The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) materials are considered important for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination for several reasons:
- Comprehensive Content: NCERT textbooks provide a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of various subjects. The UPSC examination covers a wide range of topics, and NCERT books serve as a strong foundation for these subjects.
- Clarity and Conceptual Understanding: NCERT materials are known for their clarity and emphasis on building a strong conceptual understanding of the topics. This is crucial for the UPSC examination, which requires candidates to analyze and apply their knowledge to complex issues.
- Alignment with Syllabus: NCERT textbooks are closely aligned with the UPSC syllabus. Many topics and concepts covered in NCERT books are directly relevant to the UPSC examination, especially for the Preliminary and Mains stages.
- Historical and Cultural Context: NCERT textbooks provide valuable insights into India’s history, culture, geography, and polity. This knowledge is essential for the UPSC examination, which often includes questions related to India’s heritage, society, and governance.
- Language and Communication Skills: UPSC candidates are also evaluated on their language and communication skills. Reading NCERT books can help candidates improve their language proficiency, critical thinking, and writing abilities.
- Easy Availability and Accessibility: NCERT textbooks are widely available and affordable, making them accessible to a broad range of aspirants, including those from rural or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Recommended by Experts: Many experts and successful UPSC aspirants recommend NCERT books as the starting point for UPSC preparation due to their relevance and reliability.
- Balanced Perspective: NCERT books present a balanced and unbiased perspective on various topics, which is important for candidates to form a well-rounded understanding of issues for the examination.
- Base for Advanced Study: While NCERT books provide the foundation, candidates can build upon this knowledge by referring to more specialized and advanced books and study materials to cover the UPSC syllabus comprehensively.
- Integration with Current Affairs: NCERT books can serve as a reference point for understanding the historical and foundational aspects of current events and issues, which are integral to the UPSC examination.
In conclusion, NCERT materials are important for UPSC preparation because they offer a strong foundation, cover a significant portion of the syllabus, and provide candidates with the knowledge, clarity, and conceptual understanding needed to excel in this highly competitive examination. While they are not the sole source of study, they are an essential part of the preparation strategy for many UPSC aspirants.