Importance of NCERTs and Standard Books for UPSC - Testbook.com

Significance of NCERTs in UPSC Preparation

NCERTs are fundamental books that cover the UPSC CSE syllabus comprehensively. They are easy to understand and offer a strong foundation to aspirants. Here are a few reasons why starting UPSC preparation with NCERTs is beneficial:

• Comprehensive Coverage of UPSC Syllabus: NCERTs thoroughly cover the UPSC CSE syllabus . They are beneficial for both prelims and mains. A review of previous years’ questions reveals that many questions are directly sourced from the NCERTs.
• Simple Language: NCERTs employ straightforward language, making the content easily comprehensible even for those who are not proficient in English. This aids in improving the candidate's answer-writing skills.
• Clear Concepts: The content in NCERTs is easy to understand, aiding in concept building. This is one of the reasons why NCERTs are suggested at the initial stages of preparation.
• Authentic Information: NCERTs provide reliable information. They are compiled by experts after extensive research, making them crucial for establishing a strong base in any subject.

Role of Standard Books in UPSC Preparation

While NCERTs help build conceptual knowledge, standard reference books provide the additional information required to tackle the prelims and mains examinations effectively. Here are some benefits of using standard books for UPSC preparation:

• Extensive Information: Standard books provide a wealth of information necessary to handle General Studies Papers and Essays. Authored by renowned experts, these books provide in-depth insights into various topics. Some popular standard books for UPSC include works by Shashi Tharoor, Ramachandra Guha, and Bipan Chandra, among others.
• Updated Content: Standard books are tailored to the UPSC syllabus. They regularly update facts and figures in their new editions, ensuring that aspirants have access to the most recent information.

While coaching materials offer updated facts and figures, concept building is best achieved through NCERTs. Hence, many experts and IAS toppers recommend a combination of NCERTs and standard books for UPSC preparation. Relying solely on coaching material is insufficient for UPSC preparation. However, these materials can supplement your preparation and enrich your content.

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