Best Books for GPSC Preparation: Subject-wise Recommended Resources (2025 Edition)

The GPSC (Gujarat Public Service Commission) exam demands a broad understanding of various subjects including History, Geography, Indian Polity, Economy, Science, Current Affairs, and Gujarat-specific knowledge. A smart selection of books helps in focused, efficient preparation.

📘 General Studies – Paper 1 (Prelims & Mains)

1. Indian History

• NCERT Books (Class 6–12) – for basic concepts

• India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma (Old NCERT alternative)

• History of Medieval India – Satish Chandra

• Modern India – Bipin Chandra

• Gujarat no Itihas – D.D. Kosambi (Gujarati Edition for Gujarat-specific content)

2. Geography

• NCERT Geography (Class 6–12) – highly recommended for conceptual clarity

• Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G.C. Leong

• Bharat ane Gujarat no Bhugol – Gujarati Medium books by local authors (e.g., ICE Academy or Liberty Publication)

3. Indian Polity

• Indian Polity for Civil Services Examinations – M. Laxmikanth (must-read)

• Gujarat Rajya Vyavastha – ICE Academy or World Inbox (Gujarati medium)

4. Economy

• NCERT Economics (Class 11 & 12)

• Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh

• Bharatiya Arthvyavastha ane Gujarat – Local publishers (Gujarati medium)

• Annual Economic Survey and Union Budget (latest)

📗 General Studies – Paper 2

5. Science & Technology

• NCERT Science Books (Class 6–10)

• General Science – Lucent’s or Arihant’s

• Yojana/Kurukshetra Magazine (for applied science and tech topics)

• ISRO, DRDO, and government reports for latest developments

6. Environment and Ecology

• Environment – Shankar IAS Academy Book

• Government websites like MoEFCC (Ministry of Environment)

• Current environmental issues from newspapers

7. Current Affairs

• Monthly Current Affairs Magazines – World Inbox, ICE Magic, Liberty

• The Hindu / Indian Express (for national & international events)

• Manorama Yearbook or Arihant Yearly Current Affairs

• Official Government Portals – PIB, Gujarat State Portal

📙 Gujarat-Specific Preparation

8. Gujarat History, Geography, Economy & Polity

• Gujarat no Itihas – D.D. Kosambi or local author

• Bhugol Gujarat no – Liberty or ICE

• Gujarat Rajkaran ane Arthvyavastha – World Inbox / Akshar Publication

• Gujarat Government Schemes & Yojana – ICE Magic or Gujarat State Government website

📘 Language Papers (Mains)

9. Gujarati Language

• Gujarati Vyakaran – Akshar / ICE Publication

• Gujarati Essay Practice Book – Liberty or Navneet

• Gujarati Comprehension and Grammar – Any local trusted publication

10. English Language

• High School English Grammar & Composition – Wren & Martin

• Objective General English – S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)

• Daily newspaper reading for comprehension and essay practice

📒 Essay Paper (Mains)

• Essays for Civil Services – Pulkit Khare (McGraw Hill)

• Practice writing on topics related to:

  • Indian Society

  • Gujarat Development

  • Environment, Economy, Governance

• Analyze essays from previous GPSC toppers

📘 General Tips for Book Selection:

• Don’t overload yourself with too many books per subject — stick to 1–2 high-quality books and revise them multiple times.

• For Gujarat-specific topics, local publications like ICE, Liberty, Akshar, and World Inbox are highly recommended.

• Combine book reading with online content, government reports, and official websites for factual accuracy.

✅ Bonus: Online Resources You Can Use

🧭 Final Thoughts

Choosing the right books is critical for your GPSC preparation journey. Make sure the material you follow:

• Covers the official syllabus

• Aligns with government sources

• Is updated for 2025

• Helps you build conceptual clarity and exam confidence

Consistency and focused revision of the right resources will take you closer to success in the Gujarat Civil Services exam.