UPSC PREPARATION BOOK LIST: START WITH NCERT : When any aspirant begins preparation we find ourselves lost. The best place to begin is with NEWSPAPERS (esp THE HINDU) AND NCERT. These are the books that you will come back to and stick to till you clear the examination are : 1. A BRIEFHISTORY OF MODERN INDIA BY RAJIV AHIR One of the most handy books and covers all important topics. A must read for all competitive examinations. Useful for both prelims and mains. Prelims topic covered: History of India and Indian national movement Or 1. History of Modern India By BipanChandra This book was earlier published by NCERT. After it was withdrawn Orient BlackSwan has been publishing it Prelims topic covered: History of India and Indian national movement 2. Indi...