Preparing for SSC CGL 2025 and confused about which books to choose? You’re not alone! With hundreds of authors, thousands of publishers, and lakhs of online reviews, selecting the perfect study material can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry — we’ve put together a handpicked list of the best SSC CGL books to help you crack the exam in limited time. This list covers every Tier and major subject — Quantitative Aptitude, English, Reasoning, and General Knowledge.
Best SSC CGL Tier 1 Books
Before jumping into preparation, get familiar with the SSC CGL syllabus and exam pattern. With tons of books in the market, shortlisting the right ones is tricky — so we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Experts from IBT Institute have shared their top recommendations to help students prepare smartly.
Why Choosing the Right Books Matters
Every year, over 20 to 30 lakh candidates appear for the SSC CGL exam. Yet, only a select few get placed in top government ministries and departments. If you’re serious about success, you need study material that’s exam-focused and up-to-date. The right books will make a huge difference in how efficiently you cover the syllabus and master key topics.
Quantitative Aptitude: Top Books to Sharpen Your Math Skills
Whether it’s simplification, algebra, or number systems, these books will help you master the Quant section for both Tier 1 and Tier 2.
| Book Name | Author | Publisher | Why It’s Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Track Objective Arithmetic | Rajesh Verma | Arihant | Packed with shortcuts and tricks — ideal once you’ve grasped the basics. |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Gulshan Singh | IBT Institute | A solid foundation for understanding concepts with ease. |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Aggarwal | S. Chand | Best for learning fundamentals — comes with detailed solutions. |
| Magical Book on Quicker Maths | M Tyra | M Tyra Publications | Great for fast-tracking your speed in solving tricky problems. |
| Quantitative Aptitude (Arithmetical Ability) | Kiran Publication | Kiran | Divided by topic — helpful for structured learning. |
| Quantitative Aptitude for CAT | Arun Sharma | Arun Sharma | Each chapter graded by difficulty to boost problem-solving speed. |
English: Build Your Language and Grammar Power
From vocabulary to comprehension, English can be a game-changer. Here are some trusted books recommended by toppers.
- Quick Learning Objective General English by R.S. Aggarwal – Great for mastering basic grammar and usage.
- General English by IBT Institute – Designed specifically for competitive exams.
- Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) – Covers daily-use English and grammar topics.
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis – A global favorite for vocabulary building.
- How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension by Arun Sharma – Covers the basics and sharpens comprehension skills.
- General English for Competitive Exams by Kiran Publication – Must-have for SSC aspirants.
Mathematics: Advance-Level Books for Tier 2
If you want to crush the Math section in Tier 2, these are your go-to resources:
| Book Name | Author | Publisher | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC Mathematics | Rakesh Yadav | Rakesh Yadav Reader | Includes QR codes to view video solutions — a student favorite! |
| Advanced Maths | Gulshan Singh | IBT Institute | Covers advanced topics with shortcut tricks and solutions. |
| Play with Advanced Maths | Abhinay Sharma | Abhinay Publications | Strengthens your basics while taking your skills up a notch. |
| Quantum CAT | Sarvesh K Verma | Arihant | High-level content — excellent for CAT & SSC aspirants alike. |
| Elementary and Advanced Maths | Kiran Publication | Kiran | Organized for SSC-specific prep, especially Tier 2. |
| SSC Quantitative Aptitude Smartbook (English) | S. Chand | S. Chand | Ideal for brushing up basics and practicing new types of questions. |
Reasoning: Must-Have Books to Crack Logic-Based Questions
Reasoning can be a scoring section — but only if you’ve got the right tools. Here are the best picks:
- Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey – Explains tricky concepts in a student-friendly manner.
- Reasoning Ability by IBT Institute – Tailored for SSC-level reasoning questions.
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal – Covers everything from input-output to puzzles.
- A New Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by B.S. Sijwali – Complete guide for verbal and non-verbal topics.
- Magical Book on Puzzles by K. Kundan – Includes advanced puzzles and tests your reasoning endurance.
- Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT by Nishit K. Sinha – CAT-level book with plenty of exercises and benchmarking tests.
General Awareness: Stay Updated, Stay Ahead
This section demands regular reading and the right books. Here’s what experts recommend:
| Book Name | Authors | Publisher | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | Renu Sinha, RP Suman, etc. | Prakashman | Static GK like History, Geography — well-structured. |
| General Knowledge | Tarun Goyal | Dhankar Publications | Simplifies tough topics — great for revision. |
| Current Affairs | Testbook | Testbook | Updated daily — a must-read for all SSC aspirants. |
| SSC GK Smartbook (English) | Testbook | Testbook | Everything from Polity to Science — in one place. |
| Manorama Yearbook 2025 | Mammen Mathew | Malayala Manorama | A favorite among all government exam aspirants. |
Best Books for SSC CGL Tier 2 (With Practice Papers)
Want to test yourself? These books include solved papers and mock tests:
- SSC CGL Tier-I Solved Papers – Arihant
- SSC CGL Exam Question Bank – Kiran
- SSC CGL 50 Practice Sets Tier-I – Arihant
Top 10 SSC CGL Books in Hindi
Prefer studying in Hindi? These are the best Hindi-language options recommended by experts from IBT Institute:
| Book Title | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
| SSC गणित | R.K. Yadav |
| पिछले वर्ष का गणित | Kiran |
| आधुनिक तर्कशक्ति | Dr. R.S. Aggarwal |
| प्लिंथ से पैरेमाउंट | Neetu Singh |
| वस्तुनिष्ठ सामान्य अंग्रेजी | S.P. Bakshi (Arihant) |
| विश्लेषणात्मक तर्क | M.K. Pandey |
| मात्रात्मक रूझान | Dr. R.S. Aggarwal |
| सामान्य ज्ञान | Prakashman |
| प्रतियोगी सामान्य अंग्रेजी | Kiran Publication |
| मनोरमा वर्षपुस्तिका | Malayala Manorama |
How to Choose the Best SSC CGL Books?
Before buying, keep these things in mind:
- Make sure the book covers the full syllabus.
- The language should be easy to understand.
- Books should include practice sets with solutions.
- Always check the latest edition to ensure syllabus accuracy.
Quick Preparation Tips for SSC CGL 2025
- Stick to a daily study schedule and balance all subjects.
- Start with easy topics, then move to difficult ones.
- Solve previous year’s papers to understand the pattern.
- Read the newspaper daily to stay updated on current affairs.
- Don’t just study — practice mock tests regularly.
- Track your progress and adjust strategies accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Best book for SSC CGL English section?
A: Try “Objective General English” by S.P. Bakshi or Kiran’s Chapter-wise solved papers.
Q2: Which books are top picks for SSC CGL overall?
A: Check the full subject-wise list above. Choose based on your weak and strong areas.
Q3: Which book is best for GK in SSC CGL?
A: Lucent’s GK is good, but combine it with daily current affairs practice for best results.
Q4: What’s the best SSC CGL preparation strategy?
A: Know the pattern, use the right books, and practice hard — that’s the winning formula.
Q5: Is SSC CGL really tough?
A: It depends on your prep. With 2 months of focused study and the right books, it’s possible.
Q6: Top books for reasoning?
A: Try books by R.S. Aggarwal, M.K. Pandey, and K. Kundan.
Q7: Is Maths compulsory in SSC CGL?
A: Yes, it’s one of the most critical sections in both Tier 1 and 2.
Q8: Is there negative marking in SSC CGL?
A: Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.