When I first decided to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, what confused me the most was which NCERT books to read for UPSC. It was overwhelming with hundreds of recommendations floating around, YouTube videos, Telegram PDF, and coaching notes.
But after months of research, talking to mentors, and watching topper interviews, one thing became crystal clear:

Start with NCERTs. Master them. Then move to standard UPSC books.

If you’re a beginner and just starting your UPSC journey, this post is for you. I’ll walk you through the best NCERT books for UPSC, followed by the best standard IAS preparation books, subject-wise. I’ll also add a one-line reason for each recommendation, so you know exactly why it’s worth your time.

Why NCERT Books for Civil Services Examination?  

• Simple Language: Written for school students, so very easy to understand.
• Authentic Information: Directly from government-backed sources.
• Concept Clarity: Build your foundation before you move to heavy books.
• Direct Questions: Many UPSC prelims and mains questions come straight from NCERTs!

Subject-Wise NCERT Books for UPSC Preparation    

 

Let’s go subject by subject and see which NCERTs are worth reading:

 History: NCERT Book for Civil Services Examination      

1. Class 6–12 History NCERTs (Old + New)
Why read? Gives you a chronological and conceptual understanding of India’s past.

• Class 6-8 Our Past series (New NCERT)
• Class 9 – India and the Contemporary World
• Class 10 – India and the Contemporary World – II
• Class 11 – Themes in World History
• Class 12 – Themes in Indian History Part I, II & III

Geography: NCERT Book for UPSE

2. Class 6–12 Geography NCERT book for upse

Why read? Crystal clear maps, concepts, and diagrams – perfect for prelims and mains.

• Class 6–8 Geography: The Earth, Our Habitat, Resources and Development
• Class 9 – Contemporary India Part 1
• Class 10 – Contemporary India Part 2
• Class 11 – Fundamentals of Physical Geography + India Physical Environment
• Class 12 – Fundamentals of Human Geography + India People and Economy

Political Science: NCERT Book for Civil Services Examination

3. Class 9–12 Political Science NCERT

Why read? Introduces democratic values, the Indian Constitution, and governance basics.

• Class 9 – Democratic Politics – I
• Class 10 – Democratic Politics – II
• Class 11 – Indian Constitution at Work

read more.....https://anpadhsarthi.com/ncert-books-for-upsc-preparation/