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The UPSC Law Optional syllabus is divided into two papers of 250 marks each. Knowing the right sources, including the best books for law optional UPSC, is essential before starting your preparation. The books listed here are comprehensive, but you should read selectively, focusing on the syllabus and the type of questions asked in previous years.
Law Optional Paper I – 250 Marks
1. Constitutional Law
- Constitutional Law of India — M. P. Jain
- Constitution of India — Durga Das Basu (DD Basu)
- The Constitution of India (Bare Act) — P. M. Bakshi
2. Administrative Law
- Administrative Law — I. P. Massey
3. International Law (Selective Reading)
- International Law — Malcolm Shaw
- International Law and Humanitarian Law — S. K. Kapoor
- International Law — J. G. Starke (Selected Chapters)
Law Optional Paper II – 250 Marks
1. Law of Crimes
- Textbook on Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita — K. D. Gaur
- Criminal Law: Cases and Materials — K. D. Gaur
2. Law of Torts
- Law of Torts — R. K. Bangia
- Law of Torts — Ratanlal & Dhirajlal
3. Contract and Mercantile Law
- Law of Contract and Specific Relief — Avtar Singh
4. Contemporary Legal Developments
- Covered through newspapers, current affairs magazines, websites, and legal blogs.
Additional Books & References
Studies in Jurisprudence and Legal Theory — N.V. Paranjape (11th Edition)
- 650 pages, the standard jurisprudence text for Law optional
- Schools of legal thought with Indian case context
- Structured close to the UPSC Law Paper 1 syllabus
The jurisprudence half of Law optional lives in this book.
- barandbench.com
- Jurisprudence and Legal Theory — Dr. N. V. Paranjape
- Relevant Bare Acts
- Newspapers & legal journals for current affairs
- Useful websites: