Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2025 ?
Then here’s the golden rule:
Don’t read 100 books once — read 10 books 10 times.
This blog gives you the most refined and practical booklist for both Prelims and Mains, combining the must-haves with high-performing optional resources used by toppers.
Note: Detailed notes, handouts, and Mindmaps for each subject are included in the CivilsPrep Subject Modules — available only to enrolled students.
Why “Minimum Books” = “Maximum Output”
Most aspirants drown in content overload. Toppers, on the other hand, stick to limited sources and revise them thoroughly.
“Depth beats variety every single time in UPSC.….
Here’s the most effective list you’ll need for Prelims + Mains 2025.
General Studies Booklist (Prelims + Mains Combined)
1. Indian Polity
| Resource | Purpose |
| Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth | Bible of Polity – Prelims + Mains |
| CivilsPrep Polity Module | Topic-wise crisp notes + case laws |
| NCERT Class 9–12 Political Science | Foundation & conceptual clarity |
| DD Basu (Optional) | Constitutional depth for Mains |
| PM Bakshi – Constitution Bare Act (Optional) | Legal understanding |
| CivilsPrep PYQ + MCQ PDFs | Practice + pattern analysis |
2. History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Art & Culture)
| Resource | Covers |
| NCERTs (Old & New – Class 6 to 12) | Ancient, Medieval, Modern |
| Spectrum by Rajiv Ahir | Must-read for Modern India |
| Nitin Singhania – Art & Culture | Mains + Prelims overlap |
| CivilsPrep History Module | Notes with timelines, mindmaps & personalities |
| Tamil Nadu Class 11/12 (Optional) | Clarity in Ancient & Medieval |
3. Geography
| Resource | Covers |
| NCERTs Class 6–12 | Prelims foundation |
| GC Leong – Physical Geography | Conceptual topics |
| Oxford/Orient BlackswanAtlas | Maps practice |
| CivilsPrep Geography Module | Diagrams, PYQs, applied notes |
4. Indian Economy
| Resource | Purpose |
| NCERT Class 11 & 12 – Indian Economic Development | Basics |
| Sriram IAS Economy Notes | In-depth Prelims + Mains |
| CivilsPrep Economy Module | Diagrams + Data + Budget/Eco Survey Ready |
| Ramesh Singh (Optional) | For literary understanding |
| Economic Survey + Budget | Mains data booster |
| CivilsPrep Economic Snapshots (Monthly) | Simplified current updates |
5. Environment & Ecology
| Resource | Purpose |
| Shankar IAS Environment Book | Complete & crisp |
| NCERT Class 12 Biology (Ch. 13–16) | Ecosystem & Biodiversity basics |
| CivilsPrep Environment Module | Topic-wise static + current links |
| PIB + DownToEarth | Mains enrichment |
| CivilsPrep Monthly Digest | Regular updates for revision |
6. Science & Tech
| Resource | Purpose |
| NCERT Class 6–10 Science | Basic understanding |
| ISRO, DRDO, PIB | Latest news |
| CivilsPrep S&T Module | Prelims-ready notes + diagrams |
| Hindu S&T Page (Monday) | Real-time updates |
7. Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains)
| Resource | Why It Works |
| The Hindu / Indian Express | Editorials + perspectives |
| CivilsPrep Monthly Magazine | Prelims + Mains focused |
| Vision PT365 / Mains365 | Final-stage resource |
| PRSIndia, PIB | Authenticity |
| CivilsPrep Telegram Channel | Daily booster: t.me/wecivilsprep |
Mains-Specific Additions
Ethics (GS Paper 4)
| Resource | Details |
| Lexicon for Ethics | Definitions & thinkers |
| CivilsPrep Ethics Module | Real case studies, thinker notes & frameworks |
| Toppers’ Notes | Value addition |
Essay Paper
| Resource | Strategy |
| No fixed book – Editorial reading | For thought process |
| CivilsPrep Essay Framework Module | Theme-wise structure & samples |
| Previous Year UPSC Essays | Practice from actual Qs |
| CivilsPrep Essay Test Series | Feedback + mentor review |
Optional Subjects (e.g. Sociology)
| Resource | Essential |
| IGNOU BA/MA Notes | Conceptual understanding |
| Haralambos (Blue/Orange Book) | Thinker-rich |
| Nitin Sangwan Notes | Condensed notes |
| CivilsPrep Optional Module | Paper I + II integrated with PYQ mapping |
| Toppers’ Copies & Evaluation Samples | Presentation ideas |
Download Free Booklist PDF
Click here to download the “UPSC 2025 Booklist – Minimum Sources” PDF version for easy access:
[Download Now] (Insert Google Drive or CivilsPrep website link)
Books You Can Skip
• 3–4 different sources for the same subject
• Thick monthly magazines from every institute
• Random coaching handouts from Telegram channels
• Local “crack UPSC in 60 days” guides
Less is more — if revised properly.
Final Words: The Real Secret to Clearing UPSC
It’s not about how much you read — it’s about how well you revise.
If you:
• Stick to one book + CivilsPrep Module per subject
• Revise each source 4–5 times
• Use daily current affairs + answer writing…
You’re already ahead of most aspirants.
