NCERTs
Importance of NCERTs Books (Especially for Students and UPSC Aspirants):
Table of Contents
1. Authentic & Trustworthy Content
- NCERT books are published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, an autonomous body under the Government of India.
- Their content is scientifically accurate, unbiased, and regularly updated.
2. Simple Language and Concept Clarity
- The books use easy-to-understand language.
- Concepts are explained step-by-step, making them perfect for foundation building.
3. Foundation for Competitive Exams
- UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, NEET, JEE, NDA—many exams rely heavily on NCERTs.
- UPSC prelims and mains questions are often directly or indirectly from NCERTs.
4. Covers Syllabus Adequately
- NCERTs are aligned with the school curriculum and exam syllabi (CBSE & others).
- Good for both school exams and basic understanding of Indian and world affairs.
5. Balanced and Neutral Perspective
- Especially in subjects like History, Civics, Geography, Economics, NCERTs provide balanced viewpoints without political or ideological bias.
6. Helpful for Answer Writing
- NCERTs teach you how to write in a clear, concise, and factual way, which is critical for writing good answers in UPSC mains and school boards.
7. Graphs, Maps, and Diagrams
- Rich with illustrations, case studies, statistics, and data, which are crucial for better understanding and for enriching your answers in exams.
8. Reliable First Step in Self-Study
- Perfect for beginners in any subject.
- Acts as a gateway to advanced books by giving a strong base.
The Strong Link Between NCERT & UPSC
- Direct Questions from NCERT in Prelims
- Many questions in UPSC Prelims are lifted directly from NCERTs—especially from Geography, Polity, History, and Economics.
- Example: Questions on the Drainage System of India, Types of Soils, or Features of the Constitution are often straight from Class 6–12 NCERTs.
- Conceptual Clarity for Mains
- Mains requires analytical answers. NCERT help build foundational clarity, which is essential to write structured and coherent answers.
- Integrated Coverage for GS Papers
- NCERTs offer integrated learning across GS papers:
- GS 1: Indian History, Geography, Indian Society
- GS 2: Polity & Governance
- GS 3: Economics, Environment, Science & Tech
- GS 4: Ethics (via moral science themes in early NCERTs)
- NCERTs offer integrated learning across GS papers:
- Standardized & Government-Approved Source
- UPSC prefers neutral, factual, and authentic sources—and nothing is more credible than government-published NCERT books.
Which NCERTs Are Most Important for UPSC?
Here’s a quick subject-wise breakdown:
| Subject | Class Range | Key Books |
|---|---|---|
| History | 6 to 12 | Themes in Indian History (XI, XII) |
| Geography | 6 to 12 | Contemporary India, Fundamentals of Physical Geography |
| Polity | 9 to 12 | Democratic Politics, Indian Constitution at Work |
| Economics | 9 to 12 | Indian Economic Development |
| Science | 6 to 10 | General Science basics |
| Sociology & Ethics | 11, 12 | Introducing Sociology, Indian Society |
Tips to Read NCERT for UPSC
- Start from Class 6 for History and Geography.
- Make chapter-wise short notes.
- Use highlighters for definitions, key facts.
- Solve PYQs (Previous Year Questions) to identify overlaps with NCERT content.
- Revise 2–3 times before prelims.
Final Thought: NCERTs = Smart Start for Smart Aspirants
Ignoring NCERTs in UPSC prep is like building a skyscraper on sand. These books are not just for school students—they are strategic weapons for UPSC warriors. They simplify complexity and develop a strong base before you move to advanced resources like Laxmikanth, Spectrum, or Ramesh Singh.
OUR SOCIAL HANDLE
for upsc self study @https://upscuniverse360.com/
https://upscuniverse360.com/ncert-books-for-upsc-preparation-guid
