Books for Railway Exams: Securing a job in the Indian Railways is a dream for millions of aspirants. With exams like RRB NTPC, RRB ALP, RRB Group D, and RRB JE, competition is fierce and demands a systematic approach. Along with discipline and smart strategy, selecting the right books for railway exams plays a decisive role in success.
This article highlights the best subject-wise books, preparation strategies, and tips on how to use them effectively.
Why the Right Books Matter in Railway Exam Preparation
Aspirants often struggle because they either rely on too many resources or the wrong ones. Choosing the right books for railway exams is important because:
- They provide structured content aligned with the syllabus.
- Help save time by focusing only on exam-relevant material.
- Provide plenty of practice questions with solutions.
- Strengthen basics with clear explanations.
Exam Pattern Overview
Before diving into books, let’s quickly understand the key sections in most railway exams.
| Section | Weightage of Marks in Railway Exams | Skills Tested |
| Mathematics | 30 marks | Quantitative aptitude, problem-solving |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 marks | Analytical and logical thinking |
| General Awareness | 40 marks | Current affairs, static GK, economy, polity |
| General Science (for ALP/Group D) | 25–30 marks | Physics, Chemistry, Biology basics |
| Technical Subjects (for ALP/JE) | Varies | Domain knowledge |
Best Books for Mathematics
Mathematics forms the backbone of Railway CBT exams. It tests arithmetic speed, accuracy, and application.
| Book Title | Author/Publisher | Why It’s Recommended |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal | Covers all topics with plenty of examples. |
| Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma | Shortcut methods for faster solving. |
| Advance Maths | Rakesh Yadav | Good for higher-level math practice. |
| NCERT Mathematics (6th–10th) | NCERT | Strong foundation and concept clarity. |
Tips for Use:
- Start with NCERTs to clear basics.
- Practice daily from Rajesh Verma for speed.
- Use R.S. Aggarwal for variety and coverage.
Best Books for Reasoning
Reasoning is a high-scoring section if practiced regularly. Given below are the recommended books:
| Book Title | Author/Publisher | Why It’s Recommended |
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | Comprehensive coverage of puzzles, series, coding-decoding. |
| Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey | Focuses on conceptual clarity and critical thinking. |
| Previous Year Question Papers | Arihant/Oswaal | Helps understand the actual exam trend. |
Tips for Use:
- Begin with R.S. Aggarwal for basics.
- Practice puzzles daily from M.K. Pandey.
- Revise through previous years’ questions.
Best Books for General Awareness
General Awareness is the most scoring section since it does not involve lengthy calculations. Some of the recommended books include
| Book Title | Author/Publisher | Why It’s Recommended |
| Lucent’s General Knowledge | Dr. Binay Karna & team | Covers static GK, history, polity, geography. |
| Manorama Yearbook | Mammen Mathew | Useful for current affairs and facts. |
| Pratiyogita Darpan (Monthly) | PD Group | Best for regular current affairs updates. |
| NCERT (6th–12th History, Geography, Polity) | NCERT | Builds a strong conceptual background. |
Tips for Use:
- Study NCERTs for fundamentals.
- Revise Lucent for static GK.
- Read newspapers or PD for daily current affairs.
Best Books for General Science
For exams like RRB ALP and Group D, General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) plays a vital role.
| Book Title | Author/Publisher | Why It’s Recommended |
| General Science for Competitive Exams | Lucent Publication | Concise and exam-oriented. |
| NCERT Science (6th–10th) | NCERT | Builds strong basics in Physics, Chemistry, Biology. |
| Encyclopedia of General Science | Arihant Experts | Covers detailed explanations with practice questions. |
Tips for Use:
- Focus on NCERTs for concept clarity.
- Use Lucent for quick revision.
- Practice objective-type questions from Arihant.
Best Books for Technical Subjects (For ALP/JE)
For technical posts, aspirants need additional preparation in Engineering subjects. Given below are the subject-wise books for the applicants:
| Subject | Recommended Book |
| Electrical Engineering | Objective Electrical Technology by V.K. Mehta |
| Mechanical Engineering | Objective Mechanical Engineering by R.S. Khurmi |
| Electronics | Electronic Devices and Circuits by Boylestad |
| Civil Engineering | Civil Engineering: Through Objective Type Questions by SP Gupta |
Best Practice and Mock Test Books
Apart from theory, solving previous year papers and mock tests is essential.
| Book Title | Author/Publisher | Why It’s Recommended |
| RRB NTPC/ALP Previous Year Papers | Arihant/Oswaal | Gives exam-level practice. |
| RRB CBT Practice Sets | Kiran Publication | Topic-wise practice. |
| Online Mock Tests | Adda247, Testbook, Oliveboard | Simulates real CBT environment. |
Common Mistakes While Choosing Books
Many aspirants struggle to choose the perfect book for their preparation. Some of the reasons include:
- Referring to too many books on the same subject.
- Ignoring NCERT basics in favor of advanced guides.
- Not practicing from previous year papers.
- Over-dependence on coaching notes without self-study.
How to Avoid:
- Stick to 1 standard book per subject.
- Use NCERTs for fundamentals.
- Regularly practice previous year papers.
Tips for Using Books Effectively
Just buying the best books for railway exams isn’t enough. Candidates must also know how to use them:
- Follow a Study Plan: Assign daily slots for each subject.
- Revise with Short Notes: Summarize important formulas and facts.
- Solve MCQs Daily: Strengthens retention.
- Mix Subjects: Avoid monotony by alternating subjects daily.
- Mock Test Integration: Apply book knowledge in timed mock tests.
Selecting the right books for railway exams is the first step toward systematic preparation. Aspirants should prioritize quality over quantity, focusing on NCERTs for basics, Lucent for GK, R.S. Aggarwal for Math & Reasoning, and Arihant/Kiran for practice. With consistent study, practice, and revision, these books can significantly increase the chances of clearing Railway CBT exams.
FAQs
The best books for mathematics include Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations, Fast Track Objective Arithmetic, Advanced Maths, and NCERT Mathematics (6th–10th).
Some of the recommended books include A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, and more.
Candidates must follow books such as Lucent’s General Knowledge, Manorama Yearbook, Pratiyogita Darpan, and more for the general awareness section.
Yes, it is recommended to purchase the previous year’s papers and solve them to understand the level of difficulty of the examination.
Selecting the right books for railway exams is the first step toward systematic preparation. With consistent study, practice, and revision, these books can significantly increase the chances of clearing Railway CBT exams.
Hello! This is Arijit Dutta. I am a skilled Content Writer at Oliveboard with nearly 3+ years of experience in crafting engaging, informative, and exam-focused content for the Railways Domain. With a strong command of language and a keen understanding of learner needs, I contribute significantly to Oliveboard’s mission of delivering high-quality educational resources. Passionate about clear communication and continuous learning, I consistently create content that helps government job aspirants achieve their goals. Outside of work, I enjoy playing cricket and listening to music, which helps me stay balanced and creative in my professional journey.