How to Read NCERT for UPSC Exam 2025, Get Detail Explanation

How to Read NCERT for UPSC?   If you are finding this questions answer then your are right place. NCERT plays a important role in the prepartion journey for Prelims and Mains but not everyone understands how to read them as per the demand of the exam. This is why the answer to ‘How to Read NCERT for UPSC?’ is discussed here in detail along with the subject-wise strategy. Read on to learn how to interpret the information provided in the NCERTs, connect the concepts, and develop critical thinking to make the most of these books for success in the UPSC CSE.  

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How to Read NCERT for UPSC?

• Select the Relevant NCERTs: The first step is to pick useful NCERT textbooks since not all of them are relevant for the UPSC exam purpose. Go through the syllabus and PYQs or simply consult PW experts to make the list of NCERTs for History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, and Environment subjects.
• Start from Lower Grades: Start your preparation with the NCERT books for 6th grade and gradually move up to 12th grade. This helps in building a strong foundation for all concepts. Follow a sequential order in each subject, to begin with the basics and advance to a higher level. Also, pay close attention to maps and illustrations
• Active Reading By Focusing Clarity: While reading, underline important points, highlight key concepts, and make short notes. This keeps you engaged and helps with better retention of information. Pay close attention to the clarity of explanations, as NCERT books are known for their straightforward presentation.

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1. Chanhudaro
2. Kot Diji
3. Sohgaura
4. Desalpur

Also Read: UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy Starting from Zero Level

How to Read NCERT for UPSC Exam for Different Subjects?

History NCERT For UPSC

• Begin with Class 6 NCERT History to grasp basic concepts and focus on ancient and medieval history themes.
• As you move through higher classes NCERTs, make chronological notes of events to aid memorization.
• Refer to 11th and 12th-standard History NCERT books for in-depth knowledge and advanced answer-writing practice for the Mains exam.
• Focus more on Modern History NCERT books due to their significant weightage in the exam.
• Use new NCERTs for subjective, descriptive answers (Mains) and old NCERTs for objective, comprehensive understanding (Prelims and Mains).

Geography NCERT for UPSC

• Start with lower classes to understand concepts thoroughly from basics.
• Make concise notes on topics such as climatology, oceanography, types of vegetation, and soil types from Geography NCERT chapters.
• Utilize the geographical maps and sketches provided in these NCERTs.
• Memorize complex concepts effectively with the help of YouTube videos or lectures by visualizing them.
• Practice writing answers by explaining the concepts in your own words such as the cause of the Earthquake.

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Polity NCERT for UPSC

• Ignore basic NCERTs of lower grades like 6th grade, and refer to civics books from 9th grade onwards.
• Have foundational knowledge of Political Science and pay attention to terms used in these textbooks
• Make diagrams and flowcharts to connect keywords from the syllabus to topics.
• Make concise notes on topics related to the Parliament and the Constitution, focusing on the terms and articles mentioned in the chapters.
• Regularly answer both subjective and objective questions that have been asked in the previous year in the Polity section.

Economy NCERT for UPSC

• Start with NCERT Class XI books for a fundamental understanding of the development of the Indian Economy.
• Prefer Class XII NCERT books for detailed conceptual knowledge and Macroeconomics.
• Learn the definitions of important concepts, such as GDP, from these books.
• Have a relevant understanding of microeconomics through the Class XIIth book. You can avoid too many technical terms and formulas.
• Highlight frequently asked topics like National Income and focus on them while solving PYQs

How Many Times to Read NCERT for UPSC Exam?