Among the range of questions that aspirants has to face, one of the most important question that aspirants has to face is; Is it enough to cover NCERT books for prepartion of preliminary examination. During the Preparation of Civil services examination, it is important to read important books for the respective subjects.
Starting Civil Services Prepartion:
- Aspirants should look to prepare for Prelims examination by covering NCERT books as their first priority. Starting civil services examination is the most important yet toughest part of the Civil services examination.
- Aspirants should look to complete NCERT books as the first priorities, later on they can read other books to develop knowledge base on the subject matter. Clearing civil services examination is the tricky one and is considered as delicate blend of all subjects Questions.
Read Also: NCERT HINDI
Importance of NCERT books for Prelims:
- NCERT books act as foundation base, aspirants should not see covering NCERT books as last thing. E.g. for certain subjects like Geography, science & Technology or Word History and Indian History NCERT books are the best.
- For other subjects, Students can read different books in the market, like for Indian Economy aspirants can read book of Ramesh Singh or for Polity Aspirants should read Book of Laxmikant.
- The basic concepts are the same in all the books but the application of the concept makes all the difference hence some books are considered as the best books. The main issue is to do a selection of appropriate or best books that are quite relevant and effective for IAS preparation.
List of NCERT books suggested by UPSC teachers and toppers:
There is a lot of information that needs to be covered as a part of the UPSC syllabus. Finding appropriate sources for this information can be extremely challenging. Here, we have compiled a subject-wise list of NCERT books that are the most relevant for UPSC preparation. We have also added all the necessary links to download these books.
Read Also: The Ultimate UPPSC Booklist: Expert Recommendations for Every Subject
Paper I (General Studies)
INDIAN SOCIETY BOOKS (SOCIOLOGY and SOCIAL STUDIES)
Understanding the science behind the operation of society is very important especially when you are aspiring to become a civil servant. Download NCERT Sociology books from here.
- Indian Society: NCERT Class VI – Social Science: Social & Political Life I
- Indian Society: NCERT Class VII – Social Science: Social & Political Life II
- Indian Society: NCERT Class VIII – Social Science: Social & Political Life III
- Indian Society: NCERT Class XI – Sociology: Understanding Society
- Indian Society: NCERT Class XII – Indian Society
- Indian Society: NCERT Class XII – Social Change and Development in India
- NCERT Class 11 – Sociology Book – Introducing Sociology
- NCERT Class 11 – Sociology Book – Understanding Society
- NCERT Class 12 – Sociology Book – Indian Society
- NCERT Class 12 – Sociology Book – Social Change and Development in India
HISTORY BOOKS
For a foundational preparation for prelims and mains, students can start with NCERT history books, to begin with, their history preparation. These books have proven to be extremely beneficial in the case of students that come from commerce or science backgrounds.
- History: NCERT Class VI – Our Past – I
- History: NCERT Class VII – Our Past – II
- History: NCERT Class VIII – Our Past III
- History: NCERT Class IX – India and the Contemporary World – I
- History: NCERT Class X – India and the Contemporary World – II
- History: NCERT Class XI – Themes in World History
- History: NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – I
- History: NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – II
- History: NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – III
- Old NCERT History books (RS Sharma, Satish Chandra, Bipan Chandra & Arjun Dev)
GEOGRAPHY BOOKS
Knowing Indian and World Geography is extremely important. Maps and information provided about different climatic regions in NCERT Geography books help in answering a lot of the answers related to Geography.
- Geography: NCERT Class VI – The Earth Our Habitat
- Geography: NCERT Class VII – Our Environment
- Geography: NCERT Class VIII – Resource and Development
- Geography: NCERT Class IX – Contemporary India – I
- Geography: NCERT Class X – Contemporary India – II
- Geography: NCERT Class XI – Fundamentals of Physical Geography
- Geography: NCERT Class XI – India – Physical Environment
- Geography: NCERT Class XII – Fundamentals of Human Geography
- Geography: NCERT Class XII – India – People and Economy
Read Also: Geography UPSC Study Material
ART AND CULTURE BOOKS
- Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – An Introduction to Indian Art
- Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)
Read Also: The Connection between Books and Culture
Paper-II (General Studies)
POLITY BOOKS
Political Science covers the country’s legal and fundamental aspects, which makes it an extremely important subject. Download important NCERT polity books from here.
- Polity: NCERT Class IX – Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – I
- Polity: NCERT Class X – Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – II
- Polity: NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work
- Polity: NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Political Theory
- Polity: NCERT Class XII – Political Science I: Contemporary World Politics
- Polity: NCERT Class XII – Political Science II: Politics in India since Independence
Paper III (General Studies)
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY BOOKS
Having adequate knowledge of general science is important in UPSC. To be able to answer science and technology-related questions you must refer to NCERT science books as they cover a lot of information. You can download books from here.
- Science: NCERT Class VI
- Science: NCERT Class VII
- Science: NCERT Class VIII
- Science: NCERT Class IX
- Science: NCERT Class X
- Science: NCERT Class XI – Chemistry: Unit 14
- Science NCERT Class XI – Biology: Units 4 & 5
- Science: NCERT Class XII – Chemistry: only download (b) is normally required
- Science NCERT Class XII – Chemistry Part I
- Science NCERT Class XII – Chemistry Part II Unit 16
- Science: NCERT Class XII – Biology: Units 8, 9 & 10
ECONOMICS BOOKS
The subject of the Indian Economy covers India’s current and past economic aspects, which makes it an important topic. Knowing its fundamentals is crucial for UPSC exams. Download NCERT economic books from here.
- Economy: NCERT Class IX – Economics
- Economy: NCERT Class X – Understanding Economic Development
- Economy: NCERT Class XI – Indian Economic Development
- Economy: NCERT Class XII – Introductory Microeconomics
- Economy: NCERT Class XII – Introductory Macroeconomics
ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY BOOKS
- Science: Class XII – Biology: last four Chapters (13 to 16)
Paper IV (Ethics)
- NCERT Class 11 Psychology
- NCERT Class 12 Psychology
For more NCERT books or to download these books chapter-wise
How to study from NCERT books for UPSC?
Adequate use of pictures, simplified tables, descriptive examples, maps, and an easy-to-understand language makes NCERT books very simple for anyone to read. These books cover a huge amount of information especially on India’s cultural history, politics and biodiversity which are undeniably an important part of the IAS exam.
There is not any particular or best way to study from these books. The only way that suits you best must be followed. However, you can consider the tips mentioned below to increase the effectiveness of your preparation.
- Read subject-wise and not class-wise
NCERT books from 6 to 12 provide us with generous amounts of information and each subject is interlinked with the other in every class. Thus, to form connectivity between books, read them subject-wise.
- Makes notes
Give a good read and start jotting down pivotal points or highlighting whatever you find important to avoid unnecessary reading during revision.
- Time management
Set a target number of days to complete reading NCERT books. For example, assign one week for one subject to avoid wasting time.
- The old is gold
For history books, it is advised to also read old books as they contain a more in-depth history.
- Latest is the best
For Geography and other books, it is important to read new and latest books (along with old ones, only if found necessary) to keep a track of geographical, political and research changes.
FAQs on NCERT for UPSC
Does UPSC ask questions directly from NCERT?
Yes, that’s right. UPSC asks questions from NCERT and many times such questions were asked directly. Do consider a case from 2016 Prelims, when there were more than 5 questions directly asked from NCERT books!
Can we avoid NCERT for UPSC?
That would be a big mistake. NCERTs are important and the best books to start your UPSC preparation with. They form a fundamental base and can help you understand basic and crucial aspects faster.
How many times should I read NCERT books as a part of UPSC preparation?
At least more than one time to thoroughly understand the concepts and learn them by heart if needed.
Studying NCERTs help in building the foundation for UPSC preparation. Although studying only NCERTs is not enough and other standard references are also of equal importance, if you begin with the NCERT books for preparation, it will provide you with a strong base to move ahead with other books and references.
