How to read NCERT books for Civil Service Exam

Reading NCERT books from 6th to 12 standards is not a small task as
you have 6-7 subjects, which mean more than 40 books which you are
supposed to mug up before you start serious preparation.

We know it is easy to say that for Civil Services Examination
preparation (particularly for General Studies) read this… this… and
this and a long list of books starts with NCERT books from 6th to 12
standards. But, I agree with you, it is not a small task as you have
6-7 subjects, which mean more than 40 books which you are supposed to
mug up before you start serious preparation.

So, it implies that you are to read this first; it may take months as
you begin preparation by reading, remembering and making notes out of
these. How to manage this all? A big question!

We will answer this question in two parts; one, what is the need and
two, how to manage.

What is the need?
Well, UPSC has always innovated and changed the type, pattern of
questions being asked in Preliminary as well as in the Main
Examination. This calls for a comprehensive understanding of the topic
which comes once your basics are clear.

NCERT books help you build fundamentals. You understand the broad and
wide-ranging aspects crystal clear when you correlate it with
contemporary developments.

You can't think of an effective performance till the time your basics
are not clear that is why experts recommend NCERT Books.

How to manage
We all have gone through these books while in school and have gained
early knowledge reading these only. After 10th standard, when you
decide about future career options and chose the stream, you start
disconnecting with some subjects and by the time you become eligible
to appear in Civil Services Examination, you lose touch with these
subjects which you have read in school.

As Civil Services Examination syllabus calls for awareness from
diverse streams, you need to comprehend with the demand hence just to
be in touch again, you are asked to read NCERT first.

This does not mean that you have to be glued to these for months. You
have to refresh what all you had read in school days. May be you had
taken science stream and chosen engineering field, but when you will
read say History or Civics, chances are you will find these
interesting and the purpose of reading these (Civil Services
Examination) will keep your curiosity alive.

You have to choose the subjects which require more attention and have
more significance in CSE. Prioritise you needs and make a study plan
where these are read as leisure pursuit which in turn will never give
you a feel that these are a burden.

Note : There are books available in the market with the Gist/Synopsis
of the NCERT books as ready reckoner .You can try Oswaal Study
Material Based on NCERT Text Book or  you can read and take tests at
http://www.meritnation.com or you can download and read gist of
subjects at http://static.upscportal.com/files/upsc2012/igp/csat-paper1/Indian-Polity-GIST-of-NCERT.pdf

 Please see

1. http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/download/ebook for free e-books

2. http://www.upscportal.com/civilservices/order-form/the-gist for
books on payment basis