JEE Main 2026 Best Books for Preparation: With only 2 months left for JEE Main 2026 January Session, selecting the right books becomes one of the most crucial decisions for aspirants. You can check the best books for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics that are recommended by subject experts, coaching institutes, and previous year toppers.
According to the previous years data, over 1.1 lakh students appear for JEE Main annually, and toppers suggested that relying on a focused set of 1–2 high-quality books per subject have boosted their accuracy and speed in the final stretch.
One of the most important tips given by experts is to focus on the NCERT textbooks, especially for Chemistry, as nearly 60–70% of theory-based questions are NCERT-aligned.
NCERT is repeatedly called the "bible" (especially for Chemistry, 80-90% coverage), with PYQs essential for patterns. Avoid "book hoarding"-focus on 1-2 per subject + mocks. - Reddit
Related Topics:
- Secret to Success: Exclusive Chapter-wise JEE Main Question Papers
- JEE Main 2026 Syllabus
- Download JEE Main Previous Year Question Papers with Answers PDF
Previous years' papers are a vital resource for this exam preparation. We are also providing free access to the JEE Main question papers 2023-2012 along with solutions.
Check:
- NCERT Books for JEE Mains
- JEE Main Best Books 2026
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- Percentage of JEE Main Questions from Books (Based on Previous Years' Trends)
- JEE Main 2026 Best Books and Preparation Strategies (Last 60 Days)
- Toppers' Preparation Strategies and Recommended Books
- JEE Main 2026 Best Books FAQs
NCERT Books for JEE Mains
You are always advised to start your JEE Mains preparation with class 11 and 12 NCERT Books. This will help you understand the basic concepts. Provided below are the links to download NCERT books for Physics, Chemistry, and Maths.
| Subject | Class | NCERT Book PDF | NCERT Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 12 | Download NCERT Book | Check NCERT Solutions |
| 11 | Download NCERT Book | Check NCERT Solutions | |
| Chemistry | 12 | Download NCERT Book | Check NCERT Solutions |
| 11 | Download NCERT Book | Check NCERT Solutions | |
| Maths | 12 | Download NCERT Book | Check NCERT Solutions |
| 11 | Download NCERT Book | Check NCERT Solutions |
JEE Main Best Books 2026
The Best books for JEE Main 2026 will you strengthen the concepts while building he speed and accuracy require for the JEE Main exam. With only months left, choosing the right mix of NCERTs, standard authors, and practice-oriented question banks becomes important for scoring 95+ percentile.
Here are the best books for JEE Main 2026
Physics Best Books
For the JEE Main Physics Preaparation there are some specific books which will help in covering the syllabus as well as in your preparation.
- NCERT Physics Class 11 and 12: Essential for building a strong conceptual base.
- Concepts of Physics by H.C. Verma: Widely recommended for a deep understanding of concepts.
- Understanding Physics by D.C. Pandey: A good choice for comprehensive theory and practice, with a specific series for JEE Main and Advanced.
| Book Name | Author / Publisher | Best For | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCERT Physics (Class 11 & 12) | NCERT | Foundation + Direct questions | Must |
| Concepts of Physics (Vol 1 & 2) | H.C. Verma | Concept building + Quality problems | Must |
| Understanding Physics (5-book series) | D.C. Pandey (Arihant) | JEE Main-level practice | Highly Recommended |
| New Pattern Physics | D.C. Pandey (Arihant) | Numerical-type & latest pattern | Recommended |
| Problems in General Physics | I.E. Irodov | Advanced (selective) | Optional |
Chemistry Best Books
As Chemistry is further divided into 3 subjects: Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry, to study well for Chemistry, here are some recommended best books:
- NCERT Textbooks: Crucial for Inorganic Chemistry and understanding fundamental concepts in all branches.
- Organic Chemistry by O.P. Tandon: A highly regarded book for organic chemistry theory.
- Physical Chemistry by Narendra Awasthi: A popular choice for practicing physical chemistry problems.
- Concise Inorganic Chemistry by J.D. Lee: A valuable reference for inorganic chemistry.
- M.S. Chauhan and Himanshu Pandey: Recommended for organic chemistry practice.
Physical Chemistry
| Book Name | Author / Publisher | Best For | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCERT Chemistry (Class 11 & 12) | NCERT | Foundation + Direct questions | Must |
| Physical Chemistry | Narendra Awasthi (Balaji) | Best numerical practice | Must |
| Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations | R.C. Mukherjee | Classic numerical book | Good |
Organic Chemistry
| Book Name | Author / Publisher | Best For | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCERT Chemistry | NCERT | Reactions + Theory | Must |
| Organic Chemistry | Himanshu Pandey (GRB) | Graded problems + Short theory | Must |
| Organic Chemistry | M.S. Chauhan (Balaji) | Detailed mechanisms | Highly Recommended |
| Wiley’s Solomons & Fryhle (adapted) | M.S. Chauhan | Quick revision of mechanisms | Recommended |
Inorganic Chemistry
| Book Name | Author / Publisher | Best For | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCERT Chemistry | NCERT | 80–90% questions from here | Must |
| Concise Inorganic Chemistry (adapted) | J.D. Lee (Sudarshan Guha) | Crisp theory companion to NCERT | Must |
| Problems in Inorganic Chemistry | V.K. Jaiswal (Balaji) | Best practice problems | Highly Recommended |
Ques. Which book is best to clear concepts of Chemistry?
Ans. The best books for JEE Mains Chemistry preparation are Organic Chemistry by OP Tandon, Physical Chemistry by OP Tandon, and Concise Inorganic Chemistry by JD Lee.
Ques. Can I self-study Chemistry?
Ans. Yes, you can prepare for Chemistry for JEE Mains through self-study. Refer best books to prepare the syllabus and solve previous years’ question papers to ace the exam.
Mathematics Best Books
To practice for JEE Main Maths, these books include NCERT for basic concepts and additional reference books for advanced problem-solving and exam-oriented practice.
- NCERT Class 11 and 12 Textbooks: The starting point for all concepts.
- Objective Mathematics by R.D. Sharma: A popular choice for practice problems.
- Complete Mathematics for JEE Main by TMH: A comprehensive option for JEE Main preparation.
- Cengage series: Recommended for its comprehensive coverage and practice problems for both JEE Main and Advanced.
- Problems in Algebra by Dr. S.K. Goyal: A good choice for practicing algebra.
| Book Name | Author / Publisher | Best For | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCERT Mathematics + Exemplar (Class 11 & 12) | NCERT | Basics + Some direct questions | Must |
| Cengage Mathematics Series (7 books) | G. Tewani | Best overall (theory + graded problems) | Top Choice |
| Skills in Mathematics Series (7 books) | Arihant (SK Goyal, Amit M Agarwal, etc.) | Huge question bank + topic-wise | Top Choice |
| Higher Algebra | Hall & Knight | Algebra & Coordinate Geometry classic | Highly Recommended |
| Black Book – Advanced Problems in Mathematics | Vikas Gupta & Pankaj Joshi | Short tricks + tough problems | For 99.9+ percentile |
| Objective Mathematics (Vol 1 & 2) | R.D. Sharma | Beginner to intermediate practice | Good |
Ques. Which books did Mridul Aggarwal use for Maths?
Ans. JEE Advanced 2021 AIR 1 holder Mridul Aggarwal prepared for JEE Main Maths using modules and test papers of his coaching institute. He also referred to Advanced Mathematics for JEE by Vikas Gupta to practice maths problems.
Ques. Is only RD Sharma enough for Maths preparation in JEE?
Ans. No, RD Sharma is good for practice, but it is not sufficient alone to ace the JEE Mains exam. You must refer to other books also, along with RD Sharma.
JEE Main B.Arch and B.Planning Books
The candidates who are appearing for JEE Main B.Arch and B.Planning must focus on NCERT Mathematics, as it covers the basics and contributes to nearly 60% of exam-level concepts.
- For B.Arch, choose Tata McGraw Hill Mathematics for advanced problem-solving and rely heavily on P.K. Mishra for Aptitude and NATA 360 for Drawing, which has been reported to boost scores by 15–20 marks.
- For B.Planning, prefer R.D. Sharma for applied numericals in probability and statistics, and focus more on the Planning section, where R.V. Rama Krishna (Town Planning Principles) is the top pick for case-study-based conceptual questions.
JEE Main B.Arch Best Books 2026
| Paper / Section | Book Title | Author / Publisher | User Recommendations & Tips | Mention Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Mathematics for Class XI & XII (NCERT) | NCERT | "Must for basics; 60% questions direct from here. Solve exemplars for speed." – Quora (AIR 150) | High |
| Comprehensive Mathematics for JEE Main & Advanced | Tata McGraw Hill | "Graded problems; better than RD Sharma for coordinate geo & calculus. Use after NCERT." – Reddit (r/JEENEETards) | High | |
| Plane Trigonometry | S.L. Loney | "Classic for trig identities; selective for JEE-level twists." – Quora (Self-study dropper) | Medium | |
| Aptitude | A Complete Self Study Guide for B.Arch Entrance | P.K. Mishra (Arihant) | "Covers awareness, reasoning, architecture history; PYQs included. Top pick for non-coaching." – Quora | High |
| NATA & JEE (B.Arch) Aptitude Study Material | N. Pushkar (Disha) | "Visual reasoning & GK on architects; pair with online mocks for 2026 pattern." – Reddit (2025 aspirant) | Medium | |
| Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal | "Builds logical skills; quick revision for 3D visualization questions." – X (Architecture student) | Medium | |
| Drawing | B.Arch Drawing (NATA/JEE Main Guide) | NATA 360 (RPH Editorial) | "Step-by-step sketches; practice 2D/3D compositions. Users say it boosted scores by 15–20 marks." – Quora (2024 topper) | High |
| Engineering Drawing | N.D. Bhatt | "For perspective & orthographic projections; essential if weak in basics." – Reddit thread | High | |
| Pencil Sketching & Drawing Book | Parikshit Singh (Arihant) | “Daily practice prompts; focus on human figures & scenery for exam day.” – Quora (B.Arch qualifier) | Medium |
JEE Main B.Planning Best Books 2026
| Paper / Section | Book Title | Author / Publisher | User Recommendations & Tips | Mention Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Mathematics for Class XI & XII (NCERT) | NCERT | "Same as B.Arch; planning needs strong algebra for site analysis questions." – Quora (B.Plan aspirant) | High |
| Objective Mathematics for JEE Main | R.D. Sharma (Dhanpat Rai) | "Volume 1 & 2 for probability & stats; users recommend for B.Plan numericals." – Reddit (2026 batch) | Medium | |
| Aptitude | A Complete Self Study Guide for B.Plan Entrance | P.K. Mishra (Arihant) | "Urban planning awareness, town planning history; updated for 2026 syllabus." – Quora (Planner student) | High |
| NATA & JEE (B.Plan) Aptitude Study Material | N. Pushkar (Disha) | "GIS, landscape design sections; good for analytical skills in planning." – X (Coaching review) | Medium | |
| Planning | Introduction to Landscape Design | G.S. Sandhu | "Basics of site planning; pair with NCERT geography for eco-sensitive topics." – Quora (2025 B.Plan scorer) | Medium |
| Town Planning Principles | R.V. Rama Krishna | "Core for urban/rural planning; users highlight case studies for aptitude." – Reddit (Self-prep guide) | High |
Check
- JEE Main 2026 Preparation for B.Arch and B.Planning
- JEE Main B. Arch and B. Planning Question Papers
Check JEE Main Year-Wise Question Papers
Percentage of JEE Main Questions from Books (Based on Previous Years' Trends)
As per the previous years’ trends shows that NCERT is the strongest source of JEE Main questions.
- In Chemistry, where 85–90% of the paper (20–23 out of 25 questions) consistently comes directly from NCERT Books.
- Physics has a moderate NCERT reliance of 60–70% (15–18 questions), theory is mostly NCERT-based, while numericals still require extra practice from books like HC Verma and DC Pandey.
- Mathematics remains the least NCERT-dependent, with only 50–60% (13–15 questions) coming from NCERT and the rest from high-difficulty PYQs and reference-book concepts.
| Year/Session | Subject | Est. % from NCERT | Est. Qs from NCERT (Out of 25) | User Summary (Key Insights) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (Jan/April) | Physics | 65% | 16 | "Thermal/modern physics: 3–4 direct NCERT; rest examples. Easy-moderate." (Reddit shift reviews) |
| Chemistry | 90% | 23 | "Inorganic/organic: 90% lines from NCERT. Bible post-syllabus cut." (X toppers) | |
| Mathematics | 55% | 14 | "Basics like matrices/3D: 12–15 direct; twists need extras." (Reddit AMAs) | |
| 2024 | Physics | 70% | 18 | "Modern/gravitation: 4–5 direct; optics from NCERT apps." (Quora shifts) |
| Chemistry | 90% | 23 | "Biomolecules/electrochem: 20+ direct. Rote NCERT = 99%ile." (Reddit) | |
| Mathematics | 60% | 15 | "Algebra/calc: 13–16 basics; 40% PYQ twists." (X coaching) | |
| 2023 | Physics | 65% | 16 | "Electromagnetism: 3–4 direct; balanced 11th/12th." (PYQ analyses) |
| Chemistry | 85% | 21 | "Organic/inorganic: 18–20 direct; mechanisms extras." (Quora toppers) | |
| Mathematics | 55% | 14 | "Coordinate/calc: 12–14; vectors need practice." (Reddit threads) | |
| 2020–2022 (Avg.) | Physics | 60% | 15 | "Application-heavy; foundation 14–16 from NCERT." (Aggregated forums) |
| Chemistry | 80% | 20 | "Reactions/properties: 18–22 direct + PYQs." (Quora self-study) | |
| Mathematics | 50% | 13 | "Basics: 11–14; probability needs more logic." (User mocks) |
Ques. Is HC Verma enough for JEE Main?
Ans. HC Verma is a good book for conceptual clarity but it is not enough for JEE Mains preparation. You must refer to other books also to practice high difficulty level questions for the exam.
Ques. Is DC Pandey enough for IIT?
Ans. Yes, DC Pandey is one of the most preferred books for JEE preparation. This book is simple and easy to understand and is thus preferred by most of the students preparing for the exam.
Ques. Should I do DC Pandey or HC Verma?
Ans. You are advised to refer to DC Pandey to improve your speed and accuracy for numerical-based questions. HC Verma is also a good book but it is mainly preferred for building conceptual knowledge.
JEE Main 2026 Best Books and Preparation Strategies (Last 60 Days)
In the last 60 days of the JEE Main 2026 January session preparation, rely on NCERT along with the selective high weightage books.
- Physics scores improves with NCERT, HC Verma and CD Pandeyas most of he questions are concept-application level.
- For Chemistry be the focused on the NCERT as around 80% of the questions directly comes from the NCERT books and selective practice from OP Tandon/MS Chauhan/N. Awasthi.
- Mathematics depends on speed and accuracy, and as per previous years exam analysis,10–12 high-weightage chapters contribute up to 60–70 marks, making NCERT Exemplar and RD Sharma ideal.
| Subject | Foundational Book (Must-Do) | Practice/Reference Books (Selective Use) | Why Recommended? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | NCERT Class 11 & 12 | HC Verma Concepts of Physics (Vol 1 & 2); DC Pandey Understanding Physics (for MCQs) | NCERT builds basics; HC Verma for conceptual problems (focus on solved examples); DC Pandey for JEE Main-level PYQs and mocks. Avoid Irodov in last 60 days—too advanced. |
| Chemistry | NCERT Class 11 & 12 (read 3-4 times) | OP Tandon (Physical/Organic); MS Chauhan (Organic reactions); N Awasthi (Physical numericals) | NCERT covers 80% for Inorganic; reference books for mechanisms and quick calculations. Prioritize name reactions and periodic trends. |
| Mathematics | NCERT Exemplar | RD Sharma (objective questions); Cengage (selective chapters like Calculus/Algebra); Arihant PYQs | Exemplar for basics; RD Sharma for speed-building; Cengage only for high-weightage (e.g., 60-70 marks needed for 99 percentile—focus on 10-12 key chapters). |
Toppers' Preparation Strategies and Recommended Books
To score 90+ in JEE Main 2026 January Session, the Toppers have suggested to prioritize mastery of NCERT + PYQs + mock-test analysis, not excessive books or new topics.
Almost every topper focused on daily subject balance, studied 7-10 hours with built-in revision time, and treated mock-analysis as the biggest performance booster.
Manomay (2025, 99.98 percentile) suggested that - "Revise NCERT like a story, understand it don't memorize.”
| Topper (Year/AIR/Score) | Core Strategy | Daily Routine | Last 60 Days Focus | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nilkrishna GC (2024, 100 percentile, 300/300) | NCERT mastery + PYQs (2013-2024) for pattern recognition; balanced subjects (no favorites). | 10 hrs: 3 hrs/subject + 1 hr revision; weekends for mocks. | 2 mocks/day + analysis; formula flashcards; avoid new topics. | "Consistency beats intensity-solve 50 PYQs daily to build speed." |
| Rishi Shekher Shukla (2025, 99.99 percentile) | Integrated coaching + self-study; high-weightage topics first (e.g., Mechanics in Physics). | 9 hrs: Alternate subjects + 30 min formula drill. | PYQ marathons + 1 full mock/week; group doubt sessions. | "Mock analysis is 70% of prep—fix mistakes immediately." |
| Majid Mujahid Husain (2025, 99.99 percentile) | Self-study with online resources; focus on conceptual videos before books. | 7-8 hrs: Theory (40%) + practice (60%). | Light revision + 20 PYQs/subject/day; sleep 7 hrs. | "Balance health—exercise 30 min to stay sharp." |
| Akshat Kumar (2025, 99.98 percentile) | PYQ-driven (last 10 years, 3x solved); minimal books, max practice. | 8 hrs: 2 hrs/subject + 2 hrs mocks/analysis. | Error log review + formula sheets; simulate exam conditions. | "Toppers fail by over-reading—practice trumps theory." |
JEE Main 2026 Best Books FAQs
Ques. Which book is best for JEE Mains 2026?
Ans. The best book for JEE Main 2026 is NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks, especially for Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics as around 65-85% of the JEE questions are directly or indirectly based on NCERT concepts.
Ques. How should I prepare for JEE 2026?
Ans. To prepare effectively for JEE 2026, follow a 3-phase strategy:
- Foundation (NCERT + Class Notes): Build conceptual clarity—historically, 70% of high scorers revised NCERT 3–5 times.
- Application (Coaching Modules + PYQs): Practice 10–15 years of PYQs, covering mixed-chapter numerical solving.
- Improvement (Mock Tests + Error Log): Take 1 mock test weekly → 2 per week after December, targeting 200+ marks to reach the 98 percentile zone based on past score-percentile data.
Ques. Is JEE 2026 still possible?
Ans. Yes, JEE Main 2026 is still possible, as per the data 38% candidates scoring above 97 percentile in 2025 started their preparation after Class 12, and 14% started only 6-9 months after exam.
The key to ace in JEE Main is structured study + mock test consistency, not duration of preparation.
Ques. Which books did IIT toppers use?
Ans. Most IIT toppers follow the following books to ace the JEE Main and JEE Advanced:
- Physics: NCERT + H.C. Verma + D.C. Pandey
- Chemistry: NCERT + O.P. Tandon (Physical) + M.S. Chauhan (Organic) + N. Awasthi (Practice)
- Maths: NCERT + R.D. Sharma + Tata McGraw Hill / Cengage
According to topper interviews (AIR 1–500), about 82% credited NCERT + PYQs + coaching modules as the highest-scoring combination, with optional reference books used only for selected tough chapters.
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