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NCERT Books for UPSC Exam List, IAS Prelims and Mains

PWOnlyIAS November 11, 2024 08:00 8763 0

NCERT books for UPSC is one of the best resources, especially for candidates embarking on their UPSC journey for the first time. Check out the complete list of top recommended NCERT books for UPSC here.

NCERT Books for UPSC Exam List, IAS Prelims and Mains

NCERT Books for UPSC Exam: Preparing for the UPSC exam is a demanding task that requires a well-organized approach and the right study resources. Among the most essential tools for building a strong foundation are NCERT books, widely recommended for their clarity and comprehensive coverage of fundamental concepts. To effectively tackle the vast UPSC syllabus, candidates should have a carefully curated list of NCERT books tailored for UPSC 2025. This guide provides an overview of the key NCERT books for each subject and offers insights on how to make the best use of these resources to enhance your preparation for the exam.

 

NCERT Books for UPSC Exam Prelims and Mains

NCERT books are available from early primary classes up to the 12th standard. But for UPSC preparation, you don’t have to read them all. Just start with the books from 6th grade. They introduce you to basic ideas that will help you understand more advanced topics in later books. It’s like laying a strong foundation before building a tall building.

Additional NCERT Resources

Apart from these standard NCERT textbooks, the List of NCERT Books for UPSC pdf can also include additional resources such as:

  • Class 11: Physics – Relevant Chapters on Atmospheric Science
  • Class 12: Chemistry – Environmental Chemistry Sections
  • Class 6-10: Social Science – Relevant Topics for General Studies

These additional NCERT PDF materials will provide candidates with a competitive edge while covering specific topics comprehensively.

NCERT Wallah Books

Important NCERT Books for UPSC General Studies Papers

For the General Studies papers, a combination of these NCERT books can be highly beneficial. Here is a brief overview of how they align with each paper:

  • GS Paper 1 (History, Geography, Society):
    • Utilize History, Geography, and Sociology NCERTs to build a strong base.
  • GS Paper 2 (Polity, Governance, IR):
    • Focus on Polity books and complement them with current affairs.
  • GS Paper 3 (Economics, Environment, Science & Technology):
    • Refer to Economy and Environment NCERTs for clear concepts.
  • GS Paper 4 (Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude):
    • While NCERTs provide limited resources, they can help in building fundamental ethical perspectives.

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Role of NCERT Books in UPSC Preparation

A vital component of UPSC preparation is reading NCERT books. Candidates must begin with the absolute basics and move on to more complex topics as they progress. The importance of NCERT books for UPSC is as follows:

  • Basic Concepts: NCERT books focus on basic concepts that are vital for the UPSC exam. Understanding these concepts will help them in their future preparation.
  • Easy to Understand: The NCERT explains subjects in a simple language, which is suitable for beginners or those from non-English backgrounds.
  • Easily Available: Unlike many reference books, NCERT books are readily available. If they are not available in hard copy, they can be downloaded from the official website for free.
  • Source of Questions: UPSC asks many questions directly or indirectly from NCERT books. Reading NCERT books increases the chances of attempting the questions.
  • Reliable Source: NCERT books are reliable sources for any topic or subject. The information from NCERT books has to be used while answering questions.

List of NCERT Books for UPSC Mains Exam

The complete list of NCERT subject-wise books for UPSC preparation is given below. Candidates preparing for the UPSC Exam for Mains must include these books in their study plan to prepare well for the exam in order to score high.

List of NCERT Books for UPSC Mains
Subject NCERT Book Name
1. 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 I: Contemporary World Politics
  • NCERT Class XII: Political Science II: Politics in India since Independence
2. History
  • NCERT Class VI: Our Past
  • NCERT Class VII: Our Past-I
  • NCERT Class VIII: Our Past II and III
  • NCERT Class IX: India and the Contemporary World-II
  • NCERT Class IX: India and the Contemporary World-II
  • NCERT Class X: Themes In World History
  • NCERT Class XII: Themes In Indian History-I
  • NCERT Class XII: Themes in Indian History-II
  • NCERT Class XII: Themes In Indian History-III
  • Old NCERT
  • Ancient Indian History (Class XI): R.S. Sharma
  • Medieval Indian History (Class XI): Satish Chandra
  • Modern Indian History (Class XII): Bipin Chandra
3. 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
4. Economy
  • 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
5. Art and Culture
  • NCERT Class XI: An Introduction to Indian Art
  • NCERT Class XI: Living Craft Traditions of India 
  • NCERT Class XII: Craft Traditions of India
6. Environment and Ecology
  • NCERT Science: From Class VI to Class X
  • NCERT Geography: From Class VI to Class XI 
  • NCERT Biology: Class XII 
  • PS: Only Environment-related chapters must be read
7. Science and Technology
  • NCERT Class VI
  • NCERT Class VII
  • NCERT Class VIII
  • NCERT Class IX
  • NCERT Class X
  • NCERT Class XI: Chemistry: Unit 14 & Biology: Units 4 & 5
  • NCERT Class XII: Chemistry: Unit 16 & Biology: Units 8, 9 & 10
8. Indian Society
  • NCERT Class VI: Social Science: Social & Political Life I
  • NCERT Class VII: Social Science: Social & Political Life II
  • NCERT Class VIII: Social Science: Social & Political Life III
  • NCERT Class XI: Sociology: Understanding Society
  • NCERT Class XII: Indian Society
  • NCERT Class XII: Social Change and Development in India

How to Use NCERT Books for UPSC Exam Preparation?

NCERT Books are the essential resources that are considered, ‘the backbone of UPSC preparation’ because NCERT’s are simple to learn and understand and contain structured content. Here’s how you can effectively incorporate them into your study plan:

  • Start Early: Start learning from NCERT Books from class 6th to 12th for comprehensive coverage and understanding, this will help the candidates to hold on to basic concepts that form the core of the UPSC syllabus.
  • Make Notes: Mark important points and make short notes for quick revision. This will help in retaining information and provide a handy reference during the revision phase.
  • Regular Revision: Consistently revising the NCERT ensures that the information stays fresh in your memory. Regular revision is key to mastering the subjects.
  • Link with Current Affairs: Connect the learned concepts with current affairs for practical understanding. This integration of concepts helps in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Importance of NCERT Books for the UPSC Exam

UPSC exams are like a journey through various subjects like polity, geography, history, and economy. For many candidates, these subjects might seem unfamiliar at first, like exploring new territories. This is where NCERT books come to the rescue.

NCERT books are like friendly guides created by the government itself. They’re crafted in a way that makes even complex topics easy to grasp. You can rely on the information inside because it’s thoroughly researched and trustworthy.

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Many aspirants rely on NCERT books to build a solid foundation in these core subjects. Think of them as the foundation of a building. They lay the groundwork for further learning as you progress in your preparation journey.

So, if you’re just starting or need to strengthen your basics, NCERT books are your best companions. They simplify concepts and set you on the right path towards UPSC success.

 

UPSC Preparation with NCERT Books

NCERT books for UPSC may be vital for basic understanding. However, there is a certain way of reading books and effectively using them for exams. Candidates preparing for the first time will find these tips useful for their preparation:

  • Identify Important Chapters: All chapters given in NCERT books are not important. Some chapters are only for illustration. Hence, identifying important chapters is the first step while reading NCERT books.
  • Making Notes: Until and unless a candidate has not understood the topic, it is no use to read NCERT books multiple times. Instead, they can make short notes, which could be revised multiple times.
  • Solving Practice Questions: At the end of the chapter, there will be questions that candidates have to answer. It will help them revise the content that they studied in the chapter.
  • Emphasizing Maps: Subjects such as history, polity and geography will contain maps, which the candidates have to analyse properly. These maps help them answer location-based questions that are increasingly being asked in the exam.

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Conclusion

NCERT books are not just a component of UPSC preparation; they are a necessity. Without reading these books, a candidate’s UPSC preparation is incomplete. They provide the necessary foundation and understanding of core subjects, making them indispensable tools for effective preparation. A candidate’s preparation should not be limited to merely reading NCERT books, but should also involve analyzing the topics and developing a deeper understanding of them. Therefore, we recommend that you keep your NCERT books handy before you plan on beginning UPSC preparation.

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FAQs On Complete List for NCERT Books for UPSC Exam 2024

A candidate must cover History, Geography, Polity, Economy, and Science NCERT books from classes 6 to 12. These NCERT books provide a strong foundation for basic concepts that are essential for both Prelims and Mains exams.

Yes, candidates can download the List of NCERT Books for UPSC pdf format from the official NCERT website and various UPSC preparation sites like Physics Wallah.

NCERT books are essential for building foundational knowledge, they should be supplemented with advanced reference books and current affairs for comprehensive UPSC Mains preparation.

Start by reading NCERT books from classes 6 to 12, making notes of important points, consistently revising and connecting concepts with current affairs will help the candidate to enhance their understanding.

NCERT books cover essential subjects like History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Sociology, Science & Technology, and Environment.

NCERT books help in the UPSC exam by offering clear and concise explanations of fundamental concepts. They build a strong foundation across various subjects, which is crucial for understanding advanced topics.
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Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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