Most important topics for UPSC CSE prelims and mains

📘 General Studies Paper I – UPSC Prelims

This paper covers static and current affairs components. Below is the subject-wise booklist for Prelims GS Paper I.

1. Indian Polity

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
• NCERT Class XI – Indian Constitution at Work

2. History

• NCERTs (Class 6 to 12) for Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History
• India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
• A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum

3. Geography

• NCERTs Class 6 to 12
• Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong
• Atlas (preferably Oxford or Orient Blackswan)

4. Indian Economy

• NCERT Class 11 and 12 Economics
• Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
• Economic Survey and Union Budget (latest)

5. Environment and Ecology

6. Science and Technology

• NCERTs Class 6 to 10 (General Science)
• Current Affairs-based Science developments

7. Current Affairs

🧠 General Studies Paper II – CSAT (Prelims)

The CSAT paper is qualifying in nature but should not be taken lightly. One must score a minimum of 33% (66 marks out of 200).

Recommended Books:

• CSAT Manual by Tata McGraw Hill or Arihant
• Basic Mathematics from Class 8–10 NCERTs
• Previous Year UPSC CSAT Papers

📚 UPSC Mains – General Studies Book List

UPSC Mains is descriptive and consists of 9 papers. Out of these, four papers are General Studies. Below is the booklist for each GS paper.

General Studies Paper I – Indian Heritage, History, and Geography

• NCERTs for Art and Culture (Class 11 Fine Arts)
• Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
• Modern History by Bipan Chandra
• World History by Norman Lowe (selective reading)
• NCERTs and G.C. Leong for Geography

General Studies Paper II – Governance, Polity, Social Justice

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
• Governance in India by Laxmikanth (for Mains-specific topics)
• Reports from ARC (2nd Administrative Reforms Commission)

General Studies Paper III – Economy, Science, Environment, Security

• Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
• Economic Survey and Union Budget
• Shankar IAS Environment Book
• Science and Tech – Current Affairs, PIB, and selective topics
• Challenges to Internal Security by Ashok Kumar and Vipul

General Studies Paper IV – Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude

• Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
• Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chowdhury
• Reports of ARC on Ethics in Governance
• Case Study Practice from Test Series

✍️ Essay Paper – UPSC Mains

The Essay paper carries 250 marks and offers a great opportunity to score high. It tests the candidate’s ability to construct logical arguments, express ideas clearly, and present balanced viewpoints.

Recommended Material:

• Previous Year Essay Papers (analyze topics and patterns)
• Practice writing 1 essay per week
• Read editorials, essays from reputed newspapers

📄 Optional Subject Booklist (Example: Sociology)

While each optional subject has its own dedicated resources, here is a sample booklist for Sociology:

Paper I:

• Haralambos and Holborn – Sociology Themes and Perspectives
• IGNOU BA & MA Notes
• Ritzer – Sociological Theory

Paper II:

• Indian Sociological Thought – B.K. Nagla
• Social Change in Modern India – M.N. Srinivas
• Indian Society – Ram Ahuja

Choose your optional wisely based on interest and availability of resources. Other popular optional subjects include Anthropology, Geography, PSIR, History, and Public Administration.

🗒️ Answer Writing and Previous Year Papers

Besides studying from books, aspirants must include answer writing practice in their preparation. This is especially important for Mains, where the ability to present your knowledge within a limited time and word limit is tested.

• Start with writing answers from previous year UPSC Mains papers
• Refer to toppers’ answer copies for structure and content style
• Use diagrams, flowcharts, and examples to make answers more impactful

📌 Final Thoughts

Choosing the right books is the foundation of your UPSC preparation. However, no book is sufficient unless revised multiple times. Stick to limited resources, revise regularly, and focus on conceptual clarity rather than rote learning. For Prelims, emphasize on facts and elimination techniques. For Mains, prioritize writing practice and critical analysis.

Ultimately, your discipline and ability to stick to your booklist and strategy will determine your success in this highly competitive exam. Best wishes for your UPSC 2025 journey!