15 Best Books to Read for Students in India For Exam Prep, Skill-Building & Growth [August, 2024]

Want to determine the top books recommended for students in India looking to enrich their worldview, skillsets, careers and lives beyond academics? As leading educators, we researched the landscape of impactful reads acclaimed for sparking transformation for young readers based on criteria like author credibility, content quality, uniqueness and more.

best books to read for students in India equip turnkey frameworks toward self-growth, providing brain training for success with powerful storytelling that inspires. Our hand-picked line-up simplifies life wisdom spanning motivation, productivity, mental health, career clarity and balanced living tailored for students managing hectic schedules. best books promise resonant learning for readers through tried-and-tested combination of anecdotal case studies, analytical perspectives, and engaging narrative formats employers seek critical thinkers to demonstrate.

1. Learning How to Fly: Life Lessons for the Youth

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Description

This book offers valuable life lessons and advice for young people navigating their way to adulthood. With insights on topics like relationships, self-confidence, dealing with failure, and achieving one’s dreams, it serves as an inspirational guidebook for students.

Key Features

• Actionable tips and strategies for personal growth
• Relatable stories and examples
• Advice on education, career, and life purpose
• Interactive exercises and prompts

Our Expert Opinion

This is one of the best books to read for students in India who are looking for motivation, direction, and a deeper perspective on life. It challenges young readers to realize their potential while being honest about the realities they face. We highly recommend it for the wisdom it imparts.

2. The Power of Your Subconscious Mind

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Description

This classic self-help book focuses on harnessing the power of one’s subconscious mind to overcome obstacles and achieve success. With insights into how our beliefs and thoughts shape our reality, it offers students simple techniques to program their subconscious to work for them.

Key Features

• Easy to understand explanations of the subconscious mind’s workings
• Practical tips and strategies to rewire thinking patterns
• Real-world examples of the mind’s power
• Applicable across health, relationships, career, and more

Our Expert Opinion

The simplicity yet profound wisdom offered in this book makes it one of the best for Indian students looking to maximize their potential. By revealing how much control we have over the outcomes in our lives, it empowers readers to get unstuck and align their conscious and subconscious minds to reach their goals.

3. 6 Secrets Smart Students DonÆt Tell You

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Description

This book reveals insider information on habits, mindsets, and study methods used by exceptional students to excel academically. Covering time management, reading strategies, exam preparation, and more, it lets average students in on secrets that can help them compete with top scorers.

Key Features

• Actionable study hacks and productivity tips
• Effective memorization and test-taking tactics
• Guidelines on managing school-life balance
• Psychology behind students’ underperformance

Our Expert Opinion

One of the best selections for Indian students looking to boost grades and outsmart their peers, this book levels the playing field with practical, proven techniques employed by straight-A students. By arming readers with this insider knowledge, it can give them that extra competitive edge to reach the top ranks.

4. Oxford Student Atlas for India

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Description

This atlas from Oxford University Press focuses on Indian geography, covering physical features, population distribution, economic sectors, and more. With detailed, updated maps and statistics on states and union territories, it serves as a handy reference guide for students preparing for competitive examinations.

Key Features

• Accurate, clear physical, political, and thematic maps
• Comprehensive coverage of India’s states down to the district level
• Statistical tables on population, literacy, GDP, etc.
• Section on current affairs and international organizations

Our Expert Opinion

One of the best atlases available for students in India, the maps and data presented equip readers with deep knowledge of the country’s landscape and demographics. This spatial and statistical grasp of India’s makeup delivers an edge for those competing in GK and awareness-based entrance tests. We highly recommend it.

5. The 5 AM Club

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Description

This motivational book makes the case for waking up early and using the quiet morning hours to improve oneself across four key areas — mental, physical, spiritual and emotional. Structured as a fictional story, it follows a mentor and protege as they unlock life-changing wisdom.

Key Features

• Engaging storytelling approach
• Practical tips for becoming an early riser
• Methods for self-improvement in all facets of life
• Underlying philosophy about realizing human potential

Our Expert Opinion

This read offers Indian students an inspiring framework toward living a well-balanced, meaningful life. By outlining a “20/20/20” daily routine, it pushes readers toward actualizing their best selves from a young age. The diverse self-care wisdom it imparts makes this a top choice.

6. Don’t Believe Everything You Think (English)

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Description

This book makes the case against blindly believing every thought that crosses our minds. Exploring how many of our thoughts are distorted by cognitive biases, mental shortcuts and misperceptions, it teaches how to catch ourselves when we fall prey to unhelpful or untrue thinking patterns.

Key Features

• Eye-opening look at common thought errors
• Tips for countering negative thought spirals
• Methods to align thoughts closer to reality/truth
• Healthier thought habits for better mental health

Our Expert Opinion

This book equips Indian students with invaluable critical thinking skills by revealing just how prone the human mind is to illusions. By becoming more self-aware and questioning their own instinctive judgments and assumptions, readers can empower themselves against irrational lines of thinking. We highly recommend this mind-opening read.

7. The Official Cambridge Guide To Ielts Student’s Book With Answers

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Description

Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment, this book prepares students for every aspect of the IELTS test. Packed with test-taking strategies, practice questions, sample responses, and a DVD supplement, it trains students on the Academic and General Training modules so they can maximize their score.

Key Features

• Tips and strategies from test developers
• Extensive practice questions for all sections
• Sample student answers analyzed
• Additional practice material on DVD

Our Expert Opinion

For Indian students planning to study abroad or migrate, a high IELTS score is key — making this comprehensive prep guide a top choice. By revealing what examiners look for while equipping students to confidently tackle reading, writing, listening and speaking sections, this book delivers an edge.

8. My Blue Book of Grammar

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Description

This grammar book adopts a practical approach, using grammar structures in textual examples rather than Rule-Example formats. Covering sentence construction, parts of speech, punctuation, and vocabulary, it lets students internalize grammar through full sentences instead of isolated words.

Key Features

• Contextual learning of grammar
• Exercises after each lesson
• Vocabulary words with meanings
• Creative composition segments

Our Expert Opinion

This hands-on guide stands out among grammar books for Indian students looking to master English. By demonstrating grammar usage in actual passages, it drives intuitive and subconscious learning. The interactiveactivities make self-study engaging. For comprehensive command over concepts and vocabulary, this all-in-one book is a top pick.

9. Oxford Student Atlas for India

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Description

Packed with updated physical, political, economic and demographic maps and data, this 5th edition student atlas from Oxford meets the geographical knowledge requirements for UPSC and state civil service preliminary exams across India.

Key Features

• New thematic maps based on latest data
• District-level maps showcasing agro-climatic zones, forests etc.
• Tables depicting India’s key indices and world organizations
• Over 70 pages dedicated to Indian states

Our Expert Opinion

With exam relevance and revision of focal areas like water resource management, this is one of the best atlases available today for Indian students aspiring toward administrative/diplomatic careers. Its alignment with competitive exam demands gives students that extra edge in tests assessing well-rounded aptitude.

10. Bhagvad Gita – The Story Way for Students & Parents

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Description

This book presents the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings through a simple story in plain English. Following protagonists Kabeer and Nagaraj on their quest for wisdom, it captures ethical dilemmas, conversations with teachers, and revelations that the friends gain — encapsulating the essence of the Gita.

Key Features

• Simplified summary of the Gita’s core teachings
• Narrative format, engaging characters
• Thought-provoking dialogue and questions
• Vocabulary guide explaining difficult words

Our Expert Opinion

This is one of the best renditions of the Bhagavad Gita for Indian students looking to absorb the classic text’s spiritual wisdom. By employing relatable characters and stripping away archaic language, the book makes the profound lessons within accessible. The unique story approach also keeps young readers hooked.

11. You Can

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Description

This motivational book urges readers to gain control of outcomes in their professional and personal lives through positive thinking and focused execution. Tracing the author’s career from orphan boy to leading industrialist, it highlights key mental frameworks used to achieve seemingly impossible dreams.

Key Features

• Inspiring case study on actualizing potential
• Principles and tools for mental conditioning
• Tips to conquer self-doubt and manage stress
• Detailed guide on goal setting

Our Expert Opinion

This empowering read delivers the jolt of inspiration Indian students need to get unstuck from limiting beliefs holding them back from excellence. By providing a template to take responsibility over one’s life and career, this bookequips young readers with the psychology to become high-achievers early on. We highly recommend it.

12. IELTS 17 General Training Student’s Book

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Description

This combo book contains two full editions of Cambridge’s IELTS General Training Student Book, which comprehensively covers reading, writing, listening and speaking modules. With guidance, strategies, answers, analysis, and reviews, these prep books equip students with the tools needed for IELTS success.

Key Features

• Complete test-taking strategies
• Up-to-date practice materials
• Sample student responses evaluated
• Model answers for all test sections

Our Expert Opinion

For Indian students aiming for specialized study/work abroad, ticking the IELTS requirement is a must — making these comprehensive prep guides the top choice together. By revealing examiner priorities across metrics like Coherence/Cohesion and Lexical Resource, they give test-takers that vital competitive edge.

13. Rbd Student Atlas By Khan sir

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Description

This student atlas in Hindi covers India’s physical, political, social, and economic landscapes extensively through detailed maps, graphs, diagrams, and statistics. With practice map exercises, it builds essential map-reading and retention skills for exams.

Key Features

• Maps covering population data, natural vegetation, industries etc.
• Map reading and retention activities
• India’s natural resource distribution maps
• Good print quality with clear symbols

Our Expert Opinion

This atlas stands out as one of the best Hindi reads for students targeting UPSC and state PSC recruitment needing strong grasp of India’s geographical makeup. With robust maps packing demographic/resource statistics and activities testing retention, it delivers an edge in prelims fundamentals for Hindi medium aspirants.

14. VIVUE 30pcs Book Covers Waterproof Plastic Clear Paper Sticker Book Cover Film

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Description

This product consists of a pack of 30 durable plastic book covers that stick to textbooks and workbooks to preserve them. Using a self-adhesive without needing heat, these transparent films protect against spills, scrapes, bending, and wear and tear from regular use.

Key Features

• Set of 30 protective films
• Made of thick and waterproof plastic
• Self-adhering, reusable, transparent
• Sized to cover standard textbooks

Our Expert Opinion

This affordable 30-pack makes preserving Indian students’ academic books, workbooks, and novels incredibly convenient. With textbooks representing a big investment and libraries scarce, applying these protective covers helps extend their life drastically against rough use. We recommend this as a must-buy.

15. College Students Mediterranean Diet Cookbook

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Description

This Mediterranean cookbook caters to Indian college students with quick, delicious recipes meeting dietary requirements on campus meal plans. With dishes easily prepared in dorms with limited ingredients/tools, it makes healthy eating convenient amid busy student living.

Key Features

• Easy recipes using ingredients from hostel pantries
• Nutritious veggies- and legumes-heavy dishes
• Affordable ingredients tailored to students
• Portion guidance for solo cooks

Our Expert Opinion

This specialty cookbook makes the proven healthy Mediterranean diet incredibly accessible to live on-campus. By accounting for Indian students’ limited cooking tools, shared kitchens, and tight budgets, it realistically equips their unique lifestyles and constraints. We highly recommend this for nutrition without hassle.

Comparison for Best Books to Read for Students in India

How to Choose the Best Books for Students

Assess Individual Interests & Aspirations

Think about which topics, subjects, or skills one wants to develop when selecting books. This intrinsic motivation makes reading enjoyable and retains information better.

Consider Specific Learning Objectives

If aiming to strengthen understanding in academics, competitive exams, languages etc., choose books serving those goals like textbooks, prep guides, grammar resources etc.

Look for Engaging Content Presentation

Opt for books using storytelling, humor, activities, visual aids etc. to make the delivery of information more interesting and easier to process.

Check Author Credibility & Reputation

For non-fiction, evaluate if the author has the expertise to advise readers reliably. Also determine if the book has strong endorsements.

Read Sample Sections Before Deciding

Preview parts of a book online to gauge if the writing style and coverage of topics aligns with one’s needs before purchasing.

How Reading Benefits Students

Reading has immense benefits beyond academics and exams. Books enrich students’ perspectives, expand thinking horizons, bolster self-confidence and social skills, reduce stress, and equip life skills.

Strengthens Imagination & Creativity

Books transport readers into story worlds, building visualization ability. Fiction also promotes divergent thinking as readers envision narratives beyond the text. This boosts creativity.

Improves Concentration & Memory

Following story threads and absorbing information without visual stimuli requires excellent focus. This mentally challenging exercise bolsters attention spans, comprehension, and information processing.

Teaches Vocabulary & Communication

Books introduce unfamiliar words and prose styles. This vocabulary gets ingrained for students to use in self-expression. Reading diversity strengthens verbal and written communication.

Boosts Analytical Ability

Non-fiction books let students examine claims, interpret data, and synthesize concepts. This analytical approach becomes a mental reflex, powering critical evaluation of ideas they encounter.

Expands General Knowledge

Reading newspapers, magazines, biographies, ethnic literature etc. widens exposure to current affairs, global cultures, advancements and more. This background knowledge aids links between ideas.

Reduces Stress

The immersive escapism of books transports readers away from life’s worries. This mental break relieves tension, anxiety and fatigue, refreshing the mind. Reading before bed is especially relaxing.

Builds Empathy & Emotional Intelligence

Literary fiction allows students to inhabit perspectives and experiences of people distinct from themselves. This exposure to diverse protagonists shapes compassion and emotional intuition.

Inspires Personal Growth

Motivational books with stories overcoming adversity give students a template for rising after failures. Books also teach discipline, integrity, patience and other virtues for character development.

Fuels Passions & Hobbies

Texts exploring students’ interests, from technology histories to biographies of sportspersons/artists, deepen their connection to pursuits beyond academics. This helps balance student life.

Reading is a lifelong skill that unlocks immense personal and professional value. Among its benefits, it boosts memory, focus, knowledge, communication skills, stress relief and interpersonal abilities. Books profoundly shape students’ worldviews and future prospects. Making reading a daily habit early on creates a tremendous foundation for growth.

Different Types of Books for Students

Academic & Competitive Exam Prep Books

Textbooks for school curriculum, entrance test guides, GK & aptitude test books help strengthen students’ grasp of academic subjects and performance in exams.

Skill-Building Books

Books on topics like writing better, critical thinking, public speaking etc. teach students transferable skills to excel in education and career.

Health, Growth & Lifestyle Books

Reads on exercise, nutrition, mental health, motivation, self-confidence etc. give students a balanced approach toward self-improvement.

Literary Fiction & Non-Fiction

Novels, short stories, biographies, history provide students cultural literacy, emotional intelligence, and reading enjoyment amid intense academics.

Guide on Usage, Maintenance & Care

Handle Books with Care

Avoid forcing spines, rubbing/scratching pages, folding corners, getting pages wet to prevent damage. Return books properly without jamming them tight on shelves.

Limit Exposure to Light & Moisture

Don’t let books get excess sunlight, heat or humidity which fade covers, make pages brittle or moldy. Store appropriately indoors.

Cover Books Using Plastic or Paper

Apply removable covers or wrappings like plastic film or brown paper to maintain good condition. Avoid using non-removable adhesive materials directly.

Do Not Write or Highlight Excessively

If scribbling notes or highlighting, do it gently without imprinting pages to preserve book condition and re-sale value. Use post-its instead.

Turn Pages Gently

Flip pages delicately from the corner without ripping them. Avoid licking fingers excessively for grip or eating/drinking over books which stain.

FAQs about Best Books to Read for Students

Q. How do books compare to the internet as a learning resource for students?

Books undergo extensive fact checking and perfecting of explanations. Authors also contextualize information targeted to learning objectives. This makes retention easier compared to surface-level browsing online.

Q. Is there an ideal number of books a student should aim to read per year?

There is no definitive number as interests vary. Quality retention matters more than racing to finish volumes quickly. That said, reading consistently has exponential learning benefits so make it a consistent habit, even with smaller milestones.

Q. Do only non-fiction or academic books count for students?

While studying core subjects is vital, fiction, literature, magazines etc. boost creativity, vocabulary, cultural literacy and more. Varied reading across formats is hugely beneficial for students’ holistic development.

Q. Can listening to audiobooks provide similar benefits as reading for students?

Absolutely – audiobooks engage different parts of the brain but deliver the same intellectual, emotional and practical value as sitting down to the text. Consuming books in different modalities makes you a multidimensional learner.

Q. Is it better for students to read physical books instead of digitally?

Both formats have respective merits. Print books reduce digital strain while online books provide instant look ups, searches and portability. Using both formats balances out the learning experience.

Q. Which book is best for reading for students? What is the number 1 read book? Which book should I read as a college student? Which book is best for reading for beginners?

The best books to read for students in India based on this list include:

• Learning How to Fly: Life Lessons for the Youth
• The Power of Your Subconscious Mind: Original Edition | Premium Paperback
• 6 Secrets Smart Students Don’t Tell You
• The 5 AM Club
• You Can
• College Students Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: Healthy Quick Simple Budget Friendly Campus Craving Recipes

For college students specifically looking for motivational and self-improvement reads, The 5 AM Club, You Can, and Learning How to Fly emerge as top recommendations from this list. They provide simple frameworks, inspiring case studies, and actionable tips for personal growth as a student.

For beginners, Learning How to Fly and The Power of Your Subconscious Mind simplify profound life lessons through engaging storytelling and easily applicable advice suited even for young readers new to self-help. College Students Mediterranean Diet Cookbook also makes healthy living extremely accessible to completely novice student cooks through its tailored recipes.

Q. Which books help students read better or improve reading skills? Which book teaches speed reading techniques? Which is the best book for improving English?

To directly boost reading proficiency, My Blue Book of Grammar with Answers provides a hands-on, contextual learning experience with vocabulary building and reading comprehension activities integrated with grammar lessons.

While none of the books above focus specifically on speed reading tactics, robust English language reads like The Official Cambridge Guide To Ielts Student’s Book indirectly build reading speed by acquainting students with a vast vocabulary range and complex sentence structures.

Lastly, books with stories appeal to young readers across English language abilities. Narrative-based picks like Bhagvad Gita – The Story Way use plain yet intelligent vocabulary to make language learning enjoyable yet stimulating.

Q. Which books improve vocabulary for students? Which is best vocabulary book or dictionary? Which book is best for vocabulary improvement?

My Blue Book of Grammar with Answers stands out as the best book from this list focused directly on advancing students’ vocabulary. With word meanings provided in textual examples, it equips readers to actively strengthen vocabulary through contextual and reinforcing activities.

Books containing rich prose like The Power of Your Subconscious Mind and learning-oriented reads like the Oxford Student Atlas also introduce students to robust terminology and precise academic language. Indirect vocabulary building is a byproduct of exploring diverse materials.

Literary fiction similarly expands linguistic variety since authors employ creative word choices and metaphors. So supplemented reading expands vocabulary exponentially while bolstering imaginative and analytical faculties too.

Q. How books are useful for students? What are benefits of reading for students? Why reading is important for college students? How reading helps students perform better?

Books benefit students cognitively, emotionally, socially, culturally by:

• Strengthening memory, focus, and concentration while reading complex information
• Building analytical ability by evaluating claims, interpreting author agenda
• Relieving anxiety and stress through recreational reading
• Fueling creativity and visualization skills through literary narratives
• Growing empathy, compassion by inhabiting diverse perspectives
• Boosting communication skills with vocabulary building
• Inspiring personal growth through motivational case studies
• Offering well-rounded knowledge beyond just academics

For college students specifically, reading aids critical thinking ability hugely beneficial for research projects, assignments, and other academic pursuits by equipping evaluative and reasoning skills. It also provides stress relief amid hectic campus lifestyles by transporting readers into another world.

Overall reading is invaluable for students at all stages to excel holistically – in college performance, competitive exams, self-awareness, and relationship-building. Books provide information as well as equip the perceptive lenses to interpret and harness that knowledge.

Conclusion

Best books to read for students in India promise enriched worldviews and learning enjoyment while building knowledge application ability. Our recommendations deliver role model stories overcoming adversity with actionable tips for students to manifest positive change too. From self-help classics to competitive exam aids, varied genres promise expanded perspectives. Culminating practical frameworks personalized for young readers, these books equip success mentalities early on applicable through life’s pursuit.