UPSC Maths Optional Books: Best Maths Books for UPSC
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
UPSC Maths Optional Books are a crucial part of the Mains preparation for the candidates who have opted for Maths optional. Maths is a scoring subject as there is an absolute answer to each question. For a subject like Mathematics, candidates must have to dedicate their time to practice with the help of the best Maths Books for UPSC The more you practice the easier it will be for you to ace the Maths optional. Candidates from B. Tech and B.Sc Mathematics mostly choose this as their optional subject. And those who are beginners must choose the best UPSC Maths Optional Books for their preparation.
As there are tons of UPSC Maths Optional Books available in the market, choosing the right one can be confusing for the candidates. That is why to make this process easier we have compiled a list of highly recommended Maths Books for UPSC that would surely enhance your preparation, and help you have a solid grasp of mathematics.
Table of content
Maths Books for UPSC
Candidates appearing for the Civil Service Exam will find basic Mathematics in the CSAT Syllabus. However, the Maths in the optional paper is of an advanced level. Maths optional subject can be high-scoring if a candidate is well-prepared, and to prepare for that candidates would need the best Maths Books for UPSC.
UPSC Maths Optional Books PDF
In CSAT the Maths questions are objective type but in the optional paper, there will be descriptive problems that can only be solved with the help of the best UPSC Maths Optional Books. Below we have provided the complete list of UPSC Maths Optional Books for both Paper 1 and 2 that would help you score big in UPSC Mains Exam.
UPSC Maths Optional Books Paper 1
UPSC Maths Syllabus for Paper-1 is advanced, and you would need the best Maths Books that will help you prepare for this section. Some of the topics covered in Paper-1 are Linear Algebra, Analytic Geometry, Calculus, Vector Analysis, Dynamics & Statics, etc., and the best books recommended by UPSC toppers to cover this section are:
- Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations – M D Raisinghania
- A Textbook On Dynamics – S. Chand
- Schaum’s Outline of Vector Analysis – Spiegel & Lipschutz
- Schaum’s Outline of Linear Algebra – Lipson and Lipschutz
- Mathematical Analysis – SC Malik and Savita Arora
- Analytical Solid Geometry – Shanti Narayan, PK Mittal
Maths Books for UPSC Paper 2
Paper-2 contains a wide range of topics like Algebra, Real Analysis, Linear Programming, Partial Differential Equations, Mechanics, and Fluid Dynamics. The UPSC Maths Optional Books that cover these topics comprehensively are given below.
- Advanced Differential Equations – M.D. Raisinghania
- Schaum’s Outline of Linear Algebra – Lipschutz & Lipson
- Introductory Methods of Numerical Analysis – SS Sastry
- Fluid Dynamics – M.D. Raisinghania
- Real Analysis – Halsey Royden
- Complex Variable (Schaum’s Outlines) – Spiegel, Schiller, Spellman and Lipschutz
- Topics in Linear Programming & Game Theory – Lakshmi Shree Bandopadhyay
Best Maths Books for UPSC
As you can see, there are so many options when it comes to choosing UPSC Maths Optional Books. Due to this candidates feel overwhelmed. However, if you have the information about the books then it gets easier to choose the best Maths Books for UPSC. That’s why below we will be covering some of the book descriptions so that you can make your selection easy.
- Schaum’s Outline of Linear Algebra by Lipson and Lipschutz – In this UPSC Maths book, linear equations are covered in updated chapters and problems with applications in computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, and quantitative analysis.
- Differential Calculus by Shanti Narayan, PK Mittal – It is one of the best UPSC Maths Optional Books for practicing calculus problems. It includes question sheets for practice and chapter-by-chapter exercises on various calculus subjects.
- A Textbook On Dynamics by S. Chand– In-depth highlights on motion types, Kepler’s laws, work, and equilibrium are covered in this text along with examples that have been solved for each chapter in this Maths book for UPSC.
- Advanced Differential Equations by M.D. Raisinghania– Both ordinary and partial differential equations are covered, along with a description of each method and its solutions.
- Real Analysis by Halsey Royden– This Maths optional book cover more crucial and basic concepts in general topology and normed linear space theory, and emphasizes the theory of real-valued functions.
Additional UPSC Maths Optional Books
Apart from the Maths Books for UPSC we have mentioned above, there are some reference books that you can add as well. But make sure you don’t pick multiple books at a time just to cover one topic. Here is a list of Maths reference books.
- Statistical Mechanism – Carson Horg
- Analytical Solid Geometry – Shanti Narayanan, PK Mittal
- Text Book on Differential Calculus – Gorakh Prasad
- Operations Research – Kanti Swarup, PK Gupta, Man Mohan
- Algebra – J. N. Sharma and S. N. Goya
- Mathematics Dictionary – RC James
- Linear Algebra – Finite Dimension Vector Spaces – Sharma and Vashishta
- Schaum’s Outline of Matrices – Frank Ayres
Strategy to Prepare with UPSC Maths Optional Books
Mathematics can be a scoring subject if it is prepared in the right way, and with the right strategy. That’s why we have pointed out some key tips that would help you to cover the Maths optional UPSC books in a more efficient manner, and hence help you to make the most out of your preparation time. You can apply this strategy to other UPSC Books as well.
- Choose UPSC Maths Optional Books per your comfort and level of understanding. Don’t get carried away with the recommendations of other candidates.
- Make sure you grasp the basic concepts and terms such as Linear Algebra, Calculus, Analytic Geometry, and many more. Choose books that would help you to clear the basic concepts first. You can’t score well unless you have a complete understanding of the basic concepts. To build a solid foundation you can follow UPSC NCERT Books as well.
- Choose one topic at a time, and one book to cover that particular topic. Choosing multiple books for one topic won’t help you at all.
- At last, make notes of important theorems, and formulas while reading from a book.
