
As you start your preparation for the IAS/ UPSC exam, you would be advised to give a good read to the standard NCERT textbooks before catching up on with the advanced material.
Recommended Books for IAS Prep (Amazon links on pics)
#1. Indian Polity by Laxmikanth
#2. Environment (Shankar’s IAS)

#3. Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong
#4. India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
India’s Struggle for Independence
#5. India Since Independence
#6. Indian Art and Culture
Download NCERTs (OLD & NEW) from these links
#1. History – Old NCERTs + TN Ncerts
- Ancient India – RS Sharma (NCERT | Class 11)
- Medieval India – Satish Chandra (NCERT | Class 11)
- Modern India – Bipan Chandra (NCERT | Class 11)
- Environment and Biodiversity NIOS material (Zip File – Use desktop/ laptop)
- Tamil Nadu History (11th)
- Tamil Nadu History (12th)
#2. History – NEW NCERTs (right click to download)
- Text book (History) Theme- I (NCERT +2)
- Text book (History) Theme- II (NCERT +2)
- Text book (History) Theme- III (NCERT +2)
#3. Indian Art & Culture (right click to download)
- An Introduction to Indian Art (NCERT | Class 11)
- Living Crafts Traditions of India (NCERT | Class 11)
- Crafts Tradition of India (NCERT | Class 12)
#4. Indian Polity (right click to download)
- Indian constitution at work (NCERT | Class 11)
- Politics in India since independence (NCERT | Class 12)
#5. Economics (right click to download)
- Understanding Economic Development (NCERT | Class 10)
- Indian Economic development (NCERT | Class 11)
- Introductory Macroeconomics (NCERT | Class 12)
- Introductory Microeconomics (NCERT | Class 12)
#6. Geography (right click to download)
- Fundamentals of Physical Geography (NCERT | Class 11)
- India – Physical Environment (NCERT | Class 11)
- Fundamentals of Human Geography (NCERT | Class 12)
- India – People and economy (NCERT | Class 12)
#7. Science NCERTs (Class 6 – 12) (click to access the folder)
#8. Sociology NCERTs (right click to download)
- Introducing sociology (NCERT | Class 11)
- Understanding Society (NCERT | Class 11)
- Indian Society (NCERT | Class 12)
- Social Changes in India (NCERT | Class 12)
#9. Other Reference Books
- Geography – GC Leong
- A Brief History of Modern India – Rajiv Ahir
- Indian Polity – Laxmikanth
- India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipin Chandra
- India Since Independence – Bipin Chandra
If you wish to start your preparation in the earnest, make sure you read this blog on Detailed strategy for cracking IAS examination for the beginners