Top 10 Must-Read Books for UPSC Civil Services Preparation – 2026 Edition

Content:

Cracking UPSC requires not just hard work but the right set of books. With hundreds of options, it’s easy to get lost. Here’s a focused list of the Top 10 most recommended books that every serious aspirant must read.

📚 General Studies (Prelims + Mains)

1. Polity – Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
    The bible for Indian Constitution and governance. Master it.
 2. History (Modern India) – Spectrum by Rajiv Ahir, Old ncert for Ancient and medival history
    Art & culture (Ncert), Crisp, factual, and exam-ready.
 3. Geography – Certificate Physical Geography by GC Leong
     Clear explanations of concepts, maps, and examples.
 4. Economy – Indian Economy by Ramesh singh or Nitin Singhania ,Great for beginners to understand                                      macro concepts.

 5. Environment – Shankar IAS Environment Book, PMF 
      Important for both Prelims and Mains; includes climate, policies, etc.

📰 Current Affairs

 6. Newspaper – The Hindu or The Indian Express
     Focus on editorials and national/international developments.
 7. Monthly Magazines – Vision IAS monthly or PT 365 , Sunya ias monthly 
     For summarized current events, schemes, and issues.

📝 Additional Essentials

 8. NCERTs (6th–12th) – History, Geography, Polity, Science
     Build your base before jumping into advanced books.
 9. Economic Survey & Budget – From the Ministry of Finance
     Especially useful for Mains and Interview.
 10. Previous Year Papers – UPSC’s official website
      Analyze trends and question patterns.

🔔 Pro Tip: Don’t read everything at once. Start with the basics, make notes, and revise regularly.

Bookmark this list and check off as you complete each book.
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