NCERT Books and Competitive Exams - Which Books To Read
Published on Apr 23, 2020
Reading NCERT textbooks is very useful for your IAS exam preparation and if you are confused about which NCERT books to study for UPSC, then here are some relevant UPSC books from the NCERT catalog. Ideally, you should go through all UPSC related books from class 6 to class 12. But even in these books, some topics need more attention than the others.
This article tries to answer the query, ‘Which NCERT books are useful for IAS exam?’ and gives an exhaustive list of books for UPSC preparation. These NCERT books will be helpful for you in both UPSC Prelims and Mains.
Why NCERT books are important for UPSC
- Simple: The language in NCERT Books is highly simplified for your better comprehension.
- Extensive Research: NCERT books are written & published after a great deal of research has been carried out by reputed people in the field.
- Authentic: NCERT books are a genuine source of information as the information given is provided by government agencies & institutions.
- Standard book for all exams: They are standard books for all exams & questions therefore are also reliable.
- Correct information: NCERT books are checked and rechecked a number of times before they are published, so the information is correct.
- Good for understanding concepts: These books cover topics in an organised and graded manner. They start with the basic concepts and move to a higher level, unlike many other books. So, if you are looking to clear your concepts. NCERT is the book to follow.
The benefit of NCERT Books in IAS Examination
· Easy Language
In the last few years, we have observed the trends of preferring the English Language over Hindi in UPSC examination. The NCERT books are available in both languages and the study material of the book is written in easy to understand language. These books have the basic knowledge of the subject in a simplified language.
The chapters of NCERT books are compiled in a graded manner. When students start reading the chapter first they get introduced with the concepts and gradually the level of difficulty is increased. This chapter planning makes it easy for students to understand the topic.
· Habit of Reading NCERT
The other reason for promoting NCERT to the UPSC exam aspirants is that they are already aware of the basic concept and key features of the book. NCERT books are mandatory to teach to the students of CBSE Board from class 6 to 12. Other state boards also pick these books considering the quality of their study material. So students are already familiar with these books. This reduces the pressure to read and understand the study material quickly and also boosts the confidence of the UPSC aspirants.
· Study Material for Prelims and Mains
We assume that as a UPSC exam aspirant, you know the exam pattern of this examination. Usually, IAS exam applicants use different study material for their prelim and mains examination. But the matter you have prepared from the NCERT books; will help you in Prelims and Mains both. In Prelim exam of UPSC 30- 40 questions are asked from the NCERT books. These books are also suggested to the IAS exam aspirants so that they can make their base strong.
Aspirants are well aware of this fact that the syllabus of this exam is as vast as an ocean so to get success in it, its a must to hold a good grip over the basic knowledge of the subject and NCERT books offer that basic knowledge.
How to read NCERT Books for UPSC
Now that we have discussed why we should read NCERT books let’s move on to how you should read NCERT books:
- Class Wise:One technique is reading all the books starting from Std. 6th and going all the way upto Std. 12. This is a good methodology to read specifically for the exams when there is a time constraint.
- Subject Wise: The other technique is to read the NCERT books subject wise. In this method you select one particular subject and read all the books from class 6 to 12.
Subject Wise UPSC Preparation Books from NCERT Books
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 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 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 fromNCERT 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
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).
Read on for information on which books to read for UPSC GS Paper III
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)
For Economics: Reference of class 9 to 12 NCERT books for IAS should be ideal, but if you are familiar with the subject, class 11 and some chapters in class 11 and class 12 (micro + macro) would be sufficient. So, read selectively!
For Science: Refer textbooks of class IX and X that would be good enough for your IAS exam preparation.
The next list covers IAS Books from NCERT for Civil Services GS IV.
NCERT IAS Books for General Studies Paper IV
- Ethics: NCERT Class XII – Psychology: Not too important from the exam perspective, however good for some basics. Read selectively.
Here’s a class-wise list of must-read NCERT Books for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2020:
Class
|
Textbooks
|
6th
|
- History: Our Past
- Geography: The Earth Our Habitat
- Social Science: Social & Political Life I
- Science: Science: Class VI
|
7th
|
- History: Our Past – II
- Geography: Our Environment
- Social Science: Social & Political Life II
- Science: Science – Class VII
|
8th
|
- History: Our Past III – Part I & II
- Geography: Resource and Development
- Social Science: Social & Political Life III
- Science: Science – Class VIII
|
9th
|
- History: India and the Contemporary World-I
- Geography: Contemporary India – I
- Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – I
- Science: Class IX
- Economics: Economics
|
10th
|
- History: India and the Contemporary World – II
- Geography: Contemporary India – II
- Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – II
- Science: Class X
- Economics: Understanding Economic Development
|
11th
|
- History: Themes in World History
- Geography:
- Fundamentals Of Physical Geography
- India- Physical Environment
- Science:
- Chemistry: Unit 14
- Biology: Unit 4 & 5
- Economics:Indian Economic Development
- Sociology: Understanding Society
- Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work
- Indian Culture:
- An Introduction to Indian Art
- Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)
|
12th
|
- History: Themes in Indian History
- Geography:
- Fundamentals Of Human Geography
- India – People & Economy
- Science:
- Chemistry: Unit 16
- Biology: Unit 8, 9 & 10
- Economics:Introductory Macroeconomics
- Sociology:
- Indian Society
- Social Change and Development in India
- Political Science: Contemporary World Politics
|