As the countdown to the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025 begins, aspirants across the country are tuning their focus to key topics driving the national and global discourse. Among this year’s most pertinent themes are the foundational NCERT textbooks, the emerging concept of de-risking, and the increasingly critical domain of urban governance all of which are drawing significant attention in aspirant circles and coaching centers alike.
NCERT Textbooks: The Bedrock of Civil Services Preparation
Despite the growing availability of specialized study materials, NCERT textbooks continue to be the cornerstone of UPSC preparation. Their lucid language, structured pedagogy, and factual accuracy make them indispensable, especially for subjects like History, Geography, Polity, and Economics.
“Every serious aspirant begins with NCERTs. They provide clarity and help build a conceptual base, especially for those coming from non-humanities backgrounds,” says Ritu Mahajan, a faculty member at a leading IAS coaching institute in Delhi.
The UPSC’s trend of asking direct or conceptual questions from NCERTs — particularly from Class VI to XII — reinforces their importance, even in the era of high-level analytical questions.
De-risking: A New Lens for Global Affairs and Economy
The term de-risking has gained momentum in recent global policy discussions, especially in the context of international trade, supply chains, and strategic diplomacy. The concept involves minimizing dependency on any single country or region to prevent economic or geopolitical disruptions — a principle echoed in recent G7 communiqués and India’s own foreign policy moves.
For UPSC aspirants, understanding de-risking is crucial not just for International Relations, but also for Economics and Essay papers. India’s push for diversified trade partnerships and its advocacy for a multipolar world are contemporary illustrations of this strategic shift.
“De-risking has replaced decoupling as the buzzword in global economic diplomacy. For aspirants, this is a high-yield topic with interlinkages across GS Paper II and III,” notes Dr. Sameer Kaul, a public policy analyst and mentor.
Urban Governance: A Critical Component of India’s Development Agenda
With India projected to have over 40% of its population living in urban areas by 2035, urban governance is emerging as a key challenge and an area of opportunity for public administration.
Recent discussions around the Smart Cities Mission, urban mobility, slum rehabilitation, and climate-resilient infrastructure have made urban governance a recurring theme in UPSC Mains and Essay papers. The New Urban Agenda, participatory governance, and the role of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in implementing the 74th Constitutional Amendment are areas receiving fresh academic and administrative attention.
“Increasing urban complexity demands not just planning, but innovation in governance. This theme touches upon ethics, administration, and grassroots democracy all vital for future civil servants,” says Meena Iyer, former municipal commissioner and author of Governing Our Cities.
Conclusion
As the examination draws closer, experts suggest aspirants focus on integrating traditional study tools like NCERTs with an updated understanding of evolving concepts like de-risking and urban governance. In an exam where both static knowledge and dynamic awareness are tested, a balanced approach could be the real key to success.
