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
• Selected chapters from Majid Husain’s books (for optional or advanced GS prep)

Economy

• Indian Economy – Nitin Singhania or Ramesh Singh
• Economic Survey and Budget Summary – Official sources (for advanced understanding)

Environment & Ecology

• Environment – Shankar IAS Book
• Complement with current affairs and PIB releases

Science & Technology

• No single book needed
• Read science sections of The Hindu, PIB, and other current affairs.

Current Affairs

• Daily newspaper: The Hindu or Indian Express
• Monthly magazines: Vision IAS / Insights IAS / ForumIAS

Ethics (GS Paper 4)

• Use examples from real life, current affairs, and government schemes.
• Lexicon for Ethics
• Subbarao or G Subba Rao & P.N. Roy Chowdhury (for detailed reading)