NCERT Books for UPSC: For your IAS exam preparation, reading NCERT textbooks is crucial. If you’re wondering which NCERT books to study for the UPSC, here are a few that are pertinent to the UPSC syllabus. Seeing as though you read every book there is on UPSC from class 6 to class 12 would be beneficial. These are the important NCERT books for IAS and themes that are crucial for the civil services exam because, even in these books, some topics are more vital than others.
This article provides a thorough NCERT book list for UPSC study in an attempt to address the issue, “Which NCERT books are important for the IAS exam?” You will benefit from these NCERT books for the Civil Services Exam in both the UPSC Mains and Prelims.
Subject Wise NCERT Books for UPSC
The comprehensive UPSC CSE Syllabus for Prelims and Mains examination necessitates a multitude of information sources to effectively face the challenges of the UPSC question paper. The list of NCERT books for the IAS 2024 Prelims and Mains Exam is provided here.
This comprehensive study guide for the UPSC exam, derived from the NCERT Book Catalogue, would be beneficial to candidates. Books for IAS mains and UPSC prelims are included in this list.
NCERT Books for General Studies Paper I
UPSC Preparation Books from NCERT History Books:
- History: NCERT Class VI – Our Past
- History: NCERT Class VII – Our Past -I
- History: NCERT Class VIII – Our Past II and III
- History: NCERT Class IX – India and the Contemporary World – I
- History: NCERT Class IX – India and the Contemporary World – II
- History: NCERT Class X – 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
NCERT Books about the Indian Society for UPSC exam:
- 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
- IAS aspirants can also refer to the class 12 book for Sociology.
NCERT Indian Art and Culture books for UPSC:
- Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – An Introduction to Indian Art
- Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)
UPSC Preparation Books from NCERT Geography Books for IAS:
- 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
Additional IAS preparation books for reference: Old NCERT books for History (Pre 2000s):
- Ancient India (class XI) by RS Sharma: This covers the ancient Indian history syllabus completely
- Alternative Published version: India’s Ancient Past – RS Sharma: Covers all of the NCERT syllabi for IAS and is more detailed in all aspects. Should be a good substitute
- Medieval India (class IX) by Satish Chandra
- Alternative Published version: History of Medieval India – Satish Chandra: More detailed than the NCERT but less easy to read. NCERT would be better
- Modern India (class X) by Bipin Chandra: Best book for UPSC Medieval History
- Alternative Published version: India Before Independence: Bipan Chandra’s published book is readily available and is more comprehensive, but the NCERT is more objective and more comfortable to read
- World History (Class X): Should be enough for an intro to world history
Continue reading below to know which NCERT books to study for IAS for General Studies Paper-II.
NCERT UPSC Preparation Books for General Studies Paper-II:
Polity NCERT Books for UPSC
- 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
- For Polity: Class 9 to 12 NCERT books should be read in detail, with a focus on 11th and 12th (of which World Politics, only if time permits).
UPSC Books from NCERT for General Studies Paper III:
NCERT Books on Economy for UPSC
- 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
Science & Technology IAS Preparation Books from NCERT
- 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 & Biology: Units 4 & 5
- Science: NCERT Class XII – Chemistry: Unit 16 & Biology: Units 8, 9 & 10
- UPSC Books from NCERT on Environment & Ecology
- Science: Class XII – Biology: last four Chapters (13 to 16)
NCERT IAS Books for General Studies Paper IV
- Ethics: NCERT Class XII – Psychology: Not too significant from the exam perspective, however good for some basics. Read selectively.
Class Wise NCERT Books for UPSC
The following is a list of required NCERT books, broken down by class, for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024:
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Class Wise NCERT Books for UPSC |
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| Class | Textbooks |
| 6th |
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| 7th |
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| 8th |
|
| 9th |
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| 10th |
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| 11th |
|
| 12th |
|
Benefits of NCERT Books for UPSC Exam
Below we have provided benefits of using NCERT Books for UPSC Exam –
- Foundation Building: NCERT books provide a strong foundation in various subjects, including history, geography, polity, economics, and science. They cover fundamental concepts in a simple and easy-to-understand language, making them suitable for beginners.
- Aligned with UPSC Syllabus: The content of NCERT books is aligned with the UPSC syllabus. They cover the topics comprehensively and systematically, ensuring that candidates have a thorough understanding of the subjects required for the exam.
- Authenticity and Reliability: NCERT books are authored by subject matter experts and reviewed extensively by educators and scholars. They are considered authoritative sources of information, providing accurate and reliable content for UPSC exam preparation.
- Clarity of Concepts: NCERT books present concepts in a structured manner, with clear explanations and illustrative examples. They help candidates develop a deep understanding of the subjects, enabling them to grasp complex topics with ease.
- Language and Writing Style: The language and writing style of NCERT books are designed to cater to a wide range of learners. They use simple and lucid language, making it easier for candidates to comprehend the content and retain information effectively.
- Supplementary Resources: NCERT books often include maps, diagrams, tables, and illustrations to enhance understanding and facilitate visual learning. These supplementary resources aid in better retention and recall of key concepts.
- Cost-effective: NCERT books are affordable and easily accessible, making them a cost-effective option for UPSC exam preparation. They are available in both print and digital formats, allowing candidates to study anytime, anywhere.
- Widely Recommended: Many toppers and successful candidates of the UPSC exam attribute their success to the thorough study of NCERT books. Their endorsement of NCERT as essential study material underscores its significance in exam preparation.