As you start your preparation for the IAS/ UPSC exam, you would be advised to give a good read to the standard NCERT textbooks before catching up on with the advanced material.

Recommended Books for IAS Prep (Amazon links on pics)

#1. Indian Polity by Laxmikanth

#2. Environment (Shankar’s IAS)

#3. Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong

Physical and Human Geography

#4. India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra

India’s Struggle for Independence

#5. India Since Independence

India Since Independence

#6. Indian Art and Culture

Indian Art and Culture

Download NCERTs (OLD & NEW) from these links

#1. History – Old NCERTs + TN Ncerts

• Ancient India – RS Sharma (NCERT | Class 11)
• Medieval India – Satish Chandra (NCERT | Class 11)
• Modern India – Bipan Chandra (NCERT | Class 11)
• Environment and Biodiversity NIOS material (Zip File – Use desktop/ laptop)
• Tamil Nadu  History (11th)
• Tamil Nadu  History (12th)

#2. History – NEW NCERTs (right click to download)

• Text book (History) Theme- I (NCERT +2)
• Text book (History) Theme- II (NCERT +2)
• Text book (History) Theme- III (NCERT +2)

#3. Indian Art & Culture (right click to download)

• An Introduction to Indian Art (NCERT | Class 11)
• Living Crafts Traditions of India (NCERT | Class 11)
• Crafts Tradition of India (NCERT | Class 12)

#4. Indian Polity (right click to download)

• Indian constitution at work (NCERT | Class 11)
• Politics in India since independence (NCERT | Class 12)

#5. Economics (right click to download)

• Understanding Economic Development (NCERT | Class 10)
• Indian Economic development (NCERT | Class 11)
• Introductory Macroeconomics (NCERT | Class 12)
• Introductory Microeconomics (NCERT | Class 12)

#6. Geography (right click to download)

• Fundamentals of Physical Geography (NCERT | Class 11)
• India – Physical Environment (NCERT | Class 11)
• Fundamentals of Human Geography (NCERT | Class 12)
• India – People and economy (NCERT | Class 12)

#7. Science NCERTs (Class 6 – 12) (click to access the folder)

#8. Sociology NCERTs (right click to download)

• Introducing sociology (NCERT | Class 11)
• Understanding Society (NCERT | Class 11)
• Indian Society (NCERT | Class 12)
• Social Changes in India (NCERT | Class 12)

#9. Other Reference Books

• Geography – GC Leong
• A Brief History of Modern India – Rajiv Ahir
• Indian Polity – Laxmikanth
• India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipin Chandra
• India Since Independence – Bipin Chandra

If you wish to start your preparation in the earnest, make sure you read this blog on Detailed strategy for cracking IAS examination for the beginners