UPSC Guide Prelims Cum Mains Foundation Course 2021

NCERT Classes Schedule

Subject Introduction Session

Syllabus
Previous Year Papers Analysis ( Prelims & Mains )
Booklist
15-May-20 Economy NCERT : L 1
16-May-20 Economy NCERT : L 2
17-May-20 Economy NCERT : L 3
18-May-20 Economy NCERT : L 4
19-May-20 Economy NCERT : L 5
20-May-20 Economy NCERT : L 6
21-May-20 Economy NCERT : L 7
Subject Introduction Session
Syllabus
Previous Year Papers Analysis ( Prelims & Mains )
Booklist
22-May-20 History NCERT : L 1
23-May-20 History NCERT : L 2
24-May-20 History NCERT : L 3
25-May-20 History NCERT : L 4
26-May-20 History NCERT : L 5
27-May-20 History NCERT : L 6
28-May-20 History NCERT : L 7
Subject Introduction Session
Syllabus
Previous Year Papers Analysis ( Prelims & Mains )
Booklist
29-May-20 Geography NCERT : L 1
30-May-20 Geography NCERT : L 2
31-May-20 Geography NCERT : L 3
01-Jun-20 Geography NCERT : L 4
02-Jun-20 Geography NCERT : L 5
03-Jun-20 Geography NCERT : L 6
04-Jun-20 Geography NCERT : L 7
05-Jun-20 Economy NCERT : L 8
06-Jun-20 Economy NCERT : L 9
07-Jun-20 Economy NCERT : L 10
08-Jun-20 Economy NCERT : L 11
09-Jun-20 Economy NCERT : L 12
10-Jun-20 History NCERT : L 8
11-Jun-20 History NCERT : L 9
12-Jun-20 History NCERT : L 10
13-Jun-20 History NCERT : L 11
 14-Jun-20 History NCERT : L 12
Subject Introduction Session
Syllabus
Previous Year Papers Analysis ( Prelims & Mains )
Booklist
15-Jun-20 Polity NCERT : L 1
16-Jun-20 Polity NCERT : L 2
17-Jun-20 Polity NCERT : L 3
17-Jun-20 NCERT Based Test

Note: Advance Course Schedule will be Shared in Your Portal at www.upscguide.in Soon

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Inquiry : 8983766676

Importance of NCERT Books :

1. NCERT Book provide equitable source of information for all candidate whether there are living
in remote areas such as desert or hilly region or major cities as CBSE are spread all over country
and some other board also follow NCERT Books.
2. UPSC is a constitutional body and it main work is to find deserving candidate for highest post in
Government and implement constitution in letter and spirit. In this context, Article 16 (1) clearly
mention “Equality of Opportunity”
3. Language used in NCERTs are simple, lucid and easy to grasp
4. Today in era of digital revolution, biggest challenge is to find a source which is reliable, efficient,
content sufficient.
5. Books written from other source has different bias like American author will bias toward
capitalism, similar author associated with political parties will bias toward their agenda. In this
context, NCERTs are political and ideologically neutral.
6. All NCERT Books are written by reputed and subject expert author like Bipin Chandra, Romila
Thappar, Arjun Dev etc
7. It form Concrete foundation for UPSC mains as it is written in structured way and it relate
different aspect of a concept, theory or problem for ex: Migration has both side, positive aspect
of economic growth and negative side of security issue and congestion problems.
8. Every year in Prelims, there are 30-40 Question which are directly asked from NCERTs.
9. NCERTs are free for all in online mode and cost bare minimum for print version.
10. They provide great help for non-humanities students for selecting right humanities optional as
student can identify their interest as they provide gateway to various Optional.

Important NCERT Books

Polity

1. Indian Constituion at Work - NCERT Class XI

Focus on basic definitions and keywords like secularism, equality. Generally no direct question in
prelims is expected but its important for building basics. This is important for essay as well as
prelims. Retaining simple language is key here. One can use it to make strong arguments in essay
paper.

Economy

1. Macroeconomics – NCERT Class XII

One need not worry about technicalities and complex diagrams. To bring maximum output
understand meaning of keywords like repo rate , fiscal deficit etc. Take help of internet for definition
purpose

2. Indian Economic Development – NCERT Class XI

This book will help you to understand topics related to mains examination. Try to understand
concepts and relate it with current affairs.

Ancient History of India

1. Old NCERT by RS Sharma

This book should be read to collect facts, important terms in socio economic prospective.
Understand how society and economy changed over the time. Try to note down important practices
under the different kingdoms, development of art and architecture should be prime focus for
prelims as well as mains.

Medieval History of India

1. Old NCERT by Satish Chandra (Selective Reading)

While reading it one should be awared that cost benefit ratio isnt that good. So read one time and
make notes.

2. Old NCERT Class VII by Romila Thappar

Modern History

1. India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra (Selective Reading)

2. NCERT by Bipan Chandra
It is very important book for prelims as well as mains. For prelims students need to collect
information related to personalities, magazines published, and various acts and their provisions.
For mains one need to understand how society, economy and adminstration changed during indian
national movements.

Indian Art and Culture

1. An Introduction to Indian Art – Class XI NCERT

2. Read it holistically, and special focus should be given on temple form , painting , caves etc.
Most of the question in prelims can be solved by covering this book. Make notes.
3. Chapters related to culture in Ancient and Medieval India NCERTs
4. Heritage Crafts: Living Craft Traditions of India -NCERT
5. Themes in Indian histort part I,II,III

Environment and Biodiversity

1. Biology Class XII NCERT last 4 Chapter (13th to 17th )

General Science

1. General Science books – IX and X standard

Read it for basic terminology. Direct question is least expected.

Geography

1. Fundamentals of Physical Geography XI NCERT

2. India: Physical Environment XI NCERT
3. Fundamentals of Human Geography XII NCERT
4. India: People and Economy XII NCERT

Above ncert are said to be sufficient for prelims and mains both. But students are advised to take
help of internet for complex terminology and geomorphic phenomenon.

Indian Society (for mains only)

1. Indian Society - NCERT Class XI

2. Social Change in India NCERT Class XII

These books are important for mains purpose. Language is very simple and effective so one need to
memorize important topics . For prelims books be of much use.

World History (for mains only)

1. Old NCERT Arjun Dev Class IX

 2. Old NCERT Arjun Dev Class X

How to read NCERT

1. Underline in the 1st reading.Try to read all NCERT books- chapter wise.
2. While reading try to give importance to all tables and diagrams given in the chapters (Note:
Many time UPSC asks question from these tables and diagrams too)
3. Read and optimize the underlined stuff in the 2nd reading.
4. At the end of each chapter, there are a few practice questions try to solve those questions
(Caution: UPSC has even asked questions directly from here!).
5. Make crisp notes of NCERT in the final reading and from now onwards forget those books
and just rely on your notes.
6. Revise them monthly and after 4-5 iterations, you will reach the level that you may require
around 4-5hours only to revise entire NCERT books.
7. Always remember, it's not about reading and finishing the books but to remember those
concepts, facts then recall them in the prelims and reproduce them in the mains
examination.

What to read in NCERT

History: Read it from timeline perspective. It will help both in preliminary and mains. For preliminary
focus on facts and for mains focus on contexts.

Geography: Learn all the maps, rivers, mountain ranges, passes mentioned in book.

Art & Culture: The 11th standard book is very important for Gs 1 paper.

Polity: No need to make notes like other subjects. Read it from essay writing perspective. Focus on
philosophical lines which are based on facts.

Sociology: It will give you the basic idea to understand the current dynamics of Indian society. Also
read according to social issues mentioned in mains syllabus. Give preference to sections related to
women, children, class, caste and other deprived section.

Environment and Biology: Every year on average 10-12 questions are asked from this area. But you
have link them with current trends around the world.

World History: Try to grasp context and their implication on India struggle of Independence and how
it affected our constitution.
Economics: For prelims, meaning of various terms, their effect on each other (like effect of inflation
on employment, repo rate on inflation etc). For mains, current situation of Indian Economy, various
new economic floated in across world ( like basic minimum income)

Previous year Questions

Polity

Q Right to vote and to be elected in India is a (UPSC CSE 2017)

A.Fundamental right

B.Natural Right

C.Constitutional right

D.Legal right

Answer It is very confusing question in which at least 3 options look likely to be correct (a,c,d)

But it is clearly mentioned in Class XI NCERT - Indian Constitution at work that Right to vote is legal
right.

Society

In the context of any country, which one of the following would be considered as part of its social
capital? (UPSC CSE 2019)

A. The proportion of literates in the population

B. The stock of its buildings, other infrastructure and machines

C. The size of population in the working are group

D. The level of mutual trust and harmony in the society

Answer (d) this question is also every confusing, if you don’t study chance of getting it right is very
low.

NCERT Class XII Sociology: Chapter 5 – Patterns of Social Inequality and Exclusion

Economy
In the context of India, which of the following factors is/are contributor/ contributors to reducing
the risk of a currency crisis? (UPSC CSE 2019)

1. The foreign currency earnings of India’s IT sector

2. Increasing the government expenditure 3. Remittances from Indians abroad Select the correct
answer using the code given below.

A. 1 only

B. 1 and 3 only

C. 2 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer (B) Introductory Macroeconomics. NCERT class 12 Economics

Art and Culture

Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of
(UPSC CSE 2019)
A. Chalukya
B. Chandela
C. Rashtrakuta
D. Vijayanagara
Answer (d) NCERT Themes in Indian History Part-II

Above are some of example, where question are directly taken from NCERT and other standard
sources lack information required to solve these questions.

Now you have a clear picture. Start the foundation early so that you can reach the top early. Don’t
waste time. Best of luck!