2026 Updated List

Best Books for KPSC KAS Preparation

Karnataka-focused reading list for the KPSC Gazetted Probationers (KAS) exam, blending state-specific titles with widely used national references. Each subject links to PYQs on AbhyasX KPSC.

This list is curated from commonly-used KAS reading material. Topper booklists vary — supplement it with at least one official source (KPSC notification, Karnataka Economic Survey, NCERTs) before purchasing.

🏛️Karnataka History

Practice PYQs

A Concise History of Karnataka

by Suryanath U. Kamath- Standard text for KAS Karnataka history

History of Karnataka (Old Mysore)

by P.B. Desai

Karnataka Through the Ages

by Government of Karnataka, Publications Division

Spectrum’s A Brief History of Modern India

by Rajiv Ahir- Indian National Movement & Karnataka’s contribution

NCERT History (Class 6–12)

by NCERT- Foundation for Indian History

⚖️Indian Polity & Karnataka Governance

Practice PYQs

Indian Polity

by M. Laxmikanth- The standard reference for Polity

Introduction to the Constitution of India

by D.D. Basu

Karnataka Government and Politics

by M.V. Nadkarni- Karnataka-specific polity

NCERT Political Science (Class 11–12)

by NCERT

🌍Karnataka Geography

Practice PYQs

Certificate Physical and Human Geography

by G.C. Leong- Physical geography foundation

Geography of Karnataka

by R. Vasantha Kumaran

Indian Geography

by Majid Husain

Oxford School Atlas (with Karnataka maps)

by Oxford University Press- Essential for map-based KAS questions

NCERT Geography (Class 6–12)

by NCERT

📊Karnataka & Indian Economy

Practice PYQs

Indian Economy

by Ramesh Singh- Comprehensive coverage

Karnataka Economic Survey (Latest)

by Government of Karnataka- Must-read for state economy

Economic Survey of India (Latest)

by Government of India

Karnataka Budget Highlights (Latest)

by Finance Department, Government of Karnataka

NCERT Economics (Class 11–12)

by NCERT

🌿Environment & Ecology

Practice PYQs

Environment

by Shankar IAS Academy- Standard environment text

Western Ghats: Beyond the Misty Veil

by Various (Ed. K. Ullas Karanth)- Karnataka-relevant biodiversity

Madhav Gadgil Report on the Western Ghats

by Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel- Frequently asked in KAS

NCERT Biology (Class 12 - Ecology chapters)

by NCERT

🔬Science & Technology

Practice PYQs

Science and Technology in India

by TMH (Tata McGraw Hill)

Karnataka State Industries & Major R&D Institutions (handbook)

by Government of Karnataka- Covers ISRO, BEL, HAL, IISc, NAL

NCERT Science (Class 6–10)

by NCERT- Foundation for general science

🧭Ethics (GS Paper IV)

Practice PYQs

Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

by G. Subba Rao & P.N. Roy Chowdhury- Best for GS Paper IV

Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

by Niraj Kumar- Good for case studies

Vachana Sahitya & Basavanna’s Vachanas

by Various- Karnataka ethical thinkers for Paper IV

✍️Kannada Language Paper

Practice PYQs

Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Anthologies

by Karnataka Sahitya Akademi- Classical and modern Kannada literature

Kannada Vyakarana (Grammar) - Reference

by Various State Board Textbooks

Selected Vachanas (Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu)

by Various

Kuvempu’s Ramayana Darshanam (excerpts)

by K.V. Puttappa

📰General Reading & Current Affairs

Practice PYQs

Prajavani / Vijaya Karnataka

by Daily Newspaper (Kannada)- Karnataka and national current affairs in Kannada

The Hindu (Bengaluru edition)

by Daily Newspaper- Use AbhyasX KPSC for curated summaries

Karnataka Year Book / Karnataka Handbook (Latest)

by Government of Karnataka, Publications Division

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