For candidates preparing for competitive examinations such as RRB, Bank Exams, UPSC, IBPS, and SSC, the 'General Awareness' section frequently tests knowledge of literary works and their creators. Staying updated with significant publications and prestigious awards is crucial for high-scoring performance.
Why Books and Authors Matter for Government Exams
Questions regarding books—especially those written by prominent figures, political leaders, or award-winning authors—are a staple in current affairs sections. From the 2019 Man Booker Prize win by Margaret Atwood to the historical recognition of Geetanjali Shree’s 'Tomb of Sand' in 2022, understanding the literary landscape provides a distinct competitive edge.
Notable Literary Milestones (2018–2023)
Several authors have shaped the recent literary discourse. Key achievements include:
Jnanpith Award (2023): Awarded to Damodar Mauzo.
Man Booker Prize (2019): Won by Margaret Atwood.
Man Booker International Prize (2019): Received by Jokha Alharthi.
Saraswati Samaan (2019): Awarded to Vasdev Mohi.
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (2019): Won by Richard Powers.
International Booker Prize (2022): Geetanjali Shree's 'Tomb of Sand' became the first Hindi novel shortlisted.
Notable Work: 'Bose: The Untold Story of an Inconvenient Nationalist' authored by Chandrachur Ghose.
Books and Authors Year-wise Data
Books and Authors 2025
Book Name
Author Name
Chunotiya Mujhe Pasand Hai
Sudesh Dhankhar
The One: Cricket, My Life And More
Shikhar Dhawan
Books and Authors 2024
Book Name
Authors Name
“Ek Samandar, Mere Andar”
Sanjeev Joshi
“Political History of Assam (1947-1971) – Volume 1”
Dr. Rajen Saikia
Books and Authors 2023
Book Name
Authors Name
Irrfan Khan: A Life in Movies
Shubhra Gupta
The World: A Family History
Simon Sebag Montefiore
Books and Authors 2022
Book Name
Authors Name
The India Story
Bimal Jalal
Listen to Your Heart: The London Adventure
Ruskin Bond
Books and Authors 2021
Book Name
Author Name
The Ambuja Story
Narotam Sekhsaria
1971: Charge of the Gorkhas
Rachna Bisht Rawat
Books and Authors 2020
Book Name
Author Name
Karmayoddha Granth
Amit Shah
Relentless
Yashwant Sinha
Books and Authors 2019
Book Name
Authors Name
Politics of Opportunism
R P N Singh
The Testaments
Margaret Atwood
Books and Authors 2018
Book Name
Authors Name
A Rural Manifesto
Varun Gandhi
Changing India
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Renowned writer Damodar Mauzo was honored with the Jnanpith Award in 2023.
Author Margaret Atwood was the winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2019.
'Tomb of Sand,' written by Geetanjali Shree, made history as the first Hindi novel shortlisted for the International Booker Prize.
Chandrachur Ghose is the acclaimed author of ‘Bose: The Untold Story of an Inconvenient Nationalist.’