Reading NCERTs for UPSC

Introduction

You might have heard someone talking about the importance of NCERT at your Mess, Chai Point or  you yourself asked faculty or a topper “Should Aspirants Read NCERT Books?”

You have already read above title, and let me tell you there are two possible questions in your head-

1. Are NCERT books enough for the UPSC exam?

Well, the NCERT books are helpful in building a strong foundation for UPSC CSE but they are not sufficient to qualify the exam. Aspirants should refer to standard books and current affairs enhance their preparation. 

2. Is the standard booklist enough for qualifying this exam? If yes, then why should we read NCERTS? It’s a double burden. Right.!

Addressing above question, definitely standard books are enough and many have qualified the exam without going through NCERTs. Then, “Why the hell do most toppers suggest reading NCERTs?

First understand that not all toppers and all aspirants are on the same page. Everyone has a different strength, weakness and understanding of particular subject.

If you’re a beginner and bought all the standard books, then pick up any book. Let’s say, Laxmikanth! Start reading a chapter on the Constitution or a Parliament from the book. If you are getting it in one go, well congrats… Kudos to your understanding! You don’t need to read the Polity NCERT of Class 11^th  titled “Constitution of India” which every topper suggests!

But sometimes while studying, you might not be able to point out the difference between “Freedom & Liberty” or just don’t understand the “the idea of Natural Justice & just law”. Here comes another NCERT, Political Theory Class 11th! You just go to PYQs, you’ll find that 1 Question has been asked from this NCERT in every 1 or 2 years. So if you just don’t understand standard books in 2-3 Readings. Go back to NCERTs. 

Ideally one should read NCERT for building basic understanding & more conceptual clarity. It’s really worth it.

Why should one read NCERTs then?

By reading NCERT you’ll have following adavantages-

NCERT give a subject overview

They provide an overview of all topics given in the UPSC syllabus. NCERT covers a wide range of topics including history, geography, polity, economics and environment or basic science. They contain basic concepts, facts, and figures that are necessary for understanding complex topics. ex. Earthquake, Secularism, Justice, GDP-GNP at factor Cost, Biomagnification, In-Situ Conservation etc.

NCERT Books Strong Foundation

NCERT has written beautiful books in very simple and coherent language, making it easier for UPSC aspirants to have 360° understanding. Read summaries, you’ll love it. The authors of these books explain concepts in a step-by-step manner. Thus, reading NCERT books builds strong foundation.

It develop ‘Commonsense’

NCERT provides fun facts, new article, letters and figures to elucidate its point. Reading these small thing will help you to develop commonsense, which is very important for elimination in Prelims & to showcase presence of mind in Interview.

If you read between the lines, it might help you to develop generalistic thinking and analytical skills in long run. These are very crucial aspects in the UPSC exam.

Before we go forward, I think we need to settle an age-old debate.

Old NCERTs Vs New NCERTs?

It’s individual choice to choose between Old NCERTs and New NCERTs for your UPSC preparation. The importance of a particular book varies depending on the specific subject and topic that you’re studying. Here’s a general guideline to help you decide:

Old NCERTs are often celebrated for their in-depth conceptual clarity. They might offer a more historical perspective, which can be useful for understanding the evolution of ideas, events, and societies… For example, old NCERTs of History are very good as compared with new NCERTs.

Hpwever, there are few drawbacks of Old NCERTs.

1. Many books are not easily available in narket.
2. Some xerox shops or book store provide old NCERTs but books are not good quality, content is legible enough.
3. The data and content in old NCERTs are not up to date.

On the contrary, new NCERTs are more up-to-date and also cover recent developments and changes in various subjects. Like, GST is included in new Economics NCERT. Also, they can be easily purchased from Flipkart, Amazon or offline stores.

In nutshell, for static subjects like history, you can refer to the old NCERTs. In dynamic subjects that require current information and modern perspectives, new NCERTs might be a better choice.

The most important part is about the art of reading NCERTs.

Shall I make notes of NCERT?

You don’t need to make notes out of NCERT books. They are foundational in nature. They’ll help you dveloping basic understanding but not sufficient. Instead if you feel that particular concept is also given in UPSC Syllabus or have relevence in UPSC, form your own basic definition of same in head or jot in down. You’re a boss of your books, you can underline there itself.

How should one read NCERTs?

While reading NCERTs, please have a sense of curiosity in the back of mind and go through book as a story.

• Pay attention to new concepts that you come across.
• Pay attention to conversation/comics given on the left or right side of the page.
• Enjoy the short stories given in NCERTs. They can help you in writing good anecdotes in introduction part of an essay.
• If you’re reading NCERTs for 3rd-4th time, you can relate the topics with that of UPSC Syllabus.

From where I should start reading NCERT?

You can either start reading NCERTs class-wise or subject-wise from class 6th to 12th. You can take your favourite subject and start reading.

That being said, reading NCERTs is subject to availability of time that one have. If you don’t have much time then you should read at least few important NCERTs:

Must Read NCERT Books

1. Class 11th Geography NCERT titled “Fundamentals of Physical Geography” is must read book.
   • Many questions in Prelims have been asked in the past from this book.
2. Last 4 Chapters from Class 12th Biology on Environment & Ecology.
   • Chapter 13 – Organisms & Population
   • Chapter 14 – Ecosystem
   • Chapter 15 – Biodiversity and Conservation
   • Chapter 16 – Environmental Issues)
3. Chapter titled “Chemistry in Everyday Life” from Class 11th Chemistry Book.

List of All NCERT Books

Subject	Book Title	Remarks
History
Class 6	Our Past	Not very useful as they appear, as long as the basics are not clear. OR Just note down important words and their meaning, as they have been asked in Prelims.
Class 7	Our Past- Part 1
Class 8	Our Past- Part 2 & 3
Class 9	India and the Contemporary World- Part 1
Class 10	India and the Contemporary World- Part 2
Class 11	Themes In World History
Class 12	Themes In Indian History – Part 1, 2, and Part 3
OLD NCERTs for Modern & World History
Class 10	Old NCERT on The Story of Civilization- Part 1 by Arjun Dev	For Modern History of India
	Old NCERT on The Story of Civilization- Part 2 by Arjun Dev	Include content on World History & Modern History of India
Class 12	Modern India by Bipin Chandra	For Modern History of India
Note: Read Modern History of India from books either written by Bipin Chandra OR Satish Chandra.
Ancient & Medieval History
Class 11	Old NCERT on Ancient India by R.S.Sharma or Ancient India by Tamilnadu Board
	Old NCERT on Medieval India by Satish Chandra or Medieval India by Tamilnadu Board
Art & Culture
Class 11	An Introduction to Indian Art- Part 1	Good book 👍
	Living Craft Traditions of IndiaChapters 9- PaintingChapter 10- Theatre Crafts	Read Selective Chapters
Society
Class 11	Introducing Sociology	Don’t read, as long as you want to opt for ‘Sociology’ as your optional subject..
	Understanding Society
Class 12	Indian Society	Good books 👍, read only if you want.
	Social Change and Development in India
Geography
Class 6	The Earth Our Habitat	Not very useful as they appear, as long as the basics are not clear.
Class 7	Our Environment
Class 8	Resource and Development
Class 9	Contemporary India – Part 1
Class 10	Contemporary India – Part 2
Class 11	Fundamentals of Physical Geography	Good book 👍 | Must Read
	India – Physical Environment
Class 12	Fundamentals of Human Geography
	India – People and Economy
Political Science(Polity)
Class 6	Social and Political Life Part – 1	Not very useful as they appear, as long as the basics are not clear.
Class 7	Social and Political Life Part – 2
Class 8	Social and Political Life Part – 3
Class 9	Democratic Politics Part – 1
Class 10	Democratic Politics Part – 2
Class 11	Indian Constitution at Work	Good book 👍
	Political Theory	Must read for conceptual clarity.
Class 12	Contemporary World Politics	Get idea on Cold war politics
	Politics in India since Independence	Post-independence History
Economics
Class 9	Economics	Not very useful
Class 10	Understanding Economic Development	Not very useful
Class 11	Indian Economic Development	Good book 👍
Class 12	Introductory Microeconomics	Not very useful
	Introductory Macroeconomics	Look at the portion of National Income & Banking.
Environment & Ecology
Class 12	Biology	Read the last 4 chapters only.

Conclusion

Both standard books and NCERTs books are important from UPSC perspective. If you don’t understand standard books easily, you can consider building basic foundational understanding through NCERTs.

NCERT books provids a strong foundation, clarity, and analytical skills. Definitely, these books can complement your preparation. Reading them can give you a competitive advantage over others and 1% edge is a lot more in UPSC journey!

📌 Note from Author: If you qualify UPSC exam, please donate to needy student who can’t afford it.

Book’s to Buy

Important Links

• Download All NCERT Books: https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php