UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) preparation cannot be commenced, let alone completed without reading the most relevant NCERT books. In this article, we will provide a list of essential NCERTs and the State Board of textbooks, which would be helpful for the preparation of the UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam.
Reading NCERT books is essential for the exams preparation and if the aspirant has a quart on his/her mind about which NCERT books to study, then here are some relevant books from the catalogue. Ideally, candidates should work their way through all UPSC CSE related books and materials from class 6th to class 12th.
But even in the books, some topics are more important than the others, so here’s the list of all critical NCERT books for CSE and issues that have to be considered necessary while preparing for Civil Services Exams. Aspirants can also utilize their time to brush up their basics concepts and revise the static syllabus of the UPSC CSE.
These textbooks not only provide aspirants with insights about every subject and topic, but these books also help them understand the basic functioning of the entire system.
What are NCERT Books
NCERT are relevant study materials that help candidates understand a lot different and wide range of concepts in simpler terms. Many UPSC experts think that these books are ideal for this competitive exam preparation. Some of the top rank holders even consider NCERT books as the ‘Bible’ when it comes to preparing for UPSC CSE.
Now, we will be taking you to the UPSC Civil Services Exam pattern and understand which NCERT books for UPSC will be essential.
The UPSC CSE Exam is conducted in three stages:
- 1st Stage: UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam– Objective Type (Qualifier)
- 2nd Stage: UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam – Written Test
- 3rd Stage: Interview / Personality Test
Note: Candidates have to clear every stage if they want to get selected.
Subject-Wise Preparation Books from NCERT Catalogue for the UPSC Civil Services Exam
The UPSC Syllabus for Civil Services Prelims and Mains Examination is comprehensive and requires a lot of information sources to address the challenges of the UPSC question paper adequately. Here, we are giving the list of NCERT books for UPSC CSE 2021 Prelims & Mains Examination.
This UPSC book list drawn from the NCERT Book Catalogue will help the aspirants to prepare for the exam thoroughly. This list includes books for UPSC prelims and books for UPSC CSE mains. The download link for all essential NCERT books for UPSC – CSE is given in the article.
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 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)
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 is more comprehensive, but the NCERT is more objective and easier 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).
- Read on for information on which books to read for UPSC GS Paper III.
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 CSE should be ideal, but if you are familiar with the subject, class 11 and some chapters in grade 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 CSE exam preparation.
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.
Note: You can download all NCERT textbooks by visiting this link.
Other Must Read Books from the NCERT Book Catalogue
Here’s a class-wise list of must-read NCERT Books for UPSC Civil Services Examination:
- Class Textbooks – 6th
- History: Our Past
- Geography: The Earth Our Habitat
- Social Science: Social & Political Life I
- Science: Science: Class VI
- Class Textbooks – 7th
- History: Our Past – II
- Geography: Our Environment
- Social Science: Social & Political Life II
- Science: Science – Class VII
- Class Textbooks – 8th
- History: Our Past III – Part I & II
- Geography: Resource and Development
- Social Science: Social & Political Life III
- Science: Science – Class VIII
- Class Textbooks – 9th
- History: India and the Contemporary World-I
- Geography: Contemporary India – I
- Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – I
- Science: Class IX
- Economics: Economics
- Class Textbooks – 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
- Class Textbooks – 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)
- Class Textbooks – 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
Summary
In this article, we have discussed the essential NCERT books for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, knowing the paper pattern is necessary before selecting any material or book – as it will surely help you in planning an active plan or preparation strategy.
Areas covered in this article
- NCERT book lists for the UPSC Civil Services Exam