Every year, millions of students take the IBPS PO exam with the dream of becoming a probationary officer in a public sector bank.
This exam is difficult, not because of its unusual syllabus, but because of the intense competition. What really matters is how you prepare and, more importantly, what books you read.
Many candidates end up buying a lot of books and end up confused about where to start. The truth is, you don’t need every book available on the market. You just need a few good books that match the exam pattern, strengthen your basic understanding, and provide you with adequate practice.
In this guide, I’ll share the best IBPS PO books for 2025, by subject, for both the Preliminary and Main exams. These are proven resources that will truly help you focus your preparation in the right direction.
IBPS PO Subjects
The IBPS PO examination is conducted in two stages, the prelims and mains. The syllabus and subjects are almost similar between the two. This means that preparation for the prelims and mains can be combined. The following subjects are covered in the IBPS PO exam:
Best Books for IBPS PO English (Prelims + Mains)
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Why Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| High School English Grammar | Wren & Martin | Builds strong grammar foundation |
| Objective English | R.S. Aggarwal | Covers all competitive exam patterns |
| Descriptive English | S.P. Bakshi | Useful for mains essay & letter writing |
IBPS PO Prelims:
English Language: 30 Questions
Quantitative Aptitude: 35 Questions
Reasoning Ability: 35 Questions
IBPS PO Mains:
English Language: 35 Objective and 2 Descriptive questions
Quantitative Aptitude: 35 objective type questions
Reasoning and Computer Aptitude: 45 objective type questions
General Awareness, Economy and Banking: 40 objective type questions
The syllabus for both the examinations is mainly common for English, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning.
Best Books for IBPS PO Prelims & Mains 2025
English Language
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Why Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| High School English Grammar & Composition | Wren & Martin | Strengthens grammar and vocabulary foundation |
| How to Read Better and Faster | Norman Lewis | Improves reading speed and comprehension |
| Objective General English | R.S. Aggarwal, Vikas Aggarwal | Covers all exam patterns with practice sets |
| Objective English for Competitive Exams | Hari Mohan Prasad, Uma Rani Sinha | Good for prelims practice questions |
| Descriptive General English | S.P. Bakshi & Richa Sharma | Useful for essay and letter writing in mains |
Quantitative Aptitude
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Why Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Agarwal | Covers basics and advanced concepts |
| Quantitative Aptitude Test | N.K. Singh | Provides conceptual clarity with solved examples |
| Arithmetic for General Competitions | Neetu Singh | Best for arithmetic portion of prelims |
| Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude | Dinesh Khattar | Detailed explanations, good for mains |
| Objective Mathematics for Competitive Exams | Tarun Goyal | Useful for advanced practice |
Reasoning Ability
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Why Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Agarwal | Comprehensive coverage of reasoning topics |
| A New Approach to Reasoning | B.S. Sijwali & Indu Sijwali | Includes shortcuts and tricks |
| Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey | Best for critical and analytical reasoning |
| Logical Reasoning | K. Kundan | Good for puzzles and advanced practice |
| Bank PO Practice Workbook | Experts Compilation | Exam-oriented practice sets |
Computer Aptitude
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Why Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Objective Computer Awareness | Arihant | Covers basics with MCQs |
| Computer Knowledge | Rani Ahilya | Beginner-friendly with illustrations |
| Objective Computer Awareness | Somya Ranjan Behera | Detailed coverage with solved examples |
General Awareness, Economy & Banking
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Why Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| India Year Book (Latest Edition) | Govt. of India | Covers static GK and government schemes |
| Banking Awareness | B.K. Raut & S.R. Behera | Best for banking concepts |
| Guide to Banking General Awareness | R. Gupta | Comprehensive banking preparation |
| Manorama Yearbook (Latest Edition) | Philip Mathew | Useful for current affairs |
| Banking & Economic Awareness | Rakesh Kumar | Good for economics and finance section |
| Pratiyogita Darpan (Monthly) | PD Editorial Team | Keeps candidates updated with current events |
Data Analysis & Interpretation
| Book Name | Author/Publisher | Why Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation | Arun Sharma | Advanced DI for mains |
| Data Interpretation | K. Kundan | Good for prelims + mains |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation (with Data Sufficiency) | Kiran Prakashan | Practice-focused with previous year patterns |
How to Choose the Right Books for IBPS PO Preparation
When you start preparing for IBPS PO, it’s common to feel lost because there are so many books in the market. The trick is not to buy everything you see, but to select wisely. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Stay updated with current affairs. No single book can cover this completely. Make it a habit to read newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express and revise with magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan.
Always choose the latest edition. The exam pattern changes, so old books may not match the current style of questions.
Stick to well-known authors and publishers. For example, R.S. Agarwal, Arun Sharma, and Norman Lewis are reliable names.
Look for exam-focused content. Books with practice papers, solved examples, and previous year questions will help more than generic ones.
Balance basics with advanced. Use one book to strengthen your fundamentals and another to practice higher-level problems for mains.
Don’t overload yourself. Two books per subject are enough. Reading too many will only waste your time.
Conclusion
The first step to clearing the IBPS PO exam is choosing the right books. A good book on each subject, along with daily current affairs and mock tests, is usually sufficient. Don’t overdo it; focus on a few reliable materials and practice them thoroughly.
However, books alone are not enough. A proper study plan, time management, and regular practice are key.
If you feel stuck, guided coaching can help you prepare better. At VisionQ, we ensure that students receive not only the best resources but also the right strategies to pass the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which is the best book for IBPS PO English preparation?
High School English Grammar by Wren & Martin for basics and Objective General English by R.S. Aggarwal for practice are highly recommended.
Q2. Is R.S. Agarwal enough for IBPS PO Quantitative Aptitude?
R.S. Agarwal is excellent for building concepts, but for mains, you should also practice Arun Sharma’s DI and Kiran Prakashan’s Quant books.
Q3. Which newspaper is best for IBPS PO Current Affairs?
The Hindu and Indian Express are best for daily updates. For revision, monthly magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan and the Manorama Yearbook (latest edition) help.
Q4. How should I prepare for IBPS PO Reasoning?
Start with R.S. Agarwal’s Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning to cover basics, then move to M.K. Pandey’s Analytical Reasoning for advanced puzzles.
Q5. Can I crack IBPS PO without coaching if I use the right books?
Yes, with discipline and consistent practice, it is possible. However, guided coaching and mock tests can accelerate preparation and improve accuracy.
Q6. Which is the best book for IBPS PO Descriptive English?
Descriptive General English by S.P. Bakshi & Richa Sharma is best for essay and letter writing practice.