If you have chosen to read this, then I presume that you wish to begin your UPSC preparation strategy at an early stage. I believe that the process of preparation for this exam can be life-changing for many.
By starting early, you give yourself extra years to relish the education, the learning, the experience and the maturity, which this process will impart. You must be thinking, how to start UPSC preparation from zero levels? Let’s find out.
How to Start Preparation for UPSC? UPSC Preparation Time
Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear for the civil service examination. Many of them are at a very early stage so that they can prepare even better for the UPSC prelims and the mains. You can start preparing for the exam directly from your home.
There is no need to go outside and look for coaching or search for UPSC preparation books. Everything can be done right from your home. Let’s see how to start UPSC preparation at home.
Books for UPSC Preparation
Whenever preparing for any exam, it is suggested to begin it by reading books. For IAS preparation also, it is advisable to look for the best books and start going through those.
Also Read: UPSC Study Time Table 2021: The Ultimate UPSC Preparation Schedule to Crack the Exam
Get Idea about the UPSC Syllabus
You must understand from a very early stage that the UPSC syllabus is huge. But, don’t get worried. If you start early and follow a proper UPSC preparation strategy, it will be a much easier journey. So start gathering ideas about the syllabus.
Take Mental Preparation
If you have already started thinking about the examination then it can be assumed that you must be well aware of how much dedication this IAS preparation needs. You have to cut a major time from your daily routine and devote yourself completely to exam preparation.
You have to make yourself ready to work hard. From making a realistic UPSC preparation strategy, keeping updated with the current affairs, analysing the exam pattern to sit for mock tests, you have to do it all to crack the exam with flying numbers.
Video Lectures
Search for video lectures offered by experts. Go through those, learn more about the exam pattern and get a clear idea about what to expect in the exam hall.
Download Helpful Apps
These days, there are plenty of educational mobile applications available in the play store. Look out for Apps that will keep you updated with daily current affairs and produce relevant information about the UPSC exam.
Take Help From a Mentor
It is very normal that you may lose direction while gearing up for the IAS preparation. This is where the need for guidance can be felt.
You can ask for basic guidance from someone you know who has cleared the exam or else you can always enrol in some online courses where you will be offered, personal mentors.
Enhance Communication Skill
Even though the interview part is almost the last thing of the civil service examination but when you are starting early and you have got plenty of time for the real exam, it’s suggested that you must include gearing up for the interview in your UPSC preparation strategy.
Start by talking in front of a mirror, indulge in more public speaking. You can also consider joining communication classes where you can also get feedback about your performance.
Also Read: What are the Tips to Perform Best at UPSC Interview? 12 Tips to Help You Prepare Best
How to Start UPSC Preparation Strategy from Zero Level?
The UPSC exam preparation has four steps
General studies, the static part
Current affairs
Optional subject
Writing skills
Now, let’s handle them one by one.
Also Read: Worried about the Type of IAS IPS Interview Questions? Here’re Some Questions at Your Rescue!
UPSC Preparation for Beginners
General Studies: UPSC Preparation Strategy
This is practically all that is challenging in this UPSC syllabus. It covers almost everything under the sky and requires some understanding and appreciation of concepts as well.
It is very different from GK, and cannot be done by reading a number of who’s who kinds of books. It is suggested that you should start with this part immediately as it is the part in which you need to invest maximum time and effort and will get the maximum yield as well.
Syllabus for Prelims Paper 1
Current events of national and international importance
History of India and Indian National Movement
Indian and World Geography
Indian Polity and Governance
Economic and Social Development
General issues on Biodiversity, Environmental ecology, Climate Change ( Covers only widespread attention of the issues, no subject discipline required)
General Science
Also Read: UPSC Exam Syllabus 2021: Know all the Insights about Prelims, Mains and Interview Round
Syllabus for Prelims Paper 2
Comprehension
Interpersonal skills including communication skills
Logical reasoning and analytical ability
Decision making and problem-solving
General mental ability
Basic numeracy (Class X level)
Numbers and their relations,
Orders of magnitude, etc.
Data interpretation (Class X level)
Syllabus for Mains
Indian Heritage
Indian Culture,
History of the World and Society
Geography of the World and Society.
Governance
Constitution
Polity
Social Justice
International relations
Technology
Economic Development
Biodiversity
Environment
Security and Disaster Management
Ethics
Integrity
Aptitude
Also Read: Daily GK Current Affairs July 2021: Know the July Current Affairs Sources, MCQs & Preparation Tips
Current Affairs: UPSC Preparation Strategy
This might not be relevant for you right now, as generally, the news and events of one year before the exam are asked. But still, it will be advisable, that you start spending at least half an hour every day with The Hindu.
Just read it for fun as of now, with no agenda. This is one of the important parts of the UPSC preparation strategy when you are starting from an early stage.
Also Read: Civil Services Exam Syllabus 2021: How to Apply and How to Choose your Subjects
Syllabus for Current Affairs
National
National Issues
Indian Economy
Indian Polity
Judiciary
Environment
Science and Technology
States
Social Schemes
Sports News
Reports
Committee and Commission
Awards and Honours
Accident and calamities
First in India
International
Important Summits & Events
International Awards
First in the world
International leadership
International Reports
International committees and recommendations
The geographical event around the world
Optional Subject: UPSC Preparation Strategy
I would not recommend you to even think about it right now. You are very young right now, and your interests and level of ease with various subjects will change as you progress in college. Apart from that, there is an outside chance that by the time you appear, the optional subject might be done away with.
So, don’t put any effort into this right now. Don’t even think about it for a couple of years.
Also Read: A Detailed Guide to Choosing the Best Optional Subject for UPSC Exam
Syllabus for Optional Subjects
Here are the optional subjects with the syllabus link.
Optional Subjects |
Literature Optional |
Some More
Some More
Writing Skills: UPSC Preparation Strategy
It is the most critical and most underrated aspect of civil services and UPSC preparation strategy. In mains, you are supposed to write subjective answers. Apart from that, you need to write an essay as well.
This requires the skill to be able to express yourself clearly and logically. This skill, contrary to popular belief, cannot be learnt in a month or two. You need to start practising writing from right now so that it starts coming naturally to you, as in the examination, you do not get any time to think.
These are eight tips that will help the aspirant to boost their writing skills.
Also Read: Daily Answer Writing Practice for UPSC 2021: When and How to Start Answer Writing Practice?
Increase Your Reading Count
Reading a lot can help you enhance your writing. Sure, you’ll have to read a lot for IAS prep, but the next time you read a newspaper or magazine, pay attention to the written content manner as well. Reading increases your subconscious familiarity with appropriate writing habits, which will show up in your writing.
Keep Your Chart Consistent
The outline is the main structure of any written article, in this case, your responses. Your essay should comprise an introduction, a body, and a good conclusion. They must also be as consistent as feasible.
Do Not Use Useless Technical Terms and Jargon
Avoid clichés as well. Limit the use of excessively technical jargon and clichés when drafting UPSC mains responses. Don’t write solely to get your word count up. Keep in mind that quality is valued more than quantity.
A document that appears to have been produced by someone attempting to demonstrate his knowledge would most certainly turn the examiner off.
Avoid Generalizations
Generalizations should be avoided in any writing. Always present material that you can back up with fundamental facts and data.
Do Not Magnify the Embellishments
Quotes must be included in your response. They certainly demonstrate your acuity. However, don’t use too many quotations. You can also include metaphors and similes in your responses.
But only when you believe they are absolutely necessary to the point being made. Save the embellishments for the optional English literature paper!
Be Original
This is a self-explanatory point. Don’t just copy and paste what you’ve read onto the answer sheet. Fill up the spaces with your own terms. Don’t make things up. However, don’t limit your writing ingenuity.
Practice Makes Answers Perfect
Without practice, nothing can be perfected or at the very least improved. For the UPSC exam, practise writing answers because it can mean the difference between winning and losing in this high-stakes exam.
Also Read: How to Start Writing Practice for UPSC? Preparation Tips for Answer Writing Practice
Make Your Writing Error-Free
Always double-check your answers for grammatical and spelling issues. Incorporate all of the above-mentioned guidelines into your writing practice on a daily basis, and you will notice that you are growing more skilled at this craft.
Passing the IAS test requires more than just knowledge. To become a first-class civil servant, you must persuade the examiner editing your answer booklet that you have sufficient knowledge and thoughts.
This can be accomplished by writing simple yet effective responses that not only provide the necessary information but are also enjoyable to read.
NCERT and Other Books List for UPSC Preparation
Here is the booklist for all the subjects and sections of the UPSC exam.
History
Ancient Indian History
Ancient India |
Upinder Singh |
History of India ( Volume-I) |
Romila Thapar |
Ancient India (NCERT) |
Prof. R.S. Sharma |
The Wonder That Was India |
A.L. Basham |
Medieval Indian History
A History of South India |
K.A. Nilkantha Sastri |
The Agrarian System of Mughal India 1556-1707 |
Irfan Habib |
Ashoka & Decline of the Maurya |
Romila Thapar |
The Mughal Empire |
J.F. Richards |
Indian Feudalism |
R.S. Sharma |
The Wonder That was India (Volume.2) |
S.A.A. Rizvi |
Material culture & Social Formation in Ancient India |
R.S. Sharma |
Urban Dynamics |
H.C. Verma |
Medieval India (Macmillan) |
Satish Chandra |
Medieval India (NCERT) |
Satish Chandra |
Modern Indian History
Anatomy of the Raj (PPH) |
Suhash Chakravarty |
Peasant Movements in India |
D.N. Dhanagare |
Freedom Struggle (NbT) |
Bipan Chandra & others |
The Raj Syndrome (Penguins) |
Suhash Chakravarty |
Gandhi |
B.R. Nanda |
VAID’s Fundamentals of History Series |
VAID |
Gandhi Judith Brown Constitutional History |
Pravin Kumar |
India’s Struggle for Independence |
Bipan Chandra |
Freedom Struggle |
Pravin Kumar |
Modern India (Macmillan) |
Sumit Sarkar |
Administrative History |
Pravin Kumar |
Modern India (NCERT) |
Bipan Chandra |
Social History |
Pravin Kumar |
World History Books
Age of Capital |
E.J. Hobsbawm |
Age of Empires |
E.J. Hobsbawm |
Age of Revolution |
E.J. Hobsbawm |
Contemporary World History (NCERT) |
Arjun Dev |
Europe Since 1815 |
W.C. Craig |
Europe Since 1870 |
James Joll |
Europe Since Napoleon |
David Thompson |
Industry & Empire |
E.J. Hobsbawm |
The social basis of Democracy & Dictatorship |
B.J. Moore |
The story of Civilization, Vol. 2 (NCERT) |
Arjun Dev |
Geography
Paper 1
A Geography by Population |
R.C. Chandna |
Urbanization & Urban Systems in India |
R. Ramachandran |
Regional Planning in India |
Chand & Puri |
Principles of Geomorphology |
W.D. Thornbury |
Political Geography |
R.D.Dixit |
Physical Geography in Diagrams |
Bunnett |
Introducing Physical Geography |
Alan Strahler |
Physical Geography |
Savindra Singh |
Physical Geography – Made Simple |
Richard H Bryant |
Evolution of Geographic Thought |
Majid Husain |
Oceanography, NCERT |
Sharma & Vatal |
Human Geography |
Majid Husain |
Geomorphology |
Savindra Singh |
Some More
Agricultural Geography |
Majid Husain |
Climatology |
D.S.Lal |
Economic and Social Geography – Made Simple |
R.Knowles & J.Wareing |
Economic Geography |
Hartshorn & Truman A |
Environmental Awareness |
R.C.Chandna |
Environmental Geography |
Savindra Singh |
Environmental Geography |
H M Saxena |
General Climatology |
Critchfield |
Paper-II
A Geography of India |
Gopal Singh |
Economic and Commercial Geography of India |
C.B. Mamoria |
Economic and Commercial Geography of India |
Sharma & Coutinho |
Agriculture Geography |
Majid Husain |
Certificate Physical and Human Geography |
Goh Cheng Leong |
Environmental Geography |
Saxena |
Urbanization and Urban Systems in India |
R. Ramachandran |
Regional Planning in India |
Chand and Puri |
Modern Political Geography of India |
B.L. Sukhwal |
Oxford School Atlas |
Oxford |
India Disasters Report |
|
Human Geography |
Majid Husain |
Environmental Awareness |
R.C.Chandna |
Hindu’s Survey on Agriculture |
|
Geography of Population |
R.C.Chandna |
Environmental Geography |
Savinder Singh |
Environmental Geography |
Saxena |
Geography of India |
Majid Husain |
Also Read: Geography Syllabus for UPSC: Let’s Know the Syllabus and Strategies to Crack UPSC
Economy
Indian Economy – |
Ramesh Singh |
Economics |
Paul A. Samuelson |
Economics Choice |
Koutsweanik |
Growth and Development |
M L Jhingan |
International Economics |
H.G. Mannur or Salvatore Bo Soderston |
The Economic Times |
|
International Trade |
Bo Soderston |
Monetary Theory and Public Policy |
Kenneth Kurihara |
Money Supply in India: Concepts, –Compilation and Analysis: Functions and Working |
Reserve Bank of India |
Public Finance |
K.K. Andley and Sundaram |
Public Finance |
H.L. Bhatia |
National Income Accounting |
Neethu |
Outline of Monetary Economics |
A.C.I. Day |
MacroEconomic Analysis |
Edward Shapiro |
Modern Banking |
R.S. Sayers |
Economical and Political Weekly |
Some More
Economic Survey: Twelve Five Year Plan: New Industrial Policy |
Government of India |
Economic Growth and Development |
Mayer and Baldwin |
Dictionary of Economics |
Graham Bannock; T.E. Baxter, Ray Rees |
The Indian Economy – Indian Economy |
Sanjiv Verma |
Indian Economy |
R. Dutt and KPM Sundaram Mishra and Puri |
Banking |
S.B. Gupta |
Sociology
Paper 1
Sociology |
Anthony Giddens |
Sociological Theory |
Ritzer George |
Sociology |
Haralambos & Holborn |
Oxford Dictionary Of Sociology Sociological Thought |
M Francis, Abraham and John Henry Morgan |
Political Theory |
O P Gauba |
Paper 2
Social Change in India |
M N Srinivas |
Caste Its Twentieth Century Avatar |
M N Srinivas |
Handbook of Indian Sociology |
Veena Das |
Indian Society and Culture |
Nadeem Hasnain |
Modernization of Indian Tradition |
Yogendra Singh |
Persistence and Change in Tribal India |
M.V. Rao |
Rural Sociology |
S L Doshi |
Social Background of Indian Nationalism |
A R Desai |
Public Administration
Administrative Thinkers |
Prasad and Prasad |
Indian Public Administration |
Arora and Goyal |
Public Administration: Concepts and Theories |
Basu Rumki |
Pub Ad A new look |
Mohit Bhattacharya |
Essentials Of Organizational Behaviour 10th Edition |
Robbins, Sanghi and Judge |
Public Administration and Public Affairs 12th Edition |
Nicholas Henry |
Public Administration |
Laxmikant |
Public Administration In India |
B L Fadia |
Public Administration In India 1st Edition |
Maheshwari |
Public Administration |
Fadia and Fadia |
New Horizons of Public Administration |
Mohit Bhattacharya |
Philosophy
History & Problems of Philosophy |
Frank Thilly |
Survey of Indian Philosophy |
C D Sharma |
A History of Philosophy |
C D Sharma |
Indian Philosophy, A Counter Perspective |
Dr Daya Krishna |
Indian Philosophy II Volume |
Dr S. Radhakrishnan |
Existentialism: A Reconstruction |
David Cooper |
Existentialism Is A Humanism |
Jean-Paul |
Indian Philosophy
An Introduction to Indian Philosophy |
S Chatterjee |
A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy |
C Sharma |
Western Philosophy
A History of Philosophy |
Frank Thilly |
A Critical History of Western Philosophy |
Y Masih |
Contemporary Western Philosophy |
Dr B.K. Lal |
Social-Political Philosophy
An Introduction to Political Theory |
O P Gauba |
Philosophy of Religion |
|
Introduction to Religious Philosophy |
Y Masih |
Philosophy of Religion |
John H. Hick |
Psychology
Psychology XI & XII Std NCERT |
|
Tests, Measurements and Research Methods in Behavioural Sciences |
A K Singh – Bharti Bhawan publications |
Systems & Theories of Psychology |
Krawiec & Chaplin |
Introduction to Psychology |
Morgan & King |
Psychology |
Morgan and King |
Psychology |
Ciccarelli |
Theories of Personality Hall & Lindzey Psychology |
Robert A Baron |
Statistics for Psychology |
Aron, Aron, Coups |
Social Psychology |
Robert Baron, Branscombe, Gopa Bhardwaj, Byrne |
The Psychology of Small Groups Shaw |
Political Science
Paper 1
An Introduction To Constitution |
D.D. Basu |
A History Of Political Thought: Plato To Marx |
Subrata Mukherjee And Sushila Ramaswamy |
Fifty Major Political Thinkers |
Ian Adams And R W Dyson |
An Introduction To Political Theory |
O.P Gauba |
An Oxford Companion To Politics In India |
Niraja Gopal Jayal And Pratap Bhanu Mehta |
Foundations Of Indian Political Thought |
V.R Mehta |
A New Look At Modern Indian History |
B.L Grover And Alka Mehta |
India’s Struggle For Independence |
Bipan Chandra |
Indian Government And Politics |
B L Fadia |
Paper-II
India’s Foreign Policy |
V P Dutt |
International Organisations |
Spectrum Books Publication |
International Relations |
V N Khanna |
Challenge And Strategy: Rethinking -India’s Foreign Policy |
Rajiv Sikri |
Contemporary Indian Foreign Policy: Does The Elephant Dance? |
David M. Malone |
Global Politics |
Andrew Heywood |
MPS-004 Comparative Politics: Issues And Trends By Expert Panel Of GPH |
Agriculture
Fundamentals Of Agricultural Extension Education by U Barman |
|
A Text Book of Agricultural Statistics |
R. Rangaswamy |
Agronomy |
Yellamanda Reddy |
Entomology |
Vasantha Raj & David |
Genetics |
B.D.Singh |
Handbook Of Agriculture |
ICAR |
Physiology |
Pandey & Singha |
Introduction To Horticulture |
Kumar |
Plant Breeding |
B.D. Singh |
Soil Science |
D.K Das Or Brady |
Special Issue of Agriculture |
The Hindu |
The Hindu- Survey Of Indian Agriculture |
Also Read: Which Book Source is Required for Agriculture in the UPSC Exam? Here’s All You should Know
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science
A guide on forest Entomology |
Regupathy |
A Textbook Of Animal Husbandry |
G C Banerjee |
Animal husbandry & veterinary science |
T.N. Palanivelu |
Advanced Animal Nutrition |
D. V Reddy |
Agricultural Economics |
S Subba Reddy |
Animal Husbandry |
Gyan Deep Singh, Anmol Publishers |
Animal Physiology |
K. A. Goyal, Rastogi Publishing |
Animal Physiology |
Kavita Juneja, Anmol Publishers |
Basics Of Animal Physiology |
Monalisa Kar, Anmol Publishers |
Biotech’s Dictionary Of Animal Husbandry |
Daya Publishing |
Biotechnology Expanding Horizons |
B D Singh, Kalyani Publishers |
Some More
Essentials Of Plant Breeding |
Phundan Singh, Kalyani Publishers |
Fundamentals of Agriculture Volume-1 |
Arun Katyayan, Kushal Publications |
Fundamentals Of Agriculture Volume-2 |
Arun Katyayan, Kushal Publications |
General Agriculture |
Muniraj S Rathore, Jain Brothers |
Handbook Of Agriculture |
ICAR |
Handbook Of Animal Husbandry |
Manoj Kumar Rai, Oxford Book Company |
Horticulture At A Glance Volume II |
A S Salaria, Jain Brothers |
Indian forestry – A breakthrough approach to forest service |
K. S Manikandan and S. Prabhu |
Introduction To Agriculture |
A K Vyas, Jain Brothers |
Milk And Milk Products Technology |
Subhash Biswas, Jaypee Brothers |
Principles Of Agronomy |
Yellamanda Reddy, Kalyani Publishers |
Principles Of Genetics & Animal Breeding |
F H KHAN, Jaypee Brothers |
Textbook Of Animal Diseases |
Ashok Kumar, Sonali Publication |
Principles Of Animal Nutrition & Feed Technology |
D V Reddy, Oxford |
Anthropology
Physical Anthropology |
P Nath |
Fossil Evidence |
S Das |
Social Anthropology |
DN Majumdar & T N Madan |
Indian Anthropology |
Nadeem Hasnain |
Anthropology Theories |
Makhan Jha |
Botany
Cell Biology |
De Robertis & Ambrose and Easy or Powar |
Systematic Botany |
S C Datta |
Taxonomy |
R Nair |
Plant Anatomy |
B.P. Pandey |
Plant Anatomy |
Esau |
Physiology and Biochemistry |
Salisbury and Ross or Fritz and Noggle |
Pathology |
Singh’s book along with a foreign author |
Microbiology |
Powars |
Elements of Genetics |
Dr. Veer Bala Rastogi |
Genetics |
Strickberger |
Embryology Of Angiosperms |
S P Bhatnagar |
Economic botany in the tropics |
S. L. Kochhar |
Cryptograms |
B.R. Vasista |
Botany for Degree Students; Pteridophyta (Vascular Cryptogams) |
P.C. Vashishta |
Ecology, Microbiology, Animal Behaviour, Pollution and Toxicology For B. Sc. Part III, Paper III |
Dr Veer Bala Rastogi |
Chemistry
A guide to mechanism in organic chemistry – Peter Sykes |
|
Principles of Physical Chemistry |
Puri, Sharma & Pathway |
Organic Chemistry Reactions and reagents |
O.P. Agarwal |
Extradition of metals, Principle of inorganic chemistry |
Puri, Sharma, Jauhar. |
An advanced inorganic chemistry |
J.D. Lee |
Advance physical chemistry |
Gurdeep Raj |
A textbook of physical chemistry (Vol. – IV) |
K.L. Kapoor |
A textbook of organic chemistry |
Bahl & Ba |
A textbook of environmental chemistry and pollution |
S.S. Dara |
Civil Engineering
Engineering Mechanics: Statics and Dynamics |
Irving Herman Shames |
Strength of Material |
V. N. Vazaram |
Surveying |
Punmia |
Fluid Mechanics |
Modi and Seth |
Soil Mechanics |
K.R. Arora |
Limit State Design |
Ram Chandra |
Engineering Mechanics |
McLean |
Design of steel structures |
N Subramanian |
Limit state design of steel structures |
S K Duggal |
Structural Analysis |
C. K. Wang |
Mechanics for Engineers |
B Johnson |
Strength of Material |
Prof. S. Ramamrutham |
Some More
Basic and applied Fluid Mechanics |
Garde |
Theory of Structure: Volume- II |
Vazirani and Ratwani |
Prestressed Concrete |
N. Krishna Raju |
Steel Structure |
L.S. Negi |
R.C.C. (LSM) |
A.K. Jain |
R.C.C. (WSM) |
Syal and Goyal |
Concrete Technology |
M.S. Shetty |
Strength of material |
Gere and Timoshenko |
Irrigation Engineering |
S.K. Garg |
Engineering Hydrology |
K. Subramanya |
Introduction to Mechanics of Solids |
Crandall, Stephen, Lardner, Thomas |
Strength and Materials |
UC. Jindal |
Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering |
A Singh and K R Arora |
Commerce
Paper 1
Accounting Corporate Accounting |
Naseem Ahmed |
Accounting Standards |
D. S. Rawat |
Financial Institutions & Markets |
L.M. Bhole |
Financial Markets & Institutions: Indian Financial System |
M.Y. Khan |
Financial Management; Text and Problems |
Khan and Jain |
Financial Management: Taxation- Income Tax, Service Tax & VAT |
|
Cost Accounting; Theory & Problems |
Maheshwari & Mittal |
Income Tax book |
V.K. Singhania or Girish Ahuja |
Auditing Students’ Guide to Auditing |
Aruna Jha |
Paper II
Human Resource Management |
C.B. Gupta |
Organization Behaviour |
L.M. Prasad |
Organisation Theory and Behaviour |
B.P. Singha and T.N. Chabra |
Human Resource Management |
K. Aswathappa |
Dynamics of Industrial Relations |
C.B. Mamoria and Satish Mamoria |
Industrial Relations |
T.N. Chabra and R.K. Suri |
Zoology
Modern Zoology by Ramesh Gupta Organic Evolution (Evolutionary Biology) |
Veer Bala Rastogi |
Animal Behaviour |
Reena Mathur |
Applied And Economic Zoology |
VB Upadhyay and GS Shukla |
Ecology And Environment |
PD Sharma |
An Introduction to Embryology |
AK Berry |
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry |
David Nelson, Michael Cox |
Modern Textbook Of Zoology: Vertebrates |
RL Kotpal |
Modern Textbook of Zoology – Invertebrates |
RL Kotpal |
Genetics |
PK Gupta |
Cell Biology |
CB Powar |
Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology Guyton and Hall Textbook |
Medical Physiology |
Electrical Engineering
Electromagnetic Fields & Waves |
Kd Prasad |
Circuit Analysis – Gupta Electrical Technology |
Theraja |
Radio Engineering |
G.K. Mithal |
Principles of Electronics |
V .K. Mehta |
Digital Logic and Computer Design |
M. Morris Mano |
Analog Electronics |
J.B. Gupta |
Physics of Semiconductor Devices |
Simon Sze |
Signals and Systems |
Alan V. Oppenheim, Alan V. Willsky, S. Hamid Nawab |
Circuit Theory : Analysis and Synthesis |
A. Chakrabarti |
Energy Conversion |
Ashfaq Hussain |
Some More
Automatic Control System |
Benjamin C. Kuo |
Elements of Engineering Electromagnetics |
Nannapaneni Rao |
Topics in Communication Theory |
David Middleton |
Microprocessors and Microcomputers |
R. S Gaonkar |
Modern Central Engineering |
Katsuhiko Ogata |
Electromagnetic Waves and Radiating System |
Jordan & Balmain |
Basic Current Analysis |
Murthy |
Network Analysis |
Valkenburg |
Integrated Circuits |
D. Roy Choudhary |
Semiconductor |
Nag Choudhary |
Control Systems Engineering |
Nagrath Gopal |
Electromagnetic Waves and Field |
R.N. Singh |
Geology
Himalaya: Geological Aspect, Vol. 5 |
P.S. Saklani (Ed.) |
Himalaya: Geological Aspects, Vol. 1 & 2 |
P.S. Saklani (Ed.) |
Himalaya: Geological Aspects, Vol. 3 |
P.S. Saklani (Ed.) |
Himalaya: Geological Aspects, Vol. 4 |
P.S. Saklani (Ed.) |
History and Culture of the Himalaya, 3 Vols |
Gulia, K. S |
Hydrocarbon Potential and Exploration Strategy of Cauvery Basin, India |
J.N. Sahu |
Inland Fisheries: Ecology and Management |
Welcomme, R. L |
Marine Geology: A Scenario Around Indian Coasts |
T.K. Mallik |
Some More
Metallogenesis of Manganese Ores of Srikakulam-Visakhapatnam Belt |
Siddiquie, F.N. |
Mine Closure- Naresh Chandra Saxena Mineral Exploration: Recent Strategies |
S. Rajendran et al. |
Poisonous Snakes |
F. Wall |
Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Resource Management |
Bir Abhimanyu Kumar |
Remote Sensing in Geomorphology- Ramasamy |
S.M. |
Soil Chemistry: Basic Concepts |
G. Bujy |
The Evolution and Classification of Soils-Ramanan |
E. & Whittles, C.L. (Tr.) |
The Ice Age in the Indian Subcontinent and Associated Human Culture-Terra |
H. De. & Paterson, T.T. |
Law Studies
International Law |
S. K Kapoor |
Our Constitution |
Subhash C. Kashyap |
The Constitution of India (Bare Act) |
PM Bakshi |
An Introduction to Public International Law |
S. K. Verma |
Introduction to the Constitution of India |
D.D Basu |
Constitution of India |
VN Shukla |
International Law |
Malcolm N Shaw |
Administrative Law |
I.P. Massey |
Mathematics
Statistical Mechanism |
Carson Horg |
Problems in Calculus of One Variable |
I. A. Maron |
Coordinate Geometry |
R. L. Soni |
Mathematics Dictionary |
RC James |
Differential Equations – Schaum Series |
Frank Ayres |
Textbook of Coordinate Geometry |
Rai Ballabh |
Analytical Solid Geometry |
Shanti Narayanan, PK Mittal |
Text Book on Differential Calculus |
Gorakh Prasad |
Linear Algebra: Finite Dimensional Vector Spaces |
Sharma and Vashishta |
Schaum’s Outline of Matrices |
Frank Ayres |
Matrices |
A R Vasishtha |
Modern Algebra |
A. R. Vashistha |
Operations Research |
Kanti Swarup, PK Gupta, Man Mohan |
Algebra |
J. N. Sharma and S. N. Goyal |
Also Read: Is Study Material Available for UPSC Mathematics Optional? Here’s the Answer You were Searching For!
Medical Science
General Medicine textbook of medicine |
S N Chugh |
Medicine: Prep Manual for Undergraduates |
George Mathews |
Emergency medicine |
S N Chugh. |
Manipal Manual of Surgery |
K. Rajgopal Shenoy |
Clinical surgery |
S Das |
Pediatrics– Essential pediatrics |
O P Ghai, Paul and Bagga. |
Practical Aspects Of Pediatrics |
Dr. Mayoor K Chheda |
Illustrated Synopsis of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases |
Dr. Neena Khanna. |
Textbook Of Obstetrics |
D.C. Dutt |
Physics
Atomic & Molecular Spectra |
Rajkumar |
Atomic Physics |
J. B. Rajan |
Concept of Modern Physics |
Arthur Beiser |
Electronics |
Millman & Halkias, S. Ramnam, Ryder or Bolstead, Malvina |
Electronics |
Allen Mottershead |
Fundamental of Magnetism electricity |
D.N. Vasudeva |
Mechanics |
D.S. Mathur, B.S. Agarwal |
Mechanics Kleppner & Kolenkow |
D.S. Mathur |
Modern Physics |
A Beiser (Concepts of modern physics), S.L. Gupta, B.S. Agarwal, J.B. Rajan |
Conclusion
Clearing the UPSC exam is not a cakewalk, it demands a high level of dedication and complete concentration. Starting from an early stage and making yourself ready as per the UPSC preparation strategy is a good thing. The earlier you start, the better you can score in the examination. Look for the best books, find video tutorials, go through the previous year papers, practice writing and keep your confidence level high. So, how are you going to start UPSC preparation? Do you have any strategy in mind? You can share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
Also Read: UPSC 2021 Study Plan: Boost your UPSC Preparation with a Timetable


This article is very helpful for beginners like me and has provided a key to our success, can I also get to know some strategies that we have to follow while the exams are near?
This blog was very helpful for the beginners and has provided a deatiled view, can you also provide some tips to also gain confidence so that we are not tensed?