DC Pandey vs HC Verma: Which Book Is Better for IIT JEE Physics?

DC Pandey, a series of physics problem books widely used by JEE aspirants in India, known for its high volume of practice questions and exam-focused structure. Also known as Arihant Physics, it’s built for students who need to drill through hundreds of problems to build speed and accuracy. On the other side, HC Verma, a conceptual physics textbook written by Professor H.C. Verma, designed to build deep understanding of physics principles through clear explanations and thoughtful problems. Often called the Bible of JEE Physics, it’s the go-to for students who want to truly grasp how things work, not just how to solve them. These two books aren’t just alternatives—they represent two different approaches to mastering physics for competitive exams.

DC Pandey is like a gym trainer who pushes you to do 100 reps until your arms shake. It’s packed with multiple-choice questions, subjective problems, and previous years’ JEE questions grouped by topic. If you’re short on time and need to memorize patterns, this book gives you the repetition you need. HC Verma, though, is more like a coach who sits with you and asks, ‘Why does this happen?’ It doesn’t overwhelm you with numbers—it makes you think. Many top rankers swear by HC Verma because it teaches you to reason through problems, not just plug in formulas. If you skip HC Verma and go straight to DC Pandey, you might solve problems, but you won’t always understand why they’re solved that way.

Here’s the real difference: DC Pandey trains your reflexes. HC Verma builds your brain. If you’re aiming for a top 100 rank in JEE Advanced, you need both. Start with HC Verma to lock in the concepts. Then use DC Pandey to sharpen your speed and test your understanding under pressure. A lot of students make the mistake of using only one. They either get stuck on theory with HC Verma because they never practice enough, or they become problem-solving machines with DC Pandey but crack under unexpected questions. The smartest students use HC Verma for learning, and DC Pandey for testing.

Neither book is perfect alone. HC Verma doesn’t have enough JEE-level MCQs. DC Pandey sometimes skips the ‘why’ behind the solution. But together? They’re a powerhouse. If you’re serious about physics in JEE, don’t pick sides—build a system. Learn from HC Verma. Practice from DC Pandey. Track your weak spots. Revisit the tough ones. That’s how top scorers do it.