UPSC History Syllabus For Prelims, Mains & Optional

In the UPSC IAS Exam, History is one of the subjects out of the list of 48 UPSC Optional subjects. It is a widely chosen optional subject as it is mostly theoretical & interlinks our ancestor’s past to the present world. But still one must choose this subject wisely as it plays a crucial role in the overall score of the exam. History can be quite scoring optional subject as it mainly consists of Indian Culture, India’s Freedom Struggle and the world’s history. History optional syllabus overlaps with the IAS Prelims as well as the Mains General Studies-1. Candidates preparing for IAS exam must know the History UPSC syllabus in detail, as it will help them to understand all the topics they need to study to ace the toughest exam in India.

In this article, we have categorised the UPSC History Syllabus on the basis of prelims and mains exams.

1. History Syllabus For UPSC Prelims,
2. UPSC Mains History Syllabus, and,
3. History Optional Syllabus for UPSC.

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History Syllabus For UPSC Prelims

The History Syllabus For UPSC Prelims is as mentioned in the official notification as "The History of India and the Indian National Movement".

Looking at the above syllabus line, it is difficult to know what to study for the prelims exam. So, we have decoded the UPSC History Prelims Syllabus with all the important history topics you need to study for the IAS Prelims GS Paper 1.

Section A: Ancient History

• Prehistoric cultures in India
• Indus Civilization – Origins- the different phases- society, economy, and culture- Contacts with other cultures- factors lead to the decline.
• Geographical distribution and characteristics of pastoral and farming society.
• Vedic society-Vedic texts- change from Rigvedic to later Vedic phases.
• Vedic society Religion- Upanishad thought-Political and social organization, the evolution of the Varna system and monarchy.
• Formation of the State and urbanization, from the Mahajanapadas to the Nandas.
• Buddhism and Jainism- Factors for the spread of Buddhism.
• The Mauryan Empire- Chandragupta and Megasthenes.
• Asoka and his inscriptions, his dhamma, culture, administration, and art
• Society of Post-Mauryan India, BC 200- AD 300- Evolution of Jatis.
• The Satavahanas and formation of the state in the Peninsula.
• Sangam texts and society.
• Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, Kushans, Kanishka-Contacts with the outer world.
• Different Religion- Bhagavatism, Saivism, Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana, Jainism and Culture and art.
• The Guptas and their descendants.
• Literature Science, Arts, Economy, and society -Modification in the political organization of empire.

Section B: Medieval History

• Early Medieval India. Major dynasties; Political and Agrarian organization. Status of women, Extent of social mobility. The Arabs in Sind and the Ghaznavids.
• Cultural trends, 750-1200, Religious circumstances: the significance of temples and monastic institutions; Sankaracharya; Islam; Sufism. Art and architecture. Literature and Science.
• 13th and 14th Centuries: Ghorian invasions reasons and consequences. Delhi Sultanate under the Slave Rulers. Aladdin Khalji: invasion; administrative, agrarian and economic measures. Muhammad Tughlug’s innovations. Firuz Tughluq and the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. Development of urbanization and commerce. Spiritual movements in Hinduism and Islam. Literature. Architecture, Technological changes.
• The 15th and early 16th Century: Key Provincial dynasties; Vijayanagara Empire. The Lodhis, First stage of the Mughal Empire: The Sur Empire and administration. Monotheistic movements: Kabir; Guru Nanak and Sikhism; Bhakti. The spread of regional literature. Art and Culture.
• The Mughal Empire, Akbar: invasion, administrative measures, Policy of Sulh-I-Kul. Jagir and Mansab systems; Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Aurangzeb: extension of Mughal empire in the Deccan; religious policies. Shivaji. Persian and regional literature. Religious idea: Abul Fazl; Maharashtra dharma. Architecture. Painting. Economy: state of affairs of peasants and artisans, escalation in trade; trade with Europe. Social stratification and position of women.
• The decline of the Mughal Empire, Reason behind the decline. Maratha power under the Peshwas. The Afghans. Regional states. Most important components of composite culture. Sawai Jai Singh, astronomer. The rise of Urdu language.

Section C: Modern History

• British extension: The Carnatic Wars, invasion of Bengal. Mysore and its confrontation to British expansion: The three Anglo-Maratha Wars. Regulating and Pitt’s India Acts. Early composition of the British raj.
• Economic Impact of the British Raj: land revenue settlements like Zamindari, Ryotwari, Mahalwari; Deindustrialization; Railways and commercialization of agriculture; increase of landless labour.
• Cultural encounter and social changes: the inception of western education and modern thoughts. Indian Renaissance, religious and social reform movements; Social reforms events before 1857. Development of Indian middle class; the vernacular press and its effects: the rise of modern literature in Indian languages.
• Confrontation to British rule: Early uprisings; The 1857 Revolt-reasons, character, course and result.
• Indian Freedom struggle the first stage: Growth of national consciousness; creation of Associations; Establishment of the Indian National Congress and its Moderate stage; Swadeshi Movement; Economic Nationalism; The development of Extremism and the split in Congress; The policy of Divide and Rule; Congress-League Pact of 1916.
• Gandhian thoughts and techniques of mass mobilization- Civil Disobedience, the Khilafat movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, and Quit India Movement; another strand in the National Movement-Revolutionaries, Subhash Chandra Bose, and the Indian National Army.
• Separatist movements in Indian politics- the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League; Partition and Independence; The post -1945 developments.
• India independent to 1964. A parliamentary, democratic, secular. Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision, Foreign policy of Non-alignment, Planning and state-controlled industrialization. Agrarian modification.

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UPSC History Prelims Syllabus PDF

Discover the key to conquering by downloading the UPSC History prelims Syllabus PDF. Unveil the essential topics, timelines, and exam structure to fuel your preparation and excel in this prestigious examination. Get ready to embark on a transformative journey towards success in just a few clicks.

UPSC Mains History Syllabus Topicwise

As discussed earlier, History is a subject which is included in both prelims & mains GS Paper 1, and History can also be taken as an optional subject by the candidates. The syllabus of the History for GS paper 1 and the optional subject overlap each other, and the topics are almost identical.

Have a look at the Official UPSC Mains History Syllabus mentioned below.

• Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present – significant events, personalities, issues.
• The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• History of the world will include events from the 18th century such as the industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.— their forms and effect on the society.

The above-mentioned official UPSC Mains Syllabus for History can be decoded into detailed topics & sub-topics:

1. Indian Heritage & Culture

• Indian Paintings
• Classical Dance Forms & Classical Music
• Puppetry
• Pottery, Drama/Theatre
• Martial Arts
• 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
• Harappan Architecture
• Temple Cave & Architecture
• Indo-Islamic Architecture
• Medieval and Modern Architecture
• Contribution of Buddhism & Jainism to the Development of Indian Architecture
• Rock Cut Architecture
• Colonial Architecture & the Modern Period

Check out Ancient History UPSC Mains Questions here.

2. Modern Indian History

• Socio-economic Condition of People
• European Penetration of India
• British Conquest of India
• British Policies & Their Impact – Economic, Administrative & Socio-cultural
• Socio-cultural Reform Movements
• Uprisings Against British Pre-1857

3. Freedom Struggle

• Growth of Nationalism in India (1858-1905)
• Revolt of 1857
• Growth of Militant Nationalism & Revolutionary Activities (1905-1918)
• Beginning of Mass Nationalism (1919-1939)
• Towards Freedom & Partition (1939-1947)

4. Post-Independence Consolidation

• Partition& Reorganisation of States
• Official Language & related Issues
• Non-Aligned Movement
• Foreign Policy
• Agrarian Reforms, Land Reforms & Industrial Reforms
• Popular Movements
• Communalism & Naxalism
• Indian Women Since Independence
• Emergency: Crisis of Democratic Order
• Other Economic and Social Issues post-independence

5. World History

• Industrial Revolution, Capitalism, Colonialism & Imperialism
• World War I
• Russian Revolution
• World Between the Two World Wars
• Emergence of Soviet Union
• Nationalist Movements in Asia & Africa
• World War II
• Post Wold War II Effects
• Decolonization
• Redrawal of National Boundaries
• Europe after World War II
• Cold War
• Korean War & Vietnam War
• Cuban Crisis
• Collapse of Soviet Union

Check out more about World History For UPSC here.

UPSC Mains History Syllabus PDF

Access the UPSC Mains History Syllabus PDF for free with the link given below and enhance your preparation with this comprehensive resource, available for instant Free download.

Check out Modern History UPSC Mains Questions here.

UPSC History Optional Syllabus For Paper 1

Aspirants preparing for UPSC and having chosen History as their optional subject must know the complete syllabus of paper 1. UPSC History optional syllabus includes topics such as sources to find evidence for the History facts, pre-history, proto-history, Civilisations, Aryans, Mahajanpads, Gupta Era, early Medieval life and others. Go through the detailed History optional syllabus for UPSC to understand the syllabus better and ace the exam. The below table displays the topics & sub-topics covered in paper 1 of the UPSC History optional syllabus:

Check out World History UPSC Mains Questions here.

UPSC History Optional Syllabus For Paper 2

The history syllabus for optional paper 2 is important to understand as it plays a vital role in scoring good marks in the mains. Optional paper 2 syllabus includes topics like British Expansion in India, the economic & social impact of British colonial rule, social & cultural development, the origin of modern politics, imperialism, colonialism, world war, the Unification of Europe and others. For better preparation, download the syllabus PDF and mark the topic you have covered. The below table displays the topics & sub-topics covered in paper 2 of the UPSC History optional syllabus:

Also, check out UPSC History Optional Previous Year Papers Here.

Tips To Prepare For UPSC History Syllabus

The syllabus of history optional is so vast considering the UPSC exam, as lakhs of students are preparing for the exam and only a few got elected. When candidates start their preparation for UPSC, after knowing the syllabus they try to find out easy ways to cover every topic. Candidates sincerely preparing for the UPCS must complete the syllabus way before the exam date. To help candidates plan the completion of the syllabus, an effective way is given below:

• Understand the UPSC History syllabus properly, and start from important topics that are frequently asked in the exam.
• Do not focus only on the important History topics but all the topics that need to be covered as questions from UPSC are unpredictable, and aspirants need to be ready for all types of questions.
• Start preparing with the NCERT books to build a solid foundation.
• Analyse the UPSC previous year question papers to understand the difficulty level and important topics.
• First, read the complete syllabus and then in the next round start preparing your notes for further revision.
• Try to read one book many times, rather than focusing on many books.

Check out section-wise History Books for UPSC with the links given in the table below: 

This was a detailed article about the History Syllabus for UPSC. To start the preparation for your examination, you can also download the Testbook App to get access to world-class education, mock tests, etc for the UPSC exam.