10 Best Book for Political Science for UPSC

Best Book for Political Science for UPSC

Preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations needs a well-structured study plan and systematically chosen study materials, especially when the subject is Political Science which is a very vast and dynamic within itself. This subject is crucial not only for the General Studies papers but also for the optional subject in the Mains examination of UPSC. Here is a detailed and a suggested list of the best book for Political Science for UPSC accompanied by a brief description.

Best Book for Political Science UPSC

1. NCERT Books

NCERT books are the foundation of UPSC preparation not only for political science but also for every subjects. Before studying any other reference books, Students should first cover the NCERT books from class 6 to class 12 for the basic understanding about the subject.

For Political Science, it is suggested to first cover both the NCERT books of political science of class 11 and class 12:

Class 11: “Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work” Class 12: “Political Science: Contemporary World Politics”

2. Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth is considered as a cornerstone for UPSC aspirants for preparation of Indian Polity that provides a comprehensive overview of the Indian political system. It covers about the Indian Constitution, governance, and political dynamics in an extensive manner. The book provides:

• Detailed explanations of various constitutional provisions.
• In-depth analysis of the political processes and attentivities in India.
• Numerous diagrams and flowcharts for better understanding of concepts.
• Practice questions at the end of each chapter.

This book is very essential for the understanding of the Indian political framework and is very important for both prelims and mains examinations.

Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth PDF Download

3. An Introduction to Political Theory by O.P. Gauba 

This book is a vital resource for understanding the foundational concepts of political theory. O.P. Gauba introduces students to key concepts and theories of Political Science in an easy and detailed manner in this book. The book covers:

• Comprehensive understanding of major political ideologies like – liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, feminism, Anarchism etc.
• Clear explanations of complex political concepts like Liberty, Equality, Justice, Rights and Democracy.
• Includes contemporary issues and debates within political theory

An Introduction to Political Theory by O.P. Gauba gives a strong understanding of political theory that is necessary for both the prelims and particularly for mains optional Political science. This book helps aspirants to understand theories and concepts clearly and critically.

4. A History of Political Thought Volume One and Two by Sukhveer Singh

Sukhveer Singh’s book ‘A History of political thought’ consist of two volumes. The book explores key political theories, philosophies, and thinkers from ancient Greece to contemporary times. It covers major political philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, and others and examine their contributions to concepts like democracy, justice, power, and governance.

The book gives a detailed and systematic explanation about western political thought and better to understand for UPSC students.  

5. Introduction to the Constitution of India by Durga Das Basu

Durga Das Basu’s classic work is a suggested reference for UPSC students to understand the Indian Constitution in an advanced way. The book offers:

• Clear and concise language that makes complex legal concepts understandable and Comprehensive coverage to constitutional amendments and landmark judgments.
• Summaries and explanations of key articles.

This book is vital for understanding the legal framework of Indian governance, making it a suggested reference for the UPSC exams.

6. Governance in India by M. Laxmikanth

Another classic work by M. Laxmikanth ‘Governance in India’. This book covers governance and administration in India.

• Detailed analysis of the structure, functions, and processes of governance and the role of various institutions and their functions. Understanding governance is crucial for the General Studies papers and helps in answering mains questions with depth.

7. Comparative Politics by J. C. Johari

J. C. Johari’s “Comparative Politics” is an important reference book that introduces to the comparative study of political systems across different countries.

• The book analyses different political systems, including democratic, authoritarian, and totalitarian regimes and examine the political processes and structures in various nations.

8. International Relations by V.K. Malhotra

This book focuses on the basic concepts and theories of international politics and India’s position within it. V.K. Malhotra provides an insightful overview of global politics, foreign policy, and international organizations. The book provides

• Thorough analysis of key concepts in international relations.
• Exploration of India’s foreign policy, bilateral relations, and strategic partnerships and discussion of major international organizations and their roles.

9. Indian Political Thought by O.P. Gauba

This book provides a holistic view of Indian Political Thought by covering both ancient and modern political thinker with detail explanation and conceptual analysis. The book covers major political thinkers like Kautilya, Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, M.N. Roy, Jawaharlal Nehru and others. This book is a suggested reference for the UPSC aspirants who have taken Political Science as their optional to cover their Indian Political Thought portion.

10. International Relations by Pavneet Singh

International Relations by Pavneet Singh is one of the highly recommended books for UPSC aspirants for both International Relations and Foreign policy. The book covers wide range of facts about India’s relation with its neighbours and other great power in detailed and easy way.

Download the International Relations by Pavneet Singh PDF

If you are showing interest in the Top 10 Best Political Science books for UPSC you can be benefitted by the political science book and author list.

Choosing the right books is fundamental for the effective preparation for the UPSC. Each of the textbooks listed above offers unique insights and comprehensive coverage to the whole political science syllabus. Though Political Science is a highly dynamic and vast subjects, Students need to integrate these resources with current affairs, newspapers with practice writing answers, and engage in group discussions to enhance their understanding and analytical skills. With the right materials and a disciplined approach, any aspirant can be well-equipped to tackle the UPSC examination successfully.

All the Very Best for All UPSC Aspirants!