Books for ias Exam 2024

Books for IAS Exam 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

1. General Studies (GS) Papers

1.1 GS Paper 1: Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society

1.1.1 History

• Ancient India:
  • NCERT Class 11: “Ancient India” by R.S. Sharma
  • NCERT Class 12: “Medieval India” by Satish Chandra
  • Old NCERT: “History of Medieval India” by Satish Chandra
  • Spectrum’s “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra: Covers the modern Indian history from 18th century to independence.
  • “India’s Ancient Past” by R.S. Sharma: Provides a detailed account of ancient Indian history.
  • “A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India” by Upinder Singh: Offers a comprehensive overview of ancient and early medieval India.
• Medieval India:
  • NCERT Class 12: “Medieval India” by Satish Chandra
  • Old NCERT: “History of Medieval India” by Satish Chandra
  • “The Mughal Empire” by John F. Richards: Provides a detailed account of the Mughal Empire.
  • “A History of Medieval India” by Romila Thapar: Offers a comprehensive overview of medieval India.
• Modern India:
  • NCERT Class 12: “Modern India” by Bipin Chandra
  • Spectrum’s “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra: Covers the modern Indian history from 18th century to independence.
  • “India After Gandhi” by Ramachandra Guha: Provides a comprehensive account of post-independence India.
  • “The Discovery of India” by Jawaharlal Nehru: Offers insights into India’s history and culture.

1.1.2 Geography

• NCERT Class 11: “Fundamentals of Physical Geography” and “India: Physical Environment”
• NCERT Class 12: “India: People and Economy” and “Human Geography”
• “Geography of India” by Majid Husain: Provides a comprehensive overview of Indian geography.
• “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” by Goh Cheng Leong: Covers the fundamentals of physical and human geography.
• “Oxford Student Atlas for India” by Oxford University Press: Offers detailed maps and geographical information.

1.1.3 Art and Culture

• NCERT Class 11: “Fine Arts”
• NCERT Class 12: “Understanding Indian Art”
• “Indian Art and Culture” by Nitin Singhania: Provides a comprehensive overview of Indian art and culture.
• “The Wonder That Was India” by A.L. Basham: Offers insights into ancient Indian art, culture, and civilization.
• “The Heritage of India” by C. Sivaramamurti: Provides a detailed account of Indian heritage.

1.1.4 Society

• NCERT Class 12: “Indian Society”
• “Social Problems in India” by Ram Ahuja: Provides a comprehensive overview of social problems in India.
• “Sociology” by M.N. Srinivas: Offers insights into Indian society and social structures.
• “The Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh: Covers the social and economic aspects of Indian society.

1.2 GS Paper 2: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

1.2.1 Polity and Governance

• NCERT Class 11: “Political Science”
• NCERT Class 12: “Politics in India since Independence”
• “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth: Provides a comprehensive overview of the Indian Constitution, political system, and governance.
• “Introduction to the Constitution of India” by D.D. Basu: Offers a detailed analysis of the Indian Constitution.
• “Governance in India” by Ramesh Arora: Covers the various aspects of governance in India.

1.2.2 Social Justice

• NCERT Class 12: “Indian Society”
• “Social Problems in India” by Ram Ahuja: Provides a comprehensive overview of social problems in India.
• “Sociology” by M.N. Srinivas: Offers insights into Indian society and social structures.
• “The Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh: Covers the social and economic aspects of Indian society.
• “The Right to Education Act, 2009” by Ministry of Human Resource Development: Provides a detailed analysis of the Right to Education Act.

1.2.3 International Relations

• NCERT Class 12: “Contemporary World Politics”
• “India’s Foreign Policy” by C. Raja Mohan: Provides a comprehensive overview of India’s foreign policy.
• “International Relations” by Joshua S. Goldstein: Covers the fundamentals of international relations.
• “The World Today” by David Held: Offers insights into contemporary global issues.
• “India’s Strategic Relations” by Brahma Chellaney: Provides an analysis of India’s strategic relations with other countries.

1.3 GS Paper 3: Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

1.3.1 Economy

• NCERT Class 11: “Indian Economic Development”
• NCERT Class 12: “Macroeconomics” and “Indian Economy”
• “The Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh: Provides a comprehensive overview of the Indian economy.
• “Economic Survey of India” by Ministry of Finance: Offers an annual analysis of the Indian economy.
• “India’s Economic Reforms” by Isher Ahluwalia: Provides insights into India’s economic reforms.

1.3.2 Environment and Ecology

• NCERT Class 12: “Biology”
• “Environment and Ecology” by P.D. Sharma: Provides a comprehensive overview of environment and ecology.
• “India’s Biodiversity” by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Offers insights into India’s biodiversity.
• “Climate Change and India” by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Provides an analysis of climate change and its impact on India.
• “The Economics of Climate Change” by Nicholas Stern: Covers the economic aspects of climate change.

1.3.3 Science and Technology

• NCERT Class 12: “Physics”, “Chemistry”, and “Biology”
• “Science Reporter” by National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources: Provides updates on scientific research and developments.
• “India’s Space Programme” by ISRO: Offers insights into India’s space program.
• “The Future of Technology” by Kevin Kelly: Covers the latest trends in technology.
• “The Singularity Is Near” by Ray Kurzweil: Provides a vision of the future of technology and artificial intelligence.

1.3.4 Security and Disaster Management

• “Internal Security of India” by Ashok Kumar: Provides a comprehensive overview of internal security challenges in India.
• “Disaster Management in India” by Ministry of Home Affairs: Offers insights into disaster management in India.
• “The Handbook of Disaster Risk Reduction” by United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction: Covers the fundamentals of disaster risk reduction.
• “The World at Risk” by World Bank: Provides an analysis of global disaster risks.
• “The Future of Warfare” by P.W. Singer: Covers the changing nature of warfare and security threats.

1.4 GS Paper 4: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

• “Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Examination” by Lexicon Publications: Provides a comprehensive overview of ethics, integrity, and aptitude.
• “Ethics in Governance” by Rajeev Bhargava: Offers insights into ethical principles in governance.
• “The Bhagavad Gita” by S. Radhakrishnan: Provides a philosophical framework for ethical conduct.
• “The Nicomachean Ethics” by Aristotle: Covers the fundamentals of ethics and virtue.
• “The Prince” by Niccolò Machiavelli: Offers insights into political ethics and power.

2. Optional Subjects

2.1 Choosing an Optional Subject

• Interest and Aptitude: Choose a subject you are passionate about and have a strong aptitude for.
• Syllabus Coverage: Ensure the syllabus aligns with your interests and strengths.
• Availability of Resources: Check for availability of good books, coaching classes, and study materials.
• Previous Year Papers: Analyze previous year papers to understand the pattern and difficulty level.

2.2 Popular Optional Subjects

• Public Administration:
  • “Indian Administration” by M. Laxmikanth: Provides a comprehensive overview of Indian administration.
  • “New Horizons of Public Administration” by Mohit Bhattacharya: Offers insights into contemporary issues in public administration.
  • “Public Administration” by Ramesh K. Arora: Covers the fundamentals of public administration.
• Sociology:
  • “Sociology” by M.N. Srinivas: Provides a comprehensive overview of sociology.
  • “Social Problems in India” by Ram Ahuja: Covers the major social problems in India.
  • “Indian Society” by NCERT Class 12: Offers insights into Indian society and social structures.
• Geography:
  • “Geography of India” by Majid Husain: Provides a comprehensive overview of Indian geography.
  • “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” by Goh Cheng Leong: Covers the fundamentals of physical and human geography.
  • “Oxford Student Atlas for India” by Oxford University Press: Offers detailed maps and geographical information.
• History:
  • NCERT Class 11 and 12 History Books: Provide a strong foundation in Indian history.
  • “Spectrum’s “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra: Covers the modern Indian history from 18th century to independence.
  • “India’s Ancient Past” by R.S. Sharma: Provides a detailed account of ancient Indian history.
• Political Science:
  • “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth: Provides a comprehensive overview of the Indian Constitution, political system, and governance.
  • “Introduction to the Constitution of India” by D.D. Basu: Offers a detailed analysis of the Indian Constitution.
  • “Politics in India since Independence” by NCERT Class 12: Covers the political developments in India after independence.
• Economics:
  • “The Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh: Provides a comprehensive overview of the Indian economy.
  • “Economic Survey of India” by Ministry of Finance: Offers an annual analysis of the Indian economy.
  • “India’s Economic Reforms” by Isher Ahluwalia: Provides insights into India’s economic reforms.
• Literature:
  • “The Norton Anthology of English Literature” by W.W. Norton & Company: Provides a comprehensive overview of English literature.
  • “The Penguin Anthology of Indian English Literature” by Penguin Books India: Offers a selection of Indian English literature.
  • “The Oxford Book of Modern Indian Short Stories” by Oxford University Press: Provides a collection of modern Indian short stories.

3. Additional Resources

3.1 Online Resources

• Websites:
  • UPSC Official Website: Provides official notifications, syllabus, and exam pattern.
  • Insights on India: Offers daily current affairs analysis, quizzes, and study materials.
  • IASbaba: Provides comprehensive study materials, mock tests, and current affairs analysis.
  • Mrunal.org: Offers detailed explanations of concepts, current affairs analysis, and study materials.
  • Khan Academy: Provides free online courses on various subjects, including history, geography, and economics.
• Mobile Apps:
  • InsightsIAS: Offers daily current affairs analysis, quizzes, and study materials.
  • IASbaba: Provides comprehensive study materials, mock tests, and current affairs analysis.
  • Mrunal.org: Offers detailed explanations of concepts, current affairs analysis, and study materials.
  • Khan Academy: Provides free online courses on various subjects, including history, geography, and economics.

3.2 Coaching Classes

• Vajiram & Ravi: Offers comprehensive coaching for IAS exam preparation.
• Chanakya IAS Academy: Provides specialized coaching for various optional subjects.
• Sriram IAS: Offers coaching for GS papers and optional subjects.
• Rau’s IAS Study Circle: Provides coaching for GS papers and optional subjects.
• K.R.R. IAS Academy: Offers coaching for GS papers and optional subjects.

3.3 Test Series

• InsightsIAS: Offers comprehensive test series for GS papers and optional subjects.
• IASbaba: Provides mock tests for GS papers and optional subjects.
• Mrunal.org: Offers test series for GS papers and optional subjects.
• Vision IAS: Provides comprehensive test series for GS papers and optional subjects.
• Drishti IAS: Offers mock tests for GS papers and optional subjects.

4. Time Management and Study Plan

4.1 Time Management

• Create a Realistic Schedule: Allocate sufficient time for each subject and topic.
• Prioritize Subjects: Focus on your strong subjects first and then gradually move towards weaker ones.
• Regular Revision: Regularly revise the completed syllabus to retain information.
• Take Breaks: Take short breaks to avoid burnout and maintain focus.
• Stay Healthy: Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.

4.2 Study Plan

• Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly understand the syllabus and exam pattern.
• NCERT Books: Start with NCERT books for a strong foundation in all subjects.
• Standard Textbooks: Refer to standard textbooks for in-depth knowledge.
• Current Affairs: Stay updated with current affairs through newspapers, magazines, and online resources.
• Mock Tests: Regularly take mock tests to assess your preparation level and identify areas for improvement.

5. Tips for Success

• Stay Focused and Disciplined: Maintain a consistent study routine and avoid distractions.
• Develop a Positive Mindset: Believe in yourself and your ability to succeed.
• Seek Guidance: Consult with experienced mentors or coaching classes for guidance and support.
• Stay Updated: Keep yourself updated with current affairs and latest developments.
• Practice Regularly: Regularly practice answer writing and mock tests to improve your exam performance.

6. Table of Recommended Books

Subject	Book	Author	Publisher
Indian Polity	Indian Polity	M. Laxmikanth	McGraw Hill Education
Indian Economy	The Indian Economy	Ramesh Singh	McGraw Hill Education
History	India’s Struggle for Independence	Bipan Chandra	Penguin Random House
Geography	Geography of India	Majid Husain	Tata McGraw Hill Education
Environment and Ecology	Environment and Ecology	P.D. Sharma	Rastogi Publications
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude	Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Examination	Lexicon Publications	Lexicon Publications

7. Table of Popular Optional Subjects

Subject	Recommended Books
Public Administration	Indian Administration by M. Laxmikanth, New Horizons of Public Administration by Mohit Bhattacharya, Public Administration by Ramesh K. Arora
Sociology	Sociology by M.N. Srinivas, Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja, Indian Society by NCERT Class 12
Geography	Geography of India by Majid Husain, Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong, Oxford Student Atlas for India by Oxford University Press
History	NCERT Class 11 and 12 History Books, Spectrum’s “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra, India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma
Political Science	Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu, Politics in India since Independence by NCERT Class 12
Economics	The Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh, Economic Survey of India by Ministry of Finance, India’s Economic Reforms by Isher Ahluwalia
Literature	The Norton Anthology of English Literature by W.W. Norton & Company, The Penguin Anthology of Indian English Literature by Penguin Books India, The Oxford Book of Modern Indian Short Stories by Oxford University Press

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Short Answers:

1. What are the best books for the IAS exam?

• There is no single “best” book, but a combination of NCERT textbooks, standard reference books, and current affairs resources is essential.

2. How many books should I refer to for each subject?

• Focus on a few key books for each subject, rather than trying to cover everything.

3. Should I refer to old NCERT books or new ones?

• Both old and new NCERT books are valuable, but new ones are generally preferred for updated information.

4. Which optional subject should I choose?

• Choose a subject you are passionate about and have a strong aptitude for.

5. How do I stay updated with current affairs?

• Read newspapers, magazines, and online resources regularly.

6. How important are mock tests?

• Mock tests are crucial for assessing your preparation level and identifying areas for improvement.

7. How do I manage time effectively?

• Create a realistic schedule, prioritize subjects, and take regular breaks.

8. What are some tips for success in the IAS exam?

• Stay focused, disciplined, and positive. Seek guidance, stay updated, and practice regularly.

9. Are coaching classes necessary?

• Coaching classes can be helpful, but they are not mandatory.

10. What is the best way to prepare for the interview?

• Focus on current affairs, your optional subject, and your personality.

11. How do I deal with exam stress?

• Practice relaxation techniques, get enough sleep, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

12. What are the latest changes in the IAS exam pattern?

• Refer to the official UPSC website for the latest exam pattern and syllabus.

13. How can I improve my answer writing skills?

• Practice writing answers regularly, get feedback from mentors, and focus on clarity, structure, and relevance.

14. What is the role of ethics and integrity in the IAS exam?

• Ethics and integrity are crucial for civil servants, and the exam assesses your understanding and application of these principles.

15. How do I prepare for the essay paper?

• Practice writing essays on various topics, focus on clarity, structure, and originality.

16. What are the best resources for current affairs?

• Newspapers like The Hindu and Indian Express, magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra, and online platforms like Insights on India and IASbaba.

17. How do I choose the right study materials?

• Refer to recommendations from toppers, coaching classes, and online forums.

18. What is the importance of understanding the syllabus?

• A thorough understanding of the syllabus is essential for focusing your preparation and avoiding unnecessary topics.

19. How do I stay motivated throughout the preparation process?

• Set realistic goals, celebrate milestones, and remind yourself of your passion for public service.

20. What are the key factors for success in the IAS exam?

• Hard work, dedication, smart study strategies, and a positive mindset.