Importance of NCERT Books for UPSC Exam

The NCERT books from classes 6th to 12th play a key role in the UPSC CSE examination for both Prelims and Mains. Understanding how to read NCERTs for UPSC helps to develop conceptual clarity and critical thinking—essential to crack the IAS exam.

1. How to Read NCERT Books for UPSC?

The NCERTs are an indispensable part of the UPSC CSE preparation. Important NCERTs from classes 6th to 12th include History, Political Science, Economy, Geography, Science, Environment and Ecology for both Prelims and Mains. Below are some tips suggested by UPSC experts:

• Select relevant NCERTs as per the UPSC syllabus and previous year questions (PYQs).
• Start reading NCERTs from class 6th to 12th to build the conceptual clarity and to build strong subject foundation.
• Focus on key concepts while reading and prepare short notes for revision from NCERTs.

2. What NCERTs are Required for the UPSC Exam as per Syllabus?

The subject-wise strategy to be followed is as below:

History of India

• The History syllabus covers Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History, along Culture and Heritage.
• Start with 6th class History to understand basic concepts and focus on Ancient & Medieval history.
• Classes 10th to 12th provide an in-depth knowledge useful for answer writing in Mains.
• The Old NCERTs are more useful for objective and basic conceptual clarity for Prelims & Mains, And new NCERTs useful for descriptive or subjective answers for Mains.

Geography

• Geography NCERTs are indispensable for both Prelims and Mains.
• PYQs show that concept-based and map point questions often come directly from Class 11th & 12th NCERTs.
• Begin with Class 6th to understand basic concepts clearly ad study further NCERTs from 8th to 12th.

Political Science (Polity)

• Focus on Civics and Political Science NCERTs from Class 9th to 12th or required to understandbadic concept on the Constitution, Politics, Governance, and Social Justice. the following the Political Science books are essential for the Indian Polity Segment of Prelims and Mains
• 6th to 8th Classes: NCERTs will provide basic knowledge on Social and Political Life of the Citizen in the Country which are essential to understand the Indian Polity
• 9th Class: Democratic Politics I
• 10th Class: Democratic Politics II
• 11th Class: Indian Constitution at Work & Political Theory
• 12th Class: Contemporary World Politics - It Provides Basic Understanding about India's role in world politics
• 12th Class: Politics in India Since Independence is Important to understand post Independent developments in all respects of Indian Adminstration
• 12th Class: Politics in India Since Independence is Important to understand post Independence(1947 - till Date) developments in all respects of Indian Adminstration

4. Economics (NCERTs)

Economics NCERTs are essential for building a foundational understanding of economic development and the Indian economy. These help in answering both Prelims and Mains questions effectively. Classes 9th to 12th NCERTs are indispensable for UPSC subject on Economic and India Economy.

• 9th Class: Economics
• 10th Class: Understanding Economic Development
• 11th Class: Indian Economic Development
• 12th Class: Both Micro and Macro Economics — for detailed conceptual understanding.

Note: Learn definitions of important concepts such as GDP, GVA, GNP, National Income, and Budgetary terms.

5. Science & Technology

Basic knowledge of Science and Technology is crucial for Prelims and Mains questions. Extract the core concepts and fundamentals from NCERTs from classes 6th to 12th.

• 6th to 8th Classes: Basic concepts and fundamentals.
• 9th & 10th Classes: Advanced scientific concepts and practical understanding of Application of concepts in every day life.
• 11th Class:
  • Biology — Units 4 & 5
  • Chemistry — Unit 14
• 12th Class:
  • Biology — Units 8, 9 & 10
  • Chemistry — Unit 16
  • Environment & Ecology — Units 13 to 16

6. Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

• 12th Class: Psychology NCERT — helps to understand human behaviour and basic concepts in Ethics and Attitude and Aptitude.