I initially checked the books suggested by previous toppers especially, Manuj Jindal Sir (Youtube video) and coaching’s like Fraternity IAS. Later based on online availability and the books I had used in college, I created my own list.
In my first iteration of notes, I referred to management optional syllabus and based on those keywords prepared my notes. However, I found it very less relevant when I tried solving the PYQs.
Hence, I suggest you to refer to topper’s notes and combine it with PYQs. If you are unable to understand any concept then only refer to a text book or even better to use the internet. In my view, you can also use any book that you studied in college or otherwise.
Still, just for reference I am mentioning the books that I used as some aspirants have been asking. Kindly find the Indian edition for books if available
Paper-I
- Managerial Function and Process: Management by Robbins, Mary Coulter
- Organizational Behaviour and Design: OB by Robbins
- Human Resource Management: HRM by K Aswathappa. But I will recommend, referring only to Bushara Bano Ma’am’s videos on youtube or my notes prepared from the same
- Accounting for Managers: Cost and Management Accounting by Institute of Company Secretaries of India; NCERT XI and XII. But was a lost effort, ultimately just did PYQs
- Financial Management: Prasanna Chandra. I found the book to be useful and really enjoyed reading it
- Marketing Management: Philip Kotler, preferably use Indian edition. A useful book
Paper-II
- Quantitative techniques in decision making: Business Statistics by Sanjiv Jaggia. Use only as cross-reference, as numericals are very easy in final exam and repetitive. Studying the book will be too much effort.
- Production and Operations management: Operations Management by Heizer
- Management Information System: MIS by O’Brien. Do not read, no use. Do only PYQs
- Government Business Interface: did not study any book, just prepared some notes based on topics in syllabus using GS knowledge
- Strategic Cost Management: only PYQs and this webpage for common frameworks
- International Business: NCERT Business Studies, Chapter on IB.
UPSC Management optional 