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Top Recommended UPSC Books and Notes for Prelims and Mains – A Complete 2025 Guide by Toppers

May 6, 2025

Section 1: Understanding the UPSC Syllabus

  • Overview of Prelims (General Studies I & CSAT)

  • Overview of Mains (GS I-IV, Essay, Optional)

  • Importance of syllabus-based study

Section 2: Topper-Recommended Books for UPSC Prelims 2025

2.1 General Studies Paper I

  • History: NCERT (Old & New), Spectrum Modern India – Rajiv Ahir

  • Geography: NCERTs, GC Leong, Atlas (Oxford/Orient)

  • Polity: Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth

  • Economy: Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh, Mrunal notes

  • Environment: Shankar IAS Book

  • Science & Tech: NCERTs + Current Affairs

2.2 CSAT (Paper II)

  • Basic aptitude and comprehension books (TMH, RS Aggarwal)

  • Previous year papers

Section 3: Topper-Recommended Books for UPSC Mains 2025

3.1 General Studies Papers I-IV

  • GS Paper I: NCERTs, Indian Art & Culture – Nitin Singhania

  • GS Paper II: Laxmikanth + Governance reports

  • GS Paper III: Economic Survey, Budget, Current Affairs

  • GS Paper IV (Ethics): Lexicon, Subbarao, and topper notes

3.2 Essay Paper

  • Strategy from toppers (e.g. Anudeep Durishetty)

  • Practice resources

3.3 Optional Subjects

  • Choose 2-3 top options (e.g. PSIR, Anthropology, Geography)

  • List key books and toppers’ notes for each

Section 4: Notes vs Books – What Toppers Say

  • When to use class notes (e.g. Vision IAS, Vajiram, etc.)

  • When to rely on standard books

  • How to make and revise personal notes effectively

Section 5: How to Organize and Use These Resources

  • Study timetable tips

  • Book vs. note integration in daily prep

  • Revision and mock test strategies

Section 6: Free and Paid Online Resources

  • InsightsIAS, ForumIAS, Vision IAS

  • PDF compilations, toppers’ answer booklets

  • Telegram/Google Drive links (if appropriate)