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9 books · Physics, Chemistry, Maths

Book reviews

Nine books I actually used on the way to IIT Delhi, reviewed honestly. Pull one off the shelf, or filter by subject.

“Buy on Amazon” links are affiliate links. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, and no publisher pays for a review.

All reviews

Showing all 9 books
PhysicsMust haveAdvanced level

Concepts of Physics (Vol 1 and 2)

H.C. Verma

4.8/ 5
Best for
JEE Main and Advanced
Level
Beginner to advanced
Time to finish
6 to 8 months

The foundation for JEE Physics. I solved every problem in Volume 1 before touching Volume 2. HCV explains why a law works, not just how to plug numbers into it.

Good

  • Clearest concept explanations
  • Solved examples teach method
  • Affordable

Watch out

  • Not enough for Advanced alone
  • Answers missing for some exercises

₹650 to ₹850Both volumes, approximate Amazon price

Buy on Amazon
PhysicsRecommendedAdvanced level

Understanding Physics (5-volume set)

D.C. Pandey

4.5/ 5
Best for
JEE Main and Advanced
Level
Intermediate
Time to finish
8 to 10 months

Use this after HCV, not instead of it. The problem bank is huge and written in JEE style, which is exactly what builds speed and pattern recognition before mocks.

Good

  • Massive problem bank
  • JEE-style questions
  • Good for revision

Watch out

  • Theory weaker than HCV
  • Five bulky volumes

₹1,800 to ₹2,2005-volume set, approximate Amazon price

Buy on Amazon
PhysicsTop rankers only

Problems in General Physics

I.E. Irodov

4.3/ 5
Best for
JEE Advanced
Level
Very advanced
Time to finish
Selective

Only open this if you're aiming for the top 1,000. Many problems are harder than JEE Advanced itself, so pick chapters selectively instead of attempting the whole book.

Good

  • Makes JEE problems feel easy
  • Builds top-rank problem solving

Watch out

  • Overkill for most aspirants
  • Can dent motivation

₹450 to ₹600Single volume, approximate Amazon price

Buy on Amazon
ChemistryMust have

Physical Chemistry

O.P. Tandon

4.4/ 5
Best for
JEE Main and Advanced
Level
Intermediate
Time to finish
4 to 5 months

My go-to for Physical Chemistry numericals. Pair it with NCERT for theory. The problem variety in ionic equilibrium, thermodynamics and electrochemistry is hard to beat.

Good

  • Best for numericals
  • Topic-wise depth

Watch out

  • Average theory
  • Dated layout

₹550 to ₹700Single volume, approximate Amazon price

Buy on Amazon
ChemistryAdvanced only

Organic Chemistry

Morrison & Boyd

4.2/ 5
Best for
JEE Advanced
Level
Advanced
Time to finish
Selective

For mechanism-based Advanced questions this book has no equal, but read it selectively. Use it for reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry and named reactions, not cover to cover.

Good

  • Best for mechanisms
  • Deep stereochemistry

Watch out

  • Too heavy for JEE Main
  • Slow, reading-heavy

₹850 to ₹1,1007th edition, approximate Amazon price

Buy on Amazon
ChemistryRecommended

Advanced Problems in Organic Chemistry

M.S. Chouhan

4.6/ 5
Best for
JEE Main and Advanced
Level
Intermediate
Time to finish
3 to 4 months

The best problem book for Organic Chemistry. After NCERT it builds the reaction instinct you need. Himanshu Pandey's book is equally good, so pick one, not both.

Good

  • JEE-style problems
  • Detailed solutions

Watch out

  • Some problems repeat

₹450 to ₹550Single volume, approximate Amazon price

Buy on Amazon
MathsMust haveAdvanced level

Plane Trigonometry and Coordinate Geometry

S.L. Loney

4.7/ 5
Best for
JEE Main and Advanced
Level
Advanced
Time to finish
3 months

The gold standard for coordinate geometry. The problems are tough, but they sit exactly at the level JEE Advanced expects. Focus on straight lines, circles and conic sections.

Good

  • Top-tier problems
  • Builds visualisation

Watch out

  • Old-fashioned language
  • Teaches no shortcuts

₹350 to ₹4502-book combo, approximate Amazon price

Buy on Amazon
MathsFoundation

Objective Mathematics (2 volumes)

R.D. Sharma

4.3/ 5
Best for
JEE Main
Level
Beginner to intermediate
Time to finish
6 months

Great for fundamentals and NCERT-plus topics. Best if you're starting Class 11 or weak in Maths. It won't carry you through JEE Advanced on its own.

Good

  • Clear explanations
  • Topic-wise coverage

Watch out

  • Below Advanced level
  • Bulky

₹1,400 to ₹1,7002-volume set, approximate Amazon price

Buy on Amazon
MathsRecommendedAdvanced level

Mathematics for JEE Main and Advanced

G. Tewani (Cengage)

4.6/ 5
Best for
JEE Main and Advanced
Level
Advanced
Time to finish
8 to 10 months

The most complete JEE Maths series, with separate books for Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry and Vectors with 3D. Modern, exam-focused and thorough.

Good

  • Modern approach
  • Complete coverage
  • Built around JEE

Watch out

  • Expensive
  • Very long

₹2,800 to ₹3,500Full set, approximate Amazon price

Buy on Amazon

All nine side by side.

SubjectBookAuthorBest forRatingPrice
PhysicsConcepts of PhysicsH.C. VermaJEE Main and Advanced4.8₹650 to ₹850
PhysicsUnderstanding PhysicsD.C. PandeyJEE Main and Advanced4.5₹1,800 to ₹2,200
PhysicsProblems in General PhysicsI.E. IrodovJEE Advanced4.3₹450 to ₹600
ChemistryPhysical ChemistryO.P. TandonJEE Main and Advanced4.4₹550 to ₹700
ChemistryOrganic ChemistryMorrison & BoydJEE Advanced4.2₹850 to ₹1,100
ChemistryAdvanced Organic ProblemsM.S. ChouhanJEE Main and Advanced4.6₹450 to ₹550
MathsCoordinate GeometryS.L. LoneyJEE Main and Advanced4.7₹350 to ₹450
MathsObjective MathematicsR.D. SharmaJEE Main4.3₹1,400 to ₹1,700
MathsMathematics for JEEG. Tewani (Cengage)JEE Main and Advanced4.6₹2,800 to ₹3,500

What the shelf costs.

Totals add up the price ranges above, so each set includes the one before it. NCERT is extra.

Essentials

₹1,550 to ₹2,000

The three must-haves.

  • Concepts of Physics
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Coordinate Geometry

Full set

₹6,600 to ₹8,250

Adds the practice books most rankers use, on top of the set before.

  • Understanding Physics
  • Advanced Organic Problems
  • Mathematics for JEE

Top-rank set

₹7,900 to ₹9,950

Adds the books for a top 1,000 push, on top of the set before.

  • Problems in General Physics
  • Organic Chemistry

Starting Maths from scratch? Swap in R.D. Sharma for ₹1,400 to ₹1,700 before Cengage. And buy used from seniors where you can: a 2020 HCV teaches exactly what a 2026 HCV does, for 40 to 50% less.

Pick by where you are, not by hype.

Starting Class 11

  • NCERT first. 30–40% of JEE Main comes straight from it.
  • HCV Volume 1 for Physics concepts.
  • R.D. Sharma for Maths fundamentals.
  • Nothing advanced yet.

Class 12 or dropper

  • HCV and D.C. Pandey for Physics.
  • O.P. Tandon, NCERT and M.S. Chouhan for Chemistry.
  • Cengage, or R.D. Sharma with Loney, for Maths.
  • One PYQ compilation from any publisher.

Aiming for the top 500

  • Everything in the middle column.
  • Irodov, chosen chapter by chapter.
  • Morrison and Boyd for mechanisms.
  • Two full test series.

Skip these

  • Random coaching modules unless you're enrolled. They are written for classrooms, not self-study.
  • Three or more problem books per subject. One finished book beats three half-done.
  • Main-level objective books for Advanced prep. They aim at the wrong difficulty.
  • Anything promising JEE “made easy”. It isn't, and books that say so are selling.

Book questions.

Want a book reviewed? Suggest it.

Which is the best Physics book for JEE Main?

H.C. Verma's Concepts of Physics, both volumes. It builds concepts with problems at JEE Main level. Add D.C. Pandey once you finish it, for more JEE-style practice.

Is HCV enough for JEE Advanced?

It is necessary but not enough. After both volumes, move to D.C. Pandey for pattern practice, and use Irodov selectively if you are targeting the top 1,000.

Books or coaching material?

If you are enrolled with a coaching institute, its modules cover JEE Main well. For Advanced you still want HCV, Loney and Morrison and Boyd. If you self-study, books are non-negotiable.

Does the edition year matter?

Rarely. The syllabus hasn't changed much, so older editions of HCV, Tandon and Loney work fine. Buy used and save 40 to 50%. New editions matter mostly for PYQ compilations.

Which Maths books do top rankers use?

Most combine Cengage for Algebra and Calculus with S.L. Loney for Coordinate Geometry and Trigonometry, plus an Advanced-level practice series. Two or three books mastered beat five skimmed.

Are PDFs okay instead of physical books?

Physical books win for JEE. You can work in the margins, mark problems for revision and avoid screen fatigue and notifications during long sessions. Keep PDFs for quick reference.