UPSC CSE is held every year to recruit for All India Services & other allied services. This Exam has three stages — Prelims, Mains & followed by Interviews.
Study Material for UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination & Mains Examination:
Prelim is the first stage of UPSC CSE. The nature of Questions asked in Prelims is objective. The main objective of Prelims is to eliminate nonserious candidates from writing UPSC mains i.e., the second stage. Before discussing important Books for Prelims it would be good if we know the syllabus of Prelims first and accordingly, we could refer to Books. In addition to the Prelims syllabus, one must refer to 5–10 years of the previous year’s Question Paper of UPSC CSE (both Prelims & Mains) as well. Although the Pattern of Examination and the nature of Questions asked in Prelims & Mains are different but it would not be wise to Prepare Prelims and Mains separately. We must Prepare for both Prelims & Mains Simultaneously.
Ø NCERT Books of classes 6–12 will help in getting the Basics right.
Ø Notes of Coaching Classes
Ø Study Material of Coaching Institutes
Ø One News Paper & Current Affairs Magazine of any good Coaching Institute
Ø Some Standard Reference Books
Ø Books for Optional Subjects
NCERT BOOKS
These Books help in building the foundation as it is based on fundamental themes. NCERT has asked some factual questions. So, one must start with NCERT Books. Also, one may refer to these books to get clarity over some topics if required.
NCERT Books alone can not make one Qualify for this Exam.
Class Notes of Coaching Institutes
Class notes are based on the UPSC CSE syllabus and the Pattern of Questions framed by UPSC. One must try to solve the Previous Year’s Questions after topics discussed in Class. The student may refer to class notes if they could not solve the previous year’s Question. If class notes are not sufficient to provide clarity about those Questions one may refer to Institute reference Books and some standard Books that we would discuss later.
Study Material of Coaching Institutes
The coaching materials are designed for the syllabus of UPSC CSE. Each Chapter has a practice question paper at the end. One may attempt those Questions.
GS Score has come up with study material for the Prelims & Mains Examination based on the UPSC CSE syllabus and the nature of Questions framed by the Board.
Complete UPSC Study Material & Notes, List of Books for UPSC Preparation
News Paper & Current Affairs Magazine
The importance of current affairs is significant in IAS Examination as it has its significance in Prelims, Mains & Interviews. It would be good if one develops the habit of reading Newspapers daily. Also, one good Magazine for any Civil Services Coaching must be read consistently.
One may refer to Magazine Prescribed by GS SCORE & Hindu Newspaper.
Standard Books as Per advice of Faculty
Some books are mentioned below that may be referred to when required. Some guidebooks are exclusively written for the IAS Exam like the Polity book of M. Laxmikant. People are not exclusively referring to the Indian Constitution of DD Basu but also to Standard Books. One may refer to these books as per the advice of the Faculty. There is no need to read the entire chapters of Books. General Studies Paper-2 (GS-2) in the UPSC Mains examination holds a place among other papers as it covers dynamic subjects of Polity & Constitution; Governance & Social Justice and International Relations.
Books for Optional Subjects
UPSC CSE provides 26 subjects in their optional subjects list. CSE aspirants need to opt for one subject as an optional subject. Class notes and study material provided by Coaching are enough. One may refer to some standard Books as per the guidance of the Faculty and the subject opted.
