Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday launched the India 2017 Yearbook, a compilation of current affairs for the aspirants preparing for civil services and other competitive examination, written by Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi.

The book, published by McGraw Hill Education, a learning science company, includes information on important dignitaries, state policy, public schemes, important data related to demographics, trade, economy and many other international topics like South China sea. 

"It's a pleasure moment for me launching the book. Rajiv Mehrishi is among a few persons who entered the world of books during his civil service," the Home minister said on the occasion. 

He said Mehrishi, a 1978 batch Rajasthan cadre IAS officer, gave him the book a day before he was to leave for a three-day visit — from May 19 to 21 — to Sikkim to attend the seminar with the Chief Ministers of five states situated along the India-China border. 

"I think a good book is a greatest gift to a generation by any generation. So, Mehrishi should be congratulated for his work. The book India 2017 is not only beneficial for 2017 and 2018, it will be useful for the students participating in all kind of competitive examinations and people for the years onward." 

Rajnath further said that the book would also help in India's upliftment. 

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant and McGraw Hill Education's Managing Director Kaushik Bellani was also present on the event organised at Bikaner House. 

On the occasion, the Home Secretary said the book was never easy for him. 

"Its been very difficult for me. The offer was made to me when I was retiring in 2015. But thanks to all my friends, my wife and my son who gave me support and it helped me to do this," Mehrishi said. 

He said the book is a comprehensive compendium of all data and facts related to the Indian Union, including geographical information. "I hope, it proves to be a useful tool to the civil services and other competitive exams aspirants in their preparation."

India 2017, published annually, will be available in leading book stores as well as online across India, a release said.