BOOK LIST
UPSC OPTIONAL SUBJECT BOOKLIST
A carefully structured collection of recommended books, standard reference materials and supplementary resources for UPSC Civil Services Optional Subjects. Prepare with conceptual clarity, focused reading and a subject-wise approach.
Choose the Right Books. Prepare with the Right Strategy.
The UPSC Civil Services Main Examination includes one optional subject consisting of two descriptive papers. Each paper carries 250 marks, making the optional subject an important part of the overall preparation strategy.
At SAHAS IAS ACADEMY, we believe that effective preparation requires a limited number of reliable books, repeated revision, syllabus-based reading and consistent answer writing.
The following booklists are organized paper-wise. Core Books are recommended for primary preparation, while Supplementary Resources are meant for additional understanding and selected topics.
Explore Optional Subject Booklists
Select your subject and explore its recommended reading resources.
01. Sociology Optional
Sociology examines society, social institutions, social change, sociological thinkers and contemporary social issues. Its two papers cover general sociology and Indian society.
Paper I - Fundamentals of Sociology
- Sociology: Themes and Perspectives - Haralambos and Holborn
- Sociology - Anthony Giddens
- Sociological Thought - Francis Abraham and John Henry Morgan
- Sociological Theory - George Ritzer
- Essential Sociology - Nitin Sangwan
Paper II - Indian Society
- Social Change in Modern India - M. N. Srinivas
- Indian Society: Themes and Social Issues - Nadeem Hasnain
- Modernization of Indian Tradition - Yogendra Singh
- Social Background of Indian Nationalism - A. R. Desai
- Handbook of Indian Sociology - Veena Das
Supplementary Resources
- IGNOU Sociology BA and MA Study Material
- NCERT Class 11 - Introducing Sociology
- NCERT Class 12 - Indian Society
- NCERT Class 12 - Social Change and Development in India
- An Introduction to Political Theory - O. P. Gauba
02. Anthropology Optional
Anthropology studies human evolution, biological variation, culture, society, archaeological development and tribal communities in India.
Paper I - General Anthropology
- Physical Anthropology - P. Nath
- Anthropology - Carol R. Ember and Melvin Ember
- An Introduction to Social Anthropology - D. N. Majumdar and T. N. Madan
- An Introduction to Anthropological Thought - Makhan Jha
- Human Genetics - P. Nath
- An Outline of Indian Prehistory - D. K. Bhattacharya
Paper II - Indian Anthropology
- Indian Anthropology - Nadeem Hasnain
- Tribal India - Nadeem Hasnain
- The Tribal Culture of India - L. P. Vidyarthi and B. K. Rai
- An Outline of Indian Prehistory - D. K. Bhattacharya
- Social Change in Modern India - M. N. Srinivas
Supplementary Resources
- IGNOU Anthropology Study Material
- NCERT Class 11 and 12 Biology - selected chapters
- Report of the Xaxa Committee on Tribal Communities
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs Annual Reports
- Government reports on Scheduled Tribes and tribal development
03. Psychology Optional
Psychology focuses on human behaviour, cognition, personality, intelligence, learning, psychological testing and the practical application of psychological principles.
Paper I - Foundations of Psychology
- Psychology - Robert A. Baron
- Psychology - Saundra K. Ciccarelli (alternative text)
- Social Psychology - Baron and Branscombe
- Fundamentals of Cognitive Psychology - Ronald T. Kellogg
- Theories of Personality - Duane P. Schultz and Sydney Ellen Schultz
- Tests, Measurements and Research Methods in Behavioural Sciences - A. K. Singh
Paper II - Psychology: Issues and Applications
- Applied Psychology - Smarak Swain
- IGNOU Psychology BA and MA Study Material
- NCERT Class 11 - Psychology
- NCERT Class 12 - Psychology
- Selected government reports and applied psychology case studies
Supplementary Resources
- Psychological Testing - Anne Anastasi
- Research methods and statistics study material
- Selected research papers and case studies
- Government programmes related to education, mental health and rehabilitation
04. Political Science and International Relations (PSIR)
PSIR covers political theory, Indian government and politics, comparative politics, international relations and India's foreign policy.
Paper I - Political Theory and Indian Politics
- An Introduction to Political Theory - O. P. Gauba
- A History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx - Subrata Mukherjee and Sushila Ramaswamy
- Foundations of Indian Political Thought - V. R. Mehta
- India's Struggle for Independence - Bipan Chandra
- Introduction to the Constitution of India - D. D. Basu
- Indian Government and Politics - B. L. Fadia
Paper II - Comparative Politics and International Relations
- Global Politics - Andrew Heywood
- Comparative Politics - J. C. Johari
- The Globalization of World Politics - John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens
- Foreign Policy of India - V. N. Khanna
- Challenge and Strategy: Rethinking India's Foreign Policy - Rajiv Sikri
Supplementary Resources
- Political Ideologies - Andrew Heywood
- Political Theory: An Introduction - Rajeev Bhargava and Ashok Acharya
- Indian Polity - M. Laxmikanth
- IGNOU Political Science and International Relations Material
- Ministry of External Affairs reports and official policy documents
- Current international developments and diplomatic statements
05. Geography Optional
Geography combines physical geography, human geography, environmental processes, geographical theories and the geography of India.
Paper I - Principles of Geography
- Physical Geography - Savindra Singh
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography - Goh Cheng Leong
- Human Geography - Majid Husain
- Models in Geography - Majid Husain
- Geographical Thought - Majid Husain
- Geography of Population - R. C. Chandna
Paper II - Geography of India
- India: A Comprehensive Geography - D. R. Khullar
- Geography of India - Majid Husain
- Agricultural Geography - Majid Husain
- Geography of Population - R. C. Chandna
- Oxford School Atlas
- NCERT Geography Class 11 and 12
Supplementary Resources
- Geomorphology - Savindra Singh
- Climatology - D. S. Lal
- Environmental Geography - Savindra Singh
- IGNOU Geography Study Material
- Survey of India maps and official geographical data
- Government reports on agriculture, environment and regional development
How to Use This Booklist
- Begin with the official UPSC syllabus and understand every topic.
- Start with the recommended core books for your selected optional subject.
- Read selectively according to the syllabus instead of reading every chapter.
- Use supplementary books only when a topic needs additional explanation.
- Prepare concise notes and connect relevant examples with each topic.
- Practice previous year questions and regular answer writing.
- Revise your notes repeatedly before attempting full-length tests.
Prepare with Clarity. Progress with Confidence.
The right optional strategy begins with syllabus understanding, carefully selected resources, conceptual learning and consistent answer writing practice.
SAHAS IAS ACADEMY
Structured Preparation. Strong Fundamentals. Better Learning.