Welcome to our dedicated section designed to assist you in preparing for exams like UPSC CSE, WBCS, and OPSC OAS! These exams are significant milestones, but fret not, as we’re here to simplify your study process.
Within this section, you’ll discover a curated collection of books covering all the essential subjects required for these exams. Whether it’s history, geography, science, polity, or any other topic, APTI PLUS Academy- the best civil service coaching in Kolkata has meticulously selected booklists suitable for students at various proficiency levels.
Take your time exploring this section; think of it as your roadmap to exam success. We’re committed to providing you with the tools and resources you need to navigate through your study journey with confidence. Whether you’re just beginning your preparation or fine-tuning your existing strategy, our comprehensive collection of books will empower you to overcome any challenges you may face along the way.
With dedication, perseverance, and the right resources at your disposal, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. So, dive into this section with enthusiasm and determination, knowing that we’re here to support you at every turn. Your success is our priority, and we’re excited to see you thrive on your journey towards acing the UPSC CSE, WBCS, and OPSC OAS exams. Best of luck with your studies!
Books for UPSC Prelims
| Current Affairs: |
- Newspapers: Hindu, Business Line, Financial Times, Indian Express (any two)
- Monthly current affairs: IAS Gazette
- IAS GYAN website
- IAS Gazette Magazine
|
| Polity and Governance: |
- Aptiplus Academy Study Materials
- NCERTs 9 th, 10 th (for basic understanding)
- Acts/Bills, judgements-PRS website
- Constitution of India at Work (Class XI) NCERT Publication
- Indian Polity by Laxmikant
- Introduction to Indian Constitution – D.D.Basu
- From Government to Governance by Kuldeep Mathur
- Ethics in Governance, ARC Report
- NITI Aayog reports, Government reports
- Governance in India by M.Karthikeyan
|
| Developmental Issues: |
- Human Development Report & World Development Report
- Panchayati Raj in India by Kuldeep Mathur
|
| History: |
- Aptiplus Academy Study Material
- Ancient History of India: Old NCERT by RS Sharma/ TN class 11 th book
- Medieval History of India: Old NCERT by Satish Chandra/ TN class 11 th book
- Modern History
- NCERTs
- Plassey to Partition Book
- Spectrum
- India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra (Selective Reading)
- Indian Art and Culture
- An Introduction to Indian Art – Class XI NCERT
- Chapters related to culture in Ancient and Medieval India NCERTs
- Centre for Cultural Resource and Training (CCRT) material
- Heritage Crafts: Living Craft Traditions of India -NCERT
|
| Environment and Biodiversity: |
- Aptiplus Academy Study Material
- Biology 12 th NCERT last 4 chapters
|
| Geography: |
- Aptiplus Academy Study Material
- Fundamentals of Physical Geography XI NCERT
- India: Physical Environment XI NCERT
- Fundamentals of Human Geography XII NCERT
- India: People and Economy XII NCERT
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography: GC Leong
- OXFORD Atlas
|
| Economy and Agriculture: |
- Aptiplus Academy Study Material
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Microeconomics, Macroeconomics – NCERT Class XI, XII
- Indian Economic Development – NCERT Class XI
- Indian Economy by Sanjiv Verma
- Economics Dictionary published by Collins & Penguin
|
| Science and technology: |
- Aptiplus Academy Study Material
- NCERT- Class 6th to 10 th
- NCERT – Biology – 11th (Unit IV & V only – read basic concepts not technical details)
- NCERT Biology – 12th (Chapters 4, 5 and rest from 7 to 16)
- NCERT – Biology – 12th (OLD) – Chapter 9 onwards
- NCERT – Physics – 11th (Chap 1,5 & 8) and 12th (Chap 15 only)
- NCERT – Chemistry – 11th (Chap 1 & 14 only) and 12th (Chap 14 & 16 only)
|
| Prelims Specific: |
|
Books for UPSC Mains
Paper-I
| Essay: |
Aptiplus Academy Study Material |
PaperII, General Studies 1:
| History: |
- Ancient History of India: Old NCERT by RS Sharma/ TN class 11th book
- Medieval History of India: Old NCERT by Satish Chandra/ TN class 11th book
- Modern History
- NCERTs
- Plassey to Partition Book
- Spectrum
- India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra (Selective Reading)
- Indian Art and Culture
- An Introduction to Indian Art – Class XI NCERT
- Chapters related to culture in Ancient and Medieval India NCERTs
- Centre for Cultural Resource and Training (CCRT) material
- Heritage Crafts: Living Craft Traditions of India -NCERT
- Nitin Singhania book (optional)
|
| Society: |
- XI, XII Standard NCERT on Indian Society
- Social Problems In India by Ram Ahuja
|
| World history: |
- The Story of Civilization, Part 2 by Arjun Dev, NCERT
- Contemporary World History for class XII (Old NCERT Book)
- Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe
|
| Geography: |
- Fundamentals of Physical Geography XI NCERT
- India: Physical Environment XI NCERT
- Fundamentals of Human Geography XII NCERT
- India: People and Economy XII NCERT
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography: GC Leong
- OXFORD Atlas
|
Paper-III, General Studies 2:
Polity, Governance and Social Justice
| Current Affairs: |
- Newspapers: Hindu, Business Line, Financial Times, Indian Express (any two)
- Monthly current affairs: IAS Gazette
- IAS GYAN website
|
Polity and Governance:
|
- NCERTs 9 th , 10 th (for basic understanding)
- Acts/Bills, judgements-PRS website
- Constitution of India at Work (Class XI) NCERT Publication
- Indian Polity by Laxmikant
- Introduction to Indian Constitution – D.D.Basu
- From Government to Governance by Kuldeep Mathur
- Ethics in Governance, ARC Report
- NITI Aayog reports, Government reports
- Governance in India by M.Karthikeyan
|
Developmental Issues:
|
- Human Development Report & World Development Report
- Panchayati Raj in India by Kuldeep Mathur
|
| IR: |
- Aptiplus Academy Study Material
- International Relations – by Pavneet Singh
|
Paper-IV, General Studies 3:
Economy, Indian Agriculture, Land reforms, PDS, Food Processing, LPG, Infrastructure, Security, Disaster Management, Environment and Ecology, Science & Tech
| Economy and agriculture: |
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Microeconomics, Macroeconomics – NCERT Class XI, XII
- Indian Economic Development – NCERT Class XI
- Indian Economy by Sanjiv Verma
- Economics Dictionary published by Collins & Penguin
|
Science and Technology:
|
- NCERT- Class 6th to 10 th
- NCERT – Biology – 11th (Unit IV & V only – read basic concepts not technical details)
- NCERT Biology – 12th (Chapters 4, 5 and rest from 7 to 16)
- NCERT – Biology – 12th (OLD) – Chapter 9 onwards
- NCERT – Physics – 11th (Chap 1,5 & 8) and 12th (Chap 15 only)
- NCERT – Chemistry – 11th (Chap 1 & 14 only) and 12th (Chap 14 & 16 only)
|
Environment and biodiversity:
|
Biology 12 th NCERT last 4 chapters |
Security Issues:
|
India’s Security in a Turbulent World by Jasjit Singh, published by National Book Trust of India |
Current Affairs:
|
- Newspapers: Hindu, Business Line, Financial Times, Indian Express (any two)
- Monthly current affairs: IAS Gazette
- IAS GYAN website
- Down to earth, science reporter
|
Paper V GS Paper 4:
| Ethics: |
- Aptiplus Academy Study Material
- Ethics in Governance, ARC Report
- Lexicon by Chronicle Publications
- The Book on Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude published by Access Publication
|
Books for WBCS Prelims:
| General Science: |
LUCENT General Science and Lucent’s GK, NCERTs |
History and Indian National Movement:
|
Spectrum, Bipin Chandra |
Geography:
|
G.C. Leong |
Polity and Economy:
|
Laxmikanth (Polity), Ramesh Singh (Economy) |
Current Affairs :
|
- Newspaper-Hindu/Indian Express,
- Monthly current affairs: WBCS Gazette
|
West Bengal GK:
|
WBCS GS Manual by Nitin Singhania |
Books for WBCS Mains:
Paper 1: Bengali/ Hindi/ Urdu/ Nepali/ Santali
Paper 3: General Studies- I
Paper 2: English, S.P. Bakshi, NCERT Books
| History: |
State board textbook or Magbook India History |
Geography:
|
Majid Hussain or Orient Longman |
Paper 4 : General Studies- II
Paper 5: Indian Constitution & Indian Economy
| Polity: |
M. Laxmikant (Polity) |
Economics:
|
- NCERT
- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
|
Paper 6: Arithmetic & Test of Reasoning
- Arithmetic Subjective And Objective For Competitive Examinations By R.S. Aggarwal
Books for OPSC:
| Geography |
- APTI PLUS Study material
- ODISHA GEOGRAPHY by G. C. ROY
|
| History |
|
Economy
|
- APTI PLUS STUDY MATERIAL
- ODISHA ECONOMY by R. K. PATY & K. K. PANI
|
Government and politics
|
- APTI PLUS STUDY MATERIAL
- Odisha Government and politics by Dasarathi Bhuyan
|
GENERAL STUDIES
|
- APTI PLUS STUDY MATERIAL
- GENERAL STUDIES FOR OPSC OCS PRELIMS 2023-24 by APTI PLUS
|
GENERAL STUDIES
|
- APTI PLUS STUDY MATERIAL
- GENERAL STUDIES (Year 2025-26)
|
A Comprehensive guide for odisha Civil service mains examination