Top Recommended Books & Notes for UPSC: Geography, Economy, Environment & Science & Tech

Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination means diving deep into a wide range of subjects — from static topics like Geography and Economy to dynamic areas like Environment and Science & Technology. To help you study smart, we’ve compiled a subject-wise list of the most trusted resources — including the best UPSC geography books, UPSC economy books, UPSC environment books, and UPSC science and tech notes.

Whether you're a beginner or revising your second or third attempt, this guide by Exaministry will help streamline your preparation and improve your score.

Best UPSC Geography Books

Geography features prominently in both Prelims and Mains (GS Paper 1), and map-based questions are regular in the exam. To build strong conceptual clarity, start with the following UPSC geography books:

NCERT Geography Textbooks (Class 6 to 12)

• Build a solid foundation

• Language is simple and exam-relevant

Certificate Physical and Human Geography by G.C. Leong

• Best book for physical geography topics like climatology, oceanography, and landforms

• Ideal for quick revisions and concept clarity

Geography of India by Majid Husain

• Covers Indian Geography in detail

• Highly useful for Mains and map-based questions

Oxford Student Atlas for India

• Must-have for practicing location-based questions

• Revise important rivers, mountains, cities, and climate zones

Best UPSC Economy Books

Economy is one of the highest-weightage subjects in both Prelims and Mains (GS Paper 3). Here are the top UPSC economy books to build core understanding and stay updated:

Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh

• Comprehensive and beginner-friendly

• Good for both conceptual clarity and current updates

NCERT Economics (Class 9 to 12)

• Must-read for basic terms like GDP, inflation, fiscal deficit, etc.

• Especially useful for first-time aspirants

Economic Survey (Latest Edition)

• Government’s official report on the economy

• Focus on graphs, key concepts, and case studies

Budget Summary (Government of India)

• Read highlights and allocations to various sectors

• Crucial for Prelims, Mains, and Essay paper

Best UPSC Environment Books

Environment has gained huge importance, especially in Prelims GS Paper 1 and Mains GS Paper 3. It also overlaps with current affairs and science & tech.

Here are the most trusted UPSC environment books:

Environment by Shankar IAS Academy

• Most popular and widely recommended

• Includes static topics like biodiversity, pollution, climate change, etc.

NCERT Biology (Class 12 – Unit on Ecology)

• Great for understanding basics of ecosystems, food chains, and biodiversity

Ministry of Environment Annual Reports

• Useful for Mains answers and value addition

Current Affairs on Environment (Exaministry)

• Daily and monthly updates on national parks, conventions, climate policies, etc.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right books and notes is 50% of your UPSC preparation. Stick to standard sources like UPSC geography books, economy books, environment books, and upsc science and tech notes — and revise them multiple times.