What is the syllabus of history for UPSC prelims?

The exact line of the prelims syllabus as given by the UPSC is “History of India and Indian National Movement.”

Is Modern History enough for UPSC?

Modern History is just one part of three divisions of the History subject. Studying Modern History alone is not enough for the UPSC Exam. One must study the Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History of India and the World as well for the UPSC Exam.

What are the 7 subjects of UPSC?

Indian Polity, Geography, History, Indian Economy, Science and Technology, Environment and Ecology, International Relations and associated UPSC current affairs.

UPSC History Syllabus For Civil Service Exam Preparation

Table of Contents

In the UPSC Exam History has a vital role, it is one of the optional subjects, Union Public Service Commission highly preferred it. UPSC History Syllabus covers various topics such as Ancient, Morden, Medieval History, and so on. Candidates must analyze historical events, interpret sources, and comprehend multiple historical perspectives. After reading this updated syllabus you can crack the 2024 UPSC Exam, But other aspects must be fulfilled.

Quick UPSC History Syllabus Updates

Union Public Service Commission has disclosed the UPSC Exam Dates for the 2024 session.
In the UPSC exam history subjects have a weightage of 200 marks and candidates need a minimum 33% passing score.
History is an optional subject for the examination with numerous topics. A total of 48 Optional Subjects are covered by UPSC and the History subject is one of them.

UPSC History Syllabus 2024

The UPSC History Syllabus has two parts, History Syllabus Paper 1 and Paper 2. Check out the below details to excel in this history optional subject syllabus topics, A comprehensive understanding of the syllabus and regular practice will help candidates perform well in the History optional exam.

Full Form of UPSC	Union Public Service Commission
Exam Type	Civil Service Examination
Mode	Offline
Total Duration	3 Hours
Exam Structure	Prelims, Mains, Interview
Official Site	https://upsc.gov.in/

UPSC History Paper 1 Syllabus 2024

The UPSC History Paper 1 Syllabus for 2024 covers a broad spectrum of topics from various periods in Indian history, emphasizing the development of societies, cultures, and polities. Below is a detailed table of the syllabus. candidates should refer to standard reference books and engage in critical analysis of historical developments.

Category	Details
Sources	Archaeological: Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments Literary: Indigenous (Primary and secondary; poetry, scientific literature, literature in regional languages, religious literature) Foreign accounts: Greek, Chinese, and Arab writers
Pre-history and Proto-history	Geographical factors; hunting and gathering (palaeolithic and mesolithic); Beginning of agriculture (neolithic and Chalcolithic)
Indus Valley Civilization	Origin, date, extent, characteristics, decline, survival and significance, art and architecture
Megalithic Cultures	Distribution of pastoral and farming cultures outside the Indus, Development of community life, Settlements, Development of agriculture, Crafts, Pottery, and Iron industry
Aryans and Vedic Period	Expansions of Aryans in India. Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic period; Political, social, and economic life; Significance of the Vedic Age; Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system
Period of Mahajanapadas	Formation of States (Mahajanapada): Republics and monarchies; Rise of urban centers; Trade routes; Economic growth; Introduction of coinage; Spread of Jainism and Buddhism; Rise of Magadha and Nandas. Iranian and Macedonian invasions and their impact
Mauryan Empire	Foundation of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta, Kautilya, and Arthashastra; Ashoka; Concept of Dharma; Edicts; Polity, Administration; Economy; Art, architecture, and sculpture; External contacts; Religion; Spread of religion; Literature. The disintegration of the empire; Sungas and Kanvas
Post-Mauryan Period	(Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas): Contact with the outside world; growth of urban centers, economy, coinage, development of religions, Mahayana, social conditions, art, architecture, culture, literature, and science
Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan, and South India	Kharavela, The Satavahanas, the Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Administration, economy, land grants, coinage, trade guilds, and urban centers; Buddhist centers; Sangam literature and culture; Art and architecture
Guptas, Vakatakas, and Vardhanas	Polity and administration, Economic conditions, Coinage of the Guptas, Land grants, Decline of urban centers, Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women, Education, and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila, and Vallabhi, Literature, scientific literature, art, and architecture
Regional States during the Gupta Era	The Kadambas, Pallavas, and Chalukyas of Badami; Polity and Administration, Trade guilds, Literature; growth of Vaishnava and Saiva religions. Tamil Bhakti movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple and temple architecture; Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity, and administration; Cultural aspects. The Arab conquest of Sind; Alberuni, The Chalukyas of Kalyana, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Polity and Administration; local Government; Growth of art and architecture, religious sects, Institution of temple and Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy and society
Themes in Early Indian Cultural History	Languages and texts, major stages in the evolution of art and architecture, major philosophical thinkers and schools, ideas in Science and Mathematics
Early Medieval India, 750-1200	Polity: Major political developments in Northern India and the Peninsula, origin and the rise of Rajputs – The Cholas: administration, village economy, and society – “Indian Feudalism” – Agrarian economy and urban settlements – Trade and commerce – Society: the status of the Brahman and the new social order – Condition of women – Indian science and technology
Society, Culture, and Economy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries	Society: composition of rural society, ruling classes, town dwellers, women, religious classes, caste and slavery under the Sultanate, Bhakti movement, Sufi movement – Culture: Persian literature, literature in the regional languages of North India, literature in the languages of South India, Sultanate architecture and new structural forms, painting, the evolution of a composite culture – Economy: Agricultural production, the rise of urban economy and non-agricultural production, trade, and commerce
Cultural Traditions in India, 750-1200	Philosophy: Shankaracharya and Vedanta, Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita, Madhva and BrahmaMimansa Religion: Forms and features of religion, Tamil devotional cult, growth of Bhakti, Islam and its arrival in India, Sufism Literature: Literature in Sanskrit, growth of Tamil literature, literature in the newly developing languages, Kalhan’s Rajtarangini, Alberuni’s India Art and Architecture: Temple architecture, sculpture, painting
The Thirteenth Century	Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate: The Ghurian invasions – factors behind Ghurian success – Economic, social and cultural consequences Foundation of Delhi Sultanate and early Turkish Sultans – Consolidation: The rule of Iltutmish and Balban
The Fourteenth Century	“The Khalji Revolution” – Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territorial expansion, agrarian and economic measures Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects, agrarian measures, the bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq Firuz Tughluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public works, a decline of the Sultanate, foreign contacts and Ibn Battuta’s account
The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century – Political Developments and Economy	Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Bengal, Kashmir (Zainul Abedin), Gujarat, Malwa, Bahmanids – The Vijayanagara Empire – Lodis – Mughal Empire First phase: Babur and Humayun – The Sur Empire: Sher Shah’s administration – Portuguese Colonial enterprise – Bhakti and Sufi Movements
The Fifteenth and early Sixteenth Century- Society and Culture	Regional cultural specificities – Literary traditions – Provincial architecture – Society, culture, literature and the arts in Vijayanagara Empire
Akbar	Conquests and consolidation of the Empire – Establishment of Jagir and Mansab systems – Rajput policy – Evolution of religious and social outlook, theory of Sulh-i-kul and religious policy – Court patronage of art and technology
Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century	Major administrative policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Aurangzeb – The Empire and the Zamindars Religious policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Aurangzeb – Nature of the Mughal State – Late Seventeenth-century crisis and the revolts – The Ahom Kingdom – Shivaji and the early Maratha Kingdom
Economy and Society in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries	Population, agricultural production, craft production – Towns, commerce with Europe through Dutch, English, and French companies: a trade revolution – Indian mercantile classes, banking, insurance, and credit systems – Condition of peasants, condition of women – Evolution of the Sikh community and the Khalsa Panth
Culture in the Mughal Empire	Persian histories and other literature – Hindi and other religious literature – Mughal architecture – Mughal painting – Provincial architecture and painting – Classical music – Science and technology
The Eighteenth Century	Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire – The regional principalities: Nizam’s Deccan, Bengal, Awadh – Maratha ascendancy under the Peshwas – The Maratha fiscal and financial system – Emergence of Afghan Power, Battle of Panipat:1761 – State of politics, culture, and economy on the eve of the British conquest

UPSC History Paper 2 Syllabus 2024

The UPSC History Paper 2 Syllabus for 2024 encompasses a comprehensive study of European penetration into India, detailing the early settlements, the struggles for supremacy among European powers, and significant battles like Plassey. The syllabus further delves into significant global historical contexts, including Enlightenment ideas.

Topic	Sub-Topics
European Penetration into India	– The Early European Settlements – The Portuguese and the Dutch – The English and the French East India Companies – Their struggle for supremacy – Carnatic Wars – Bengal: The conflict between the English and the Nawabs of Bengal – Siraj and the English – The Battle of Plassey – Significance of Plassey
British Expansion in India	– Bengal: Mir Jafar and Mir Kasim – The Battle of Buxar – Mysore – The Marathas – The three Anglo-Maratha Wars – The Punjab
Early Structure of the British Raj	– The early administrative structure – From diarchy to direct control – The Regulating Act (1773) – The Pitt’s India Act (1784) – The Charter Act (1833) – The Voice of Free Trade and the changing character of British colonial rule – The English utilitarian and India
Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule	– Land revenue settlements in British India: The Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari Settlement, Mahalwari Settlement – Economic impact of the revenue arrangements – Commercialization of agriculture – Rise of landless agrarian labourers – Impoverishment of the rural society – Dislocation of traditional trade and commerce – De-industrialisation – Decline of traditional crafts – Drain of wealth – Economic transformation of India – Railroad and communication network including telegraph and postal services – Famine and poverty in the rural interior – European business enterprise and its limitations
Social and Cultural Developments	– The state of indigenous education, its dislocation – Orientalist-Anglicist controversy – The introduction of Western education in India – The rise of press, literature, and public opinion – The rise of modern vernacular literature – Progress of science – Christian missionary activities in India
Social and Religious Reform Movements in Bengal and Other Areas	– Ram Mohan Roy – The Brahmo Movement – Devendranath Tagore – Iswarchandra Vidyasagar – The Young Bengal Movement – Dayanada Saraswati – Social reform movements in India including Sati, widow remarriage, child marriage, etc. – Contribution of the Indian Renaissance to the growth of modern India – Islamic revivalism – the Feraizi and Wahabi Movements
Indian Response to British Rule	– Peasant movements and tribal uprisings in the 18th and 19th centuries including: Rangpur Dhing (1783), Kol Rebellion (1832), Mopla Rebellion in Malabar (1841-1920), Santal Hul (1855), Indigo Rebellion (1859-60), Deccan Uprising (1875), Munda Ulgulan (1899-1900) – The Great Revolt of 1857: Origin, character, causes of failure, consequences – Shift in the character of peasant uprisings in the post-1857 period – Peasant movements of the 1920s and 1930s
Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism	– Politics of Association – Foundation of the Indian National Congress – Safety-valve thesis relating to the birth of the Congress – Programme and Objectives of Early Congress – Social composition of Early Congress leadership – The Moderates and Extremists – Partition of Bengal (1905) – Swadeshi Movement in Bengal: Economic and political aspects – Beginning of revolutionary extremism in India
Rise of Gandhi	– Character of Gandhian nationalism – Gandhi’s popular appeal – Rowlatt Satyagraha – Khilafat Movement – Non-cooperation Movement – National politics from the end of the Non-cooperation Movement to the beginning of the Civil Disobedience movement – Two phases of the Civil Disobedience Movement – Simon Commission – Nehru Report – Round Table Conferences – Nationalism and the Peasant Movements – Nationalism and Working class movements – Women, Indian youth, and students in Indian politics (1885-1947) – Election of 1937 and formation of ministries – Cripps Mission – Quit India Movement – Wavell Plan – The Cabinet Mission
Other strands in the National Movement	– The Revolutionaries: Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, U.P, Madras Presidency, Outside India – The Left within the Congress: Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Congress Socialist Party – The Communist Party of India, other left parties
Politics of Separatism	– Muslim League – Hindu Mahasabha – Communalism and politics of partition – Transfer of power – Independence
Consolidation as a Nation	– Nehru’s Foreign Policy – India and her neighbors (1947-1964) – Linguistic reorganization of States (1935-1947) – Regionalism and regional inequality – Integration of Princely States – Princes in electoral politics – Question of National Language
Caste and Ethnicity after 1947	– Backward castes and tribes in post-colonial electoral politics – Dalit movements
Economic development and political change	– Land reforms – Politics of planning and rural reconstruction – Ecology and environmental policy in post-colonial India – Progress of science
Enlightenment and Modern ideas	– Major ideas of Enlightenment: Kant, Rousseau – Spread of Enlightenment in the colonies – Rise of socialist ideas (up to Marx); spread of Marxian Socialism
Origins of Modern Politics	– European States System – American Revolution and the Constitution – French Revolution and aftermath (1789-1815) – American Civil War with reference to Abraham Lincoln and the abolition of slavery – British Democratic Politics (1815-1850); Parliamentary Reformers, Free Traders, Chartists
Industrialization	– English Industrial Revolution: Causes and Impact on Society – Industrialization in other countries: USA, Germany, Russia, Japan – Industrialization and Globalization
Nation-State System	– Rise of Nationalism in the 19th century – Nationalism: state-building in Germany and Italy – Disintegration of Empires in the face of the emergence of nationalities across the world
Imperialism and Colonialism	– South and South-East Asia – Latin America and South Africa – Australia – Imperialism and free trade: Rise of neo-imperialism
Revolution and Counter-Revolution	– 19th Century European revolutions – The Russian Revolution of 1917-1921 – Fascist Counter-Revolution: Italy and Germany – The Chinese Revolution of 1949
World Wars	– 1st and 2nd World Wars as Total Wars: Societal implications – World War I: Causes and consequences – World War II: Causes and consequences
The World after World War II	– Emergence of two power blocs – Emergence of Third World and non-alignment – UNO and the global disputes
Liberation from Colonial Rule	– Latin America: Bolivar – Arab World: Egypt – Africa: Apartheid to Democracy – South-East Asia: Vietnam
Decolonization and Underdevelopment	– Factors constraining development: Latin America, Africa
Unification of Europe	– Post-War Foundations: NATO and European Community – Consolidation and Expansion of European Community – European Union
Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World	– Factors leading to the collapse of Soviet communism and the Soviet Union (1985-1991) – Political Changes in Eastern Europe (1989-2001) – End of the Cold War and US ascendancy in the World as the lone superpower

UPSC History Syllabus Preparation Tips

Here, are some of the preparation resources added to you like using books and newspapers. use online resources through different web portals and platforms. Solve UPSC previous year’s questions to build a strong understanding of these topics.