Preparing for competitive exams like UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) and BPSC (Bihar Public Service Commission) demands a rock-solid foundation. Among the ocean of study materials available, NCERT books are often hailed as the holy grail for beginners and serious aspirants alike. However, not all NCERTs are equally valuable. In this detailed guide, we will walk you through which NCERT books to read and which ones to skip, saving you precious time while maximizing your preparation efficiency.
Why NCERT Books Are Crucial for UPSC and BPSC Preparation
NCERT books are published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training and are widely recognized for their authentic content, simple language, and conceptual clarity. Both UPSC and BPSC examinations test candidates on fundamental concepts and objective knowledge, which makes NCERTs the best starting point for serious aspirants.
How to Approach NCERTs Strategically
To prepare efficiently, it's important to:
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Prioritize subjects based on relevance to the syllabus.
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Focus on higher class books (Class 9 to 12) for core subjects.
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Select new NCERTs for clarity and updated information, but use old NCERTs for deeper analysis in subjects like history.
Must-Read NCERT Books for UPSC & BPSC
1. History
Old NCERTs (authored by R.S. Sharma, Satish Chandra, and Bipan Chandra) are considered more analytical and are highly recommended.
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Ancient India by R.S. Sharma (Old NCERT - Class 11): Strong base for ancient Indian history.
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Medieval India by Satish Chandra (Old NCERT - Class 11): Important for cultural and political developments.
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Modern India by Bipan Chandra (Old NCERT - Class 12): A comprehensive book for India’s freedom struggle.
New NCERTs to Read:
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Themes in Indian History Part I, II & III (Class 12): Covers art, architecture, and social history—important for Prelims and Mains.
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India and the Contemporary World I & II (Class 9 & 10): Useful for basic chronology and events.
2. Geography
Geography NCERTs are non-negotiable for both UPSC and BPSC aspirants.
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Fundamentals of Physical Geography (Class 11): Essential for geomorphology, climatology, and oceanography.
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India: Physical Environment (Class 11): For Indian Geography basics.
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Fundamentals of Human Geography (Class 12): High relevance for Mains GS Paper I.
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India: People and Economy (Class 12): Includes population, industries, agriculture, etc.
Also read Class 6–10 Geography NCERTs to build continuity and understanding of maps and basic facts.
3. Polity
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Social and Political Life – I, II, III (Class 6–8): Helpful for absolute beginners.
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Indian Constitution at Work (Class 11): Crucial for understanding the working of Indian democracy.
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Political Theory (Class 11): Builds foundational concepts for GS Paper II.
For advanced learners, supplement NCERTs with Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity, but don’t skip NCERTs for clarity and structure.
4. Economics
Economics NCERTs are often overlooked, but they are indispensable for UPSC and BPSC Prelims and Mains.
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Understanding Economic Development (Class 10): Basic and very beginner-friendly.
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Indian Economic Development (Class 11): Must-read for economic planning, growth, and development.
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Introductory Macroeconomics (Class 12): Important for fiscal and monetary policy, GDP, inflation, etc.
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Introductory Microeconomics (Class 12): Less relevant but can be selectively read.
5. Science
While UPSC asks only basic science questions, BPSC often includes direct factual questions from NCERTs.
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Class 6 to 10 Science NCERTs: Cover Biology, Physics, and Chemistry basics—sufficient for both exams.
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Focus more on Biology sections from Class 9 and 10 for environment-related topics.
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Do not spend too much time on advanced Physics/Chemistry of Class 11 and 12 unless you have a science background.
6. Art and Culture
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An Introduction to Indian Art (Class 11): Must-read for UPSC Mains GS Paper I.
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Supplement with NIOS materials or CCRT website for better coverage.
NCERTs You Can Safely Skip
While most NCERTs are beneficial, not all are equally relevant. Here's what you can skip or read selectively:
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Mathematics NCERTs: Not required unless you are weak in basic arithmetic or preparing for CSAT.
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English, Hindi Literature NCERTs: Completely irrelevant for both exams.
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Advanced Physics and Chemistry NCERTs (Class 11 & 12): Not needed unless you are preparing for optional science subjects.
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Class 6–8 History/Polity/Economics: Useful for beginners only. Skip if you're already through with Class 9–12.
How to Read NCERTs Effectively
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Underline important points and make concise notes.
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Revise multiple times—don’t just read once.
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Try to connect NCERT content with current affairs.
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After completing NCERTs, attempt MCQs and PYQs (Previous Year Questions) to test understanding.
Should You Prefer Old or New NCERTs?
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History: Old NCERTs are more analytical and exam-friendly.
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Geography, Polity, Economics: New NCERTs are well-designed and structured.
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For UPSC and BPSC both, it’s ideal to read a mix of both as per the topic and availability.
NCERT Book List Summary
| Subject | Must-Read NCERTs | Skip/Optional NCERTs |
|---|---|---|
| History | Class 11, 12 (Old & New both) | Class 6–8 (if short on time) |
| Geography | Class 6–12 (New) | None |
| Polity | Class 6–11 | Class 12 (if already using Laxmikanth) |
| Economics | Class 10–12 | Class 6–9 |
| Science | Class 6–10 | Class 11–12 (unless needed) |
| Art & Culture | Class 11 (Indian Art) | Other art books |
| Maths/Language | Not required | All |
Final Tips to Maximize NCERT Utility
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Begin your preparation with NCERTs to build conceptual clarity.
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Make short notes as you read each chapter.
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Watch NCERT-based video lectures on YouTube for visual memory.
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Practice NCERT-based MCQs—many questions in UPSC/BPSC Prelims are directly lifted or inspired from NCERTs.
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Integrate NCERT content in your Mains answers to show conceptual understanding.
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