New Delhi, Nov 6 (IANS): A revised and updated edition of McGraw Hill Education India's General Studies Manual Paper-1, including the latest developments and events up to August 2016, was launched here by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya.

"The book is of great benefit to the new generation. I wish we had such self-help books while we were preparing for the services. All the authors of the book have done great work and have contributed immensely to revise the book," Panagariya said at the launch on Friday.

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, who was among those who contributed to the book, was present.

"It was an honour to co-author the book with other veterans and I am thrilled to be a part of the journey. It was an enriching and fulfilling experience and I am happy to have made a small contribution in the process. I wish all the success to the civil service aspirants," he said.

The manual's 11 authors include former Reader at Khalsa College G.N. Dixit, former Dean at St. Stephens College Tara Chand and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College History Department's Shubha Parmar.

Doing well in the General Studies paper, which is mandatory for all aspirants, is a must and this book offers help in preparing for it.

"General Studies Manual Paper-1 has been the key for civil service aspirants for 33 years. The new and improved version is compiled by a galaxy of well-known subject experts and aims to prepare students as per the changed syllabus," said Kaushik Bellani, Managing Director, India & SAARC of McGraw Hill Education.