Which NCERT Books Should Be Used to Prepare for UPSC?

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is one of the most difficult competitive exams in India. Aspirants who are preparing for this exam often find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information that they need to study. For the general category, the required age for UPSC CSE exam is 21 years old and under 32 years old on August 1, 2023.

Table of content

NCERT Books Recommended How to prepare using NCERT books for UPSC Conclusion FAQs

NCERT Books Recommended

NCERT books are written by subject matter experts and cover a wide range of topics in a simple and easy-to-understand language. These books are used by schools across India and are considered one of the best study materials for competitive exams like the UPSC.

So, which NCERT books are useful for UPSC aspirants? Here are the NCERT books that are recommended for UPSC preparation:

History:

The NCERT books on History cover ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history in great detail. The books are written in a simple and easy-to-understand language and provide a comprehensive understanding of Indian history.

The NCERT books on History include:

• All Class 6 to Class 12 NCERT History books such as ‘Our Past’ and ‘India and the Contemporary World’

Geography:

The NCERT books on Geography cover the physical, human, and economic geography of India and the world. The books are written in a lucid and engaging style and provide a clear understanding of the subject.

The NCERT books on Geography include:

• All Class 6 to Class 12 NCERT Geography books such as ‘Our Environment’ and ‘Contemporary India’.

Economics:

The NCERT books on Economics cover the basics of microeconomics and macroeconomics, along with the economic development of India. The books provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject and are written in an easy-to-understand language.

The NCERT books on Economics include:

• All Class 9 to Class 12 NCERT Economics, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics books.

Polity:

The NCERT books on Political Science cover the Indian political system, the Constitution of India, and the functioning of the government. The books are written in a simple and engaging style and provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

The NCERT books on Political Science include:

• All Class 6 to Class 12 NCERT Political Science books such as ‘Social and Political Life’ and ‘Democratic Politics’.

Science:

The NCERT books on Science are not very important for UPSC preparation, but they can help understand basic concepts related to physics, chemistry, and biology.

The NCERT books on Science include:

• All class 6 to class 10 NCERT Science books.

How to prepare using NCERT books for UPSC?

Now that we know which NCERT books to use for UPSC preparation, let’s look at how to make the most of them. Here are some tips on how to prepare using NCERT books for UPSC:

• Read the books thoroughly: Aspirants should read the NCERT books thoroughly and understand the concepts in depth. The language used in these books is simple and easy to understand, which makes it easier for aspirants to comprehend the topics. Reading the books thoroughly will help aspirants develop a good understanding of the concepts and will also help in retaining the information for a longer time.
• Make notes: While reading the NCERT books, aspirants should make notes of important points, concepts, and definitions. This will help aspirants revise the topics quickly and efficiently. Aspirants can also use these notes as a reference while preparing for the UPSC exam.
• Solve the exercise questions: Each chapter in the NCERT books comes with a set of exercise questions. Aspirants should solve these questions after reading the chapter. This will help them test their understanding of the concepts and will also help in identifying the areas where they need to improve.
• Use diagrams and illustrations: The NCERT books come with a lot of diagrams and illustrations. Aspirants should use these diagrams and illustrations to understand the concepts better. Visual aids can help retain information for a longer time.
• Refer to other study materials: While NCERT books are a reliable source of information for UPSC aspirants, they may not cover all the topics in detail. Aspirants can refer to other study materials like newspapers, magazines, and reference books to supplement their NCERT books.
• Revise regularly: Aspirants need to revise the topics regularly to retain the information for a longer time. Aspirants should set a revision schedule and revise the topics as per the schedule.
• Solve previous years’ question papers: Solving previous years’ question papers can help aspirants get a better understanding of the exam pattern and the type of questions asked in the exam. Aspirants can also identify the areas where they need to improve.
• Take mock tests: Taking mock tests can help aspirants evaluate their preparation level and identify the areas where they need to improve. Aspirants should take mock tests regularly and analyse their performance to improve their scores.

Conclusion

NCERT books are a reliable and important source of information for UPSC aspirants. These books cover the basics of various subjects in a simple and easy-to-understand language. Aspirants can use these books to develop a good understanding of the concepts and retain the information for a longer time. The UPSC CSE age criteria 2023 must also be followed. However, it is recommended that aspirants do not rely solely on other study materials and use NCERT books as a starting point for their UPSC preparation. With consistent effort and dedication, aspirants can use these books to ace the UPSC exam and achieve their goals.

FAQs

1. Are NCERT books enough for UPSC preparation?

NCERT books are a good starting point for UPSC preparation. They cover the basics of various subjects in a simple and easy-to-understand language. However, aspirants should also refer to other study materials to supplement their NCERT books.

2. How many times should the NCERT books be read for thorough prep? 

There is no fixed number of times that aspirants should read the NCERT books. Aspirants should read the books thoroughly and understand the concepts in depth. They can revise the topics as many times as they want to develop a good understanding of the subject.

3. Can I skip the NCERT books and directly refer to other study materials? 

NCERT books are a good starting point for UPSC preparation. They cover the basics of various subjects in a simple and easy-to-understand language. Skipping the NCERT books and directly referring to other study materials may make it difficult for aspirants to understand the advanced concepts.