UPSC Mains General Studies papers cover a wide array of topics. To effectively prepare, candidates must choose the right set of books that provide comprehensive coverage of the syllabus. Below is a list of essential books for each GS paper in UPSC Mains.

1. General Studies Paper I (History, Geography, Society)

History

• India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
• History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
• India After Independence by Bipan Chandra
• Ancient India by R.S. Sharma
• Medieval India by Satish Chandra

Geography

• Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong
• Oxford School Atlas by Oxford University Press
• NCERT Geography Textbooks (Class 6-12)
• Geography of India by Majid Husain

Society

• Indian Society by Ram Ahuja
• Social Problems in India by Ram Ahuja
• NCERT Sociology Books (Class 11 and 12)

2. General Studies Paper II (Polity, Governance, International Relations)

Polity and Constitution

• Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
• Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu
• NCERT Political Science Books (Class 9-12)

Governance and Social Justice

• Governance in India by M. Laxmikanth
• Public Administration by M. Laxmikanth
• ARC Reports (2nd ARC)

International Relations

• India's Foreign Policy by Rajiv Sikri
• Challenges and Strategy by Rajiv Sikri
• Newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express) and Monthly Magazines (Yojana, Kurukshetra)

3. General Studies Paper III (Economy, Environment, Science & Tech, Internal Security)

Economy

• Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
• Economic Development & Policies in India by Uma Kapila
• Economic Survey (Government of India)
• Budget (Government of India)

Environment and Ecology

• Environment by Shankar IAS Academy
• NCERT Biology Textbook (Class 12 - Relevant Chapters)
• Current Affairs (Monthly Magazines and Newspapers)

Science and Technology

• Science and Technology by Ravi P. Agrahari
• Science Reporter Magazine
• Current Affairs (Magazines and Newspapers)

Internal Security

• Challenges to Internal Security of India by Ashok Kumar
• Internal Security and Disaster Management by M. Laxmikanth

4. General Studies Paper IV (Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude)

• Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude by Chronicle Publications
• Ethics in Governance (ARC Report)
• Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chowdhury
• Essence of Ethics by M. Karthikeyan
• Case studies from newspapers and government reports

5. Additional Resources

While the above books provide a solid foundation for General Studies, it’s important to supplement them with the following:

• NCERT Textbooks (Class 6-12) for conceptual clarity
• Yojana and Kurukshetra magazines for government policies and social issues
• The Hindu and Indian Express newspapers for current affairs
• PIB (Press Information Bureau) for official government releases and updates
• Mock tests and answer writing practice to refine your preparation

Conclusion

Effective preparation for the UPSC Mains General Studies papers requires the right balance between reading standard books and keeping up with current events. By following this list of essential books and supplementing them with daily news and practice, you will be well-prepared for the Mains examination. Stay focused, revise regularly, and test your knowledge through mock exams to maximize your success.