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NCERT Books for UPSC: Class 6 to 12, Subject-wise

Find the official NCERT textbooks by class and subject, and see which ones matter for the UPSC Civil Services exam. Every link opens the book on ncert.nic.in.

By Team MaargX UPSC · List checked against NCERT on 6 October 2026

Short answer: For UPSC, read the NCERT textbooks of History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Sociology and Science, and the Social Science books of the lower classes, from Class 6 to Class 12, once with a pencil, and make one-page notes. NCERTs are free on the official NCERT website. Use the filter below to open the right book for any class and subject, in English, Hindi or another language.

Find an NCERT Book by Class and Subject

All subjects of Classes 6 to 12 are listed. Pick your class, subject and medium; the UPSC note on a card shows where a subject helps.

Class 6

Social Science

History, geography, polity and economy in one book (GS I, II, III)

Science

Science and technology (GS III)

Mathematics

Basic numeracy for CSAT

Arts

Art and culture (GS I)

Physical Education and Well Being

Vocational Education

Class 7

Social Science

History, geography, polity and economy in one book (GS I, II, III)

Science

Science and technology (GS III)

Mathematics

Basic numeracy for CSAT

Arts

Art and culture (GS I)

Physical Education and Well Being

Vocational Education

Class 8

Social Science

History, geography, polity and economy in one book (GS I, II, III)

Science

Science and technology (GS III)

Mathematics

Basic numeracy for CSAT

Arts

Art and culture (GS I)

Physical Education and Well Being

Vocational Education

Class 9

Class 10

Class 11

Class 12

What to Take From Each Subject (UPSC Lens)

SubjectClassesWhat to take from itHelps in
HistoryClasses 6 to 12Ancient, medieval and modern India, the world, and the themes of the freedom struggle. Modern India gives the most return.History, art and culture, GS Paper I
GeographyClasses 6 to 12Physical geography, human geography, India and the world. Use an atlas with every chapter.Geography, environment, GS Paper I
Political Science (Polity)Classes 9 to 12The Constitution at work, institutions, rights and politics in India.Polity and governance, GS Paper II
EconomicsClasses 9 to 12Basic terms, the Indian economy, development and the working of the economy.Economy, GS Paper III
SociologyClasses 11 and 12Basic concepts, Indian society, social institutions, change and development.Society, social justice, Sociology optional
ScienceClasses 6 to 10Basic physics, chemistry and biology concepts that explain daily life, health and technology.Science and technology, GS Paper III
Art and Culture (Fine Art, Arts)Classes 6 to 9, 11 and 12Indian art forms, architecture, painting and heritage, with images.Art and culture, GS Paper I

If you are strong in a subject already, skip the lower classes. NCERT revises its books from time to time, so check the UPSC syllabus to make sure that you cover every topic.

How to Read an NCERT for UPSC

  1. Preview. Read the headings and the summary first, so you know the structure.
  2. Read with a pencil. Underline key ideas and write a question in the margin for each section.
  3. Close and recall. Write the main points on a blank sheet, then check what you missed.
  4. Make a one-page note as a table, flowchart or list of keywords.
  5. Solve previous year questions on the chapter. See UPSC PYQs: Prelims & Mains.

For the full method with a six-week plan, read How to Use NCERTs for UPSC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which NCERT books should I read for UPSC?

Read the History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Sociology and Science textbooks, and the Social Science books of the lower classes, from Class 6 to Class 12, once with a pencil. Use the filter on this page to see the official NCERT books of each class and subject.

Are NCERT books enough for UPSC?

NCERTs are the best base for beginners and are enough for some topics, but not on their own for Prelims and Mains. Read them to build understanding, then add one standard book per subject, current affairs and practice questions.

Where can I get the official NCERT textbooks for free?

NCERT publishes its textbooks free to read and download on its official website, ncert.nic.in. Every book on this page links to its official NCERT page, so you always get the latest edition and an unedited file.

Which NCERT classes should I read for UPSC?

Most students read the History, Geography, Political Science, Economics, Sociology and Science textbooks of Classes 6 to 12. Beginners start from the lower classes in subjects where they are weak, and skip the classes they already know well.

Are the new NCERT books for Classes 6 to 9 different from the old ones?

Yes. NCERT has been bringing out new textbooks, for example Exploring Society for Class 6 to 8 Social Science and Curiosity for Science. The list on this page is read from the official NCERT finder, so it shows the books that NCERT currently lists. Always follow the UPSC syllabus and cover every topic.

Can I read NCERT books in Hindi?

Yes. Choose Hindi in the medium menu to see the Hindi books of each class and subject. NCERT also lists Urdu and many regional-language editions, which you can choose in the same menu.

How long does it take to finish the NCERTs for UPSC?

Most students take about six to ten weeks for the core set if they study a few hours daily. Do not stretch it longer, because NCERTs are the base and not the goal.

How should I read an NCERT for UPSC?

Read each chapter once with a pencil, close the book and recall the main points, then write a one-page note. Revise from the notes, not from the book. Our NCERT strategy explains the method with a six-week plan.

Official Sources

These are the primary sources behind this page. Rules, dates and papers can change, so confirm them on the official pages.

Explore on MaargX UPSC

How to Use NCERTs for UPSC A subject-wise method and a six-week plan Open → UPSC Preparation Roadmap: First 90 Days Where NCERTs fit in your first three months Open → How Many Books Are Enough? What to read after NCERTs Open → Study Material: Maarg Manthan Topic-wise explainers after your NCERT base Open → UPSC PYQs: Prelims & Mains Solve past questions on each topic you finish Open → GS Foundation Batch (One Year) A structured plan for Prelims and Mains Open →