NCERT Books for UPSC, IAS Exam 2025 NCERT Books List

Reading NCERT books for UPSC Civil Services Exam serves as a fundamental step in building a strong foundation of knowledge and concepts required for successful UPSC preparation. NCERT Books provide clarity, cover essential syllabus topics, and contribute to a holistic understanding of various subjects crucial for the UPSC exam.

NCERT books provide a solid foundation of fundamental concepts across various subjects, which are essential for understanding more advanced topics that may be covered in the syllabus.

NCERT Books for UPSC

NCERT books for UPSC preparation provide a strong foundation for General Studies subjects. A major part of the UPSC Syllabus comprises General Studies Subjects like Polity, History, Economy, Geography, Environment etc. By offering clear and concise explanations of fundamental concepts in these subjects, which are important for the syllabus, NCERT Books help develop a strong base for your preparation. These books are recommended by UPSC experts for their accuracy and reliability, and many questions in UPSC CSE directly or indirectly relate to the concepts covered in these books. Moreover, NCERT books help aspirants understand the socio-economic, historical, and cultural dimensions of India, which are essential for both the Preliminary and Mains stages of the UPSC 2025 exam.

UPSC NCERT Book List

The UPSC syllabus encompasses a vast range of information, making it difficult to find the right resources to study from. In this regard, we have compiled a comprehensive list of NCERT books categorised by subject, tailored to be highly pertinent for UPSC exam readiness. Additionally, we have included convenient download links for these essential resources.

Paper I (General Studies)

Social Science NCERT Books For UPSC (Sociology and Governance)

When you are aspiring to become a civil servant, the very first thing to do is become aware about the social issues prevailing in our Indian Society. Download NCERT Sociology books from here.

• Indian Society: NCERT Class VI – Social Science: Social & Political Life I
• Indian Society: NCERT Class VII – Social Science: Social & Political Life II
• Indian Society: NCERT Class VIII – Social Science: Social & Political Life III
• Indian Society: NCERT Class XI – Sociology: Understanding Society
• Indian Society: NCERT Class XII – Indian Society
• Indian Society: NCERT Class XII – Social Change and Development in India

History NCERT Books for UPSC

History is a vast subject in itself. In order to prepare History for UPSC Civil Services Exam, it is important to start with the basic books to build a strong foundation and a clear understanding about the subject. The NCERT Books are written in simple language, this simplicity aids in grasping complex subjects and concepts, even for those without a prior background in them.

• History: NCERT Class VI – Our Past - I
• History: NCERT Class VII – Our Past - II
• History: NCERT Class VIII – Our Past III
• History: NCERT Class IX – India and the Contemporary World – I
• History: NCERT Class X – India and the Contemporary World – II
• History: NCERT Class XI – Themes in World History
• History: NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – I
• History: NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – II
• History: NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – III

Geography NCERT Books for UPSC

NCERT Geography books provide maps and information about climatic regions. This helps in answering a lot of the answers related to Geography in the UPSC Exam.

• Geography: NCERT Class VI – The Earth Our Habitat
• Geography: NCERT Class VII – Our Environment
• Geography: NCERT Class VIII – Resource and Development
• Geography: NCERT Class IX – Contemporary India – I
• Geography: NCERT Class X – Contemporary India – II
• Geography: NCERT Class XI – Fundamentals of Physical Geography
• Geography: NCERT Class XI – India – Physical Environment
• Geography: NCERT Class XII – Fundamentals of Human Geography
• Geography: NCERT Class XII – India – People and Economy

Art and Culture NCERT Books for UPSC

• Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – An Introduction to Indian Art
• Art & Culture: NCERT Class XII – Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)

Paper-II (General Studies)

Polity NCERT Books for UPSC

Political Science deals with the laws and the Constitution of a country, making it very important to study. You can download important NCERT books on political science from here:

• Polity: NCERT Class IX – Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – I
• Polity: NCERT Class X – Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – II
• Polity: NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work
• Polity: NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Political Theory
• Polity: NCERT Class XII – Political Science I: Contemporary World Politics
• Polity: NCERT Class XII – Political Science II: Politics in India Since Independence

Paper III (General Studies)

Science and Technology NCERT Books for UPSC

Reading Science and Technology NCERT books helps in building a solid foundation of scientific knowledge and technological concepts. These books provide an understanding of modern advancements, innovations, and their implications, which are increasingly integral to various aspects of governance and policy making. You can download important NCERT books on Science and Technology here:

• Science: NCERT Class VI
• Science: NCERT Class VII
• Science: NCERT Class VIII
• Science: NCERT Class IX
• Science: NCERT Class X
• Science: NCERT Class XI – Chemistry: Unit 14
• Science NCERT Class XI - Biology: Units 4 & 5
• Science NCERT Class XII - Chemistry Part I
• Science NCERT Class XII - Chemistry Part II Unit 16
• Science: NCERT Class XII - Biology: Units 8, 9 & 10

Economics NCERT Books for UPSC

Reading Economics NCERT books is crucial for UPSC preparation as they lay the groundwork for understanding economic principles, policies. These books provide insights into topics like macroeconomics, microeconomics, fiscal policies, and more. Download NCERT economic books from here.

• Economy: NCERT Class IX – Economics
• Economy: NCERT Class X – Understanding Economic Development
• Economy: NCERT Class XI – Indian Economic Development
• Economy: NCERT Class XII – Introductory Microeconomics
• Economy: NCERT Class XII – Introductory Macroeconomics

Environment NCERT Books for UPSC

• Science: Class XII – Biology: last four Chapters (13 to 16)

Paper IV (Ethics)

• NCERT Class 11 Psychology
• NCERT Class 12 Psychology

Old NCERT History Books

Old NCERT books hold a timeless value in UPSC preparation, offering foundational knowledge on various subjects. Their comprehensive content and clear explanations aid aspirants in building a strong conceptual base. However, it is important to note that since these books carry very old information, certain parts of the books are not relevant in the current UPSC Syllabus.

• Old NCERT Ancient India - RS Sharma
• Old NCERT Medieval India - Satish Chandra
• Modern India - Bipan Chandra
• The Story of Civilization - Arjun Dev

Importance of Reading NCERT Books for UPSC Preparation

The content provided in NCERT books is easy to understand and comprehend. The way they're written makes it simple to remember, and they cover lots of important subjects that help you build a strong base of knowledge. If you're just starting out, it's smart to begin with these books before moving on to more advanced references. Many successful IAS toppers and teachers believe these books are really important for getting ready for the UPSC exam. Here are a few benefits of reading NCERT Books for UPSC:

• NCERT books establish a strong foundation of fundamental concepts.
• They provide clear explanations for better understanding.
• NCERT books cover a substantial portion of the UPSC syllabus.
• They offer insights into historical, cultural, and socio-economic dimensions.
• Exposure to common terminology used in UPSC questions.
• NCERT books are affordable and easily accessible.
• NCERT Books enhance the effectiveness of other study materials by helping build a strong basic foundation.
• NCERT books align with UPSC exam requirements.
• Often suggested by UPSC experts and toppers.
• Real-world applications aid in answering scenario-based questions.

How to study NCERT Books for UPSC?

Here are a few tips that you could follow while reading the NCERT Books for UPSC Civil Services Exam:

• Understand Key Concepts: Focus on grasping the main ideas and concepts in each chapter.
• Take Notes: Jot down important points for quick revision.
• Analyse Examples: Understand practical applications through examples given.
• Summarise: Write brief summaries after reading a chapter.
• Relate to Current Affairs: Connect NCERT concepts to current events for relevance.
• Practice Questions: Solve exercises to test your understanding.
• Use Visual Aids: Benefit from diagrams, tables, and illustrations.
• Avoid Rote Learning: Focus on understanding rather than memorization.
• Link to UPSC Syllabus: Identify how each chapter aligns with the syllabus.

NCERT Books for UPSC FAQs

Q1. How do I download a NCERT book PDF for UPSC?

Ans. NCERT PDF Books can be downloaded from this page above. The article on Vajiram & Ravi NCERT Books PDF consists of all the links to the important NCERT Books needed to be studied for the UPSC Exam Preparation.

Q2. What are NCERT textbooks?

Ans. NCERT textbooks are a set of educational resources developed by the Indian Government for school students. These textbooks cover a wide range of subjects and grades, providing standardised content that adheres to the national curriculum. They are widely used across schools in India and are known for their comprehensive and quality content, designed to facilitate effective learning and understanding among students, and are helpful in developing a strong foundation for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Q3. How to complete NCERT in one month?

Ans. Completing NCERT textbooks for UPSC in just one month requires focused and efficient studying. Prioritise the core subjects relevant to the UPSC syllabus, create a daily study schedule, and allocate sufficient time to cover each subject. Skim through the textbooks for an overview, then delve deeper into key concepts. Take concise notes, join a foundation course programme, and practise with related questions. Regular revision is crucial. While aiming to cover all textbooks, focus on understanding concepts rather than rote memorization. Remember, this approach might not lead to comprehensive mastery but can provide a foundational understanding for the UPSC exam.

Q4. How can I prepare from the NCERT Textbooks?

Ans. Preparing for the UPSC exam using NCERT textbooks involves a strategic approach. Start by identifying the relevant NCERT textbooks for each subject in the UPSC syllabus from the given article above. Read the textbooks thoroughly to grasp fundamental concepts and insights. Take concise notes and highlight key points. Supplement your understanding with additional resources like foundation courses, reference books, and current affairs materials. Solve exercises and questions at the end of each chapter to reinforce your knowledge. Focus on critical thinking and connecting concepts across subjects. Regular revision and practice are vital.

Q5. Does UPSC ask questions directly from NCERT?

Ans. A big YES!. UPSC includes questions from NCERT, and quite often, these questions are directly taken from these books. Take, for instance the case of the 2016 Prelims, where more than 5 questions were directly sourced from NCERT books!

Q6. Can we avoid NCERT Books for UPSC?

Ans. No, NCERT Books cannot be skipped when it comes to UPSC CSE Preparation. NCERT Books help you form a strong base in a simple and comprehensive language. These books carry minute details that might become helpful in answer writing in your UPSC Exam.

Q7. How many times should I read NCERT books as a part of UPSC preparation?

Ans. While reading the NCERT Books one time can be more than enough to build a strong foundation, however, you can always read them as many times as you want until you feel you are completely ready to move onto the next set of books specially designed focusing on the UPSC Syllabus.