10 Best General Studies Books for Competitive Exams in India

If you are preparing for the competitive examinations in India, particularly exams such as those for the UPSC, SSC, banking exams, or the state PCS, having the appropriate general studies books is essential. These exams cover a broad variety of subjects, which makes it essential to choose books that offer complete coverage.

In this post, we’ll review some of the top general studies books. These publications will aid you in preparing for competitive examinations. They will make your studying process much easier and more efficient.

If you’re preparing to take the UPSC exam, SSC CGL, or banking exams, general education is vitally important. Selecting the most books for competitive exams in India will help you prepare with current, accurate, and precise details.

The reason General Studies is Important for Competitive Exams:

General studies play an integral part in nearly every competitive exam, whether it’s the UPSC Civil Services Examination, state services examination, or bank examination. These subjects are essential because they cover the broad aspects of an applicant’s knowledge.

General studies books assist students in learning about important topics. They cover subjects like geography, history, economics, political science, and current events. These subjects are crucial for the majority of exams’ GS papers.

For instance, for the UPSC exam, general studies papers are the basis of both the preliminary as well as the main exam. This is also the case in other competitive exams. General studies papers test a candidate’s understanding of various subjects. So, selecting the right books to prepare for these subjects is crucial to scoring well and passing these tests.

Aspects to Take into Account When Selecting General Studies Books:

Numerous general studies books are available, and choosing the best one can be a challenge. Here are some crucial aspects to consider when selecting books for competitive exams in India:

Be sure that the materials you pick are in line with the most current syllabus for the exam you are taking. Many students are familiar with Arihant Experts and S Chand publications for their regular updates to their study materials.
Relevance to Exam Relevance to Exam requires particular attention to specific topics. For instance, UPSC books cover topics like governance and Polity in depth. However, bank exams are more focused on quantitative skills and general knowledge.
Clarity of Concepts: Find books that offer concise explanations of the concepts. General studies books that are objective typically contain clear and easy-to-read explanations that aid in revision.
Test Questions: Books that include previous year’s questions and mock exams are a great resource for assessing your level of preparation. Quantitative aptitude and English grammar tests, for instance, are best mastered through consistent practice.
Credibility of the Author: Books written by reliable authors such as Arihant Experts, M. Laxmikanth, and R.S. Aggarwal are highly recommended. They provide reliable and comprehensive content.

When you choose the right books, you will be able to streamline your exam preparation and focus on completing each subject efficiently.

Top 10 General Studies Books for Competitive Exams in India:

1. History:

Indian History by Spectrum Publications

This book provides a thorough and concise account of Indian history, covering ancient, medieval, modern, and even ancient India. Highly recommended for UPSC preparation as well as other competitive exams that require in-depth knowledge of the past.
It provides comprehensive information on all periods of Indian history, including timelines and simple-to-understand narratives.

A Short The History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir

The book is known for its short yet comprehensive approach. This book is perfect for making quick changes.
The reason it’s useful is that it focuses on contemporary historical events. This is crucial in the UPSC exam as well as the other GS papers.

2. Geography:

Certificate of Human and Physical Geography by G.C. Leong

This book is essential to understanding the fundamentals of human and physical geography. This book is ideal for prelims and mains preparation.
The reason it’s useful: Simple explanations with illustrations make it a great choice for novices and experts alike.

Oxford School Atlas by Oxford

For questions on mapping and MCQs that are related to geography, This Atlas offers clear and crisp images.
What it is: It’s a useful tool for questions about maps and visualization of geography.

3. Indian Polity:

Indian Polity by M Laxmikanth

This book serves as a guidebook for the Indian government and politics that is necessary for UPSC and other state services tests.
Why it’s useful The complete overview of the Constitution as well as governance and institutions of politics in India with specific chapters and a summary.

Objective General Knowledge by Arihant Experts

A comprehensive and well-rounded book on general studies and polity subjects. Ideal for quick reviews.
What it is: The program includes multiple-choice tests, which help students test their knowledge quickly.

4. Indian Economy:

Indian Economy, written by Ramesh Singh

This book provides an insight into the Indian Economy. A fantastic source for studying GS exam papers is available.
The reason it’s helpful is that It provides the current economic policies, trends, and concepts in a concise manner. This is why it’s a great resource for both mains and prelims.

Economic Survey of the Government of India

A vital source for economic and current affairs is UPSC preparation.
What it is: It provides insights into current economic issues as well as government policy.

5. General Science & Technology:

General Science by Lucent

A popular book for topics related to science in competitive exams, such as SSC as well as UPSC.
It provides an extensive understanding of physics and chemistry as well as biology, and it is specially designed to help students prepare for exams.

3. "The Legend of the Bluebonnet" by Tomie dePaola

A great source to understand technological advancements and their significance to India’s growth.
What it is: The focus is on India’s contribution to technology and science, specifically to GS research papers.

6. Current Affairs:

Manorama Yearbook by Malayala Manorama

A complete source for news as well as general knowledge and information. It is a favorite among candidates of all competitive examinations in India.
What it is and why it’s useful is that it provides complete coverage of recent events, data, and general information.

Yojana Magazine

An annual publication that focuses on economic and social policies.
The reason it’s useful is that It’s a great tool to help you prepare for the UPSC exam’s essay writing and general studies papers.

Additional Resources and Study Materials

Books are an essential element in studying for tests. However, other sources are equally important. Online platforms, magazines, and YouTube channels are good sources as well. Candidates can visit The Hindu, Pratiyogita Darpan, and the government’s websites to find the most recent news about current events and policies.

Websites such as Unacademy BYJU’s, Unacademy, and Vision IAS offer online courses and mock tests. These resources are extremely useful for practice. Combining these resources with general studies books will assist you in developing a comprehensive study strategy.

Tips to Use This Books Effectively:

Consistent Study Plan: Set aside specific times each day for different subjects like the history of Polity, politics, and geography.
Active Learning Notes: Take notes while reading the books and highlight key areas for revision.
Practice with old papers. Exam questions that you have solved will help you understand the kinds of questions you will encounter in UPSC and SSC examinations. Books by S Chand and Arihant Experts frequently include these questions.
Mock Tests: You can take mock tests to evaluate your knowledge and strengthen your weak areas.

Conclusion

The selection of top general books for examinations that are competitive in India is crucial for achieving success. With books that cover topics like politics, history, economics, and current events, your preparation will be solid and thorough. To successfully succeed in the UPSC test or other tests for competitiveness, making sure you have the best study materials is crucial. Be sure to include these books in your study schedule along with conducting practice tests and keeping yourself updated on the most recent developments.

If you make use of these resources carefully, you’ll be on the way to completing the general knowledge section of the test.

A dedicated school teacher with almost 20 years of experience in education. A lifelong lover of books, Shuvra finds joy in reading and sharing insightful reviews of various genres.

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