14 Jun NCERT Books for UPSC exam.

Posted at 14 Jun 2025 in UPSC Blog by Tushar 0 Comments

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NCERT Books for UPSC Preparation – Complete Guide for Prelims & Mains

The Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is one of the most prestigious and challenging exams in India. One of the most common questions asked by aspirants is: Are NCERT books enough for UPSC preparation? The answer is – NCERTs are not just helpful; they are the foundation of your preparation.

In this detailed article, we’ll walk you through:

Why NCERT books are crucial for UPSC
How to read NCERTs effectively
Class-wise and subject-wise list of important NCERT books
Tips to integrate NCERTs into your study plan

? Why NCERT Books Are Important for UPSC?

NCERTs are published by the Government of India and are written by subject experts after thorough research and review. Here’s why they are crucial for UPSC:

Authentic and Reliable: Since these are government-approved, there’s no misinformation or bias.
Simple Language: The concepts are presented in a clear and understandable way.
Builds Conceptual Clarity: Especially for beginners, NCERTs help create a strong base before jumping to advanced books.
Direct Questions in UPSC: Every year, UPSC asks questions that are directly or indirectly related to NCERT content.
Coverage of Prelims + Mains: NCERTs cover both factual knowledge (for Prelims) and conceptual understanding (for Mains).
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? How to Read NCERT Books for UPSC?

Don’t treat NCERTs like storybooks. Here’s how you should approach them:

Read Class 6 to 12 for Core Subjects: Especially History, Geography, Polity, Economy, and Science.
Underline Important Points: Use pencil or highlighter to mark key definitions, events, and concepts.
Make Short Notes: Summarize chapters in your own words after reading.
Revise Frequently: Every NCERT book should be revised at least 3 times before the exam.
Connect with Current Affairs: Try to link static knowledge from NCERTs with dynamic topics from newspapers.

? NCERT Booklist for UPSC (Subject-Wise)

1. History

Our Past – I (Class 6)
Our Past – II (Class 7)
Our Past – III (Class 8)
India and the Contemporary World – I & II (Class 9 and 10)
Themes in Indian History – I, II, III (Class 11 and 12)

2. Geography

The Earth Our Habitat (Class 6)
Our Environment (Class 7)
Resource and Development (Class 8)
Contemporary India – I & II (Class 9 and 10)
Fundamentals of Physical Geography (Class 11)
India – Physical Environment (Class 11)
Fundamentals of Human Geography (Class 12)
India – People and Economy (Class 12)

3. Political Science (Polity)

Social and Political Life – I, II, III (Class 6 to 8)
Democratic Politics – I & II (Class 9 and 10)
Indian Constitution at Work (Class 11)
Political Theory (Class 11)
Contemporary World Politics (Class 12)
Politics in India since Independence (Class 12)

4. Economics

Understanding Economic Development (Class 9 and 10)
Indian Economic Development (Class 11)
Introductory Microeconomics (Class 12)
Introductory Macroeconomics (Class 12)

5. Science & Environment

Science Textbooks (Class 6 to 10)
Biology (Class 11 and 12 – selectively)
Chemistry and Physics – only basics from Class 6 to 10

6. Sociology & Art and Culture (Optional Support)

Introducing Sociology (Class 11)
Understanding Society (Class 11)
Indian Society (Class 12)
Social Change and Development in India (Class 12)
An Introduction to Indian Art – Part I (Class 11)
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? Class-Wise NCERT Strategy

Classes 6 to 8

Focus on building a basic understanding of geography, history, and civics. These are simpler but help in early clarity of concepts.

Classes 9 and 10

Start highlighting important definitions and chronologies. Polity and economics concepts begin here in a clearer structure.

Classes 11 and 12

These are advanced-level NCERTs that are a must-read for UPSC Prelims and Mains. Especially useful for writing mains answers with clarity and factual accuracy.

? NCERT vs Reference Books: What Comes First?

Always complete NCERTs first. You can later move to advanced books like:

Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth
Indian Economy – Ramesh Singh
Certificate Physical and Human Geography – G.C. Leong
India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra
Environment – Shankar IAS Book

? How to Make Notes from NCERTs?

Make short topic-wise notes chapter by chapter.
Use bullet points and flowcharts.
Keep a separate notebook for revision notes.
Highlight keywords: dates, definitions, key personalities.

⏳ How Much Time to Spend on NCERTs?

In your first month of preparation, spend 4–6 weeks exclusively on NCERTs. Ensure at least 2 revisions before the Prelims.

? Where to Get NCERT Books?

Official NCERT Website: ncert.nic.in
App: NCERT ePathshala (Available on Android and iOS)
Hardcopy: Local bookstores or online portals like Amazon, Flipkart

✅ Final Tips

Don’t skip old NCERTs (like Satish Chandra’s History – if accessible).
Revise at least 3 times before Prelims.
Use NCERT-based MCQs for practice regularly.
Complement them with newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express for dynamic portions.

Conclusion

NCERT books are the first step in your journey to becoming an IAS officer. They are not only reliable and easy to understand but also form the foundation for every advanced book and strategy you’ll use later. If you are just starting UPSC preparation, make NCERTs your best friend. For guided mentorship and curated notes based on NCERTs, institutes like PlutusIAS offer structured foundation batches, helping aspirants cover NCERTs in a timely and efficient manner.

Start with NCERTs, build your base, and climb up the ladder of UPSC success!

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NCERT Books for UPSC exam.