Important 100+ List of Indian Books and Authors — Must-Know for UPSC, SSC, Bank & State PSC Exams

Introduction:

Indian literature spans thousands of years, from the Ancient Sanskrit epics that shaped the philosophical and cultural foundations of the subcontinent to the modern English and vernacular works that have earned India global literary recognition. For aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, State PSCs, and other competitive examinations, questions on books and their authors form a recurring and scoring section of General Knowledge papers.

This blog presents a curated list of 100+ important books and their authors, covering ancient classics, freedom movement literature, post-independence non-fiction, and celebrated works of Indian fiction and poetry. Whether you are revising for an upcoming exam or simply wish to strengthen your understanding of Indian literary heritage, this list serves as a handy one-stop reference.

110 List of Indian Books and Authors:

Important Quick Facts:

• The Ramayana, written by Sage Valmiki, is considered the first epic poem (Adi Kavya) in Sanskrit literature.
• Rabindranath Tagore was the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, awarded in 1913 for ‘Gitanjali’.
• Kautilya’s ‘Arthashastra’ is one of the earliest treatises on statecraft, economics, and military strategy in the world.
• Munshi Premchand is widely regarded as the father of modern Hindi and Urdu fiction.
• S. Naipaul, of Indian origin, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001.
• Arundhati Roy won the Booker Prize in 1997 for her debut novel, ‘The God of Small Things’.
• P.J. Abdul Kalam’s autobiography, ‘Wings of Fire’, remains one of the most widely read Indian memoirs.
• Kalidasa, author of ‘Abhijnanashakuntalam’, is often referred to as the greatest poet and dramatist of classical Sanskrit literature.
• R. Ambedkar’s ‘Annihilation of Caste’ is considered a landmark text in India’s social reform movement.
• Jhumpa Lahiri won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2000 for ‘Interpreter of Maladies’.

Conclusion:

The books and authors listed above represent only a fraction of India’s vast literary tradition, yet they cover the works most frequently referenced in competitive examinations and general awareness sections. From the ancient wisdom of the Ramayana and Arthashastra to the modern voices of Amitav Ghosh and Arundhati Roy, Indian literature reflects the nation’s evolving history, philosophy, and society. Aspirants are advised to revise this list regularly, as questions on authors and their notable works appear consistently across UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State-level examinations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.1 Who wrote the epic Mahabharata?
A) Valmiki
B) Ved Vyasa
C) Kalidasa
D) Panini
Answer: B) Ved Vyasa

Q.2 Which book by Khushwant Singh is set during the partition of India?
A) A History of the Sikhs
B) Train to Pakistan
C) A Brief History of India
D) The Company of Women
Answer: B) Train to Pakistan

Q.3 Who is the author of ‘The White Tiger’ winner of the Booker Prize?
A) Aravind Adiga
B) Chetan Bhagat
C) Vikram Seth
D) Rohinton Mistry
Answer: A) Aravind Adiga

Q.4 ‘Ramcharitmanas’ a devotional retelling of the Ramayana in Awadhi, was composed by whom?
A) Surdas
B) Tulsidas
C) Jayadeva
D) Kabir
Answer: B) Tulsidas

Q.5 Which book by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar addresses the caste system in India?
A) Hind Swaraj
B) Satyartha Prakash
C) Annihilation of Caste
D) India Divided
Answer: C) Annihilation of Caste

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