist of Kurukshetra.

How to cover daily current affairs for UPSC Exam?

News Paper is the Bible for UPSC Exam preparation. An aspirant has to cover the
newspaper thoroughly on a daily basis in order to stay up to date with the Current Affairs.
For relevant information on various issues, IAS aspirants should keep a track of The
Hindu Video Analysis
How to choose UPSC related articles from PIB website?
UPSC aspirants must selectively read from PIB articles and make crisp notes for
revision. Only those articles that are relevant for the examination have to be selected for
reading.
To save time, you can go through BYJU’s PIB summary and analysis. Find the daily
compilation of PIB articles and analysis at Best of PIB.

UPSC Preparation Articles:

IAS Topper UPSC Current Affairs

UPSC Admit Card UPSC Prelims

UPSC 2022 Calendar UPSC Notes

IAS Interview Questions

The UPSC interview questions test the candidates’ mental acuity, general awareness,
social etiquette, and overall personality. The questions in the IAS interview are not meant
to solely ascertain the theoretical knowledge so instead of mugging up, candidates
should focus on their soft skills.
The IAS interview questions faced by Civil Service aspirants follow a similar pattern. Let’s
look at a few of the broad categories of questions in the IAS interview and how
candidates can prepare for them.
IAS interview question on Introduction
1. Tell us briefly about yourself.
2. Tell us about your hometown.
3. What is the meaning of your name (first name/ surname)
4. Tell us about your family
To answers questions related to self-introduction in the IAS interview, which are open-
ended and straightforward, aspirants should prepare 30-40 second coherent responses.
These questions are merely setting a baseline i.e. the eminent UPSC board will use the
information you give to ask follow-up questions.
IAS interview questions on Education
1. Which subjects did you study during school/graduation and do you think they are
relevant to life in administration?
2. Which subject was your favourite/least favourite?
3. Why did you choose ‘xyz’ college/school?
4. What kind of projects did you do during school/graduation/PG?
5. Would you call yourself an average student? Why?

The basic educational qualification for the UPSC CSE exam is graduation. The questions
in the IAS interview may be oriented towards your graduation subject or the latest trends
in the same. However, if you don’t know the answer to a particular question then trying to
bluff your way out is not advised. It’s better to be humble and truthful.
IAS Interview questions on Current Affairs
1. What are today’s headlines?
2. Few important issues in news about India/your state/your hometown in the last
few months

Reading newspapers and following the daily news is important from the UPSC IAS
Interview perspective as well. The IAS interview questions can refer to the latest news
topics. Try to avoid giving one-dimensional opinion/information unless the question is
relatively straightforward. (for e.g., What does the term ‘Petrodollars’ mean?)
To know more about the Current Affairs related information, refer to the linked article.
IAS interview questions on Work profile
1. What were your roles and responsibilities at your job?
2. Why do you want to become an IAS/IPS/IFS officer?

Be prepared to answer questions about any gaps in your work history and how your
previous experience is going to help in your career as an administrator.
IAS interview questions on Optional Subject
1. Why did you choose ‘xyz’ optional?
2. Why didn’t you pick your graduation subject as your optional?

Also, you might face some questions in IAS interview related to

topics/theory/contemporary issues based on your optional subject.
IAS interview questions on Hobbies
Here, the nature of questions varies depending on the hobbies you have listed in your
DAF. For those who have listed sports as a hobby, the Panel has asked questions on
famous sports persons or/and latest results. A few candidates have also been asked to
sing during the interview process.

IAS Interview Preparation Strategy

 Keep following current affairs
 Prepare a list of possible questions that can be asked based on your DAF
 Practice answering questions in front of a mirror
  If possible, record yourself as you answer questions during the practice session
 Brush up your knowledge on your graduation subject

The purpose of the questions in the IAS interview is to check a candidate’s suitability to
live in administration. It is not at all mandatory that one has to answer all the questions to
get good marks in the UPSC Personality Test. Often, it is not about whether you know
the precise answer to the question but how you actually come across as an individual
when put under some pressure.
Few key points to avoid in an IAS interview

 Don’t stress out on the day before the Interview. Better be rested and calm.
 Don’t try to bluff your way out. The IAS interview is unlike any other interview you
have encountered before, so don’t try bluffing strategies.
 Don’t be concerned about theoretical questions. It is more about how you
approach any question which is being asked to you.
 Don’t argue with the panel members. It is a discussion but candidates should
maintain decorum at all times.

Candidates willing to sit for the upcoming examination can get details of UPSC Online in
the linked article.
Related Links