Old NCERT books are a treasure trove of information for UPSC aspirants. Their simple, lucid language and factual content make them highly suitable for building a strong foundation for the IAS exam. Here’s a detailed list of some of the best old NCERT books for UPSC preparation:
Old NCERT books
History
- Ancient Indian History (Class 6) by Romila Thapar: A fundamental book covering India’s history from ancient times to the Medieval age.
- Medieval Indian History (Class 7) by Romila Thapar: Focuses on medieval India’s history, kingdoms, and lifestyles.
- The Story of Civilization Part-I (Class 10) by Arjun Dev: Details India’s heritage, awakening, and the struggle for independence.
- The Story of Civilization Part-II (Class 10) by Arjun Dev: Concentrates on global events like imperialism and colonialism.
- Ancient Indian History (Class 11) by R.S. Sharma: A comprehensive analysis of ancient India and the Indus Valley Civilization.
- Ancient Indian History (Class 11) by Makkhan Lal: Covers the period post-Indus Valley Civilization to the start of the medieval era.
- Medieval Indian History (Class 11) by Satish Chandra: From the Gupta and Maurya empires to the rise and fall of the Mughals.
- Modern Indian History (Class 12) by Bipin Chandra: Focuses on the Indian Freedom Struggle and colonialism.
- Contemporary World History (Class 12) by Mohammed Anwar Ul Haque: Detailed information about significant global events and movements.
Geography
- Lands and Peoples Part I by Savita Sinha: Discusses Earth, continents like Africa, South America, Australia, and Antarctica.
- Lands and Peoples Part II by Savita Sinha, Mohd Akhtar Hussain: Information on the Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, North America, and Europe.
- Lands and Peoples Part III by Savita Sinha, D.P. Gupta: Focuses on the Lithosphere, Landforms, Asia, and India.
- Understanding Environment (Class 9) by Ananta Padmanabhan: Concepts of environment and ecology.
- Indian Economic Geography (Class 10) by Parakh: Comprehensive insights into India’s economic geography.
- Geography of India (Class 10) by Parakh: An introduction to Indian geography, ideal for beginners.
- Economic and Commercial Geography of India (Class 10) by K T Merchant: Detailed concepts of India’s economic and commercial geography.
- Physical Basis of Geography (Class 11) by Moonis Raza: Essential for understanding physical geography.
- Principles of Geography Part I (Class 11) by K.L. Joshi, S. Sinha, D.P. Gupta: Basics of geography in a student-friendly format.
- Principles of Geography Part II (Class 11) by M.H. Qureshi: Focuses on human and economic aspects of the world environment.
- India: A General Geography – 1990 (Class 12): Expands on India’s resources, topography, demography, soil, climate, vegetation, etc.
- India: Resources and Regional Development – 1993 (Class 12) by M.H. Qureshi: Covers human geography, rural and regional development, natural and man-made resources.
Why Choose Old NCERT Books for UPSC?
- Simple Language: Easy to understand language that simplifies complex concepts.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Detailed coverage of essential topics for UPSC syllabus.
- Factual Accuracy: Reliable and accurate information.
- Foundation Building: Excellent for building a strong base in both history and geography.
Utilizing Old NCERT Books Effectively
- Consistent Reading: Regular reading to grasp the fundamentals.
- Making Notes: Important for revising key points and concepts.
- Linking Current Affairs: Relate historical and geographical facts to current events for a comprehensive understanding.
- Answer Writing Practice: Use knowledge from these books to practice answer writing for UPSC mains.
Conclusion
Old NCERT books are invaluable resources for UPSC aspirants. They provide a solid foundation necessary for the comprehensive understanding required to crack the IAS exam. By integrating these books into their study routine, aspirants can significantly enhance their preparation.