Foundation (Classes 6–9)

Why read it

One book for history, geography, civics and economics. Start here only if your school basics are weak.

Chapters (open on phones)

1. Ch 1 · Locating Places on the Earth 26 pages · 14 MB 1 Prelims question · Test yourself →
2. Ch 2 · Oceans and Continents 14 pages · 9.5 MB
3. Ch 3 · Landforms and Life 18 pages · 25 MB
4. Ch 4 · Timeline and Sources of History 16 pages · 13 MB
5. Ch 5 · India, That Is Bharat 10 pages · 16 MB
6. Ch 6 · The Beginnings of Indian Civilisation 20 pages · 5.1 MB
7. Ch 7 · India's Cultural Roots 20 pages · 28 MB
8. Ch 8 · Unity in Diversity, or 'Many in the One' 12 pages · 15 MB
9. Ch 9 · Family and Community 12 pages · 15 MB
10. Ch 10 · Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance 14 pages · 8.1 MB
11. Ch 11 · Grassroots Democracy — Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas 10 pages · 8.1 MB
12. Ch 12 · Grassroots Democracy — Part 3: Local Government in Urban Areas 10 pages · 12 MB
13. Ch 13 · The Value of Work 12 pages · 11 MB
14. Ch 14 · Economic Activities Around Us 14 pages · 18 MB

NCERT's original ZIP (file names in code) · 211 MB · Saves as fees1dd.zip Large file (228 MB). On mobile data, download chapter by chapter.

UPSC Prelims 2016–2026

1 question could be answered from this book

2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Where it helps

• Foundation for GS I, II and III

Why read it

Its chapter on the rise of empires answered 2 Prelims questions.

Chapters (open on phones)

1. Ch 1 · Geographical Diversity of India 26 pages · 7.1 MB 1 Prelims question · Test yourself →
2. Ch 2 · Understanding the Weather 18 pages · 4.2 MB
3. Ch 3 · Climates of India 22 pages · 12 MB
4. Ch 4 · New Beginnings: Cities and States 16 pages · 4.1 MB
5. Ch 5 · The Rise of Empires 34 pages · 8.6 MB 2 Prelims questions · Test yourself →
6. Ch 6 · The Age of Reorganisation 28 pages · 8.8 MB
7. Ch 7 · The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity 22 pages · 6.2 MB 1 Prelims question · Test yourself →
8. Ch 8 · How the Land Becomes Sacred 18 pages · 3.7 MB
9. Ch 9 · From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments 24 pages · 4.1 MB
10. Ch 10 · The Constitution of India — An Introduction 20 pages · 5.5 MB 1 Prelims question · Test yourself →
11. Ch 11 · From Barter to Money 18 pages · 3.2 MB 1 Prelims question · Test yourself →
12. Ch 12 · Understanding Markets 26 pages · 9.3 MB

NCERT's original ZIP (file names in code) · 83 MB · Saves as gees1dd.zip

UPSC Prelims 2016–2026

6 questions could be answered from this book

2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Where it helps

• Foundation for GS I, II and III

Why read it

Its two chapters on the 6th–12th centuries answered 5 Prelims questions — a period the Class 12 Themes books cover only in parts.

Chapters (open on phones)

1. Ch 1 · The Story of Indian Farming 28 pages · 4.5 MB 2 Prelims questions · Test yourself →
2. Ch 2 · India and Her Neighbours 32 pages · 6.7 MB
3. Ch 3 · Empires and Kingdoms: 6th to 10th Centuries 36 pages · 6.1 MB 2 Prelims questions · Test yourself →
4. Ch 4 · Turning Tides: 11th and 12th Centuries 28 pages · 5.8 MB 3 Prelims questions · Test yourself →
5. Ch 5 · India, a Home to Many 18 pages · 3.3 MB
6. Ch 6 · The State, the Government, and You 26 pages · 3.9 MB
7. Ch 7 · Infrastructure: Engine of India's Development 24 pages · 8.4 MB
8. Ch 8 · Banks and the Magic of Finance 20 pages · 3.9 MB

NCERT's original ZIP (file names in code) · 49 MB · Saves as gees2dd.zip

UPSC Prelims 2016–2026

6 questions could be answered from this book · 1 Environment or Science question could be answered from this book

2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Where it helps

• Foundation for GS I, II and III

Why read it

A readable bridge from medieval to colonial India before the Class 12 books.

Chapters (open on phones)

1. Ch 1 · Natural Resources and Their Use 20 pages · 5.7 MB 1 Prelims question · Test yourself →
2. Ch 2 · Reshaping India's Political Map 40 pages · 10 MB 1 Prelims question · Test yourself →
3. Ch 3 · The Rise of the Marathas 22 pages · 5.4 MB 1 Prelims question · Test yourself →
4. Ch 4 · The Colonial Era in India 34 pages · 6.2 MB
5. Ch 5 · Universal Franchise and India's Electoral System 22 pages · 4.3 MB
6. Ch 6 · The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive 24 pages · 3.5 MB
7. Ch 7 · Factors of Production 32 pages · 8.9 MB 1 Prelims question · Test yourself →

NCERT's original ZIP (file names in code) · 48 MB · Saves as hees1dd.zip

UPSC Prelims 2016–2026

3 questions could be answered from this book · 1 Environment or Science question could be answered from this book

2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Where it helps

• Foundation for GS I, II and III

Why read it

Its freedom-struggle chapter answered 7 Prelims questions — the most of any history chapter in any NCERT on this list. English only for now: NCERT has not yet published the Hindi edition.

Chapters (open on phones)

1. Ch 1 · World Geography: Some Glimpses 34 pages · 8.2 MB
2. Ch 2 · India's Long Road to Independence 50 pages · 5.4 MB 7 Prelims questions · Test yourself →
3. Ch 3 · A Journey Through Indian Architecture 40 pages · 9.2 MB
4. Ch 4 · The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society 18 pages · 3.5 MB 2 Prelims questions · Test yourself →
5. Ch 5 · Citizenship: Rights and Duties 24 pages · 6.1 MB
6. Ch 6 · Dynamics of Population 24 pages · 4.1 MB
7. Ch 7 · India's Urban Landscape 24 pages · 4.8 MB
8. Ch 8 · Cultural Currents: 13th to 17th Centuries 35 pages · 5.8 MB

NCERT's original ZIP (file names in code) · 50 MB · Saves as hees2dd.zip

UPSC Prelims 2016–2026

8 questions could be answered from this book · 1 Environment or Science question could be answered from this book

2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Where it helps

• Foundation for GS I, II and III

Why read it

Its chapter on state and society up to 1000 CE answered 4 Prelims questions. English only for now: NCERT has not yet published the Hindi edition.

Chapters (open on phones)

1. Ch 1 · Understanding Social Science 12 pages · 2.1 MB
2. Ch 2 · Shaping of the Earth's Surface 26 pages · 21 MB
3. Ch 3 · Atmosphere and Climate 22 pages · 16 MB
4. Ch 4 · Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation 34 pages · 8.8 MB 2 Prelims questions · Test yourself →
5. Ch 5 · State and Society up to 1000 CE 42 pages · 6.1 MB 5 Prelims questions · Test yourself →
6. Ch 6 · Democracy 24 pages · 2.5 MB 2 Prelims questions · Test yourself →
7. Ch 7 · Elections 22 pages · 2.7 MB 1 Prelims question · Test yourself →
8. Ch 8 · Building Blocks in Economics: The Problem of Choice 12 pages · 1.5 MB
9. Ch 9 · The Price Puzzle: What Drives the Market 26 pages · 7.6 MB

NCERT's original ZIP (file names in code) · 71 MB · Saves as iest1dd.zip

UPSC Prelims 2016–2026

8 questions could be answered from this book · 1 Environment or Science question could be answered from this book

2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Where it helps

• Foundation for GS I, II and III