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32 books · 6 subjects Verified April 2026 Classes 8–12 · 2025-26 reprints
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Class 6–8 Foundation

These books build the base for UPSC GS topics — Indian history, geography, polity and science concepts. Class 6–8 Social Science has moved to an integrated "Exploring Society" format under NCF 2023. Both old-curriculum and new NCF 2023 books are listed where available.

Class 6 — NCF 2023 Curriculum

Class 6 NCF 2023 ↓ Index
Exploring Society: India and Beyond
Social Science · Integrated (Geography + History + Civics)

Chapters (14)

  1. Locating Places on the Earth
  2. Oceans and Continents
  3. Landforms and Life
  4. Timeline and Sources of History
  5. India, That Is Bharat
  6. The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation
  7. India's Cultural Roots
  8. Unity in Diversity, or 'Many in the One'
  9. Family and Community
  10. Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance
  11. Grassroots Democracy — Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas
  12. Grassroots Democracy — Part 3: Local Government in Urban Areas
  13. The Value of Work
  14. Economic Activities Around Us
Class 6 NCF 2023 ↓ Index
Curiosity
Science · Single volume

Chapters (12)

  1. The Wonderful World of Science
  2. Diversity in the Living World
  3. Mindful Eating: A Path to a Healthy Body
  4. Exploring Magnets
  5. Measurement of Length and Motion
  6. Materials Around Us
  7. Temperature and its Measurement
  8. A Journey through States of Water
  9. Methods of Separation in Everyday Life
  10. Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics
  11. Nature's Treasures
  12. Beyond Earth

Class 7 — NCF 2023 Curriculum

Class 7 NCF 2023 ↓ Index
Exploring Society: India and Beyond — Part 1
Social Science · Integrated (Geography + History + Civics)

Chapters (10)

  1. Geographical Diversity of India
  2. Understanding the Weather
  3. Climates of India
  4. New Beginnings: Cities and States
  5. The Rise of Empires
  6. The Age of Reorganisation
  7. The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity
  8. How the Land Becomes Sacred
  9. From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments
  10. The Constitution of India — An Introduction
Class 7 NCF 2023 ↓ Index
Exploring Society: India and Beyond — Part 2
Social Science · Integrated (Geography + History + Civics)
Class 7 NCF 2023 ↓ Index
Curiosity
Science · Single volume

Chapters (12)

  1. The Ever-Evolving World of Science
  2. Exploring Substances: Acidic, Basic, and Neutral
  3. Electricity: Circuits and their Components
  4. The World of Metals and Non-metals
  5. Changes Around Us: Physical and Chemical
  6. Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change
  7. Heat Transfer in Nature
  8. Measurement of Time and Motion
  9. Life Processes in Animals
  10. Life Processes in Plants
  11. Light: Shadows and Reflections
  12. Earth, Moon, and the Sun

Class 7 — Old Curriculum (still on NCERT servers)

Class 7 ↓ Index
Our Environment
Social Science · Geography

Chapters (10)

  1. Environment
  2. Inside Our Earth
  3. Our Changing Earth
  4. Air
  5. Water
  6. Natural Vegetation and Wild Life
  7. Human Environment — Settlement, Transport and Communication
  8. Human Environment Interactions — The Tropical and the Subtropical Region
  9. Life in the Temperate Grasslands
  10. Life in the Deserts
Class 7 ↓ Index
Our Pasts — II
Social Science · History

Chapters (10)

  1. Tracing Changes through a Thousand Years
  2. New Kings and Kingdoms
  3. The Delhi Sultans
  4. The Mughal Empire
  5. Rulers and Buildings
  6. Towns, Traders and Craftspersons
  7. Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities
  8. Devotional Paths to the Divine
  9. The Making of Regional Cultures
  10. Eighteenth-Century Political Formations
Class 7 ↓ Index
Social and Political Life — II
Social Science · Civics

Chapters (10)

  1. On Equality
  2. Role of the Government in Health
  3. How the State Government Works
  4. Growing Up as Boys and Girls
  5. Women Change the World
  6. Understanding Media
  7. Understanding Advertising
  8. Markets Around Us
  9. A Shirt in the Market
  10. Struggles for Equality

Class 8 — NCF 2023 Curriculum

Class 8 NCF 2023 ↓ Index
Exploring Society: India and Beyond
Social Science · Integrated (Geography + History + Civics)

Chapters (7)

  1. Natural Resources and Their Use
  2. Reshaping India's Political Map
  3. The Rise of the Marathas
  4. The Colonial Era in India
  5. Universal Franchise and India's Electoral System
  6. The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive
  7. Factors of Production
Class 8 NCF 2023 ↓ Index
Curiosity
Science · Single volume

Chapters (13)

  1. Exploring the Investigative World of Science
  2. The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye
  3. Health: The Ultimate Treasure
  4. Electricity: Magnetic and Heating Effects
  5. Exploring Forces
  6. Pressure, Winds, Storms, and Cyclones
  7. Particulate Nature of Matter
  8. Nature of Matter: Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures
  9. The Amazing World of Solutes, Solvents, and Solutions
  10. Light: Mirrors and Lenses
  11. Keeping Time with the Skies
  12. How Nature Works in Harmony
  13. Our Home: Earth, A Unique Life Sustaining Planet

Class 8 — Old Curriculum (still on NCERT servers)

Class 8 ↓ Index
Social and Political Life — III
Social Science · Civics

Chapters (10)

  1. The Indian Constitution
  2. Understanding Secularism
  3. Why Do We Need a Parliament
  4. Understanding Laws
  5. Judiciary
  6. Understanding Our Criminal Justice System
  7. Understanding Marginalisation
  8. Confronting Marginalisation
  9. Public Facilities
  10. Law and Social Justice
Class 8 ↓ Index
Science
Science · Single volume

Chapters (18)

  1. Crop Production and Management
  2. Microorganisms: Friend and Foe
  3. Synthetic Fibres and Plastics
  4. Materials: Metals and Non-metals
  5. Coal and Petroleum
  6. Combustion and Flame
  7. Conservation of Plants and Animals
  8. Cell — Structure and Functions
  9. Reproduction in Animals
  10. Reaching the Age of Adolescence
  11. Force and Pressure
  12. Friction
  13. Sound
  14. Chemical Effects of Electric Current
  15. Some Natural Phenomena
  16. Light
  17. Stars and the Solar System
  18. Pollution of Air and Water

History

GS1 — History

Class 8–10 cover Indian independence and modern world events. Class 11–12 (three-part series) spans ancient, medieval and colonial themes — directly examined in Mains GS1 and Essay. Class 6–7 books are now integrated into "Exploring Society" under NCF 2023 — see the Class 6–8 section above.

Class 8 ↓ Index
Our Pasts — III
Social Science · History (Part I & II)

Chapters (8)

  1. How, When and Where
  2. From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power
  3. Ruling the Countryside
  4. Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
  5. When People Revolt: 1857 and After
  6. Civilising the "Native", Educating the Nation
  7. Women, Caste and Reform
  8. The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947
Class 9 ↓ Index
India & the Contemporary World — I
Social Science · History

Chapters (5)

  1. The French Revolution
  2. Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
  3. Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
  4. Forest Society and Colonialism
  5. Pastoralists in the Modern World
Class 10 ↓ Index
India & the Contemporary World — II
Social Science · History

Chapters (5)

  1. The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
  2. Nationalism in India
  3. The Making of a Global World
  4. The Age of Industrialisation
  5. Print Culture and the Modern World
Class 11 ↓ Index
Themes in World History
History · Single volume

Themes (7)

  1. Writing and City Life
  2. An Empire Across Three Continents
  3. Nomadic Empires
  4. The Three Orders
  5. Changing Cultural Traditions
  6. Displacing Indigenous Peoples
  7. Paths to Modernisation
Class 12 Core UPSC ↓ Index
Themes in Indian History — Part I
History · Ancient & Early Medieval

Themes (4)

  1. Bricks, Beads and Bones — The Harappan Civilisation
  2. Kings, Farmers and Towns — Early States and Economies
  3. Kinship, Caste and Class — Early Societies
  4. Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings — Cultural Developments
Class 12 Core UPSC ↓ Index
Themes in Indian History — Part II
History · Medieval India

Themes (4)

  1. Through the Eyes of Travellers — Perceptions of Society
  2. Bhakti-Sufi Traditions — Changes in Religious Beliefs
  3. An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara
  4. Peasants, Zamindars and the State — Agrarian Society & the Mughal Empire
Class 12 Core UPSC ↓ Index
Themes in Indian History — Part III
History · Colonial & Modern India

Themes (4)

  1. Colonialism and the Countryside — Exploring Official Archives
  2. Rebels and the Raj — The Revolt of 1857 and Its Representations
  3. Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement — Civil Disobedience and Beyond
  4. Framing the Constitution — The Beginning of a New Era

Geography

GS1 — Geography

Class 9–10 cover India's physical and human geography. Class 11–12 go deeper — physical systems, India's resource base and regional development. Note: Class 6–8 Geography books are being revised under NCF 2023.

Class 9 ↓ Index
Contemporary India — I
Social Science · Geography

Chapters (6)

  1. India — Size and Location
  2. Physical Features of India
  3. Drainage
  4. Climate
  5. Natural Vegetation and Wildlife
  6. Population
Class 10 ↓ Index
Contemporary India — II
Social Science · Geography

Chapters (7)

  1. Resources and Development
  2. Forest and Wildlife Resources
  3. Water Resources
  4. Agriculture
  5. Minerals and Energy Resources
  6. Manufacturing Industries
  7. Lifelines of National Economy
Class 11 ↓ Index
India — Physical Environment
Geography · Part 2

Chapters (6)

  1. India — Location
  2. Structure and Physiography
  3. Drainage System
  4. Climate
  5. Natural Vegetation
  6. Natural Hazards and Disasters
Class 11 ↓ Index
Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Geography · Part 1

Chapters (14)

  1. Geography as a Discipline
  2. The Origin and Evolution of the Earth
  3. Interior of the Earth
  4. Distribution of Oceans and Continents
  5. Geomorphic Processes
  6. Landforms and their Evolution
  7. Composition and Structure of Atmosphere
  8. Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature
  9. Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems
  10. Water in the Atmosphere
  11. World Climate and Climate Change
  12. Water (Oceans)
  13. Movements of Ocean Water
  14. Biodiversity and Conservation
Class 12 ↓ Index
Fundamentals of Human Geography
Geography · Part 1

Chapters (7)

  1. Human Geography: Nature and Scope
  2. The World Population: Distribution, Density and Growth
  3. Human Development
  4. Primary Activities
  5. Secondary Activities
  6. Tertiary and Quaternary Activities
  7. Transport and Communication
Class 12 ↓ Index
India — People & Economy
Geography · Part 2

Chapters (9)

  1. Population: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition
  2. Human Settlements
  3. Land Resources and Agriculture
  4. Water Resources
  5. Mineral and Energy Resources
  6. Planning and Sustainable Development in Indian Context
  7. Transport and Communication
  8. International Trade
  9. Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems

Sociology & Indian Society

GS1 — Indian Society

Maps directly to GS1 "Indian Society" topics: caste, religion, urbanisation, family structures, social movements and change. Class 12 books are the most exam-relevant.

Class 11 ↓ Index
Introducing Sociology
Sociology · Book 1

Chapters (5)

  1. Sociology and Society
  2. Terms, Concepts and Their Use in Sociology
  3. Understanding Social Institutions
  4. Culture and Socialisation
  5. Doing Sociology: Research Methods
Class 11 ↓ Index
Understanding Society
Sociology · Book 2

Chapters (5)

  1. Social Structure, Stratification and Social Processes in Society
  2. Social Change and Social Order in Rural and Urban Society
  3. Environment and Society
  4. Introducing Western Sociologists
  5. Indian Sociologists
Class 12 Core UPSC ↓ Index
Indian Society
Sociology · Book 1

Chapters (6)

  1. Introducing Indian Society
  2. The Demographic Structure of the Indian Society
  3. Social Institutions: Continuity and Change
  4. The Market as a Social Institution
  5. Patterns of Social Inequality and Exclusion
  6. The Challenges of Cultural Diversity
Class 12 Core UPSC ↓ Index
Social Change & Development in India
Sociology · Book 2

Chapters (8)

  1. Structural Change
  2. Cultural Change
  3. The Constitution and Social Change
  4. Change and Development in Rural Society
  5. Change and Development in Industrial Society
  6. Globalisation and Social Change
  7. Mass Media and Communications
  8. Social Movements

Polity & Governance

GS2 — Polity

Start with Class 9–10 Democratic Politics for the foundation, then Class 11 (Indian Constitution at Work + Political Theory) and Class 12 for IR and post-independence politics.

Class 9 ↓ Index
Democratic Politics — I
Social Science · Political Science

Chapters (5)

  1. What is Democracy? Why Democracy?
  2. Constitutional Design
  3. Electoral Politics
  4. Working of Institutions
  5. Democratic Rights
Class 10 ↓ Index
Democratic Politics — II
Social Science · Political Science

Chapters (5)

  1. Power-sharing
  2. Federalism
  3. Gender, Religion and Caste
  4. Political Parties
  5. Outcomes of Democracy
Class 11 Core UPSC ↓ Index
Indian Constitution at Work
Political Science · Book 2

Chapters (10)

  1. Constitution: Why and How?
  2. Rights in the Indian Constitution
  3. Election and Representation
  4. Executive
  5. Legislature
  6. Judiciary
  7. Federalism
  8. Local Governments
  9. Constitution as a Living Document
  10. The Philosophy of the Constitution
Class 11 ↓ Index
Political Theory
Political Science · Book 1

Chapters (8)

  1. Political Theory: An Introduction
  2. Freedom
  3. Equality
  4. Social Justice
  5. Rights
  6. Citizenship
  7. Nationalism
  8. Secularism
Class 12 ↓ Index
Contemporary World Politics
Political Science · Book 1

Chapters (7)

  1. The End of Bipolarity
  2. Contemporary Centres of Power
  3. Contemporary South Asia
  4. International Organisations
  5. Security in the Contemporary World
  6. Environment and Natural Resources
  7. Globalisation
Class 12 Core UPSC ↓ Index
Politics in India Since Independence
Political Science · Book 2

Chapters (8)

  1. Challenges of Nation Building
  2. Era of One-party Dominance
  3. Politics of Planned Development
  4. India's External Relations
  5. Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System
  6. The Crisis of Democratic Order
  7. Regional Aspirations
  8. Recent Developments in Indian Politics

Economy

GS3 — Economy

Class 9–10 introduce core economic concepts and India's development story. Class 11 Indian Economic Development is the single most-cited NCERT for UPSC Economy. Class 12 covers macro and micro theory.

Class 9 ↓ Index
Economics
Social Science · Economics

Chapters (4)

  1. The Story of Village Palampur
  2. People as Resource
  3. Poverty as a Challenge
  4. Food Security in India
Class 10 ↓ Index
Understanding Economic Development
Social Science · Economics

Chapters (5)

  1. Development
  2. Sectors of the Indian Economy
  3. Money and Credit
  4. Globalisation and the Indian Economy
  5. Consumer Rights
Class 11 Core UPSC ↓ Index
Indian Economic Development
Economics · Book 1

Chapters (8)

  1. Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence
  2. Indian Economy 1950–1990
  3. Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation: An Appraisal
  4. Human Capital Formation in India
  5. Rural Development
  6. Employment: Growth, Informalisation and Other Issues
  7. Environment and Sustainable Development
  8. Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours
Class 12 ↓ Index
Introductory Macroeconomics
Economics · Book 1

Chapters (6)

  1. Introduction
  2. National Income Accounting
  3. Money and Banking
  4. Determination of Income and Employment
  5. Government Budget and the Economy
  6. Open Economy Macroeconomics
Class 12 ↓ Index
Introductory Microeconomics
Economics · Book 2

Chapters (6)

  1. Introduction
  2. Theory of Consumer Behaviour
  3. Production and Costs
  4. The Theory of the Firm Under Perfect Competition
  5. Market Equilibrium
  6. Non-competitive Markets

Science & Biology

GS3 — Science & Tech

Class 9–10 Science forms the base for environment and technology questions. Class 11–12 Biology is essential for ecology, biodiversity and biotechnology topics in GS3.

Class 9 ↓ Index
Science
Science · Single volume

Chapters (12)

  1. Matter in Our Surroundings
  2. Is Matter Around Us Pure?
  3. Atoms and Molecules
  4. Structure of the Atom
  5. The Fundamental Unit of Life
  6. Tissues
  7. Motion
  8. Force and Laws of Motion
  9. Gravitation
  10. Work and Energy
  11. Sound
  12. Improvement in Food Resources
Class 10 ↓ Index
Science
Science · Single volume

Chapters (13)

  1. Chemical Reactions and Equations
  2. Acids, Bases and Salts
  3. Metals and Non-metals
  4. Carbon and its Compounds
  5. Life Processes
  6. Control and Coordination
  7. How do Organisms Reproduce?
  8. Heredity
  9. Light — Reflection and Refraction
  10. The Human Eye and the Colourful World
  11. Electricity
  12. Magnetic Effects of Electric Current
  13. Our Environment
Class 11 Core UPSC ↓ Index
Biology
Biology · Single volume

Chapters (19)

  1. The Living World
  2. Biological Classification
  3. Plant Kingdom
  4. Animal Kingdom
  5. Morphology of Flowering Plants
  6. Anatomy of Flowering Plants
  7. Structural Organisation in Animals
  8. Cell: The Unit of Life
  9. Biomolecules
  10. Cell Cycle and Cell Division
  11. Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
  12. Respiration in Plants
  13. Plant Growth and Development
  14. Breathing and Exchange of Gases
  15. Body Fluids and Circulation
  16. Excretory Products and their Elimination
  17. Locomotion and Movement
  18. Neural Control and Coordination
  19. Chemical Coordination and Integration
Class 12 ↓ Index
Biology
Biology · Single volume

Chapters (13)

  1. Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
  2. Human Reproduction
  3. Reproductive Health
  4. Principles of Inheritance and Variation
  5. Molecular Basis of Inheritance
  6. Evolution
  7. Human Health and Disease
  8. Microbes in Human Welfare
  9. Biotechnology: Principles and Processes
  10. Biotechnology and its Applications
  11. Organisms and Populations
  12. Ecosystem
  13. Biodiversity and Conservation
Note — New Curriculum (2025-26 onwards): NCERT is revising textbooks under the National Curriculum Framework 2023. Class 6 has shifted to a single integrated book "Exploring Society: India and Beyond", replacing the old separate History, Geography and Civics books. Classes 7–8 revisions are in progress. For UPSC 2026 preparation, all Class 9–12 books above remain unchanged and fully relevant. For the newest editions visit the official NCERT Textbook Portal.

All Books — Quick Index

45 books sorted by class. Every link opens the PDF directly from ncert.nic.in in a new tab.

Class Book Title Subject GS Paper PDF
Class 6Exploring Society: India & BeyondSocial ScienceGS1Download
Class 6CuriosityScienceGS3Download
Class 7Exploring Society: India & Beyond — Part 1Social ScienceGS1Download
Class 7Exploring Society: India & Beyond — Part 2Social ScienceGS1Download
Class 7CuriosityScienceGS3Download
Class 7Our EnvironmentGeographyGS1Download
Class 7Our Pasts — IIHistoryGS1Download
Class 7Social & Political Life — IIPolityGS2Download
Class 8Exploring Society: India & BeyondSocial ScienceGS1Download
Class 8CuriosityScienceGS3Download
Class 8Social & Political Life — IIIPolityGS2Download
Class 8ScienceScienceGS3Download
Class 8Our Pasts — IIIHistoryGS1Download
Class 9Contemporary India — IGeographyGS1Download
Class 9EconomicsEconomyGS3Download
Class 9India & the Contemporary World — IHistoryGS1Download
Class 9Democratic Politics — IPolityGS2Download
Class 9ScienceScienceGS3Download
Class 10Contemporary India — IIGeographyGS1Download
Class 10Understanding Economic DevelopmentEconomyGS3Download
Class 10India & the Contemporary World — IIHistoryGS1Download
Class 10Democratic Politics — IIPolityGS2Download
Class 10ScienceScienceGS3Download
Class 11Themes in World HistoryHistoryGS1Download
Class 11India — Physical EnvironmentGeographyGS1Download
Class 11Fundamentals of Physical GeographyGeographyGS1Download
Class 11Indian Economic DevelopmentEconomyGS3Download
Class 11Indian Constitution at WorkPolityGS2Download
Class 11Political TheoryPolityGS2Download
Class 11Introducing SociologySociologyGS1Download
Class 11Understanding SocietySociologyGS1Download
Class 11BiologyScienceGS3Download
Class 12Themes in Indian History — Part IHistoryGS1Download
Class 12Themes in Indian History — Part IIHistoryGS1Download
Class 12Themes in Indian History — Part IIIHistoryGS1Download
Class 12Fundamentals of Human GeographyGeographyGS1Download
Class 12India — People & EconomyGeographyGS1Download
Class 12Introductory MacroeconomicsEconomyGS3Download
Class 12Introductory MicroeconomicsEconomyGS3Download
Class 12Contemporary World PoliticsPolity / IRGS2Download
Class 12Politics in India Since IndependencePolityGS2Download
Class 12Indian SocietySociologyGS1Download
Class 12Social Change & Development in IndiaSociologyGS1Download
Class 12BiologyScienceGS3Download

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