NCERT Books for General Studies Paper I

• UPSC Preparation Books from NCERT History Books:

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

• NCERT Books about Indian Society for UPSC exam:

• 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
• IAS aspirants can also refer the class 12 book for Sociology.

• NCERT Indian Art and Culture books for UPSC:
  • Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – An Introduction to Indian Art
  • Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)
• UPSC Preparation Books from NCERT Geography Books for IAS:
  • 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

• Additional IAS preparation books for reference: Old NCERT books for History (Pre 2000s):

• Ancient India (class XI) by RS Sharma: This covers the ancient Indian history syllabus completely
• Alternative Published version: India’s Ancient Past – RS Sharma: Covers all of the NCERT syllabi for IAS and is more detailed in all aspects. Should be a good substitute
• Medieval India (class IX) by Satish Chandra
• Alternative Published version: History of Medieval India – Satish Chandra: More detailed than the NCERT but less easy to read. NCERT would be better
• Modern India (class X) by Bipin Chandra: Best book for UPSC Medieval History
• Alternative Published version: India Before Independence: Bipan Chandra’s published book is readily available and is more comprehensive, but the NCERT is more objective and more comfortable to read
• World History (Class X): Should be enough for an intro to world history

NCERT UPSC Preparation Books for General Studies Paper-II:

• Polity NCERT Books for UPSC

• 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
• For Polity: Class 9 to 12 NCERT books should be read in detail, with a focus on 11th and 12th (of which World Politics, only if time permits).

Read on for information on which books to read for UPSC GS Paper III.

UPSC Books from NCERT for General Studies Paper III:

• NCERT Books on Economy for UPSC

• 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

• Science & Technology IAS Preparation Books from NCERT
  • 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 & Biology: Units 4 & 5
  • Science: NCERT Class XII – Chemistry: Unit 16 & Biology: Units 8, 9 & 10
• UPSC Books from NCERT on Environment & Ecology
  • Science: Class XII – Biology: last four Chapters (13 to 16)