R.S. Aggarwal Reasoning Book: Which Edition to Buy (2026)

Ask anyone preparing for SSC or railway exams which reasoning book to buy and you’ll often hear “R.S. Aggarwal”. The R.S. Aggarwal reasoning book they mean is A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, published by S.Chand: one thick volume covering word-based (verbal) and picture-based (non-verbal) reasoning, with worked examples and a very large question bank. Buying the right copy is the harder part. Amazon lists the same book under several titles, some calling it “2026-27” while the edition line underneath says 2024-25. There’s also a separate Hindi edition, separate Verbal-only and Non-Verbal-only books, and a Logical Reasoning title with a similar cover. This review sorts them out, shows what’s inside and which exams it suits, and tells you who should skip the book.

By PrepPick Editorial Team · Last updated 2 November 2026

Editions checked on 27 Oct 2026; prices rechecked on 2 Nov 2026. Amazon prices change often, so check the price and edition on the listing before you pay.

How we checked this page: we matched each edition to S.Chand’s own catalogue, took ISBNs, page counts and sellers from the Amazon listings we link to, and rechecked prices on 2 Nov 2026. We don’t score or rate books. Our methodology

Quick verdict

• If you buy only one book: the combined English book, 2024-25 revised edition, ISBN 9789364685979, ₹520 on Amazon (MRP ₹899). It’s the current English edition in S.Chand’s catalogue.
• Hindi medium: Tarkshakti Parikshan, ISBN 9789355010445. Good pick for Hindi-medium aspirants, but S.Chand currently shows it out of stock. Amazon lists it at ₹475 from a third-party seller (2 Nov 2026), so check the printed MRP and edition before paying more than MRP.
• Budget pick (joint cheapest book on this page): Arihant’s How to Crack Test of Reasoning (ISBN 9789373942391), ₹199 on Amazon, plus free official SSC answer keys for practice.
• Buy it if: you’re new to reasoning, or picture-based questions (paper folding, embedded figures, mirror images) still confuse you.
• Skip it if: you know the methods and need timed practice from recent papers, or you own a 2022 or later print.
• Don’t buy: listings with no ISBN on the page, or the separate Verbal and Non-Verbal books as well as the combined one.

Combined English 2024-25 on Amazon · Hindi Tarkshakti Parikshan on Amazon

Which R.S. Aggarwal reasoning book is which

Prices checked 2 Nov 2026. Amazon prices change often; check the listing before you pay.

S.Chand also sells the combined book in Bengali (ISBN 9789358707809), Marathi (9789369589326), Punjabi (9789358705744), Tamil (9789358700176), Kannada (9789355016874) and Telugu (9789355015129), at MRPs of ₹650 to ₹799 in its R.S. Aggarwal catalogue. Check the year on the publisher’s page before buying a regional edition; the Kannada and Telugu ones are © 2023.

The combined English book (2024-25)

This is the book most people mean by “R.S. Aggarwal reasoning”. S.Chand’s page calls it the Fully Revised Video Edition 2024-25, with 47 videos (reached by scanning QR codes), 1,000+ solved examples and 7,500+ practice questions. S.Chand adds that this revision brings in a section of recent memory-based questions from exams such as IBPS, SSC, Railways, UPSC and State PSC, SBI PO and RBI Grade B.

On Amazon: the listing we link to is priced at ₹520, sold by zombozone and shipped by Amazon. Cocoblu Retail sells it for ₹528, but that offer now appears only in the “other sellers” list, not as the main price. The listing’s title says “New Edition 2026-2027”, but the product details say Revised Edition 2024-25 and show ISBN 978-9364685979. Go by the details, not the title. The publisher field shows a seller-club name rather than S.Chand; the importer and packer lines name S Chand and Company Ltd.

The Hindi edition: Tarkshakti Parikshan

Tarkshakti Parikshan is S.Chand’s Hindi version of the same book. Its contents follow the English book: भाषिक तर्कशक्ति (verbal) with सामान्य मानसिक योग्यता and तार्किक निगमन sections, then गैर-भाषिक तर्कशक्ति (non-verbal). It runs to 1,056 pages and S.Chand says each chapter has video solutions.

Two things to check. First, S.Chand’s page shows © 2022 and marks it out of stock, while the Amazon listing (sold by a third-party bookstore) calls it “2026-2027” in the title and “2022” in the edition line. Second, S.Chand’s MRP is ₹850, but Amazon and other bookshops show ₹749. Buy only a listing that shows ISBN 9789355010445, and check the imprint page when it arrives.

Separate Verbal and Non-Verbal books

R.S. Aggarwal also has two single-part books. A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning (ISBN 9789355014849, 668 pages, © 2022) is out of stock on S.Chand’s site; a third-party Amazon seller has it at ₹435. A Modern Approach to Non Verbal Reasoning (Fully Solved) 2026 (ISBN 9789373593494, 292 pages) is S.Chand’s newest title in this family, at ₹360 on S.Chand’s site and ₹350 on Amazon (MRP ₹450).

Don’t buy either alongside the combined book; the combined book covers both parts. The two separates together cost more than the combined book on Amazon. The 2026 Non-Verbal book makes sense only if picture-based reasoning is your one weak area and you have notes for the rest.

What’s inside, and what isn’t

Inside (from S.Chand’s contents list):

• Part I, Verbal Reasoning, Section I (General Mental Ability): series, analogy, classification, coding-decoding, blood relations, puzzles and seating arrangements, sequential output tracing, direction sense, logical Venn diagrams, alphabet tests, ranking and time sequence, mathematical operations, arithmetical reasoning, missing characters, data sufficiency, eligibility tests, assertion and reason, situation reaction.
• Part I, Section II (Logical Deduction): syllogisms, statement-arguments, assumptions, courses of action, conclusions, passages, theme detection, cause and effect.
• Part II, Non-Verbal Reasoning: figure series, analogy and classification, mirror and water images, embedded figures, pattern completion, figure matrix, paper folding and cutting, cubes and dice, dot situation, counting squares and triangles, figure formation.
• Most chapters end with “Latest Questions with Answers”.

Not inside, or thin:

• Year-wise SSC or RRB papers. It’s a topic-wise practice book. The recent questions are memory-based and mixed across exams, so you can’t sit a full 2025 CGL paper from it.
• Timed sectional tests. You’ll need mocks or official papers for speed.
• Bank-mains style long puzzles. There’s a puzzle chapter, but compare it with a recent bank paper before relying on it for PO mains.

Which exams does it suit?

The book is general-purpose. S.Chand’s “useful for” list covers banking, SSC, insurance, UPSC CSAT, railways and MBA entrance tests. Here’s how it fits the exams PrepPick covers, using the question counts in each official SSC notice. For RRB NTPC, check the question count and topic list in the CEN notice on your RRB’s website.

SSC CGL and CHSL

This is where the book earns its place. Both SSC syllabi mix verbal topics (analogy, coding, series, Venn diagrams, syllogism) with figure-based ones (folding, embedded figures, figure completion), and Part II gives the figure-based ones a full half of the book. Work the chapters that match the syllabus list, then switch to recent SSC questions. Our SSC CGL reasoning books guide compares this book with PYQ collections.

SSC GD

GD has 20 reasoning questions at Class 10 level, in a 60-minute paper shared with three other subjects. A 900-page book is far more than that needs. If you own it, do the basic chapters. If you’re buying fresh for GD alone, the budget book below is enough.

RRB NTPC

NTPC’s commonly listed reasoning topics (analogies, series, coding-decoding, mathematical operations, puzzles, syllogism, Venn diagrams, data sufficiency, statement-conclusion and decision making) lines up well with Part I. That list names few picture-based topics compared with the SSC one, so put more time into Part I.

Banking

For IBPS and SBI prelims, the verbal chapters on coding, blood relations, direction sense, ranking and syllogism are useful practice. Mains papers are built around long seating and scheduling puzzles. Before you rely on this book for mains, compare its puzzle chapter with a recent mains paper, and plan on bank-specific puzzle sets.

Who should skip it

• You know the methods but run out of time. You need timed papers, not 7,500 more practice questions.
• You own a 2022 or later print. S.Chand describes the 2024-25 revision as the same structure plus recent questions. Add free official papers instead.
• You’re preparing only for SSC GD. Buy the budget book.
• You want year-wise papers. Buy a PYQ collection such as those on our SSC CGL PYQ books page, or use free SSC answer keys.
• You study in Hindi. Choose Tarkshakti Parikshan over the English book. Good pick for Hindi-medium aspirants, but S.Chand currently shows it out of stock. Amazon lists it at ₹475 from a third-party seller (2 Nov 2026), so check the printed MRP and edition before paying more than MRP.

How to use it at each stage

Mark wrong answers as you go. Buyers report errors in some questions and solutions (see below), so if your answer differs from the book’s, check it against another source before you assume you’re wrong.

Cheaper alternatives

How to Crack Test of Reasoning is the cheapest way to cover the same topic families in a third of the pages. Master Reasoning is Arihant’s longer book; Arihant also sells a Hindi version at ₹451 (MRP ₹695, ISBN 9789378166457).

What buyers say (paraphrased)

From Amazon’s review summary and recent reviews on the 2024-25 listing (4.4★ from 1,066 ratings on 27 Oct 2026; 68% five-star, 5% one-star):

• Content wins. Buyers often call it one of the best reasoning books for competitive exams, and several say it covers every topic in depth.
• Useful for SSC and banking. Buyers single out those two exam families, and one buyer says it helps even if you’re a beginner.
• Value is split. Some buyers think it’s worth the money; others don’t, mostly when they compare it with cheaper books.
• Accuracy is the main complaint. Several buyers report questions and solutions with wrong answers. Treat the answer key as a guide, not the last word.
• The Hindi edition listing has 4.1★ from 88 ratings, with no summary yet.

Fake, old and look-alike listings

Check these three things before you pay:

1. Edition line: “Revised Edition 2024-25” (English). Ignore “2026-27” in a title if the details don’t match.
2. ISBN: 978-9364685979 (English) or 978-9355010445 (Hindi). No ISBN on the page means you can’t tell which print you’ll get.
3. MRP and imprint: ₹899 for the English book, with S Chand and Company Ltd named as importer or publisher.

Listings to avoid (27 Oct 2026): two Amazon listings sell the combined book as “2026-27” or “Latest 2026 Edition” (ASINs B0H7MTH7VC and B0GM7STLC8) for ₹584 and ₹593, with no ISBN shown. Their “47 videos, 7,500+ questions” match the 2024-25 edition, and S.Chand’s catalogue lists no newer combined English edition. An older listing (B0BSLNWQHV) shows 800 pages, a 2020 date and no ISBN. A Verbal Reasoning listing (B0D2DC3TTC) names Gamma Publications as publisher, not S.Chand.

On arrival: check the imprint page, the S.Chand name and logo, the print quality and whether the QR codes open videos. Return the book if anything looks wrong.

Free “PDF” copies on file-sharing and code sites aren’t from S.Chand. We don’t link them.

Should you replace an older copy?

If you own a 2022 or 2023 print, no. S.Chand says the 2024-25 revision keeps the structure of the previous edition and adds recent memory-based questions. Spend the money on mocks, or use free official papers. Replace an older print only if it’s falling apart, or if its contents page is missing a topic your exam’s syllabus lists; compare it with S.Chand’s current contents list first.

Free practice that works with this book

• SSC answer keys: after each exam, SSC posts tentative answer keys along with candidates’ response sheets on ssc.gov.in. These are real exam questions, which no topic book replaces.
• SSC mock tests: the SSC GD 2026 notice (para 12.1.9) points candidates to a mock test in the Candidate’s Corner on ssc.gov.in. It’s a good way to practise the screen layout.
• RRB response sheets: in past cycles, RRBs published each candidate’s questions, responses and answer keys after the CBT, with a window to raise objections. Check your RRB’s website after your CBT, and download yours if the link is published.
• S.Chand videos: the QR-code videos in the 2024-25 edition are part of the book you pay for, so use them for the chapters you find hardest.

हिंदी में सारांश

हिंदी में सारांश: डॉ. आर.एस. अग्रवाल की A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning (S.Chand) का मौजूदा अंग्रेज़ी संस्करण 2024-25 का Fully Revised Video Edition है, जिसका ISBN 9789364685979 और MRP ₹899 है; 27 अक्टूबर 2026 को Amazon पर यह ₹520 में मिल रहा था। हिंदी माध्यम के विद्यार्थियों के लिए इसका हिंदी संस्करण तर्कशक्ति परीक्षण (ISBN 9789355010445, 1,056 पृष्ठ) है, जो Amazon पर ₹490 में था। ख़रीदने से पहले लिस्टिंग में संस्करण “2024-25” और सही ISBN ज़रूर देखें; जिन लिस्टिंग में ISBN नहीं है, उनसे बचें। यह किताब SSC CGL, CHSL और RRB NTPC के रीज़निंग भाग के लिए अच्छी है, पर SSC GD के लिए ज़रूरत से बड़ी है। कम बजट में Arihant की How to Crack Test of Reasoning (₹199) लें और अभ्यास के लिए SSC की आधिकारिक उत्तर कुंजियाँ मुफ़्त में देखें।

FAQs

Which is the latest edition of R.S. Aggarwal’s reasoning book?

For the combined English book, it’s the Fully Revised Video Edition 2024-25 (© 2025), ISBN 9789364685979, MRP ₹899. That’s the newest combined English edition in S.Chand’s R.S. Aggarwal catalogue on 27 Oct 2026. Listings that call it “2026-27” in the title but show 2024-25 in the details are the same book; listings with no ISBN can’t be matched to any edition, so avoid them.

Is R.S. Aggarwal reasoning enough for SSC CGL?

For learning the methods, yes. It covers the verbal and non-verbal topics in the CGL Tier-I and Tier-II lists. It isn’t enough on its own for speed: once you know the methods, practise with recent SSC questions in timed sets, using official answer keys or a PYQ book.

Is R.S. Aggarwal reasoning good for beginners?

Yes. Each chapter starts with solved examples before the exercises, and a recent buyer says it helps even if you’re starting out. Begin with Part I, Section I, and leave logical deduction and the harder non-verbal chapters for later.

Is there a Hindi version of R.S. Aggarwal reasoning?

Yes. Tarkshakti Parikshan (ISBN 9789355010445, 1,056 pages) is S.Chand’s Hindi edition of the combined book. Good pick for Hindi-medium aspirants, but S.Chand currently shows it out of stock. Amazon lists it at ₹475 from a third-party seller (2 Nov 2026), so check the printed MRP and edition before paying more than MRP. S.Chand’s page gives an MRP of ₹850 and Amazon shows ₹749; when the book arrives, check the ISBN and the imprint page.

Should I buy the Verbal and Non-Verbal books separately?

Usually not. The combined book covers both parts and costs less than the two separates together. The only good reason to buy a separate is the 2026 Non-Verbal book (₹350 on Amazon on 2 Nov 2026, or ₹360 on S.Chand’s site) if picture-based reasoning is your one weak area.

Is R.S. Aggarwal’s Logical Reasoning book the same as Verbal & Non-Verbal?

No. A Modern Approach to Logical Reasoning (ISBN 9789358705898, 236 pages) is a different, shorter book. It doesn’t replace the Verbal & Non-Verbal book for SSC or railway exams, so check the full title before you order.

Is R.S. Aggarwal reasoning useful for SSC GD?

It covers everything in GD’s 20-question reasoning part, but it’s far longer than a Class 10-level section needs. If you own it, use the basic chapters. If you’re buying for GD only, Arihant’s How to Crack Test of Reasoning at ₹199 is enough.

Is this book good for RRB NTPC?

Yes, for CBT 1 and CBT 2 reasoning. Check the question count in the CEN notice on your RRB’s website. NTPC’s commonly listed topics lean on verbal topics such as analogies, series, coding, syllogism, Venn diagrams and statement questions, so give Part I most of your time and pair it with past RRB response sheets.

Is R.S. Aggarwal enough for bank PO reasoning?

For prelims-level topics, it’s useful practice. Mains reasoning is built around long seating and scheduling puzzles, so compare the book’s puzzle chapter with a recent mains paper and add bank-specific puzzle sets and mocks.

Are the answers in R.S. Aggarwal reasoning correct?

Several Amazon buyers report wrong answers or solutions in some questions, and Amazon’s review summary lists accuracy as the main complaint. When your answer differs from the book’s, rework it and check it against another source before you assume you made the mistake.

Is there a free R.S. Aggarwal reasoning PDF?

Not from S.Chand. The publisher sells printed copies, and the 2024-25 edition’s videos are unlocked through QR codes in the book. PDFs on file-sharing and code-hosting sites aren’t from the publisher, so we don’t link them. For free, legal practice, use SSC’s answer keys on ssc.gov.in and RRB response sheets.

Sources (checked 27 Oct 2026)

• S.Chand, A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning, 2024-25: schandpublishing.com
• S.Chand, R.S. Aggarwal catalogue (all editions and languages): schandpublishing.com
• S.Chand, Tarkshakti Parikshan (Hindi): schandpublishing.com
• S.Chand, A Modern Approach to Verbal Reasoning: schandpublishing.com
• S.Chand, A Modern Approach to Non Verbal Reasoning (Fully Solved) 2026: schandpublishing.com
• Arihant, How to Crack Test of Reasoning: arihantbooks.com · Master Reasoning 2027: arihantbooks.com
• SSC CGL 2026 notice: PDF · SSC CHSL 2026 notice: PDF · SSC GD 2026 notice: PDF
• RRB NTPC: the CEN notice published on your RRB’s website, for the current pattern and question counts
• ISBNs, page counts, sellers and ratings: the Amazon.in listings linked on this page. Buyer feedback: Amazon.in review summary and reviews, paraphrased.

Updated 27 Oct 2026: what changed

• New page: a single-book review of R.S. Aggarwal’s A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning.
• Editions, ISBNs, page counts and prices for the English 2024-25 edition, the Hindi Tarkshakti Parikshan, the separate Verbal and 2026 Non-Verbal books, the Logical Reasoning look-alike and the regional editions, checked on 27 Oct 2026.
• Exam-fit table for SSC CGL, CHSL, GD, RRB NTPC and banking, using question counts from the official SSC notices; for RRB NTPC, readers are pointed to the CEN on their RRB’s website.
• Cheaper alternatives, paraphrased buyer feedback, a listing checklist and free practice sources.