To excel in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, one needs to plan strategically. Hence, deciding on the right UPSC books is essential. In particular, the excessive amount of books can be a source of confusion rather than inspiration. That is why it is critical to distinguish between the amount of material and its quality. Here's a list of the number and kinds of books to read for the UPSC examination preparation.
Core Reading Material
Here are the primary study materials for UPSC:
NCERT Books
UPSC NCERT Books are the preliminary books for preparation. They range from class 6 to 12, and they help the learners grasp the logical aspects of history, geographical, political, economic systems, and science subjects. Here are the recommended NCERTs:
Recommended Links:
UPSC Mock Test Sample Paper for 2024 Exam
UPSC Previous Years Question Papers for 2024 Exam
NCERT One for All for UPSC for 2024 Exam
- History: Class 6 to Class 12
- Geography: Class 6 to 12
- Polity: Class 9 to 12
- Economy: Class 9 to 12
- Science: Class 6 to Class 10
- Standard Reference UPSC Books
After you have improved your basics, start using the standard reference books along with your knowledge. Here are the recommended reference books:
- History: Bipan Chabdra's "India's Struggle for Independence"
- Geography: "Certificate Physical and Human Geography".
- Polity: "Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth
- Economy: "Indian Economy" by Ramesh Singh
Advanced Preparation Material
Use the following advanced preparation material to succeed in the exam:
UPSC Sample Papers
Solving UPSC sample papers from previous years is also a part of the preparation. It has advantages like enlightening the student regarding the format of the examination, types of questions, and their level of difficulty. Solve at least the sample papers of the last 10 years.
Read More: EFFECTIVE UPSC MAINS 2024 STUDY PLAN AND STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
Current Affairs
To enhance general knowledge one must read newspapers such as the "The Hindu" or "Indian Express," along with magazines such as "Yojana" and "Kurukshetra." The students should rely on PIB (Press Information Bureau) and other state-funded websites to get original information.
Optional Subjects
You will require particular books concerning your optional subject depending on what area you choose to focus on. Select books that the toppers suggest and are well appreciated in the market.
Effective Study Strategy
Follow these strategies for effective results:
Limit Your Resources: It is better to gather a couple of books after proper research instead of accumulating a large number of books without a credible source.
Revise Regularly: Do not simply rely on your NCERTs and standard reference books but go through them a minimum two to three times.
Practice Tests: Try to sit for mock tests and sample papers as it prepares a student for the original exam.
Additional Tips
To pass the UPSC exam, abide by these additional tips:
Integrated Approach: To prepare for any exam, do not just confine yourself to NCERT books. You must go through standard reference books to build your conceptual knowledge on each topic that is discussed in the class.
Study Plan: Develop a feasible timetable with a break time to determine the period you will spend for each subject.
Discussion Groups: Participate in study groups that are formed for the discussion of the relevant topics. You can exchange notes with the other candidates through these groups.
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For UPSC Online Previous Year Question Papers for the 2024 Exam – Click Here
Conclusion
In this way, the recommended UPSC books and sources will be of great help and contribute to the improvement of the success rate. Indeed, appropriateness combined with hard work are the two factors on which the UPSC's success depends.
