NCERT List for UPSC Preparation

NCERT List for UPSC Preparation, NCERT stands for the National Council of Educational Research and Training. It’s a government body in India responsible for developing curriculum and textbooks for schools from Class VI to Class XII.

Why are NCERTs important for UPSC preparation?

Think of NCERTs as your foundational building blocks for the UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE), particularly the General Studies Paper I (GS Paper I) in the Prelims stage. Here’s why they’re crucial:

• • Clear and Concise: Written in a lucid and easy-to-understand manner, NCERTs explain complex concepts in a way that’s digestible for beginners.

• • Strong Foundation: They provide a rock-solid foundation in core subjects like History, Geography, Polity, and Economy, all of which are major components of the UPSC syllabus.

• • Aligned with Syllabus: The content in NCERTs aligns well with many topics covered in the UPSC GS Paper I syllabus. Mastering these NCERTs ensures you grasp the fundamentals before diving into more advanced materials.

NCERTs are a Starting Point, Not the Finish Line

While NCERTs are essential, they shouldn’t be your sole source of knowledge for the UPSC. Here’s how to approach them effectively:   

• • Build a Strong Base: Use NCERTs to understand core concepts and build a strong foundation in each subject.

• • Supplement Your Knowledge: Once comfortable with the basics, move on to standard reference books and other UPSC-specific study materials for in-depth learning.

• • Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t just passively read. Take notes, answer practice questions based on NCERT topics, and solidify your understanding.

NCERT List for UPSC Preparation

NCERT textbooks are considered the cornerstone of UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) preparation, especially for the General Studies Paper I (GS Paper I) in the Prelims stage. These lucidly written books, published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), provide a clear and concise foundation for various subjects relevant to the UPSC syllabus.

While NCERTs shouldn’t be your sole source of knowledge, they are an essential starting point for building a strong understanding of core concepts. Here’s a breakdown of the recommended NCERT books for UPSC Prelims, covering various subjects within GS Paper I:

History:

• • Class VI: Our Past I – Provides an introduction to the Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, and Mahajanapadas.

• • Class VII: Our Past II – Covers the Mauryan Empire, Post-Mauryan Kingdoms, and Gupta Empire.

• • Class VIII: Our Past III – Delves into the Medieval Period, covering the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, and rise of regional kingdoms.

• • Class IX: India and the Contemporary World I – Explores the 18th century, focusing on colonialism and the rise of nationalism.   

• • Class X: India and the Contemporary World II – Covers the Indian Independence Movement, Partition, and early years of Independent India.

Geography:

• • Class VI: The Earth Our Habitat – Introduces basic geographical concepts like latitude, longitude, and landforms.

• • Class VII: Our Environment – Focuses on environmental issues, conservation, and natural resources.

• • Class VIII: Resource and Development – Explores various resources like water, minerals, power, and agriculture.

• • Class IX: Contemporary India Part-1 – Covers aspects of physical geography like climate, rivers, and soils of India.

• • Class X: Contemporary India Part-2 – Explores population, natural vegetation, and wildlife of India.

Polity:

• • Class IX: Democratic Politics – I – Introduces basic concepts like the Constitution, Parliament, and Judiciary.

• • Class X: Democratic Politics – II – Covers the Panchayati Raj system, local governments, and rights enshrined in the Constitution.

Economy:

• • Class IX: Economics – Provides a basic understanding of economic concepts like demand, supply, and markets.

Science & Technology:

While there are no specific NCERTs recommended for Science & Technology, some aspirants find Class IX and X Science textbooks helpful for brushing up on foundational scientific concepts.

Additional Tips:

• • Focus on Understanding: Don’t just memorize facts. Aim to understand the underlying concepts and their interrelationships.

• • Make Notes: As you read, make concise notes to capture key points and important information.

• • Practice Answer Writing: Even during Prelims preparation, practice writing clear and concise answers to potential questions related to the NCERT topics.