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.
 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
 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.

Must read UPSC books from NCERT book catalog

Here’s a class-wise list of must-read NCERT Books for UPSC Civil Services Examination 2019:

Class Textbooks

6th  History: Our Past

 Geography: The Earth Our Habitat
 Social Science: Social & Political Life I
 Science: Science: Class VI

7th  History: Our Past – II

 Geography: Our Environment
 Social Science: Social & Political Life II
 Science: Science – Class VII

8th  History: Our Past III – Part I & II

 Geography: Resource and Development
 Social Science: Social & Political Life III
 Science: Science – Class VIII

9th  History: India and the Contemporary World-I

 Geography: Contemporary India – I
 Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – I
 Science: Class IX
 Economics: Economics

10th  History: India and the Contemporary World – II

 Geography: Contemporary India – II
 Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – II
 Science: Class X
 Economics: Understanding Economic Development
11th  History: Themes in World History
 Geography:
 Fundamentals Of Physical Geography
 India- Physical Environment
 Science:
 Chemistry: Unit 14
 Biology: Unit 4 & 5
 Economics:Indian Economic Development
 Sociology: Understanding Society
 Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work
 Indian Culture:
 An Introduction to Indian Art
 Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)

12th  History: Themes in Indian History

 Geography:
 Fundamentals Of Human Geography
 India – People & Economy
 Science:
 Chemistry: Unit 16
 Biology: Unit 8, 9 & 10
 Economics:Introductory Macroeconomics
 Sociology:
 Indian Society
 Social Change and Development in India
 Political Science: Contemporary World Politics