UPSC or the Union Public Service Commission conducts one of the toughest and most prestigious exams in India. The exam is divided into three stages - Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. Candidates can choose from a list of optional subjects for the Mains stage, which includes both literature and non-literature subjects. Here are the subjects and their recommended books for UPSC preparation.

Subjects and recommended books:





- A History of English Literature by Edward Albert
- The Concise Cambridge History of English Literature by George Sampson
- A Critical History of English Literature by David Daiches



- Hindi Sahitya ka Itihas by Ramchandra Shukla
- Bharatiya Sahitya by Ram Vilas Sharma
- Hindi Sahitya ka Adikal by Ram Chandra Verma



- Bharatiya Sanskriti aur Sabhyata by Shyamacharan Shukla
- Kavyamimamsa by Rajendra Nath Sharma





- Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong
- Indian Geography by Majid Hussain
- Oxford Student Atlas for India



- India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
- A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir
- Ancient and Medieval India by Poonam Dalal Dahiya



- Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
- An Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu
- Politics in India since Independence by Paul Brass



- Indian Economy by Ramesh Singh
- Indian Economic Development by Uma Kapila
- The Indian Economy: Problems and Prospects by Bimal Jalan



- Sociology: Themes and Perspectives by Haralambos and Heald
- Sociology: Principles of Sociology with an Introduction to Social Thought by C.N. Shankar Rao
- Society in India by Ram Ahuja

In conclusion, candidates should choose subjects based on their interest and strengths. They should also refer to previous year question papers and keep themselves updated with current events. EduRev offers a vast collection of resources for UPSC preparation, including notes, videos, and mock tests.