Best Books for IBPS PO 2026 Preparation (Subject-Wise Guide)
Complete Reading List for Prelims, Mains & Final Success
Preparing for the IBPS PO 2026 exam demands strategy, consistency, and the right books. Whether you’re starting your preparation or polishing concepts, choosing the right study materials is half the battle won. In this definitive guide, we provide subject-wise book recommendations, why you should use them, and how they help you score high in Prelims & Mains.
Why Choosing the Right Books Matters
In competitive exams like IBPS PO, concept clarity + extensive practice decides your final score. Good books build:
- Strong basics
- Practice with variety
- Exam-level question exposure
- Speed & accuracy improvement
Invest your time in books that cover the entire syllabus, include practice questions, and explain concepts clearly.
1. Reasoning Ability: Best Books for Logical & Analytical Mastery
The reasoning section tests your logical thinking, puzzles, and analytical skills — scoring if prepared well.
Top Recommended Books
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal
- Analytical Reasoning – M.K. Pandey
- A New Approach to Reasoning – B.S. Sijwali & Indu Sijwali
- Magical Book on Puzzles – K. Kundan
👉 These books cover basic to advanced level reasoning topics like seating arrangement, blood relations, coding-decoding, puzzles, syllogisms, etc.
2. Quantitative Aptitude: Best Books to Boost Speed & Accuracy
Quantitative aptitude is a high-scoring segment if you practice enough and master shortcuts.
Must-Have Books
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations – R.S. Aggarwal
- Magical Book on Quicker Maths – M. Tyra
- Data Interpretation & Data Sufficiency – Arun Sharma
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic – Rajesh Verma
- Banking Quant & Data Interpretation SmartBook – S. Chand
👉 These books help build fundamentals, speed & accuracy and provide extensive DI practice.
3. English Language: Grammar, Vocabulary & Comprehension
The English section includes grammar, vocabulary, cloze tests, para jumbles, and comprehension — essential for both Prelims & Mains.
Best English Books
- Objective General English – S.P. Bakshi
- High School English Grammar & Composition – Wren & Martin
- Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
- Pratiyogita Darpan (English + Vocabulary sections)
👉 These titles strengthen grammar fundamentals and extensive practice of RC, vocabulary and grammar rules.
4. General & Banking Awareness
General Awareness + Banking Awareness is critical in both Prelims (moderate weightage) and Mains (high weightage).
Recommended Books
- Banking and Economic Awareness – Rakesh Kumar
- Guide to Banking General Awareness – R. Gupta
- Banking, Financial & General Awareness – I.K. Pavel
- Manohar Pandey GK (Static + Current)
👉 Combine these books with daily newspaper reading (like The Economic Times, Business Standard) to stay updated.
5. Computer Aptitude: Basics + Objective Practice
Computer Knowledge is increasingly important for IBPS PO Mains:
Top Resources
- Objective Computer Knowledge & Literacy – Kiran Prakashan
- Computer Awareness – Rani Ahilya
- Objective Computer Awareness – Arihant Experts
👉 Focus on basics of MS Office, hardware/software, networking, internet concepts, and practice objective MCQs.
6. Previous Year Papers & Mock Practice
Books are indispensable — but previous year papers and mocks make you exam-ready.
Why They Help
- Helps you understand exam pattern
- Identifies weak areas
- Builds speed & time management
- Reinforces memory through repeated practice
Include at least 5–10 full-length mock tests and past solved papers in your strategy for best results.
Preparation Strategy Using These Books
Here’s how to make these books work strategically:
- Start with basics: Build fundamentals from standard books (Aggarwal, Pandey, Bakshi).
- Practice intensively: Solve chapters and topic-wise questions daily.
- Move to advanced practice: Use DI/Quant special books and puzzle books.
- Revise & revise again: Create notes from reading and revise weekly.
- Mock test focus: Take timed tests and analyze errors to improve.
Final Tip for IBPS PO 2026 Aspirants
✔ Choose the latest edition of each book
✔ Don’t rely solely on theory — practice matters more
✔ Merge book learning with daily current affairs
✔ Review mistakes from mocks and revise weak topics regularly
Conclusion
Selecting the best books for IBPS PO 2026 makes your preparation structured and powerful. The right resources help you master concepts, practice extensively, and confidently face both Prelims & Mains. Combine these recommendations with smart planning and consistency — and you’ll be on track to clear the IBPS PO exam with flying colours!