Recommended books for preparing for the UPSC civil services exam include titles like "Introduction to the Constitution of India" by D.D. Basu, "Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth, and "Modern India" by Bipin Chandra. They cover essential topics in depth and provide comprehensive insight into the syllabus. Additionally, aspirants should refer to NCERT textbooks and current affairs compilations to enrich their understanding and contextual knowledge.