Once your fundamentals are clear, move to standard reference books to deepen your understanding, align with UPSC’s analytical demands, and enrich your Mains answers.
Subject-Wise Standard Reference Books
Polity
- Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth
- Governance in India – Laxmikanth (for GS-2)
History
- Modern India – Spectrum by Rajiv Ahir
- Ancient & Medieval India – Tamil Nadu State Board Class 11–12 Books
- Art & Culture – Nitin Singhania
Geography
- Certificate Physical & Human Geography – G.C. Leong
- School Atlas – Oxford or Orient BlackSwan
Economy
- Indian Economy – Nitin Singhania or Ramesh Singh
- Economic Survey and Budget Summary – Official sources (for advanced understanding)
Environment & Ecology
- Environment – Shankar IAS Book
- Environement – PMFIAS
- Complement with current affairs and PIB releases
Science & Technology
- No single book needed
- Read science sections of The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB and other current affairs.
Ethics (GS Paper 4)
- Use examples from real life, current affairs, and government schemes question trends and depth.
- Lexicon for Ethics
- Subbarao or G Subba Rao