NCERT books are highly reliable and comprehensible making them one of the top priorities for many competitive exams.
NCERT books are considered to be one of the most important parts of the preparation as they provide the foundation knowledge of any topic.
Some might think that NCERT books are school-level books and UPSC is a postgraduate-level exam that needs more in-depth study.
But this is a notion that NCERT books are just for students up to school and this is actually a myth.
Even toppers of UPSC exam, NEET pg toppers everyone has accepted that NCERT books are very useful.
NCERT books are a collection of all the integral topics of UPSC from biodiversity to geography and then history all of these topics can be read from the books of NCERT for the foundation.
If an aspirant is confused with their starting point there is only one Mantra which is NCERT books.
It is not that the NCERT books cover the whole syllabus of the UPSC exam but these do cover all the fundamentals.
The catalog below will help you with the NCERT books which are a must-read for all the aspirants appearing in the UPSC exam.
Paper 1: General studies
Sociology and Social Studies
| Indian Society: NCERT Class VI | Social science and political life 1 |
| Indian Society: NCERT Class VII | Social science and political life II |
| Indian Society: NCERT Class VIII | Social science and political life III |
| Indian Society: NCERT Class XI | Sociology: Understanding Society |
| Indian Society: NCERT Class XII | Indian society |
| Indian Society: NCERT Class XII | Social changes and development of India |
| NCERT class 11 | Introducing sociology |
| NCERT class 11 | Understanding society |
| NCERT class 12 | Indian society |
| NCERT class 12 | Social changes and development in India |
History books recommendations
NCERT books for History are important for both world history and Indian history is equally important..
| 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 1 |
| History NCERT class X | India and the contemporary world 2 |
| History NCERT class XI | Themes in world history |
| History NCERT class XII | Themes in Indian History 1 |
| History NCERT class XII | Themes in Indian History II III |
| Old NCERT History books |
Suggestions for Geography books
The portions of geography include important maps, climatic conditions, etc and these are very well defined in the NCERT books.
The well-constructed NCERT books of geography provide a strong base for further information
| Geography NCERT VI | The Earth our Environment |
| Geography NCERT VII | Our environment |
| Geography NCERT VIII | Resources and development. |
| Geography NCERT IX | Contemporary India I |
| Geography NCERT X | Contemporary India II |
| Geography NCERT XI | Fundamentals of Physical Geography |
| Geography NCERT XI | India – Physical environment |
| Geography NCERT XII | Fundamentals of Human Geography |
| Geography NCERT XII | People and economy |
Paper II: General studies
Polity books suggestion
Among the many important subjects in NCERT, Political Science highlights the country’s legal and fundamental aspects. Below is a list of some of the most important NCERT books on policy
| Polity: NCERT Class IX | Democratic politics 1 |
| Polity: NCERT Class X | Democratic politics 2 |
| Polity: NCERT Class XI | Indian constitution at work |
| Polity: NCERT Class XI | Political theory |
| Polity: NCERT Class XII | Contemporary world politics |
| Polity: NCERT Class XII | Politics in India since Independence |
General Studies Paper III
Recommendations for Science and Technology for UPSC preparation.
| 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 is important) |
| Science: NCERT class XI (Biology Unit 4 and 5 is very important) |
| Science: NCERT class XII Chemistry Part I |
| Science: NCERT class XII Chemistry part II |
| Science: NCERT class XII biology (units 8,9 and 10) |
Economics books suggestion
Considering both India’s current and past economic aspects, the Indian Economy is an important subject.
| Economy: NCERT Class IX | Economics |
| Economy: NCERT Class X | Understanding economic developments |
| Economy: NCERT Class XI | Indian economic development |
| Economy: N CERT Class XII | microeconomics |
| Economy: NCERT Class XII | microeconomics |
Environment and ecology
| Biology book NCERT class XII (chapters 13, 14, 15, 16) |
Paper IV: Ethics
| Psychology NCERT book class XI |
| Psychology NCERT book class XII |
4 top tips on how to study NCERT books for UPSC preparation.
- Do not underline and mark everything.
Make efficient and important notes for correlative study later.
- Study chapter and topic-wise and do not blindly just complete class-wise books.
Form connectivity between the topics even if they are from different class books. Focus on the syllabus and do not go for the whole book.
- Time management is crucial, keep in mind everything is not coming from the NCERT books.
You have to complete other sources and materials as well. Try to assign each week for each subject and plan your goals.
- Keeping up with the latest
The latest edition of NCERT books is important because those are updated and verified every year so even if there are any mistakes or pieces of information missing those are added.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Which NCERT books are essential for UPSC preparation?
A1: The NCERT books essential for UPSC preparation cover subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, and Science. Some key ones include “Class 6 to 12 History,” “Class 6 to 12 Geography,” “Class 9 to 12 Polity,” “Class 11 to 12 Economy,” and “Class 6 to 10 Science.”
Q2: Can I skip certain NCERT books and focus only on specific classes for UPSC preparation?
A2: While some books are more critical than others, it’s advisable not to skip any class. Each NCERT book provides a foundation for understanding various topics. Skipping may lead to gaps in knowledge, so it’s best to cover the recommended books from Class 6 to 12.
Q3: Are NCERT books sufficient for UPSC preparation, or should I refer to additional study material?
A3: NCERT books form the core foundation, but for in-depth knowledge and current affairs, candidates should supplement their study with additional resources like newspapers, magazines, and standard reference books recommended by UPSC to stay updated.
Q4: Should I read NCERT books multiple times during my UPSC preparation?
A4: Yes, revisiting NCERT books is crucial. Reading them multiple times helps reinforce concepts, aids in better understanding, and ensures retention of key information. Regular revision is a key strategy for UPSC’s success.
Q5: Can I start my UPSC preparation directly with advanced books, skipping NCERTs?
A5: It’s not advisable. NCERT books are fundamental and provide a solid base. Starting with advanced books may be overwhelming and hinder understanding. It’s recommended to begin with NCERTs and progressively move to advanced material as you build a strong foundation.
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