Top 10 Must-Read Books for Competitive Exams in India 2025
“Success in competitive exams is not about hard work alone — it’s about smart study with the right books.”
📘 Introduction
Preparing for competitive exams in India — whether UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, or State PCS — requires one key thing above all: the right books.
In 2025, when information is everywhere, trusted and high-quality books remain your most reliable companions.
Here’s a handpicked list of the Top 10 Best Books for Competitive Exams in India that will help you strengthen your basics, boost your confidence, and ace your exams. 💪
🏆 1. Lucent’s General Knowledge (GK)
📗 Publisher: Lucent Publication
📘 Best For: All Government Exams (SSC, Railway, UPSC Prelims, State PSC)
Why Read:
Lucent’s GK is the holy grail of general knowledge. It covers History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, and Miscellaneous topics in concise yet comprehensive form.
💡 Tip: Revise this book multiple times before the exam — it’s a question goldmine!
📖 2. NCERT Books (Class 6–12)
📘 Best For: UPSC, State PCS, SSC, Teaching Exams
Why Read:
NCERTs are the foundation for all conceptual understanding. From History to Environment, they provide crystal-clear explanations.
💡 Tip: Focus especially on History, Geography, Polity, and Economics NCERTs.
📚 3. Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
📘 Best For: UPSC, State PCS, SSC, NDA, CDS
Why Read:
This is the bible of Indian Polity. Every serious aspirant studies Laxmikanth to understand the Constitution, governance, and political structure.
💡 Tip: Make short notes of Articles, Amendments, and Important Committees.
💼 4. Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
📘 Best For: SSC, Banking, Defence, Railways, NDA
Why Read:
A one-stop guide for mastering Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Sentence Improvement.
💡 Tip: Practice daily for 30 minutes — English is built through consistency, not cramming.
💡 5. Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
📘 Best For: Banking, SSC, Railways, and all Aptitude Tests
Why Read:
R.S. Aggarwal’s book is a classic for mathematics — from arithmetic to advanced reasoning, it has everything you need for practice.
💡 Tip: Solve 2–3 topics daily and revise formulas weekly.
🧠 6. A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
📘 Best For: SSC, Banking, Defence, Railways, State Exams
Why Read:
This book sharpens logical thinking with step-by-step reasoning techniques and practice sets.
💡 Tip: Practice puzzles, series, and analytical reasoning daily for speed improvement.
🌏 7. General Studies Manual by Manohar Pandey (Arihant)
📘 Best For: UPSC, State PSC, SSC, Defence
Why Read:
An all-in-one book for current affairs, general science, history, geography, and Indian polity — updated annually with latest facts.
💡 Tip: Use this for quick revision before exams.
📰 8. Manorama Yearbook / Pratiyogita Darpan
📘 Best For: Current Affairs & General Awareness (All Exams)
Why Read:
Stay updated with government schemes, international news, awards, and sports — all in one place.
💡 Tip: Read the monthly current affairs and revise key facts before the exam.
💬 9. Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
📘 Best For: Banking, SSC, Railways
Why Read:
A compact and effective book for speed math and shortcut techniques. Ideal for those who want to improve accuracy and save time in exams.
💡 Tip: Focus on chapters like Ratio, Percentage, and Time-Speed-Distance.
🔍 10. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
📘 Best For: English Vocabulary for SSC, Banking, Defence, and UPSC
Why Read:
This world-famous vocabulary builder improves not only your English skills but also your confidence in speaking and writing.
💡 Tip: Study 1–2 sessions daily and revise old words weekly.
✍️ Bonus Tip – Read Monthly Current Affairs
Apart from books, follow reliable sources like:
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Pratiyogita Darpan
-
Vision IAS Monthly Current Affairs
-
JobVaale.com – Find all government exam updates & study material (Tagline: Find all jobs at one place!)
Regular current affairs reading is the secret to staying ahead in competitive exams.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Books are your best friends in your exam journey. The right selection can make preparation easier, structured, and highly effective.
Start with Lucent GK and NCERTs, then move toward subject-specific guides like Laxmikanth or R.S. Aggarwal.
Remember — consistency beats intensity. 📅
💬 “Success in exams isn’t about reading more books — it’s about reading the right ones the right way.”
So pick your books, make a study plan, and let your preparation journey begin! 🚀
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