NCERT books for UPSC Preparation
NCERT books are considered to be the most important books when it comes to IAS preparation. Many toppers have admitted that they judiciously followed NCERT books for UPSC their preparation and they were definitely worth it. These books are easily available and students should always start their UPSC Civil Services preparation from these basic NCERT textbooks.
NCERT books are easily accessible both as hard copy and soft copy, to all the candidates who are preparing for the IAS exam. The content in the NCERT textbooks is written for school students and the basic information is conveyed in simple language.
NCERT Books for UPSC IAS Exam Preparation:
Importance of NCERT Books for UPSC preparation
NCERT books are very helpful and simple to follow and students usually find these books easier to comprehend concepts, when compared to other books.
Be it the Prelims exam or Mains, UPSC gives importance to NCERT textbooks only as they are easily accessible to both rural and urban candidates. Further, they are also readily available online on the NCERT website and every year at least 35-40 prelims questions are directly asked from the NCERTs.
The information provided in the NCERT books is both authentic and reliable. They are the most basic books and written in very simple language with a neutral perspective.
If you read one book for the prelims it also comes an advantage for you during your mains preparation. Geography NCERTs of class 11 and 12 and History NCERT of class 10 and 11 are the most comprehensive books which is be read by almost every aspirant.
The answer writing style for the mains is similar to the writing style of these books which makes them as the fundamental element for your preparation when compared to other books.
If you are planning to choose humanities optional and you are from the non-humanities background, then studying from these books will help you in choosing the right optional also.
How to read NCERT books for UPSC preparation?
This is the part where one can prepare in multiple ways. You may choose whatever suits you the best as per your interest but can optimal way would be to follow the below:-
- Underline in the 1st reading itself since that is the start of your preparation.
- Read and understand the underlined stuff in the 2nd reading.
- Make crisp notes in the final reading and from then on, forget those books and just rely on your notes.
- Revise them monthly and after 4-5 iterations, you will reach the level that requires around 4-5hours only to revise the entire NCERT books from class 6 to class 12.
- Always remember, it’s not about reading and finishing the books but to remember those concepts and facts.
NCERT books for UPSC Preparation
HISTORY
- NCERT Class VI – Our Past
- NCERT Class VII – Our Past –I
- NCERT Class VIII – Our Past II and III
- NCERT Class XII – Themes In Indian History – I
- NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – II
- NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – III
GEOGRAPHY
- NCERT Class VI – The Earth Our Habitat
- NCERT Class VII – Our Environment
- NCERT Class VIII – Resource and Development
- NCERT Class IX – Contemporary India – I
- NCERT Class X – Contemporary India – II
- NCERT Class XI – Fundamentals of Physical Geography
- NCERT Class XI – India – Physical Environment
- NCERT Class XII – Fundamentals of Human Geography
- NCERT Class XII – India – People and Economy
INDIAN SOCIETY
- NCERT Class XI – Sociology: Understanding Society
- NCERT Class XII – Indian Society
- NCERT Class XII – Social Change and Development in India
ART & CULTURE
- NCERT Class XI – An Introduction to Indian Art
- NCERT Class XI – Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)
POLITY
- NCERT Class IX – Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – I
- NCERT Class X – Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – II
- NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work
- NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Political Theory
- NCERT Class XII – Political Science II: Politics in India since Independence
ECONOMICS
- NCERT Class IX – Economics
- NCERT Class X – Understanding Economic Development
- NCERT Class XI – Indian Economic Development
- NCERT Class XII – Introductory Microeconomics
- NCERT Class XII – Introductory Macroeconomics
SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY/ECOLOGY/ENVIRONMENT
- NCERT Class VI
- NCERT Class VII
- NCERT Class VIII
- NCERT Class IX
- NCERT Class X
- NCERT Class XI
- NCERT Class XII – Biology (chapters 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16); Chemistry (chapter 16)
List of relevant Old NCERT books for reference/selective reading
1. Ancient India (Class XI) by RS Sharma
2. Medieval India (Class IX) by Satish Chandra
3. Modern India (Class X) by Bipin Chandra
4. World History(Class X): The Story of Civilization by Arjun Dev
Books to be referred after reading NCERT for UPSC preparation
Candidates need to follow the prescribed textbooks or one standard textbook for each subject.
Listed below are the essential textbooks for all GS Subjects.
- Indian Polity (M. Laxmikanth)
- Indian Economy (Ramesh Singh)
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G C Leong
- History of Modern India ( Bipin Chandra )
- Indian Year Book
- Art and Culture – Nitin Singhania
- Yojana Magazine
- A brief history of Modern India (Spectrum publications)
From all the books, one must understand the concept as UPSC evaluates the candidates’ conceptual understanding and analytical ability. It does not give importance to what book you have read, rather it gives importance to what you have understood from it.
Conclusion
To sum this all up, more than 40% of NEET questions come from NCERT books, including all the important subjects. Reading NCERT books thoroughly ensures that the concepts are crystal clear. There are questions to solve and revise as well and also NCERTs must be studied and prepared in such a way that it can be revised in 10-12 hours. Never give up on the hard work, work hard till you succeed. All the best!!!
