Gajendra Singh Godara
Sep 27, 2025
12
mins read
NCERT books form the backbone of UPSC preparation, providing authentic, syllabus-aligned content that serves as the foundation for all three stages of the exam. To read them effectively, focus on understanding concepts rather than memorization, make concise notes highlighting key facts and dates, connect topics across subjects for holistic understanding, and regularly revise to reinforce learning and build strong fundamentals.
NCERTs as Foundation: NCERT textbooks (Class 6–12) are a must-read for UPSC. They present complex ideas simply, making memorization and concept-building easier. Renowned UPSC mentors emphasize beginning with NCERTs to build a solid base before moving to advanced sources.
Common Aspirant Doubts: Beginners often ask “How to read NCERT for UPSC?” questions such as – How many times should I revisit each book? How to read NCERT for UPSC for the first time? What is a good timetable for covering all NCERTs? These doubts guide our roadmap.
Roadmap Overview: This guide addresses each query: choosing class-wise vs subject-wise reading, using highlights/notes for initial reading, planning 3–4 reading cycles with clear goals, integrating NCERT content with the syllabus, managing time (typically 2–3 months for classes 6–12), and leveraging NCERT knowledge in Mains answers and essays.
Table of content
Subject-wise over Class-wise: Begin with one subject at a time (rather than jumping across classes). For example, start and cover NCERT books of History from Class 6 up to 12, then move to Geography, etc. Subject-wise reading builds better conceptual flow; class-wise reading can leave gaps and cause forgetting.
Choose an Order: Pick an easy/high-weight subject first (e.g., Polity or Geography) to gain momentum. Then progress to other subjects as per syllabus weight. (For instance, some aspirants start with Political Science NCERTs for UPSC preparation.) Do not take all the subjects at once.
Active First Read: In the first pass, focus on comprehension. Read each chapter carefully, understand the key concepts and terminology.
Highlight & Notes: Use a pencil or highlighter sparingly – mark only crucial facts, definitions, dates, figures (years, statistics) in NCERT. Keep the book clean overall, since you’ll re-read it multiple times. Simultaneously, jot down brief notes or flashpoints (one-liners) on key ideas or diagrams to aid quick revision later.
Integration with Syllabus: As you read, constantly relate content to the UPSC syllabus. Cross-check which NCERT chapters map to Prelims/Mains topics (e.g. economic concepts from Class 10 NCERT link to GS-III topics) and mark those. Consider PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS: glance at UPSC PYQs on the topic to gauge emphasis.
Progressive Depth: The first reading is for grasping basics. Do not rush. Understand diagrams/maps in NCERT (they are extremely useful for exams) and note any queries to resolve later (via reference books or teachers). As you proceed, slowly start drafting structured notes from the second reading onward.
Aim 3–4 Readings/Cycles: Plan multiple reading cycles of each NCERT. Common advice is at least 3 passes:
First Read: Broad overview to build foundation (see above).
Second Read: Detailed review, turning highlights into notes/concept maps.
Third Read: Intensive revision, practice questions, and self-testing on content.
(Optional) Fourth Read: Final brush-up before exam, quick recap of weak areas.
Focus by Difficulty: Not all chapters need equal repetition. Experts say revisit complex or high-weight topics more – history NCERTs are often read 2–3 times, whereas easier subjects (e.g. straightforward polity chapters) may need just one thorough read.
Retention & Revision: After your 1st effective read, only difficult subtopics demand another round. The goal is to minimize forgetting. For easy topics, one reading (with good notes) might suffice. This targeted approach saves time.
Structured Revision: Use the 3rd or 4th cycles to solidify memory: practice NCERT-end questions and UPSC-style MCQs, and revisit your own notes. Each cycle should have a purpose (e.g. consolidation, self-test, exam integration). Focus on the NCERT notes and write descriptive answers for the Mains exam.
History (Class 6–12 NCERT):
Coverage: NCERT ancient to modern (Class 6 to 12). Old NCERTs (R.S. Sharma, Bipan Chandra series) are recommended for deep ancient/medieval context. New NCERT themes books (Class 9-11-12) cover recent and thematic history.
Approach: Read ancient/medieval in Class 6-8 NCERT and R.S. Sharma, then modern India via Class 9-10 NCERTs. For modern world/history context (GS-1), use Class 11 Themes. Make timelines from NCERT events; highlight key freedom struggle movements and socio-economic changes.
Geography (Class 6–12 NCERT):
Coverage: NCERT Geography Classes 6–10 cover basics of Earth, environment, resources; Classes 11–12 cover physical geography, human geography, and maps. Focus on NCERT Class 11 Physical Geography and Class 12 Humans & economy sections.
Approach: Emphasize maps and diagrams (draw or revise map images from NCERT). For environment and ecology, Class 7 (Our Environment) and Class 12 Biology (chap 13-16) are key. Use NCERT maps to revise rivers, mountains, climate zones – these often appear in prelims questions.
Polity & Constitution (Class 9–12 NCERT Political Science):
Coverage: Democratic Politics I & II (Class 9–10) introduce civics basics; Class 11 NCERT covers Constitution in depth; Class 12 NCERT covers Indian polity since independence and world politics.
Approach: Thoroughly read NCERT Polity as it is the simplest source for constitutional concepts. Make a chart of fundamental rights, DPSPs, etc., from NCERT. Highlight scheme names and amendment acts mentioned. After NCERT, use standard books (Laxmikanth) for detail but cross-verify back with NCERT definitions.
Economy (Class 9–12 NCERT Economics):
Coverage: Class 9 NCERT introduces basic economic concepts; Class 10 covers growth and development; Class 11 covers Indian Economic Development; Class 12 covers intro micro/macro.
Approach: Start with Class 10’s “Indian Economic Development” for development issues. Class 11 basics of India’s economy (poverty, agriculture, etc.) map directly to GS-3. Make note of NCERT terms (GDP, deficits, planning models) and key graphs (e.g. population pyramid). After NCERT, supplement with Economic Survey or Ramesh Singh, but anchor back to NCERT clarity.
Science & Environment (Class 6–12 Science/Environment NCERT):
Coverage: Use Class 6–10 Science NCERTs for fundamental concepts in biology, physics and chemistry (especially NCERT diagrams and basics of ecology from Class 7). For environment/ecology, focus on Class 12 Biology (Ch. 13–16) and relevant chapters in Class 11 Geography/Science.
Approach: Identify NCERT chapters on biodiversity, ecology, pollution, etc., and note their examples/data. Make concept maps of the food chain, cycles, environmental laws from NCERT. Practice diagram labeling (e.g. food web) from NCERT. For GS-3 S&T, include Class 8-9 science fundamentals (e.g., acids-bases, mixtures) as needed.
Other Subjects: While GS-2 (Polity) and GS-3 (Economy, Sci-Tech, Environment) heavily use NCERTs, also skim NCERT Social Science (Class 6-8) for sociology basics, if needed for GS-1 and GS-4. NCERT Psychology (Class 11-12) can help in Essay/Ethics (pyramid of needs, etc.), and NCERT Geography (Class 6: “Our Environment”) ties into ecology.
Focus on Concept Clarity: NCERT books provide clear and simple explanations, which are crucial for building a strong foundation in subjects like History, Geography, and Polity.
Practice Questions: Solve the exercises provided at the end of each chapter to test your understanding and reinforce what you have learned.
Make Concise Notes: Create brief notes for upsc summarizing key points from each chapter, which will help you during revision and quick recall.
Cross-Reference with Other Sources: Supplement NCERTs with standard reference books or updated materials to cover gaps or new developments not included in the NCERT text.
Regular Revision: Revisit your NCERT books and notes periodically to strengthen memory retention and maintain a strong grasp of fundamentals.
Timetable and Consistency: Allocate fixed daily hours for NCERT study and stick to the schedule consistently to maintain steady progress.
Update with Current Affairs: Link static NCERT concepts with current events, especially government schemes, policies, and developments, to enhance relevance for the exams.
While NCERT books may be considered as foundational material, it is essential to recognize their relevance in present-day contexts. By making connections between the content of NCERT books and UPSC current affairs, you can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the topics. This, in turn, will aid you in answering questions that require a contemporary outlook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How to read NCERT for UPSC exam for the first time?
A. Start subject-wise, not randomly. Read NCERTs sequentially (Class 6–12), focus on understanding, highlight key points, and link with current affairs for UPSC Civil Services Examination foundation.
Q. How many times should I read NCERT for UPSC exam preparation?
A. Read NCERTs 2–3 times: first for concepts, second for notes (especially History), third for revision with answer writing practice. Complex subjects may require extra readings.
Q. How to read NCERT books for UPSC preparation?
A. Align NCERTs with the UPSC CSE syllabus. Connect Polity, Economy, Geography, and History with current events, practice maps, timelines, PYQs, and then shift to advanced standard reference books.
Q. How much time does it take to read NCERT for UPSC?
A. On average, 2–3 months with 2–3 study hours daily. Cover NCERTs class 6–12 subject-wise, keep 2 months for basics, and dedicate extra time for revision and tests.
Conclusion
NCERTs are the bedrock of UPSC exam preparation. A systematic strategy—reading subject-wise, making notes, practicing with PYQs, and revising multiple times—ensures you get in-depth knowledge and a strong conceptual foundation.
Use History NCERT books (Ancient to Modern History NCERT books) for history preparation.
Follow Geography NCERT books for clarity on maps, environment, and disaster management.
Strengthen Polity NCERT and Civics books for Indian Constitution and Indian Society topics.
Once you complete NCERT, supplement with standard UPSC study materials and integrate current affairs examples into your notes. This bridges the gap between basic NCERTs and advanced topics, preparing you thoroughly for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
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