If you are preparing for Judiciary exams or APO exams in 2026, one of the first questions you will face is: which books should I study from? There are dozens of authors and publishers out there. Walking into a bookshop without a plan can leave you more confused than when you started.

This reading list is based on subject-wise recommendations for Judicial Service and APO exams. For each subject, two good options are given so you can pick the one whose language and style suits you better. The logic is simple. Read one page from both books on a difficult topic. Go with the one that makes more sense to you.

New Criminal Laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA)

The new criminal laws came into force from 2023 and are now a core part of every Judiciary exam and APO exam syllabus. Many aspirants are confused about which books cover these laws well. Here are the recommended options.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (BNSS):

• Ratanlal and Dhirajlal (the BNSS edition)

• JK Verma's book on Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (BNS):

• KD Gaur

• Professor SN Mishra

Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA):

• CK Takwani

• Anjana Prakash

Both options for each subject are reliable. Try one chapter from each and go with the one that reads more clearly for you.

Civil Procedure Code (CPC) and Limitation Act

CPC is a major subject in every Civil Judge exam and PCS J exam. The good news is that one book covers it comprehensively.

• CK Takwani (covers CPC along with the Limitation Act)

• Ratanlal and Dhirajlal (another solid option)

CK Takwani is commonly recommended because the Limitation Act is included in the same volume, saving you from buying a separate book for it.

Transfer of Property Act 1882

Transfer of Property Act is asked in almost every Judiciary exam. Two books are widely used:

• RK Sinha

• TP Tripathi

Both are good. Pick the one whose explanation style you find easier to follow.

Contract Act and Specific Relief Act

Contract is another subject that aspirants often struggle with because of the volume of case law involved.

• RK Bangia: Comes in two volumes (Contract Part 1 and Contract Part 2). Covers important case laws, legal principles, and detailed commentary. It is a lengthy book.

• Avtar Singh: A shorter and easier option if you find Bangia too detailed. Covers the Indian Contract Act and Specific Relief Act well.

Constitution of India

Constitutional Law is important for both Mains and Interview rounds of Civil Judge and PCS J exams.

• JN Pandey: A standard and widely used book for Judiciary exam preparation.

• Narendra Kumar: Another reliable option covering the Constitution in a structured manner.

• Lakshmikant: If you want to go deeper, especially for understanding the political and historical context, this is a useful supplement. Many UPSC aspirants use it.

Law of Torts

Law of Torts comes up in both Prelims and Mains of Judiciary exams and APO exams.

• RK Bangia: Recommended as the primary book. It covers Torts along with the Motor Vehicles Act, Competition Act 2002, and Consumer Protection Act. Most universities teach from this book.

• JN Pandey: A good alternative.

Hindu Law and Muslim Law

Personal laws are an important part of the Judiciary exam syllabus, and both Hindu Law and Muslim Law are regularly tested.

Hindu Law:

• RK Agarwal: Most university law departments use this book. It is clear and covers all core concepts well.

• Paras Diwan: If you want more detail and your English reading is comfortable, Paras Diwan goes deeper into the subject.

Muslim Law:

• Aqil Ahmad: The first choice for Muslim Law. Every major concept is explained clearly.

• Paras Diwan: A good secondary option.

Quick Reference: Subject-Wise Book List

General Knowledge and Current Affairs

GK and GS is a section many aspirants leave for the last minute. These books help:

• Lucent GK: Covers national and world-level general knowledge. Good for both Judiciary exams and APO exams.

• Ghatna Chakra (General Knowledge): Particularly useful if you are preparing for UP or Bihar exams.

• Know Your State (Arihant Publication): Covers state-specific GK. Important for exams like MP ADPO and Bihar APO where state knowledge is tested separately.

For current affairs, two options work:

• Daily newspaper reading with your own notes

• Monthly current affairs compilations from any standard institute. These let you cover a whole month of current affairs in two to three days.

English and Hindi (for Relevant Exams)

Some APO exams like RGS and Rajasthan APO include an English and Hindi language section at the Prelims level. The questions are generally at the Class 10 level.

• Hindi: Aadhunik Hindi Vyakaran aur Rachna by Vasudeva Prasad

• English Grammar: Arihant Publication's English Grammar book by SC Gupta

Exam Strategy: What Nitesh Sir Recommends

At Aashayein Judiciary, Nitesh Sir always tells aspirants the same thing: the best book is the one you actually understand. There is no point following a book that uses language you have to struggle with on every page.

Prelims:

For Prelims of any Judiciary exam or APO exam, focus on understanding the core bare act provisions. Use MCQs and PYQs to test yourself after each chapter. Books like Lucent and Ghatna Chakra take care of the GK component.

Mains:

Mains is where depth matters. Here, Nitesh Sir recommends sticking with one good book per subject and reading it thoroughly rather than jumping between multiple books. JN Pandey for Constitution, KD Gaur or SN Mishra for BNS, CK Takwani for CPC. Learn the landmark judgments and be able to write short crisp answers.

Interview / Viva Voce:

At the viva voce stage, the panel tests how clearly you can think and express yourself. Go back to the basics. Revise your bare acts. Know your landmark cases. Nitesh Sir's one-on-one doubt sessions at Aashayein Judiciary are particularly helpful at this stage because you can ask the specific questions that are bothering you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is the best book for BNS 2023 for Judiciary exams?

KD Gaur and Professor SN Mishra both cover the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 well. Try a chapter from each and pick the one that reads more clearly for you.

2. Is CK Takwani enough for CPC preparation?

Yes. CK Takwani covers CPC along with the Limitation Act. It is one of the most commonly recommended books for Civil Judge and PCS J exam preparation.

3. Which book should I use for BNSS 2023?

Ratanlal and Dhirajlal's edition of BNSS 2023 is widely regarded as a strong reference. JK Verma's book is also a good option.

4. Is Aqil Ahmad enough for Muslim Law?

Yes, Aqil Ahmad covers all major concepts in Muslim Law and is considered the standard reference for this subject in Judiciary exams.

5. What GK books should I use for Judiciary exams?

Lucent GK for general national and world knowledge. Ghatna Chakra for UP and Bihar specific preparation. Know Your State by Arihant for state-specific GK sections.

6. Should I buy both volumes of RK Bangia for Contract Act?

RK Bangia comes in two parts for Contract. If you find it too lengthy, Avtar Singh covers the Indian Contract Act and Specific Relief Act in a single, more compact book.

7. Can I use Lakshmikant for Constitution in Judiciary exams?

Lakshmikant is useful as a supplementary read for understanding the political and historical context of constitutional provisions. For law-specific depth, JN Pandey or Narendra Kumar work better.

Conclusion

There is no single perfect book for every aspirant. What works is the book you can read, understand, and revise. The list above gives you two options per subject so you can make that choice for yourself.

2026 has several exam dates already announced across states. Whether you are targeting a Civil Judge exam, PCS J exam, MP ADPO, Bihar APO, or UP APO, the subject-wise preparation remains the same. Build your subject knowledge subject by subject, cover GK regularly, and do not skip current affairs.

At Aashayein Judiciary, Nitesh Sir covers all 10 core subjects in a structured bilingual format with one-on-one doubt sessions. If you are looking for guided judiciary coaching online, reach out to the team at Aashayein Judiciary to know more about the Target Judiciary Course.