General Studies Booklist for UPSC IAS
Recommended Books for UPSC General Studies
The Foundation and the First Line of reading while preparing for the Preliminary Test and Main Examination is the 18 Volumes of ‘Yellow Books’ on General Studies and the Monthly Current Affairs Digest published by Vajiram& Ravi. Apart from these Volumes, the aspirants should study the following books:
History
Basic Books:
- NIOS course books for classes XI and XII on – Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India, National Movement & Contemporary World and Culture of India. (All these are available in PDF format on internet)
Advance Level Books:
- India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma published by Oxford University Press (Amazon Link )
- A History of Ancient & Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh (Amazon Link )
- History of Medieval India (800–1700 AD) by Satish Chandra published by Orient Longman (Amazon Link ) ( Buy Full Set of 3 Books )
- History of Modern India by Bipin Chandra (2009 Edition) (Amazon Link ) ( Buy Full Set of 3 Books )
- India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra & Others (Amazon Link )
- India After Independence (1947 – 2000) by Bipin Chandra & Others (Amazon Link )
- From Plassey To Partition And After by SekharBandopadhyaya (Amazon Link )
World History:
- The Story of Civilization, Part 2 by Arjun Dev, NCERT
- Contemporary World History for class XII (Old NCERT Book) (Amazon Link )
- Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe (Amazon Link )
Geography
- Certificate Physical & Human Geography (Oxford) by Goh Cheng Leong (Amazon Link )
- NCERTs (New Editions)
- School Atlas – Orient Black Swan (Amazon Link )
- Indian Geography by D. R. Khullar (Amazon Link )
Social Issues
- XI Standard NCERT on Indian Society (Chapters on Unity & Diversity and Population Issues) (Amazon Link )
- XII Standard NCERT (Chapters on Communalism, Secularism and Urban Issues such as Poverty, Housing, etc.) (Amazon Link )
- The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper
Indian Polity
- Constitution of India at Work (Class XI) NCERT Publication (Amazon Link )
- Indian Polity by Laxmikant (Amazon Link )
- The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper
- Yojana Magazine
Governance Issues
- From Government to Governance by KuldeepMathur (Amazon Link )
- Ethics in Governance, ARC Report (Amazon Link )
- Citizen Centric Administration (Chapters 2, 5, 6, 7 & 8 only and box items in the report)
Developmental Issues
- Human Development Report & World Development Report (Amazon Link )
- Panchayati Raj in India by KuldeepMathur (Amazon Link )
- The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper
- Kurukshetra&Yojana Magazines
International Relations
- India’s Foreign Policy Since Independence by V.P. Dutt (Amazon Link 1 ) ( Amazon Link 2)
- The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper
Indian Economy
- Indian Economic Development XI Standard NCERT (Amazon Link )
- Indian Economy by SanjivVerma (Amazon Link )
- Introductory Macro Economics XII Standard NCERT (Ignore all diagrams & mathematical formulas) (Amazon Link )
- The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper
- Economics Dictionary published by Collins & Penguin (Amazon Link )
- Economic Survey 2017 – 18 & 2018 – 19 (to be out in Feb 2019, only recommended chapters)
Ecology & Environment
- Certificate Physical & Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong (Second Half of the Book) (Amazon Link )
- XII Standard NCERT Book on Biology (Chapters pertaining to Ecology) (Amazon Link )
- India Year Book (Chapters on Environment)
- Chapter on Climate Change from Economic Survey
- The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper
Security Issues
- India’s Security in a Turbulent World by Jasjit Singh, published by National Book Trust of India (Amazon Link )
- The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper
Science & Technology
- VIII, IX, X Standard NCERT books on Biology
- The Hindu or Indian Express Newspaper
- Monthly Magazine ‘Science Reporter for Science & Technology’
Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude
- Ethics in Governance, ARC Report (Amazon Link )
- Lexicon by Chronicle Publications (Amazon Link )
- The Book on Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude published by Access Publication (Amazon Link )
Current Affairs
- Monthly Current Affairs Digest published by Vajiram and Ravi
https://www.vajiramandravi.com/current-affair-material.php - Daily Current Affairs Update and MCQs by Vajiram& Ravi
website: https://vajiramias.com/
app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vajiramandravi.iasprep - Vajiram’s Student Portal
Public Administration Optional Booklist for UPSC IAS
Chapter-I: Introduction Mohit Bhattacharya: New Horizons of Public Administration Nicholas Henry : Public Administration and Public Affairs Special Issues of Indian Journal of Public Administration ( Amazon Link )
Chapter-II: Theories of Administration D. Ravindra Prasad, V.S. Prasad and P. Satyanarayana : Administrative Thinkers D. GvishianiOrganisation and Management: A Critique of Western Theories.
Chapter-III: Structure of Public Organisations : R.K. Jain : Public Sector Undertakings; and Mohit Bhattacharya : New Horizons of Public Administration
Chapter-IV: Administrative Behaviour Paul Hersey :OrganisationalBehaviour OR Stephen P. Robbin : OrganisationalBehaviour
Chapter-V: Accountability and Control: MohitBhattacharya : New Horizons of Public Administration Special Issues of Indian Journal of Public Administration on Accountability
Chapter-VI: Administrative Law: Massey :Administrative Law OR M.P. Jain :Administrative Law
Chapter-VII: Administrative Reforms: P.R. Dubbashi : Administrative Reforms G.E. Gaiden :Administrative Reforms
Chapter-VIII: Comparative Public Administration: FerrelHeady : Public Administration-A Comparative Perspective OR R.K. Arora : Comparative Public Administration
Chapter-IX: Development Administration: FerrelHeady : Public Administration – A Comparative Perspective OR R.K. Arora : Comparative Public Administration
Chapter-X: Public Policy : IGNOU Lessons on Public Policy R. K. Sapra : Public Policy
Chapter-XI: Personnel Administration: O Glenn :Stahl : Public Personnel Administration S. L. Goel : Personnel Administration in India.
Chapter-XII: Financial Administration M. J. K. Thavaraj :Public Financial Administration OR G.S. Lal :Financial Administration in India IGNOU Lessons on Financial Administration
PAPER II Indian Administration
Chapter-I: Evolution of Indian Administration B.N. Puri Administrative History of India (Vol. I, II and III)
Chapter-II: Constitutional Framework D. D. BasuAn Introduction to the Constitution of India
Chapter-III: Union Government and Administration A. Avasthi Central Administration
Chapter-IV: State Government and Administration J.D. Shukla State Administration
Chapter-V: District Administration T.N. Chaturvedi District Administration; and Special Issue of Indian Journal of Public Administration on District Administration
Chapter-VI: Local Government S.R. Maheswari Local Government in India
Chapter-VII: Public Sector in India R. K. Jain Public Sector Undertakings Annual Survey on Public Sector of Department of Public Enterprises
Chapter-VIII: Public Services S.L. Goel Personnel Administration in India
Chapter-IX: Control of Public Expenditure M. J. K. Thavaraj Financial Administration IGNOU Lessons on Financial Administration
Chapter-X: Administrative Reforms P.R. Dubbashi Administrative Reforms S. R. Maheswari Administrative Reforms Special Issue of Indian Journal of Public Administration on Administrative Reforms
Chapter-XI: Machinery for Planning A. Avasthi Central Administration
Chapter-XII: Administration of Law and Order K. K. Sharma Law and Order Administration in India K. J. Guha Roy, District Policing
Chapter-XIII: Welfare Administration Annual Reports of Department of Social Welfare
Chapter-XIV: Major Issues in Indian Administration Special Issue of Indian Journal Public Administration on Indian Administration, Retrospect and Prospect and on Good Governance.
Sociology Books for UPSC
PAPER I
- Herton and Hunt, Sociology
- Mcgraw- Hill International, Singapore 1984
- Abrahamson Mark, Urban Sociology
- Prentice-Hall Inc, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1980
- Haris C. C., The Sociology Enterprises : A Disscussion of Fundamental Concept
- Martin Press Inc., New York, 1980
- Wilson John, Introduction to Social Movements
- Hamilton , Malcom, B. The Sociology of Religion
- Williams, Malcom, Science and Social Science : An Introduction
- K.S. Roy, Social Development and the Empowerment of Mariginalised Groups: Perspectives and Strategies
- Harris C.C., The Family
- Allen and Unwin, London – 1977
- Andreas Hess, Concept of Social Stratification, European and American Models
- Palgrave, Houndmills, NY , 2001
- Giddens, Anthony, Capitalisation and Modern Social Theory
- University Press Cambridge, 1971
- Smelser, N.J.The Sociology of Economic Life
- Prentice Hall, New Delhi – 1988
- Haralombos, M, and Heald, R,M. Sociology : Themes and Perspectives
- Randall Collins, Theoretical Sociology
- Harcourt Brace and Company, Florida, 1996
- T.B. Sociology : A GFuide of problem and Literature
- Allen and Unwin, London – 1972
- Etzioni, Amitali, Modern Organization
- Cuff, Sharrock, and Francis, Perrspective in Sociology
PAPER II
- Mandelbaum, David, Society in India
- Srinivas M N Caste in Modern India and Other Essays
- Asia Publishing House, Bombay -1962
- Srinivas M N Social Change in Modern India
- Berkeley,University of California Press 1966
- Srinivas and Shah, The Myth of the self sufficiency of the Indian Village
- The Economic weekly, 12:1375-1378
- Beteille Andre Sociology
- Beteille Andre, The idea of Natural, Inequality and other Essays
- Beteille Andre, Essay in Contemporary Sociology
- Beteille Andre, Social Inequality of Indian Penguine
- Singh Yogender Cultural Change in India
- Singh Yogender, Modernization of Indian Tradition
- Thompson Press, New Delhi – 1973
- Unnithan T K , Indra Dev and Singh, Y, (eds) Towards a Sociology of Culture in India
- Prentice Hall, New Delhi – 1965
- Gupta, Dipasnkar, Interrograting Caste
- Penguine, New Delhi – 2000
- Shah A M Family in Contempory India
- Orient Longman, New Delhi – 2001
- Chandrani and Chandrani, Essay in Rural Sociology
- Desai, Neera, and Krishnaraj, Women and Society in India
- Singer Milton and Cohen B.S. Structure and chasnge in Indian Society
- Weener Grin Foundation for Anthropological Research 1968
- Sharma K L (ed) SocioloInequilities in Indian , Profiles of Caste Class, Power and Sociol Mobility
- GallenterMasrc, Competing, Inequalities
- Joshi, P C Sociol Science and Development: Quest for Relevence
- Hasr-Anand Publication, Delhi 1995
History Optional Booklist for UPSC IAS
Ancient Indian History
- A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: from the Stone Age to the 12th Century by Upinder Singh
Medieval Indian History
- Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals-Delhi Sultanat (1206-1526) – 1 by Satish Chandra
- Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals- Mughal Empire (1526-1748) – 2 by Satish Chandra
- Medieval India : The Study Of A Civlization by Irfan Habib
Modern Indian History
- From Plassey to Partition and After A History of Modern India by SekharBandyopadhyay
- India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
- India since Independence by Bipan Chandra
World History
- A History of the Modern World: An Outline by RanjanChakrabarti
- Mastering Modern World History (Palgrave Master Series) by Norman Lowe
Map for History Optional
- Ensemble- History Through Maps
Philosophy Optional Booklist for UPSC IAS Mains
Paper I
- T. Stace: A Critical History of Greek Philosophy (Plato and Aristotle).
- Copleston: A History of Philosophy (Relevant Chapters from volume I, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX & XI).
- Anthony Kenny: A New History of Western Philosophy. OUP Oxford.
- Datta& Chatterjee: An Introduction to Indian Philosophy. Rupa Publishing.
- D. Sharma: A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy. MLBD.
- Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy.
Paper II
- John Hick: Philosophy of Religion.
- Michael B. Wilkinson: Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction.
- P. Gauba: Social & Political Philosophy.
- Political Theory, An Introduction. Edited By Rajeev Bhargava & Ashok Acharya.
- Oxford Dictionary of Politics.
Maths Optional Booklist for UPSC IAS
Recommended Books for Maths Optional in UPSC
The recommended books for Maths Optional Paper 1 and Paper 2 respectively for each module are as follows :
Maths Paper 1
- LINEAR ALGEBRA
- CALCULUS
- MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS – S C Malik and Savita Arora (Amazon Link )
- ELEMENTS OF REAL ANALYSIS – Shanti Narayan and M D Raisinghania (Amazon Link )
- ANALYTIC GEOMETRY
- ANALYTICAL SOLID GEOMETRY – Shanti Narayan and P K Mittal (Amazon Link )
- SOLID GEOMETRY – P N Chatterjee (Amazon Link )
- ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS (ODE)
- ORDINARY AND PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS – M D Raisinghania (Amazon Link )
- DYNAMICS AND STATICS
- VECTOR ANALYSIS
Maths Paper 2
- ALGEBRA – CONTEMPORARY ABSTRACT ALGEBRA – Joseph Gallian (Amazon Link )
- REAL ANALYSIS – SAME AS CALCULUS OF PAPER 1 (Amazon Link )
- COMPLEX ANALYSIS
- SCHAUM SERIES – Speigel, Lipschitz, Schiller, Spellman (Amazon Link )
- LINEAR PROGRAMMING
- LINEAR PROGRAMMING AND GAME THEORY – LakshmishreeBandopadhyay (Amazon Link )
- PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
- NUMERICAL ANALYSIS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
- For Numerical Analysis
- COMPUTER BASED NUMERICAL AND STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES – M.Goyal (Amazon Link )
- NUMERICAL METHODS – Jain, Iyengar and Jain (Amazon Link )
- FOR COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
- DIGITAL LOGIC AND COMPUTER DESIGN – M. Morris Mano (Amazon Link )
- MECHANICS AND FLUID DYNAMICS
Geography Optional Booklist for UPSC IAS
Which books to refer to for Geography Optional ?
There are actually 8 books that cover almost 80-85% of the syllabus.
It is updation, enrichment and deeper conceptual clarity that requires more books and coverage of current affairs based questions. Sincerely managing GS goes a long way in helping geography too.
Basic books
- NCERT-XI & XII
- Made Simple Series by Rupa Publication-Vol-I & II
- A certificate course in geography by Goh Cheng Leong
Reference Books
- Physical Geography- BySavindra Singh (If one wants to avoid specialised books for Physical Geography syllabus. There are 5 specialised books by Savindra Singh have certain specific chapters which are not covered through the above book. Coverage of above Physical Geography text book covers almost 80% of the physical geography syllabus). For the other topics of the Physical geography syllabus, one has to refer to about 2-3 chapters from each of the below books: One can take photocopies of the select chapters from libraries and study rather than buying these books
- Geomorphology-By Savindra Singh
- Oceanography- By Savindra Singh
- Climatology- By Savindra Singh
- Environment Geography-By Savindra Singh
- Biogeography- By Savindra Singh
- Indian Geography by D R Khullar
- Human Geography by Majid Hussain
- Models and theories by Majid Hussain
- Geographical thought by Dixit
- Geographical thought by SudiptaAdhikary ( A good supplement for Thought topics)
- NCERT class X text book, (Old Edition) is good for Economic Geography Coverage. It will also help GS geography topics like- World Industries, World Resources distribution and trade.
- Settlement Geography by K Siddhartha
Other References:
Like in all other subjects, and in GS, students must read up various magazines and current affairs based enrichment. Some of the sources one can be regular with are:
- Yojna
- Kurushektra
- Greagraphy and You
- NITI Aayog reports (particularly, those on Agriculture, Infra, Regional development, Rural development etc)
- Select UN docs on Population, development &Env. (UNDP is most helpful)
Anthropology Optional Booklist for UPSC IAS
- Physical anthropology by P. Nath
- Anthropology by Ember and Ember
- An Introduction to Social Anthropology by D.N.Majumdar& T. N. Madan
- An Introduction to Anthropological thought ( Theories) – by MakhanJha
- Indian Anthropology by Nadeem Hasnain
- Indian Anthropology by R. N. Sharma
- Tribal India by Nadeem Hasnain
- Xaxa committee report
- State, society and tribes by VirginiusXaxa
Commerce and Accountancy Optional Booklist for UPSC IAS
MAINS: PAPER-I BOOKS
- ACCOUNTING:
- FUNDAMENTALS OF CORPORATE ACCOUNTING–J.R.MONGA
- ACCOUNTING STANDARDS – ICAI PUBLICATIONS.
- COST ACCOUNTING:
- FUNDAMENTALS OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING —ANTHONY & WELSCH
- COST ACCOUNTING; THEORY & PROBLEMS–MAHESHWARI & MITTAL
- AUDITING:
- STUDENTS’ GUIDE TO AUDITING— ARUNA JHA (TAXMANN PUBLISHERS)
- INCOME TAX
- STUDENTS’ GUIDE TO INCOME TAX–V.K.SINGHANIA
- OR
- SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO INCOME TAX —GIRISH AHUJA
- FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:
- FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT — R. P. RUSTAGI
- FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT; TEXT & PROBLEMS–KHAN & JAIN
- FINANCIAL MARKETS & INSTITUTIONS:
- INDIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEM–M.Y.KHAN
- OR
- FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS & MARKETS–L.M.BHOLE
PERIODICALS
- THE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT (JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF INDIA)
- THE ECONOMIC SURVEY (GOVT. OF INDIA PUBLICATION)
- FINANCIAL/BUSINESS SECTION OF THE TIMES OF INDIA OR ANY OTHER DAILY NEWSPAPER
MAINS: PAPER-II
SECTION A:
ORGANISATION THEORY & BEHAVIOUR
- ORGANISATION THEORY & BEHAVIOUR—P SINGH & T.N. CHABRA
- ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR–STEPHEN P. ROBBINS
- ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR—FRED LUTHANS
- MANAGEMENT OF ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR– PAUL HERSEY & KEN BLANCHARD
SECTION B:
Human Resource Management
- HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT -C.B GUPTA
- HUMAN RESOURCE and PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT –K. ASHWATHAPA
- HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT -VSP RAO
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
- INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IN INDIAN ENTERPRISES–S.DWIVEDI
- DYNAMICS OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS–B.MAMORIA, SATISH MAMORIA & S.V. GANKAR
- INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS–T.N.CHHABRA & R.K.SURI
- RELEVANT ARTICLES FROM THE FOLLOWING JOURNALS:
- INDIAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
- INDIAN JOURNAL OF LABOUR ECONOMICS
- REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS OF THE CENTRAL GOVT/GOVT COMMITTEES CONCERNING LABOUR POLICY
Political Science Books for UPSC CSE
MAINS: PAPER-I BOOKS
Political science and International Relations
Paper 1
Section A: Political Theory
Essential Readings:
- “An Introduction to Political Theory” by O.P Gauba.7TH EDITION, Mayur Publication
- “Political Theory: An Introduction” by Rajeev Bhargava and Ashok Acharya, 2nd edition, Pearson.
- “A History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx” by Subrata Mukherjee and SushilaRamaswamy.
- “Western Political Thought: From Socrates to the age of Ideology” by Brian. R. Nelson.
- IGNOU BOOKLET MPSE-004 Social and Political Thought in Modern India
- “Modern Indian Political Thought: Text and Context” by BidyutChakrabarty and Rajendra Kumar Pandey.
Additional Readings:
- “Politics” by Andrew Heywood.
- “Political Theory: An Introduction” by Andrew Heywood.
- “Key Concepts in Politics” by Andrew Heywood.
- “Political Ideologies: An Introduction” by Andrew Heywood.
- “Western Political Thought: From Plato to Marx” by ShefaliJha.
- “Indian Political Thought: Themes and Thinkers” by M. P. Singh and Himanshu Roy.
Section B: Indian Government and Politics
Essential Readings:
- “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipin Chandra.
- “Introduction to the Constitution of India” by DrDurga Das Basu.
- “Indian Government and Politics” by A.S.Narang, Geetanjali Publication
- “The Oxford Companion to Politics in India” by Niraja Gopal Jayal and PratapBhanu Mehta.
Additional Readings:
- “Politics in India” by Rajni Kothari.
- “Our Parliament: An Introduction to Parliament of India” by Subhash C. Kashyap.
- “Our Constitution: An Introduction to India’s Constitution and Constitutional Law” by Subhash C. Kashyap.
Paper 2
Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations
Essential Readings:
- “The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations” by John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens.
- “Global Politics” by Andrew Heywood.
- “Theories of Comparative Politics: The Search for a Paradigm Reconsidered” by Ronald H. Chilcote.
- IGNOU notes on Comparative Politics.
Additional Readings:
- “Theories of International Relations” by Palgrave publications.
- “The Oxford Handbook of International Relations” by Christian Reus-Smit and Duncan Snidal.
- “Understanding International Relations” by Chris Brown and Kirsten Ainley.
- “Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches” by Georg Sorenson and Robert Jackson.
Section B: India and the World
Essential Readings:
- Indian Foreign Policy: An Overview by Harsh Pant
- International Relations- Mcgraw Hill education
- “IDSA website should be followed for articles.
- MEA website should be regularly followed for updates and articles.
- IR editorials should be followed in The Hindu and TheIndian Express.
Additional Readings:
- The Oxford Handbook of Indian Foreign Policy” by David M. Malone, C Raja Mohan and SrinathRaghvan.
International Relations Books for UPSC CSE
MAINS: PAPER-I BOOKS
International Relations and International Relations
Section A: Comparative Politics and International Relations
Essential Readings:
- “The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations” by John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens.
- “Global Politics” by Andrew Heywood.
- “Theories of Comparative Politics: The Search for a Paradigm Reconsidered” by Ronald H. Chilcote.
- IGNOU notes on Comparative Politics.
Additional Readings:
- “Theories of International Relations” by Palgrave publications.
- “The Oxford Handbook of International Relations” by Christian Reus-Smit and Duncan Snidal.
- “Understanding International Relations” by Chris Brown and Kirsten Ainley.
- “Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches” by Georg Sorenson and Robert Jackson.
Section B: India and the World
Essential Readings:
- Indian Foreign Policy: An Overview by Harsh Pant
- International Relations- Mcgraw Hill education
- “IDSA website should be followed for articles.
- MEA website should be regularly followed for updates and articles.
- IR editorials should be followed in The Hindu and TheIndian Express.
Additional Readings:
- The Oxford Handbook of Indian Foreign Policy” by David M. Malone, C Raja Mohan and SrinathRaghvan.
