Best Obstetrics and Gynaecology Books for MBBS: DC Dutta, Shaw and What Else You Need
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Most MBBS students in India study obstetrics from DC Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics and gynaecology from either DC Dutta’s Textbook of Gynecology or Howkins & Bourne Shaw’s Textbook of Gynaecology. Both obstetrics and gynaecology Dutta books are now edited by Hiralal Konar. Add a bedside clinics or case book before your clinical exam. Williams Obstetrics is a reference, not a must-buy.
Obstetrics and gynaecology (OBG) is one of the four major final-phase subjects, and the only one with two main textbooks: one for obstetrics and one for gynaecology. This guide explains which books to choose, which are optional, and how to prepare for OBG clinicals and viva.
Quick answer
- Obstetrics: DC Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics (Hiralal Konar).
- Gynaecology: DC Dutta’s Textbook of Gynecology (Hiralal Konar, 9th edition, 2024), or Howkins & Bourne Shaw’s Textbook of Gynaecology (edited by Sunesh Kumar).
- Clinicals and viva: Dutta’s Bedside Clinics and Viva-Voce in Obstetrics & Gynecology, or DC Dutta’s Clinics in Obstetrics and Clinics in Gynecology.
- Reference only: Williams Obstetrics.
- Alternatives: Indian obstetrics textbooks by Sheila Balakrishnan, Sudha Salhan or J.B. Sharma, if your faculty recommends them.
OBG books compared
| Book | Author / editor | Type | Best for |
| DC Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics | Hiralal Konar | Main textbook | The standard obstetrics book in Indian colleges |
| DC Dutta’s Textbook of Gynecology | Hiralal Konar | Main textbook | Exam-oriented gynaecology. 9th edition (2024) is listed |
| Howkins & Bourne Shaw’s Textbook of Gynaecology | Sunesh Kumar (ed.) | Main textbook | The classic alternative for gynaecology |
| Dutta’s Bedside Clinics and Viva-Voce in Obstetrics & Gynecology | Hiralal Konar | Clinical book | Case presentation and viva |
| DC Dutta’s Clinics in Obstetrics / Clinics in Gynecology | Hiralal Konar | Clinical books | Clinical cases, separately for each subject |
| Williams Obstetrics | F. Gary Cunningham and others | Reference | In-depth obstetrics. Mainly postgraduate |
All books listed are available on Medioks. Check the product page for the current edition before you buy.
Obstetrics: DC Dutta and alternatives
DC Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics, now edited by Hiralal Konar, is the obstetrics book most Indian colleges teach from. It covers physiology of pregnancy, antenatal care, normal and abnormal labour, complications of pregnancy, the puerperium and the newborn, with an Indian clinical focus.
- Strengths: comprehensive, exam-aligned and widely followed in university question papers.
- Limitations: it’s long, so read it alongside your postings rather than in the final months.
- Hindi option: a Hindi edition of DC Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics is also listed.
Some colleges recommend other Indian obstetrics textbooks, such as Sheila Balakrishnan’s Textbook of Obstetrics, Sudha Salhan’s or J.B. Sharma’s. If your faculty uses one, follow their advice.
Left to right: Textbook of Obstetrics – Sheila Balakrishnan; Textbook of Obstetrics – Sudha Salhan; Textbook of Obstetrics – J.B. Sharma
Gynaecology: Dutta or Shaw?
| If you… | Choose |
| want the same style as your obstetrics book and an exam-friendly layout | DC Dutta’s Textbook of Gynecology |
| prefer a classic text with detailed explanations | Howkins & Bourne Shaw’s Textbook of Gynaecology |
| aren’t sure | Ask which book your gynaecology faculty follows for question papers |
Left to right: DC Dutta’s Textbook of Gynecology (9th ed.); Howkins & Bourne Shaw’s Textbook of Gynaecology
Both cover the undergraduate syllabus: menstrual disorders, infertility, contraception, genital tract infections, prolapse, fibroids, ovarian tumours, gynaecological cancers and operative gynaecology basics. You need one of them, not both.
Bedside clinics and viva books
OBG clinical exams reward a well-structured case presentation. A clinical book helps you practise:
- Dutta’s Bedside Clinics and Viva-Voce in Obstetrics & Gynecology combines both subjects in one book.
- DC Dutta’s Clinics in Obstetrics and Clinics in Gynecology cover each subject separately in more depth.
Left to right: Dutta’s Bedside Clinics and Viva-Voce in OBG; DC Dutta’s Clinics in Obstetrics; DC Dutta’s Clinics in Gynecology
Is Williams Obstetrics worth buying?
Williams Obstetrics is one of the best-known obstetrics references in the world. For MBBS students it’s usually a library book: excellent for looking up a topic in depth, but too long to read for university exams. Consider buying it if you’re planning a career in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Williams Obstetrics
Preparing for OBG clinicals
- Practise obstetric history and examination, including calculating gestational age, fundal height and obstetric palpation, until you can do them fluently.
- Learn labour monitoring using the tool your department teaches, whether a partograph or a labour care guide.
- Know the instruments, specimens and drugs, including oxytocics, tocolytics, anticonvulsants used in eclampsia and common antibiotics.
- Revise contraception and family planning methods, with how each works, its effectiveness and its contraindications.
- Use models in practicals. Pelvis and foetal skull models make mechanisms of labour much easier to explain.
- Prepare common long cases: anaemia in pregnancy, hypertensive disorders, previous caesarean section, gestational diabetes, prolapse and fibroid uterus.
For the full final-year list, see our final year MBBS book guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best OBG book for MBBS?
For obstetrics, DC Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics. For gynaecology, DC Dutta’s Textbook of Gynecology or Shaw’s Textbook of Gynaecology. Add a bedside clinics book for practicals.
Is DC Dutta enough for MBBS exams?
For most students, DC Dutta for obstetrics and either Dutta or Shaw for gynaecology, plus a clinical book and previous question papers, is enough.
Dutta or Shaw for gynaecology?
Dutta is often preferred for an exam-friendly layout, and Shaw for detailed explanations. Choose one, ideally the one your faculty follows.
Who edits DC Dutta’s books now?
Current editions of DC Dutta’s Textbook of Obstetrics and Textbook of Gynecology are edited by Hiralal Konar, as listed on Medioks.
Do I need Williams Obstetrics for MBBS?
No. It’s a reference book, mostly used by postgraduates. Use the library copy for difficult topics.
The bottom line
For OBG, you need one obstetrics book (DC Dutta), one gynaecology book (Dutta or Shaw) and one clinical book. Read them steadily during your postings, and practise case presentations and examination skills on real patients.
Book recommendations are general guidance. Always follow your college’s syllabus and your faculty’s advice. Editions and availability change, so check the product page for the latest edition. Facts checked on 29 October 2026.
Written by: Medioks Editorial Team. Medioks has served the medical community for 54 years through bookstores in Chandigarh, Amritsar and Rohtak, and now online as a direct distributor of major medical publishers, supplying books for medical, dental, nursing, Ayurveda and physiotherapy courses.
Disclosure: Medioks sells the books mentioned in this article.
