History is included in the General Studies Paper I in the UPSC Main and General Studies Paper in UPSC CSE Prelims. About 17-22% of questions in Prelims are asked from History. Questions on important landmarks can be asked in the interview, as well. Further, history is one of the extremely vast subjects when it comes to the syllabus. Hence, the history syllabus for UPSC must be strategically covered so as to ensure you reap maximum benefits from your preparation.
Indian Heritage & Culture |
Indian Art Forms |
Indian Paintings Classical Dance Forms Folk Dance Forms Classical Music Puppetry Pottery Drama/Theatre Martial Arts |
Literature |
Ancient Indian Literature Classical Sanskrit Literature Literature in Pali and Prakrit Early Dravidian Literature Medieval Literature Women Poets of Bhakti Trends in Medieval Literature Modern Indian Literature |
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Architecture |
Harappan Architecture Temple Architecture Cave Architecture Indo-Islamic Architecture Medieval Architecture Modern Architecture Contribution of Buddhism & Jainism to the Development of Indian Architecture Rock-Cut Architecture Colonial Architecture & the Modern Period |
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Modern Indian History |
Middle of the Eighteenth Centurytillthe Present |
Socio-economic Condition of the People European Penetration of India British Conquest of India Socio-economic Condition of the People European Penetration of India British Conquest of India |
The Freedom Struggle |
The Revolt of 1857 |
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Growth of Nationalism in India (1858–1905) |
Political, Economic & Administrative Unification of the Country Role of Western Education Role of the Press Rediscovery of India’s Past Early Political Movements Formation of INC Era of Moderates |
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Growth of Militant Nationalism & Revolutionary Activities (1905–18) |
Swadeshi & Boycott Movement Surat Split International Influence Morley-Minto Reforms Growth of Communalism |
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Beginning of Mass Nationalism (1919–39) |
Mahatma Gandhi – His Ideas & Leadership Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms Rowlatt Act, Satyagraha, and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Non-Cooperation & Khilafat Movements Swarajists & No-Changers Emergence of New Forces – Socialistic Ideas, Youth & Trade Unionism Revolutionary Activities Simon Commission & Nehru Report Civil Disobedience Movement Round Table Conferences Communal Award & Poona Pact Participation in Elections to Central Legislature (1934) & Provincial Assemblies (1937) Government of India Act, 1935 |
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Towards Freedom & Partition (1939–47) |
National Movement during World War II August Offer Individual Satyagraha Growth of Communalism Peasant Movements State People’s Struggle Cripps Mission Quit India Movement Wavell Plan INA & Subhash Chandra Bose Cabinet Mission Nationalist Upsurge Post-World War II Independence with Partition |
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Post-Independence Consolidation |
Nation Building |
Partition and its Aftermath Integration of Princely States Reorganization of States Issue of Official Language Tribal Consolidation Regional Aspirations |
Foreign Policy |
Non-Aligned Movement PanchsheelWars with Pakistan & China Nuclear Policy |
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Economy |
Planned Development Green Revolution Agrarian & Land Reforms Industrial Reforms LPG Reforms |
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Polity |
The Era of One-Party Dominance The Emergence of Opposition Parties Emergency: Crisis of Democratic Order Rise of Regional Parties Coalition Era |
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Social |
Popular Movements Communalism Indian Women since Independence Naxalism |
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History of the World |
Industrial Revolution |
Renaissance Discovery of Sea Routes Reformation Counter-Reformation European Nations Settle North America Rise of the Slave Trade American War of Independence French Revolution Nationalism in Europe Rise of Capitalism, Colonialism, and Imperialism |
World War I |
Causes of the War Scope & Course of the War Russian Revolution End of the War, and Peace Treaties Consequences of the War League of Nations |
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World Between the Two Wars |
Europe After the War – Fascism & Nazism The Great Depression Emergence of the Soviet Union Nationalist Movements in Asia & Africa The US as a Strong Power |
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World War II |
Fascist Aggression & Response of Western Democracies Outbreak of the War Theatres of the War US Entry into the War Global Nature of the War The Holocaust Resistance Movements After-effects of the War |
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Decolonization & Redrawing of National Boundaries |
Europe after World War II The Cold War Rise of Asia & Africa Developments in West Asia & North Africa Spread of Communism The Korean War The Vietnam War The Cuban Crisis The Collapse of the Soviet Union |
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Concept, Types,and Social Impact of Political Philosophies |
Communism Capitalism Socialism |
Since a large part of the syllabus overlaps between Prelims and Main, it is advisable to cover the history syllabus for UPSC holistically. The following strategy may be helpful for you to prepare a history subject:
#1 Build a solid foundation
Read NCERTs of Classes VIII to XII to build a strong foundation in History. You can further develop your understanding by reading NIOS/IGNOU notes. The information provided in small boxes in the NCERTs must also be read as direct questions are asked from those snippets in Prelims.
#2 Glance through the PYQs
This will help you get an idea of the type of questions that are asked. It will also guide you in fine-tuning your preparation strategy, and making it more effective. Further, you will be able to look for question-based information from the pool of information.
#3 Cover the topic syllabus-wise
In History, it is important to learn the events sequentially; so, cover them syllabus-wise. Stick to the syllabus, especially in this subject. Even while reading the reference books, it is important to read just those chapters that are relevant to the UPSC CSE syllabus. History syllabus for UPSC is extremely vast, hence, must be covered strictly according to the syllabus provided for the Mains exam.
#4 Mock tests
Write as many mock tests as you can while covering this subject as much as possible. Practice answer-writing for Main, and get your answers evaluated by your mentor to assess your preparation and analyze your mistakes. Keep repeating the process!
The recommended booklist to cover history syllabus for UPSC CSE Prelims and Main are:
NCERTs (Class VIII to XII)
NIOS/IGNOU Notes
India's Ancient Past by R. S. Sharma
History of Medieval India: From 647 A.D. to the Mughal Conquest by Satish Chandra
History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra
Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania