3/20/2020 Complete list of NCERT books needed for UPSC preparation for IAS exam only @BYJU'S

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 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 fromNCERT 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.
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3/20/2020 Complete list of NCERT books needed for UPSC preparation for IAS exam only @BYJU'S

Alternative Published version: India’s Ancient Past – RS Sharma: Covers all of

the NCERT syllabus 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 easily available is more comprehensive, but the NCERT is
more objective and easier to read.
World History (Class X): Should be enough for an intro to world history
Continue reading below to know which NCERT books to study for IAS for General Studies
Paper II.

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

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3/20/2020 Complete list of NCERT books needed for UPSC preparation for IAS exam only @BYJU'S

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)
For Economics: Reference of class 9 to 12 NCERT books for IAS should be ideal, but if
you are familiar with the subject, class 11 and some chapters in class 11 and class 12
(micro + macro) would be sufficient. So, read selectively!
For Science: Refer textbooks of class IX and X that would be good enough for your IAS
exam preparation.
The next list covers IAS Books from NCERT for Civil Services GS IV.

NCERT IAS Books for General Studies Paper IV

Ethics: NCERT Class XII – Psychology: Not too important from the exam perspective,
however good for some basics. Read selectively.

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