Importance of Revision of Basic NCERT books
NCERT books are considered the first step for many to conquer a challenging exam like IAS. Candidates may take information as a complete truth included in NCERT books as they are so well articulated and unbiased. You can also make factual notes out of it, especially for History and Geography. Many UPSC applicants face the dilemma of why to study NCERT books when there are so many books available in the market offline and online as well and why we cannot skip these books or why everybody gives so much attention to reading the NCERT books. This is a hidden secret for all beginners who are preparing for the Civil Service exam. Let us have a look at the major benefits of NCERT books for UPSC.
To start preparation in the right direction
NCERT is the basic reading book that covers the vast syllabus of the Civil Service exam in a very simple and lucid manner. Moreover, they are written in simple language and help every candidate to grasp ideas easily. It also makes the learning process easy in the initial stage and also boosts the confidence of IAS candidates.
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To make the basic concepts clear
As we know, we cannot build a great empire on a weak foundation. If we wish to build a super-strong infrastructure then a solid base is necessary. This is also true for candidates who are preparing for the UPSC exam. NCERT books are considered the basic reading books to build the basic concepts for civil service examination. It not only gives you crystal clear conceptual clarity but covers all the topics that are actually important for the IAS exam. It ensures that students are no longer beginners once they go through them thoroughly. Therefore, NCERT books are considered a performance evaluation and improvement tool in civil service preparation.
Get a chance to read eminent authors
The old editions of NCERT books drafted by eminent authors are published by the National Council of educational research and training. NCERT is an autonomous organization founded in 1961 by the government of India. The main objective of this government organization is to assist the Central and state government with policies and programs for qualitative improvement in education. Some well-known authors such as Satish Chandra, Bipin Chandra, and R.S Sharma incorporate to design the NCERT books.
Authentic information
NCERT books are meticulously designed by government officials and experts after deep research. That is what these books are considered as a genuine source of information. These books are the best source for UPSC exam preparation to develop a strong base in any subject.
Direct questions from this book
UPSC asks many questions directly from the NCERT books. By analyzing previous year’s question papers in detail you can clearly see that many questions are asked directly from the NCERT books. Approx., 35 to 40 questions are directly asked from the NCERT books and Prelims exam. Furthermore, if you read one book for the Prelims exam it is also helpful in the Mains. You may get lost in the vast study material if you do not have the right guidance. These books help in the planned study. By reading these books you can also choose the right optional paper. You may get your basics for History and geography covered from these books. Simple language, a lucid and neutral perspective make NCERT books the best books for the entire Civil Service preparation. You should follow the same writing style of these books in the Mains answer writing. NCERT is the fundamental element while preparing for the Mains Examination.
Why NCERT books are so important
Civil service candidates are always informed and advised about preparing their syllabus from NCERT books but do you know the reason behind considering NCERT books for UPSC exam preparation and how they add to the knowledge of candidates.
NCERT books provide a vast range of knowledge available in brief. These books contain the most authentic information on various subjects and the syllabus of the IAS exam is based on these books. The information contained in NCERT books provides a basis for candidates to study in the textbooks.
How to read NCERT books for the civil service examination
There is no one way to read NCERT to start your UPSC preparation. You can choose any of the approaches that you deem fit.
First of all, choose any subject and then start reading a particular subject book from class 6th to 12th. Reading the Indian Polity NCERT book for UPSC is the best start according to the weightage and simplicity of the syllabus. Secondly, try to understand the basic concepts and make your own notes in the second reading. If you don’t want to make notes from NCERT books then simply supplement your NCERT reading with the Youth Destination NCERT compilations and make necessary notes here. You will have proper NCERT revision notes ready for multiple revisions.
Old NCERT books are good for history and new NCERT books are recommended for Geography. We provide NCERT compilations that help in tune with the UPSC preparation needs so if you are unable to get NCERT books for IAS Exam preparation you can rely on our NCERT compilations.
Once you have prepared the list of books then make a time schedule to finish NCERT reading in about 2 months. Unarguably, NCERTs are the basic fundamental books that are a must for the UPSC exam but make sure to finish at least two readings of these books for the UPSC in 2 months’ time.
You can also take NCERT based mock tests to assess your performance. Once you have read all the books for UPSC, these mock tests are helpful to analyze your performance and gain insight into preparation.
Toppers always stress that NCERT books should be read for all the basic information and to retain the knowledge and revise them from time to time. Considering the vast IAS exam syllabus, candidates must highlight important points and topics while reading the NCERT books. The second time, you must revise all books focusing more on the important highlighted points while reading the NCERT books. Candidates who are preparing for the UPSC exam must read NCERT books at least 3 times.
Moreover, revise the monthly and after 4-5 alliterations you will acquire the level so that you can revise all NCERT books from class 6th to 12th, only in 4 to 5 hours.
Keep in mind that it is just not reading and finishing the NCERT books but you have to remember those concepts and facts so that you can recall them in the Prelims exam and reproduce them in the main examination.
What to read from NCERTs
- Read History NCERT books from the prelims and mains exam perspectives in different ways. Timeline is common to both papers so factual knowledge is very important along with some construction memory.
- Geography NCERT is Bible for the geography section of the prelims and mains exam as well. learn about rivers, mountains, ranges and passes and also practice drawing maps.
- Art and culture NCERT of the class 12th covers the art and culture section of the General Studies paper first. It is a very important book for the main examination.
- Polity NCERT books is an important book for essay writing exercises for the Mains examination but don’t make notes for this subject just read it as an important book. The commission asks mostly factual questions in this section and polity NCERT is more on the philosophical lines than the factual one.
- Sociology NCERT provides deep insight into how our society is continuously evolving into a new moving equilibrium.
- So read them as per the General Studies mains syllabus and its society part. You will find many social factors, especially issues related to women, children deprived section of society, caste, class etc.
- Every year 10 to 15 questions are asked from the Environmental Biology section. So environmental Biology NCERT is very important.
Old NCERT versus New NCERT
- Being a civil service aspirant, you should know whether you read all NCERT books or just focus on the new NCERT books. This is a question that is confusing for many IAS candidates. Undoubtedly, NCERT books are your best friends when you are preparing for the IAS exam. NCERT books are not only helpful for school examinations but they also help to fetch marks in the IAS exam as well.
- It is suggested that you start from class 6th NCERT and finish it in class 12th. By reading these books, you will develop a clear understanding of almost all basic concepts.
- NCERTs keep revising school syllabi and textbooks. New NCERT means the textbooks that the school students study now. It is suggested to all UPSC candidates get a copy of every new NCERT book from class 6 to 12th. You can easily buy NCERT books from the link below:
- Old NCERT means the books widely used by the students before the current editions of new NCERTs.
- These books are written by famous authors like Bipin Chandra, R.S Sharma, Satish Chandra etc.
- These books are not currently published by NCERTs so it may be difficult to find them in any academic book shop now but you can purchase them online at discounted prices from the links below:
Which is good for all NCERT or new NCERT
- Old NCERT books are written in a factual and direct manner. No doubt, these books are bulky but a good presentation helps candidates to memorize concepts and facts quickly. New NCERT books evoke thoughts from the reader as they are written in a subjective manner. They are a new way of learning. Although it may take more time to complete, new NCERT books open your mind. These NCERT books are written wonderfully.
- Old NCERT books are mostly in black and white and more factual. Less importance is given to graphical illustrations. You will also get rare photographs and diagrams when compared to new ones.
- New NCERTs adopt a narrative style and complicated things while old NCERTs are content-rich and provide chronological order of events in a far better way.
- The selection of the book Old versus New depends on the method of learning of each aspirant. If you prefer the point notes then choose the old NCERT but if you prefer subjective views and narrative style then you should go for new NCERT books.
- Information, your understanding and analysis of the data are important, no matter where you have got this information from old NCERT or new NCERT.
- If you have less time and energy then simply concentrate on the new NCERT books.
- Keep in mind that reading NCERT books only once is not sufficient; you will have to read each book multiple times for better retention.
