BOOKLIST AND RESOURCES
In a Nutshell
Based on the General Studies Syllabus of UPSC CSE, it is advisable that your Base Books be NCERTs from 6th - 12th Class of Social Science Subjects. i.e. History, Geography, Civics, Economics. Political Science and Sociology can be done from 11-12th Class. NCERTs will build your foundation and give you direction for the preparation. Some basic processes, facts and themes are directly picked up from NCERTs in the Exam and hence a thorough reading is a must at the very outset. After this, I referred to different Books as Standard and Reference Books. Standard Books need to be read cover to cover as they cover most syllabus appropriately. But the Reference can be used for selected topics which are given elaborately in that book. I've listed them below Subject Wise.
HISTORY
A. ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL HISTORY : Tamil Nadu Text books are detailed accounts of History.
a. Ancient History : Tamil Nadu Text Book 11th Standard
b. Medieval History : Tamil Nadu Text Book 11th Standard
Reference: Ancient and Medieval India by Poonam Dalal Dahiya
C. CULTURE:
Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
Reference: CCRT Website : http://www.ccrtindia.gov.in/
B. MODERN HISTORY :
A brief History of Modern India By Rajiv Ahir Spectrum Publication
Reference: India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra
GEOGRAPHY
Certificate Physical and Human Geography by GC Leong
Reference Websites :
a. PMF IAS : https://www.pmfias.com/geography/
The Geography and Environment part notes available on this website are well explained.
b. Rajtanil Mam’s Lectures : On Mrunal Channel on Youtube
c. Amit SenGupta’s Lectures : On youtube Channel of same name in which NCERT Chapters are explained well in simplified manner.
INDIAN SOCIETY
NCERT - CLass XI and XII
Reference:
a. Economic and Political Weekly Magazine - selective reading of few articles based on Caste, Reservation, Women’s issues etc can enhance your understanding.
POLITY
Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
Reference:
a. Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu
b. Landmark Judgments (covering More Than 50 Leading Cases Of India Book by Universal's
c. Vikaspedia : https://vikaspedia.in/
Government owned website which has an official brief of policies and schemes. Comes handy for Polity reference.
d. PRS Legislative Research : https://prsindia.org/
Good quality Material like Summary of Bills, Policies, Acts, Parliamentary Committee Reports are really helpful in writing Answers.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Reference Website :
a. The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) - https://www.idsa.in/
The articles on International Relations are good quality, non- partisan and provide a balanced perspective on any issue.
INDIAN ECONOMY
Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
Reference Website :
a. ARTHAPEDIA : http://arthapedia.in/
index.php/Home_Page
The website is maintained by Indian Economic Service Officers and is a ready reference for terminologies in Economics. Any new concepts are also covered here in brief which will help you understand concepts.
b. LIVEMINT : https://www.livemint.com/
News Website covering articles specially related to Economics. One can subscribe or visit the website now and then to refer articles.
c. WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM : https://www.weforum.org/
Certain Issues of Global Importance are covered well in this website. For eg issues related to Unemployment,Energy Usage, Climate Change, Impact of technology etc.
INTERNAL SECURITY
Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar Vipul Anekant
ETHICS
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a. The LEXICON for Ethics Integrity and Aptitude by The Chronicle
b. Case Studies in Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by R Rajagopalan
Reference Website :
a. SKILL YOU NEED : https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ Many topics like Honesty, Emotional Intelligence, Personal and Professional work are explained in a very simplified manner b. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) : https://www.oecd.org The official publications and reports on Corruption, Public Integrity on this website have explained concepts in a concise manner with a global perspective.
WORLD HISTORY
a. Selective Readings from Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe
b. Vision IAS notes
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
2nd ARC - 3rd Report Crisis Management
CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. PIB Website : https://www.pib.gov.in/indexd.aspx
You can subscribe to the feed and read selectively. A brief account of any topic is given in which the version of the government can be understood from here.
2. NEWS ON AIR : https://newsonair.gov.in/
This Radio channel can be listened to through an app or website. The Spotlight News Analysis programme is a good conversational program that highlights the various aspects of any issue.
3. RSTV : https://rajyasabha.nic.in/
rsnew/webcast/rstvlive.html
Can be viewed on Youtube or otherwise. Programmes like Big Picture and India’s World are good forums for effective discussion.
4. NITI AYOG : https://www.niti.gov.in/
Initiatives, Publications and Rankings from Niti Ayog are very crucial in having data points for the answers. Reports provide deeper knowledge about subjects of economy, development and others.
5. OBSERVER RESEARCH FOUNDATION https://www.orfonline.org/
This website provides detailed articles on multiple subjects. Their analysis is good and points can be used in the answer directly.