Preparing for defence entrance exams like NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and CAPF can be both exciting and overwhelming. One of the most common questions is: “Which books should I study to score high and maximize my chances of selection?” The right books not only strengthen your concepts but also guide you strategically through exam patterns, previous trends, and practice questions. In this article, we’ll explore the best books for NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and CAPF exams—covering every subject, exam strategy, and how to use these books efficiently to ace your preparation.
Why Choosing the Right Books Matters
Before jumping into the list, let’s understand why the choice of books is crucial:
- Books help build strong conceptual understanding
They provide accurate theory + practice questions
They keep you updated on exam patterns and trends
They act as a reliable reference during revision
Whether you are a first-timer or repeating aspirant, the right books will save time, increase accuracy, and boost confidence.
Understanding the Exam Patterns
Here’s a quick overview of the exams this guide focuses on:
| Exam | Conducting Body | Mode | Main Subjects |
| NDA | UPSC | Offline | Maths, GAT (English + GK) |
| CDS | UPSC | Offline | English, GK, Maths |
| AFCAT | Indian Air Force | Online | English, Reasoning, GK, Numerical |
| CAPF AC | UPSC | Offline | General Ability, Essay, Interview |
Best Books for NDA Exam
NDA (National Defence Academy) is one of the most prestigious entry exams for defence aspirants after 10+2. The syllabus is vast, and choosing the right books is essential.
Mathematics (Wait for the new release in 2026/27 by Dr. BB Meher)
Mathematics for NDA & NA by R.S. Aggarwal
- Excellent for basics, concepts & practice
- Covers detailed theory and solved examples
Objective Mathematics by R.D. Sharma
- Deep conceptual clarity
- Good for both theory and practice
Pathfinder for NDA/NA by Arihant Experts
- Topic-wise questions and solved papers
- Helps in speed and accuracy improvement
General Ability Test (GAT)
English
Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
- Grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure
- Good for NDA verbal ability
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- Improves vocabulary effectively
Plinth to Paramount by Neetu Singh (English Part)
- Covers language rules and practice questions
General Knowledge
General Knowledge by Lucent’s
- Static GK + Current Affairs
Manorama Yearbook
- Quick revision and latest facts
History, Geography, Civics – NCERT (Class VI–X)
- Excellent base knowledge
Best Books for CDS Exam
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam is conducted by UPSC and is a gateway to Indian Military Academy (IMA), OTA, INA, and AFA.
English
Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- Classic book for grammar and usage
High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin
- Great for grammar fundamentals
General Knowledge
General Knowledge by Lucent’s
- Very popular for CDS GK
NCERT Class VI–X Textbooks (History, Geography, Civics)
- Strong foundation
Current Affairs Monthly Magazines
- Keeps you updated on national & international events
Elementary Mathematics
Mathematics for CDS by R.S. Aggarwal
- Concept clarity and practice
Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
- Helps improve problem-solving speed
Best Books for AFCAT Exam
AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test) is conducted by the Indian Air Force for entry into flying and ground duty branches.
English & Verbal Ability
Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
- Covers grammar and comprehension
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
- Vocabulary booster
Reasoning & Numerical Ability
A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
- Most recommended reasoning book
Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
- Helps strengthen basic maths
General Awareness
General Knowledge by Lucent’s
- Best static GK book
Manorama Yearbook
- Updated knowledge across subjects
AFCAT Solved Papers (Arihant)
- Good practice for exam pattern
Best Books for CAPF AC Exam
CAPF AC (Central Armed Police Forces Assistant Commandants) is a tough and highly competitive exam conducted by UPSC for recruitment into forces like CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.
General Ability
General Studies Paper I & II by McGraw Hill
- Detailed coverage of syllabus
General Knowledge by Lucent’s
- Static and important facts
Essay & Comprehension
A New Approach to Essay & Precis Writing – R.C. Sharma & Krishna Mohan
- Excellent for improving writing skills
Current Affairs
Monthly Magazines (Vision, Pratiyogita Darpan)
- Helps in Paper II
Manorama Yearbook
- Good quick reference
Subject-Wise Best Books Breakdown
To make your preparation more effective, here’s a subject-wise list of best books across exams:
Mathematics
- R.S. Aggarwal — Quantitative Aptitude / NDA & CDS
- R.D. Sharma — Objective Mathematics
- Arihant Pathfinder Series — Topic-wise practice
- NCERT Class VI–X
English Language
- S.P. Bakshi — Objective General English
- Wren & Martin — High School English Grammar & Composition
- Norman Lewis — Word Power Made Easy
- Plinth to Paramount — English section
General Knowledge & Awareness
- Lucent’s General Knowledge
- Manorama Yearbook
- NCERT Textbooks (Class VI–X)
- Monthly Current Affairs Magazines
Reasoning & Aptitude
- R.S. Aggarwal — A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Arihant’s Reasoning Books
Essay & Writing Skills (CAPF Focused)
- R.C. Sharma & Krishna Mohan — Essay & Precis Writing
- Previous CAPF Essays
Best Practice Books & Previous Year Papers
Practice makes aspirants exam-ready. These books help you understand question patterns and improve speed.
Solved Papers & Practice Sets
- Arihant’s NDA Solved Papers
- Arihant’s CDS Solved Papers
- AFCAT Solved Papers
- CAPF AC Solved Papers (UPSC)
Practice books are must-have because they:
Reveal question trends
Help you self-evaluate
Build time management skills
How to Use These Books Effectively?
Plan Your Study Schedule
- Assign specific topics per week
- Allocate time for revision & practice
Start with NCERT
NCERT books are the foundation. Build a strong base before moving to advanced books.
Practice Regularly
- Solve practice questions daily
- Attempt mock tests weekly
Revise Smartly
- Revision consolidates memory
- Make short notes for quick review
Solve Previous Years’ Papers
This improves your prediction of questions and helps in familiarising exam pattern.
Tips for Choosing the Right Book
Check the latest edition
Choose books with solved examples
Prefer books aligned with the latest syllabus
Use books recommended by top defence institutes
Combine theory + practice books
Conclusion
Choosing the best books for NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and CAPF exams is the first step toward a successful defence career. Rather than collecting too many books, focus on a core set that offers:
Concept clarity
Practice questions
Mock tests and solved papers
With the right books + smart strategy + consistency, you can drastically improve your scores and chances of selection.
Wait for the new release in 2026/27 by Dr. BB Meher
JAI HIND
