Let me share with you guys the best book on India, which is published each year as an year book. This book is useful for civil service preparation as well as other competitive exams and research fellows.

Believe me it will be an absolute joy if you start reading it, nothing unlike it

Uhhh Childhood memories

This book is published by Govt of India and made available on net for the general readers. Its as authentic as it can get.

http://www.publicationsdivision.nic.in/

English Edition:
http://www.publicationsdivision.nic.in/others/India_2009.pdf

Hindi Edition:
http://www.publicationsdivision.nic.in/others/Bharat_2009.pdf

2009, educational, India, Year Book