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www.gradeup.co 1 www.gradeup.co Important Books Sources for UPSC CSE Preparation Let’s have a look at the important books and resources to be used during the UPSC CSE preparation. The guidance given here is on one mantra, ‘The Concise the better!’ Only the minimum essential for building a strong foundation are enlisted. Disclaimer: The booklist includes NCERTs, Standard books, advance books (very selective) and some standard Govt periodicals (again selective)! UPSC IAS Book List for Prelims Stage History of Indian Subcontinent In the Prelim Examination, questions are not asked from World History. Therefore, broadly the History of Indian subcontinent is categorised as: • Ancient India • Medieval India • Modern India • Art and Culture However, for the Main examination, World History is included as an additional component. History: Ancient India • Old NCERT Class XI- Ancient India by RS Sharma • Class XI book of Tamil Nadu Board – This book covers ancient alongside the medieval in a very lucid manner. History: Medieval India • Old NCERT Class XI- Medieval India by Satish Chandra • Class XII book of Tamil Nadu Board – This book covers Freedom Struggle and World History (one can skip world history for Prelim) in a very lucid manner. History: Art and Culture Cost-benefit associated with this subject is low, so it is advisable to be thorough with those topics that have been asked in the previous years. • NCERT Class XI – An Introduction to Indian Art (for basic understanding) • Indian Art & Culture by Nitin Singhania (can be referred for in-depth and additional source, but be watchful for selective reading) 2 www.gradeup.co • CCRT website –Centre for Cultural Resources and Training can also be referred for better understanding Note: It is advisable to read ‘Art and Culture’ after reading the two NCERTs of Ancient and Medieval India (for better understanding). Cover key topics in a thematic manner such as ‘Buddhism, Jainism’, Architecture, Cave, etc., Work on themes, such as ‘Painting, Literature etc.’ History: Modern India • Spectrum Publications ‘A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir’ (Buy the latest edition as it contains some additional material). • New NCERTs Classes VI-XIII • Post-Independence India – Nitin Sangwan Notes Indian Polity and Governance • Class XI- Indian Constitution at Work (for basic understanding, the evolution of Constitution, etc.) • Laxmikant Book, do it thoroughly and that shall suffice! • Integrate with Current Event with conceptual understanding. Keep a tab on the Bills, laws and amendments to the Indian Constitution done in Parliaments while preparing. • Current Affairs: Editorials, PIB and PRS • 2nd ARC Sixth Report – Local Governance (For Main Exam) Economic and Social Development • NCERTs Class IX-XII • Indian Economy by Sanjeev Verma • Current affairs- Editorials, PIBs, etc. • The budget on Economic Survey (summaries) • Online resources such as Arthapedia Geography: India and the World • NCERT Class XI – Fundamentals of Physical Geography • NCERT Class XI – India – Physical Environment • NCERT Class XII – Fundamentals of Human Geography • NCERT Class XII – India – People and Economy • Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong Note: If anyone finds them little difficult to comprehend, then NCERTs concerning Geography can be covered from Class VI onwards. 3 www.gradeup.co • Keep a tab on the current events and do extensive mapwork (World as well as India specific). • Qs that are given after each chapter in the exercise can be attempted for better understanding and clarity of key concepts. Cover detailed solutions of them. Ecology and Environment • Ecology, to a certain extent, is a scientific subject and can be covered well from Science book – Class XII Biology. The last four Chapters (13 to 16) nicely covers the concepts and basic terminologies of Ecology as a subject and the impact of the environment on flora and fauna. General Science and Science and Technology General Science • NCERTs from Class VI-X can be covered diligently for concepts. • For this section, read the science NCERT summary available in the market by various famous coaching institutes. Science and Technology • Requires knowledge that is applied, and hence, Qs are also asked in an application format. • Sources: Current affairs, RSTV Science Monitor, etc. Current events of National and International Importance • Reading newspaper religiously is crucial for wholesome coverage of the current events. Follow either The Hindu or Indian Express. • Apart from newspapers, go through current events compilation (Prelims specific) of various coaching institutes to further supplement the newspaper reading. o Gradeup Weekly Current Affairs o Gradeup Monthly Current Affairs Government Periodicals • India Yearbook – Either read directly from the text or refer to yearbook summary available in the market. Yearbook summary by New Vishal Publication is famous among students. • Yojana and Kurukshetra • Economic Survey • Union Budget document 4
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