IMPORTANCE OF NCERTS FOR UPSC CSE

 

                                       IMPORTANCE OF NCERTS FOR UPSC CSE

"STARTING RIGHT: WHY NCERT TEXTBOOKS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR UPSC CSE"

Remember the good old school days when you thought you had said goodbye to those NCERT textbooks for good?

 Well, think again! It's like a reunion with an old friend you never expected.

Often overlooked after school, these unassuming books have a remarkable significance in your journey towards UPSC success.

However, in the pursuit of preparation, (NCERT) textbooks emerge as unassuming yet indispensable companions for every aspirant for many reasons.

NCERTs offer the following advantages for UPSC CSE Preparation:

·       AUTHENTIC INFORMATION: These textbooks are the result of extensive research and meticulously designed by

Academic experts like Manjul Bhargava

Policy makers like Bibek Debroy, Sanjeev Sanyal

Educationists

UPSC Examiners

National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), an autonomous institution established by the Indian government in May 1979, collaborates closely with key national organizations like UGC and NCERT. It plays a crucial role in training educational planners and conducting research in the field of educational planning and administration.

·       OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: NCERT textbooks introduce students to the official languages of the UPSC CSE examination.

·       STEP-BY-STEP LEARNING: NCERT textbooks introduce topics gradually, from basic concepts to more advanced ones, promoting better understanding.

·       SIMPLICITY OF THE LANGUAGE: One of the notable features of NCERT books is their clear and simple language.

·       TERMONOLOGY: NCERT textbooks include glossaries or lists of key terms and their definitions at the end of chapters or sections. They are important for citing in answers or even questions have been asked from them.

·       DATA BASE: Maps, infographics, and case studies provided in the NCERTS are effective tools for candidates preparing for the Prelims and Mains exams.

·       PAN INDIA AVAILABILITY: These books are widely available and distributed across the country. They are the recommended textbooks for the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum, which is one of the most widely followed educational boards in India.

·       INCLUSION: SCERT materials may draw upon some of the foundational concepts and principles found in NCERT books.

Extensive access to NCERT books and their integration into state-specific SCERT materials fosters inclusivity, offering a universal educational base and aiding exam preparation, especially for rural students.

 

  "HOW TO APPROACH NCERTS FOR UPSC CSE PREPARATION?”

·       BY SUBJECT: The first method entails reading NCERT books subject-wise. Under this approach, you select a specific subject and read all the books from Class 6 to 12 pertaining to that subject.

·       BY CLASS: The second approach involves reading the books class-wise, starting from Standard 6. This method is particularly useful when time is limited, such as during exam preparation.

It is recommended to read NCERTs textbooks by subject, as this approach helps in achieving a deeper understanding of the concepts and ensures better retention of the information over a more extended period.

UPSC Prelims 2023 Question:

In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?

a) Andhra

b) Gandhara

c) Kalinga

d) Magadha

ANSWER:

 Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh, formerly known as Dhanyakataka, was a significant Deccan town and the capital of the later Satavahanas. Numerous inscriptions mention its history, with a notable Buddhist presence from the 2nd century BCE to the 2nd/3rd century CE, spanning six distinct periods.

*This question has been directly taken from the maps provided in the history textbook.

* It is recommended to carefully consider the answer choices in the questions, as they can serve as valuable content for future exam questions.

 

SUGGESTED NCERT BOOKS FOR UPSC PREPARATION:

Paper I (General Studies)

INDIAN SOCIETY BOOKS (SOCIOLOGY and SOCIAL STUDIES)

Indian Society: NCERT Class XII – Indian Society

Indian Society: NCERT Class XII – Social Change and Development in India

HISTORY BOOKS

History: NCERT Class VI – Our Past - I

History: NCERT Class VII – Our Past - II

History: NCERT Class VIII – Our Past III

History: NCERT Class IX – India and the Contemporary World – I

History: NCERT Class X – India and the Contemporary World – II

History: NCERT Class XI – Themes in World History

History: NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – I

History: NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – II

History: NCERT Class XII – Themes in Indian History – III

Old NCERT History books (RS Sharma, Satish Chandra, Bipan Chandra & Arjun Dev)

GEOGRAPHY BOOKS

Geography: NCERT Class VI – The Earth Our Habitat

Geography: NCERT Class VII – Our Environment

Geography: NCERT Class VIII – Resource and Development

Geography: NCERT Class IX – Contemporary India – I

Geography: NCERT Class X – Contemporary India – II

Geography: NCERT Class XI – Fundamentals of Physical Geography

Geography: NCERT Class XI – India – Physical Environment

Geography: NCERT Class XII – Fundamentals of Human Geography

Geography: NCERT Class XII – India – People and Economy

ART AND CULTURE BOOKS

Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – An Introduction to Indian Art

Art & Culture: NCERT Class XI – Living Craft Traditions of India (Chapters 9 & 10)

Paper-II (General Studies)

POLITY

NCERT Class XI – Political Science: Indian Constitution at Work

NCERT Class XII – Political Science II: Politics in India since Independence

Paper III (General Studies)

ECONOMICS BOOKS

NCERT Class XI – Indian Economic Development

NCERT Class XII – Introductory Macroeconomics

ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY BOOKS

Science: Class XII – Biology: last four Chapters (13 to 16)

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1.Which NCERTs are to be followed old or new ones?

Answer: New NCERTs are better. For example, old NCERT geography has many outdated facts and data.

2. Can UPSC CSE preparation be solely based on NCERTs?

Answer: While NCERT books provide a strong foundation, they do not encompass the entire civil service syllabus, yet they do include a substantial portion of the fundamental concepts. Aspirants should complement their preparation by referring to more advanced texts and staying updated with current affairs sources.

3.What's the time required for completing all NCERT books?

Answer: With proper planning, one can complete NCERTS according to their study plan theme wise, to cover the syllabus in a structured manner.

4.Does UPSC ask questions directly from the NCERTS?

Answer: Analyzing previous years' exam papers underscores the importance of NCERTs for the UPSC. It becomes clear that questions are frequently drawn from NCERT textbooks, either directly or indirectly.

For example, have a look at the question from 2019 Prelims,

Building 'Kalyaana Mandapas' was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of

A) Chalukya

B) Chandela

C) Rashtrakuta

D) Vijayanagara

This question has been directly asked from the NCERT.

5.Should I make notes from the NCERTS for UPSC preparation?

Answer: Creating concise UPSC NCERT notes saves time and energy.

The "Tathastu ICS" course is a reliable choice for completing NCERTs for UPSC CSE due to its structured curriculum, expert guidance, and effective study plan. It provides clear subject-wise or class-wise approaches to mastering NCERT textbooks. This course ensures a comprehensive understanding of core concepts, offers regular assessments, and supports doubt resolution. With a focus on current affairs integration and efficient note-making, it helps aspirants excel. "Tathastu ICS" ensures that candidates are well-prepared, making NCERTs, your trusted companions, the key to confidently tackling the UPSC CSE journey.