Union Public Service Commission is considered one of the toughest exams in India. The syllabus of UPSC is designed to check the candidate’s knowledge of various subjects. Therefore, the candidates need to choose the right source for preparation and for cracking the examination. Books play a crucial role in UPSC preparation, providing comprehensive coverage of the syllabus and aiding in conceptual clarity. They offer structured content, detailed explanations, and diverse perspectives on various subjects. Standard textbooks, such as those by renowned authors and NCERT books for UPSC, are invaluable for building a strong foundation in History, Geography, Polity, Economics, Environment, and Science. Students must read daily current affairs and editorials to be updated about what’s going on in the world.
The selection of the right books is considered to be the first step towards preparation for the exam. When it comes to picking which book to read for UPSC preparation the students need to start from scratch. NCERT Books for UPSC Preparation is an excellent resource for any UPSC aspirant. The reason for this is that these IAS NCERT Books teach the fundamental topics in simple language.
Another important reason hopefuls refer to these books is their authenticity, as the information is offered by government entities. So, IAS aspirants should consult NCERT Books for UPSC. The first step in preparing for the IAS test is to read NCERT books. If you are looking for the best NCERT books for IAS, you have come to the right site. In this article, our UPSC CSE Coaching team has compiled a list of NCERT books for UPSC Prelims and Mains exams.
NCERT Books for UPSC Prelims
In the IAS preliminary round, there are two papers: GS Paper 1 and CSAT. Both publications are objective. This exam is used to screen applicants for the main examination. This exam will have a total weightage of 400 points, divided equally across papers I and II. If you wish to qualify for the IAS Mains exam, you should start preparing right now.
Booklist
NCERT Books for UPSC Mains Exam
Candidates who pass the preliminary exam must appear for the UPSC IAS mains. This exam will carry a total weight of 1750 marks. This test will include both descriptive and objective-type papers. To cover these papers, you must study a large curriculum. Here is the UPSC NCERT Book List for the Mains Exam, which will help you pass the exam.
General Studies Paper 1
- History: “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra
- Geography: “Certificate Physical and Human Geography” by G.C. Leong
- Society: “Indian Society” by Ram Ahuja
General Studies Paper 2
- Polity: “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth
- Governance: “Governance in India” by M. Laxmikanth
- International Relations: “India’s Foreign Policy” by Rajiv Sikri
General Studies Paper 3
- Economics: “Indian Economy” by Ramesh Singh
- Environment: “Environment” by Shankar IAS
- Science and Technology: “Science and Technology” by Ravi P. Agrahari
General Studies Paper 4
- Ethics: “Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude” by Subba Rao and P.N. Roy Chowdhury
- Case Studies: “Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude” by Niraj Kumar
Essay
“151 Essays” by S.C. Gupta
Optional Subjects
- Public Administration: “Public Administration” by M. Laxmikanth
- Administrative Thinkers: “Administrative Thinkers” by Prasad and Prasad.
All NCERT Books for UPSC-Classwise List
| Class | Subject | Book Title |
| Class 6 | History | Our Pasts – I |
| Geography | The Earth: Our Habitat | |
| Social and Political Life | Social and Political Life – I | |
| Class 7 | History | Our Pasts – II |
| Geography | Our Environment | |
| Social and Political Life | Social and Political Life – II | |
| Class 8 | History | Our Pasts – III |
| Geography | Resource and Development | |
| Social and Political Life | Social and Political Life – III | |
| Class 9 | History | India and the Contemporary World – I |
| Geography | Contemporary India – I | |
| Political Science | Democratic Politics – I | |
| Economics | Economics | |
| Class 10 | History | India and the Contemporary World – II |
| Geography | Contemporary India – II | |
| Political Science | Democratic Politics – II | |
| Economics | Understanding Economic Development | |
| Class 11 | History | Themes in World History |
| Geography | Fundamentals of Physical Geography | |
| Geography | India: Physical Environment | |
| Political Science | Indian Constitution at Work | |
| Political Science | Political Theory | |
| Economics | Indian Economic Development | |
| Economics | Statistics for Economics | |
| Sociology | Introducing Sociology | |
| Sociology | Understanding Society | |
| Class 12 | History | Themes in Indian History – I, II, III |
| Geography | Fundamentals of Human Geography | |
| Geography | India: People and Economy | |
| Political Science | Contemporary World Politics | |
| Political Science | Politics in India Since Independence | |
| Economics | Macroeconomics | |
| Sociology | Indian Society | |
| Sociology | Social Change and Development in India |
Conclusion
The NCERT books are essential for UPSC preparation. They form the foundation for understanding basic concepts across subjects. These books have a clear structure and are easy to grasp. They provide clear and concise information on important topics. The books cover a wide range of subjects, including History, Geography, and Political Science. The inclusion of Economics and Sociology makes them comprehensive. By studying NCERT books from Class 6 to 12, aspirants can build a strong knowledge base. This foundation is crucial for tackling both the prelims and mains of the UPSC exam.
