Hi there.

It would be best to start with the basic NCERT books. The NCERT books are available online. You should first start reading NCERT books from Class VI-XII of History, Geography, Economics and Science.

When you are done with the NCERT books go further with books like Indian Polity by Lakshmikant.

For a proper book list and study schedule please check Unacademy's website (Roman Saini lessons) and Mrunal's blog.

Start reading The Hindu daily. And be updated with current affairs. Do develop a habit of reading Yojana Maganzine every month.

And for choosing an optional subject, it is best to have an idea of all the optional subjects first. Check the syllabus of optional subjects and try reading some of those. See which one interests you the most and which one is easy to score. Subjects like Psychology are tough to score but subjects like Math, and Economics are easy to score. Check websites like Quora and YouTube, this might more shed light on your query.

It is better for you to decide.

Wishing you luck!

Helo aspirant, its good that you want to be a civil servant. I have provided the link below. It is the book written by Mrs. Ila tripathi. she has explained it very well that how one can prepare for ias exam. this book is available free on kindle store.

https://www.amazon.in/71-51-Journey-Failure-Success-ebook/dp/B07G2SBQNN

Thanks

Hello Aspirant,

• General Studies Manual - Paper 1 by Manohar Pandey
• General Studies Paper I for Civil Services Preliminary Examination by Majid Husain, D R Khullar, N K Bajaj, N D Arora, Ashok Kumar Singh
• General Studies - Paper I For Civil Services Preliminary Examination by Edgar Thorpe, Showick Thorpe
• General Studies Paper I by MHE

Indian History***

• History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
• India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
• India's Ancient Past by R.S.Sharma
• A Brief History Of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir
• A History of Medieval India by Chandra Satish
• Concise History of Modern India for Civil Services Examination by Sujata Menon
• A New Look at Modern Indian History: Form 1707 To The Modern Times by B.L. Grover, Alka Mehta

Art & Culture***

• The Wonder That Was India by A.L. Bhasham
• Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania

Indian Geography***

• Oxford School Atlas  Oxford. (Geography)
• Geography of India by Majid Husain ,TMH Publishing
• Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong
• Indian and World Geography: Objective Questions with Explanatory Notes for Civil Services Preliminary Examination by D.R. Khullar
• Oxford School Atlas by Oxford

Indian Politics

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
• Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D.Basu
• Magbook Indian Polity & Governance by Arihant Publication
• Indian Polity, Governance and National Movement for Civil Services Preliminary Examination - Paper 1 by N D Arora, Access Publishing

Indian Econom

• Indian Economy Book by Ramesh Singh
• The Indian Economy Book by Sanjiv Verma
• Indian Economy: Performance and Policies: by Uma Kapila

Environment**

• Environment for Civil Services Prelims and Mains and Other Competitive Examinations Paperback by D R Khullar, J A C S Rao
• Environmental Studies: From Crisis to Cure Book by R. Rajagopalan

General Studies Paper II***

• General Studies Paper II by MHE
• General Studies Paper 2 for Civil Services Preliminary Examination by V. Sasikumar, N.D. Arora, Prem Sahajpal

• CSAT - Solved Papers for Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper II) by Access

• General Studies Paper II For Civil Services Preliminary Examination by Edgar Thorpe, Showick Thorpe

Cracking the CSAT Paper-2 by Arihant Experts



Books for Mains:***

• IAS Mains General Studies Paper 1 INDIAN HERITAGE & CULTURE HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY OF THE WORLD & SOCIETY by Arihant Experts (Reference Manual GS-1)
• History of Modern World by Jain, Mathur (History GS-1)
• Social Problems In India by Ram Ahuja (Indian Society GS-1)
• India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy by Ramachandra Guha (World History GS-1)
• IAS Mains General Studies Paper 2 GOVERNANCE CONSTITUTION, POLITY SOCIAL JUSTICE & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (Reference Manual GS-2)
• Governance for Growth in India (Governance GS-2)
• Pax Indica: India and the World of the 21st Century by Shashi Tharoor (Foreign Policy GS-2)
• India and the World: Through the Eyes of Indian Diplomats by Surendra Kumar (Foreign Policy GS-2)
• IAS Mains General Studies Paper 3 TECHNOLOGY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BIODIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT, SECURITY & DISASTER MANAGEMENT (Reference Manual GS-3)
• Indias National Security: A Reader (Critical Issues in Indian Politics) (National Security GS-3)
• Internal Security & Disaster Management GS Paper 3 (Internal Security GS-3)
• IAS Mains General Studies Paper 4 ETHICS INTEGRITY & APTITUDE (Reference Manual GS-4)
• Contemporary Essays for Civil Services Examination (Essay)
• 151 Essays (Essay)

I hope this helps.

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