The UPSC civil services exam preparation is not complete without a good atlas. Map-based questions are asked in the prelims exam as well as in the Geography optional paper in the IAS mains exam. So, how will one choose the atlas that is best for UPSC? Apart from that, maps provide an excellent source of reference material since an understanding of the various political entities and physical features of India, and the world is made simpler with maps. Even in subjects like history and economics, studying with maps can increase your understanding of the subject. In this article, we give you a list of some of the best map books for IAS Exam preparation.
| To complement your preparation for the topics mentioned in the UPSC Syllabus, check the following links: |
Types of Atlas
The different types of atlases are stated below. These map books for UPSC will be useful in the exam:
Oxford Student Atlas
The Oxford Student Atlas is a favourite among students as it is easy to understand and use. It comes with a CD that is really useful. The CD is a storehouse of data on the geography and history of civilisations. The information is not highly detailed but gives an idea to fresh students of the subject to build on. The atlas also has an extra world and India map attached. The atlas also gives useful information like capitals, currencies, languages, and GDPs of every country.
Orient BlackSwan School Atlas
The Orient BlackSwan School Atlas is also a popular world atlas for UPSC aspirants. It has maps of ancient civilisations of both India and the world. Apart from the political and physical maps of all the continents, it also consists of distinct economic and climatic maps. The atlas also comprises wildlife depiction on maps, tectonic plates, and the major heritages in danger, worldwide. Additionally, it has a table that portrays the river basins in India. However, this atlas has portrayed the physical and political maps of India clubbed together, which makes studying the physical features a bit cumbersome. Also, there is only one map for oceanic currents.
Some students prefer to use the Oxford Atlas for India and the Orient Blackswan for world maps.
One should also know the types of maps in Geography. You may learn about it in the linked article.
Once you know about the maps, learn how to use maps effectively for UPSC examination in the linked article.
Other atlases you can refer to are:
- Concise Atlas of the World – Schoolkart
- Concise Atlas of the World – Collins
- National Geographic Concise Atlas of the World
- Atlas by Study Today Publication – this is good for detailed study since it has district-wise maps of India.
Once you know which is the best atlas for UPSC that you have to refer to for UPSC 2023, you may also check the following links to aid your preparation for the exam:
| Revising World Geography through Maps | Best Pen for UPSC mains |
| 10 Must-Have Books for IAS Aspirants | 15 Magical UPSC Study Tips on How to Study for IAS |
UPSC Preparation:
| UPSC Mains GS 1 Strategy, Syllabus and Structure | India Year Book – 5 Things to Know | Time Table for UPSC Preparation |
| Top 5 Magazines for UPSC | Documents Required for UPSC Exam | UPSC Cut Off |
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