How to Read NCERT for UPSC - Download the UPSC NCERT Book List!

How to Read NCERT for UPSC is a common question among aspirants while trying to begin their UPSC IAS preparation. Comprehensive & effective reading is a must to get good scores in the UPSC Civil Services exam. Thus, all aspirants must be clear about the NCERT reading strategy for the UPSC exam. Studying NCERTs for UPSC provides candidates with a chance to clear their fundamentals before moving on to the comprehensive syllabus topics. Over the years, questions are directly or indirectly asked from these NCERT books. 

In this article, we will look at how to read NCERT for UPSC and its importance in covering most topics thoroughly. We will also try to answer a few of the questions related to reading NCERT books for UPSC.

Download the Timetable to Complete NCERT for UPSC!

How to Read NCERT for UPSC?

There’s no one way to know how to read NCERT books for UPSC in a proper and foolproof manner. First, we will specifically talk about two approaches to implement as per your choice of reading. Then, we will move to the steps that you must follow to know how to read NCERT for UPSC by toppers.

Approach to Study NCERT for UPSC

“How to Read NCERT for UPSC for the first time?” is a question that we have received a thousand times. As there are a lot of NCERTs available to be read, candidates often get confused. Thus, you can follow these two simple approaches to begin.

• Class-wise Reading: If you have time constraints or simply cannot devote a lot of time to NCERT books only apart from other UPSC Preparation Books, you can follow this class-wise reading approach. It means start reading basic-level NCERTs from class 6th onwards and then slowly moving onwards to higher-level.
• Subject-wise Reading: If you don’t have time constraints or just simply want to study basic to advanced level NCERTs, you must follow this subject-wise approach. In this, you start reading class 6th to 12th standard NCERTs and even Old NCERT Books for UPSC for each subject one by one.

Now, if you don't know how to read NCERT for UPSC for the first time, which method should you follow?

According to our experts & several UPSC aspirants, you must follow the second method i.e., subject-wise reading, if you don’t know how to read NCERT for UPSC for the first time. You will gain a foundational understanding of the subject and a greater understanding of each concept if you read NCERT for UPSC in a subject-wise manner. By contrast, reading NCERT books class-wise will provide you with interruptive knowledge because it leaves gaps between the same subject. As a result, it could lead to you forgetting the chapters or subjects you initially studied.

Tips to Read NCERT For UPSC

Now let’s go through our expert approaches that you can choose to know how to read NCERT for UPSC effectively for the first time as given below -

• Choose any subject from the UPSC Prelims syllabus first on the basis of its weightage and simplicity. Then start reading NCERT for that specific subject. For instance, you can start with Political Science NCERT books for UPSC IAS preparation.
• In your first preliminary reading, try to grasp the fundamental concepts, and then when you slowly progress, start making NCERT Notes For UPSC for proper revision.
• Segregate preparation of each subject and related topics & sub-topics from those NCERT books with a proper study timetable for completing preparation without delays.
• Once you have started advanced reading NCERTs as per the UPSC Mains syllabus, try to micromanage each topic and practice answer writing & note taking as per those specific topics.
• Follow old NCERT textbooks for History preparation and stick to newer ones for Geography, Economics. To help you manage how to read NCERT for UPSC by toppers, we have listed all the books below in PDF.
• If you are in the process of knowing how to read NCERT for UPSC for the first time, you must always refer to UPSC Previous Year Question Papers to take note of important questions asked from topics present in your book.
• As per our estimate, if you want to read NCERT for each subject, you will have to cover around 40-44 books. Each book contains approx 15-16 chapters that require 2-3 days time to complete. Thus, as per the math, you must be able to complete NCERTs for UPSC in a 2.5 to 3 months span.
• Always try to correlate your preparation of GK & Current Affairs along with NCERTs as you must attend that section.
• In case you have time constraints, try to make a to-do list of important subjects and their topics in your desired time span. Try to approach those topics first that are time-consuming and then move to the easier ones.

Start your preparation with our best online coaching for UPSC here!

We have tried to cover the majority of candidates’ questions regarding how to read NCERT books for UPSC effectively.

How to read Ncert for UPSC Beginners?

Once you have downloaded NCERT books from the official website or from Testbook, follow these steps -

• Understand the basics first to gain conceptual clarity of each class-wise or subject-wise NCERT Book.
• Stick to either class-wise or subject-wise NCERTs study based on your long-term goals.
• Always sit with a pencil and highlight important points in your book before starting on a new topic.
• Make a timetable to complete each book and not move to another without keeping the first incomplete. Follow this timetable religiously.

How many times to read NCERT for UPSC?

If you know how to read NCERT for the first time effectively, you will not need much reading for a specific book. However, it is recommended to revisit those topics that are complex and time-consuming or both. You can stick to one reading only for those topics that are easy. For instance, candidates usually read History NCERT books twice or thrice for UPSC than Polity due to the comprehensive nature of questions asked for the former.

How to read NCERT for UPSC by Toppers?

We have specifically asked previous UPSC toppers on how to read NCERT for UPSC, Their answer is pointed out below -

• Try to approach NCERTs on a subject-wise basis rather than class-wise. It means if you are reading History, move from class 6th to 12th and study History specifically.
• Pick those subject NCERTs first that you feel you are weak in or your fundamentals need a bit more brush up.
• Try to create your own notes while reading NCERTs for the first time.
• Do not rush while reading. A few subjects’ NCERTs can be comprehensive and require multiple readings.
• You must tally the UPSC Prelims & Mains syllabus properly while starting on an NCERT book for that stage for up-to-date preparation.
• Attempt UPSC Mock Test Series for each subject that you pick up in your NCERT book for self-assessment.

Is reading NCERT enough for UPSC?

Expert Tip: UPSC Civil Services is one of the toughest competitive exams across the world that requires multi-level preparation. Thus, apart from reading NCERT books, you must also refer to standard UPSC Books, mock tests, previous exam papers, study notes, practice sets and other live resources available.

Enrol in our NCERT Course For UPSC for complete preparation.

Several candidates get confused about reading NCERT for the first time due to the variety of subjects. Thus, you can follow the tips mentioned below that will assist you in your study completely. For any subject that you study, start from the basic primary level and then slowly progress to the 12th level NCERTs. Try to maintain notes as per the need of preparing a particular subject.

Below we have shared how to read NCERT for UPSC by topper for the four main subjects i.e., History, Geography, Indian Polity & Economics.

How to read History NCERT for UPSC?

History is an important part of the UPSC syllabus, it overlaps with the Prelims, Mains and is also available as an optional subject. So, we’d better tell you some effective ways of reading NCERTs for history.

• Refer to new NCERT History books if you want more subjective and direct information to write descriptive answers, required for the UPSC Mains stage.
• Go for old NCERT books as they are more vast and objective in nature. It helps learn concepts faster in both exam stages.
• Memorize concepts better with diagrams and maps.
• Make notes on the chronological order of events to memorize properly.
• Try to pay more attention to Modern History NCERT Books as it covers the highest weightage.
• Read Class 6 NCERT History Notes For UPSC for a basic-level understanding of post-Ancient history fundamentals.
• Focus on 11th and 12th std. History books for advanced level of answer-writing practice for questions asked in Mains.

How to read Geography NCERT for UPSC?

Let’s find out how to prepare the comprehensive yet easily scoring subject (Geography) in the right ways using NCERT materials -

• Try to make short notes on forests, landforms, types of vegetation & agriculture-related topics from NCERT Geography chapters.
• The NCERT Atlas maps are quite easy to understand for geographical paintings and sketches.
• Try to refer to mnemonics and mind maps which can be quite useful for memorizing complex concepts.
• Make answer writing practices to describe a location or factors affecting climate with your own understanding.

How to read Polity NCERT for UPSC?

Indian Polity is a comprehensive yet scoring subject present in UPSC Syllabus. Let’s understand how to approach NCERTs for studying the Polity subject.

• Try to make web diagrams, and flowcharts by connecting keywords wherever possible from important Polity topics.
• You must refer to Civics books that are 9th or below standard as Polity is basically an amalgamation of Political Science & Civics topics learnt at the school level.
• Try to make short notes on broad Parliament or Constitution-related topics from NCERT Polity books of std. VI to IX.
• Keep a practice of solving both subjective and objective questions given at the end of each chapter in your books.

How to read Economics NCERT for UPSC?

Economics involves multiple concepts that aspirants might study from the 9th to 12th level curriculum, especially in central-board schools like ICSE, CBSE, etc. Although Economic Survey and Budget static information can be found in other books, you can refer to some NCERTs and follow the tips as mentioned below -

• Read NCERT XI std books to cover Indian Economic Development topics in a broad and fundamental way.
• Refer to NCERT XII books for detailed conceptual knowledge of Microeconomics & Macroeconomics.
• You can skip the mathematical formulae and graphs as those types of questions are not commonly asked. 
• Try to make short notes & diagrams on demand & supply concepts as well as other frequently asked topics as per previous papers.
• Note down important questions given at the end of each chapter.

Also, Read - How To Make NCERT Notes for UPSC?

List of NCERT Books for UPSC

Here's a brief NCERT booklist table for UPSC preparation, subject-wise, with class level and book names. These are the most recommended NCERTs for building a strong foundation, especially for UPSC Prelims and Mains (General Studies):

Importance of Reading NCERT for UPSC

The NCERTs builds a basic foundation in terms of UPSC preparation. While reading NCERTs for UPSC, always keep yourself in the position of the question-setter to match his/her mindset and know what type of questions can be asked from a particular chapter for that matter.

Although NCERTs do not cover the entire UPSC Prelims & Mains syllabus, it does justice to most of the subject fundamentals. Let's now know the importance of reading NCERT Books for UPSC below.

• Simple Language: For your convenience, the language in NCERT books has been greatly simplified. 
• Industry-Oriented Research: All NCERT books have been written and published by both industry-level and UPSC faculty experts with diverse scholarly research for up-to-date information. 
• 100% Authentic: The information provided in NCERT books is doubly-verified and tested by scholars, government agencies & institutions like the CBSE board to ensure complete authenticity. 
• Maintaining All-in-One Exam Standards: If you know how to read NCERT for UPSC, you must also use them for other state & central-level exams as it provides a standard & reliable source for the most competitive exam preparation.
• Factual Source of Information: Is reading NCERT necessary for UPSC? Yes, because they are published after multiple checks & re-checks for current factual information. 
• Good for Conceptual Understanding: All the NCERT books for UPSC cover each concept and topic in a thorough manner. Unlike several renowned books, they begin with basics and slowly move to advanced concepts. So, if you want to clear your basic concepts & doubts of all topics present in UPSC Syllabus, including NCERTs in your UPSC preparation strategy will be quintessential. 
• Choice of Class-Specific: The best way to know how to read NCERT for UPSC by toppers is to glance through for each subject in a class-wise manner. Clear your basics by starting from 6th to 8th standard books and then proceed to 10+2 level books. 

Also check out the UPSC Exam Pattern to know how to read NCERT books for UPSC preparation accordingly. 

We hope that this article could provide clear instructions and tips for you to know how to read NCERT for UPSC by toppers effectively. Now download the Testbook App to access more UPSC NCERT Books for other subjects as well as other exam resources, test series, PYQs and more in a few clicks.