NCERT is the first and most crucial step in constructing a foundational base for the UPSC Exam. The aspirants from the CBSE Board have an upper hand as they have NCERT's from Class 6 to 12. The syllabus is comprehensive and appropriate for competitive exams. A UPSC aspirant is expected to study 6-12th NCERT to build the base. NCERT covers the UPSC syllabus for Prelims and Mains.
No, NCERT are not sufficient for UPSC. Though it has some benefits but it also has some limitations. NCERT helps in building a strong foundation for UPSC. Other than NCERTs, you can use resources like Previous Years’ Solved Papers and Mock Test Papers to enhance your preparation. We provide 10 Previous Years’ Solved Papers and 15 Mock Test Papers through which you can analyse the important topics and work on them.
Here are some key benefits of NCERT Textbooks:
1- Conceptual Learning - They are perfect for the early stages of preparation. NCERTs focus on the objectivity of a topic, thus helping to build conceptual understanding.
2- Simple Language - The language is simple and can be understood by people who are not comfortable with English. It helps one to practice English.
Recommended Links:
UPSC Mock Test Sample Paper for 2024 Exam
UPSC Previous Years Question Papers for 2024 Exam
NCERT One for All for UPSC for 2024 Exam
3- Choice of Questions - Questions are directly picked from NCERTs and put in the Prelims. It is very crucial to go through all the NCERTs and make notes. Keep referring to them from time and again.
4- Authenticity of Information - The information in the NCERTs is verified and can be trusted. These books help to build a strong base of conceptual understanding.
5- Powerful Resource Book - The NCERTs consist of simple activities to elaborate a topic for better understanding. The NCERTs contains diagrams and activities to aid learning.
Read More: STRUGGLING WITH UPSC CSE 2024? DISCOVER 5 PROVEN TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE REVISION
UPSC is vast and requires in-depth knowledge of Mains subjects like Polity, Social Issues, Ethics, International Affairs, History and other subjects. Each subject has a higher level of books that require in-depth study. After building the base of knowledge with NCERTs, dive deeper into the subjects.
Limitations of NCERT
1- Insufficient Coverage of Syllabus- NCERTs do not cover the current affairs in the books nor relate them to the static topic. It covers the basics, the information needs to be built over it.
2- Inadequate for certain topical subjects - There are some important topics of UPSC Exam like women issues, art and culture, International Affairs, ethics which are not covered in NCERTs.
3- Not tailored just for the UPSC Exam - The NCERT exam is not tailored for the difficulty level of entrance exams. It is made for school students.
4- Supplement it with reference books - Complement the NCERTs with advanced-level books to study a topic in detail.
5- Lack of Practice for the UPSC Exam- With preparation, you need to focus on practice as well. Practice plays a major role in competitive exams preparation. For Practice You can use with Oswaal Books Previous Year Paper.
For UPSC Online Mock Test Sample Papers and Latest Courses for 2024 Exam – Click Here
For UPSC Online Previous Year Question Papers for the 2024 Exam – Click Here
NCERT textbooks form the bedrock of UPSC preparation, providing a strong foundation in various subjects. Their clarity, comprehensiveness, and adherence to the UPSC syllabus make them indispensable resources. However, to excel in the examination, aspirants must complement NCERTs with additional reference materials, newspapers, and current affairs to gain a holistic understanding of the dynamic issues.