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 2024 For Civil Service Exam Preparation

Table of Contents

History is one of the popular choices among the 48 optional subjects in the UPSC CSE Exam. History Syllabus covers Ancient, Medieval, and Modern history in depth. History is the best optional subject for candidates who enjoy reading theoretical part and connecting the past with our ancestors. To complete the UPSC History syllabus, candidates require a smart study plan, a consistent effort, and the ability to understand the important events that happened in the past.

Union Public Service Commission has announced the dates for both UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains examination in its UPSC Annual calendar.
In the UPSC CSE Mains, History has two papers of 500 marks, with a minimum passing score of 33%.

UPSC History Syllabus 2025

The UPSC History Syllabus for the Civil Services Exam is divided into two major parts: Paper 1 and Paper 2. A clear understanding of both parts is essential to in the History optional exam. This syllabus encompasses a wide range of topics from Ancient, Medieval, and Modern History, and with regular practice and focused preparation, candidates can significantly improve their chances of success.

UPSC History Syllabus 2025
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 Prelims Syllabus 2025

The UPSC Prelims History syllabus covers Indian history from Prehistoric times to the Independence period, including Art and Culture from that era. The detailed syllabus is given below:

UPSC History Prelims Syllabus 2025
Ancient History	Prehistoric Times	Sources of Prehistory Palaeolithic Age Mesolithic Age Neolithic Age Chalcolithic Age Megalithic Age Geographical Distribution and Characteristics
	Indus Valley Civilization	IVC Geography Archaeological Findings IVC Society and Culture IVC Economy Decline of IVC
	Vedic Period and Later Vedic Period	Sources of Information Geography of the Rig Vedic Period Political Organisation Rig Vedic Society Rig Vedic Economy Religious Practices and Culture
	Sangam Period	Sangam Dynasties Sangam Literature Sangam Trade Sangam Polity, Society and Culture Economy of Sangam Period Sangam Art and Culture
	Jainism	Early Tirthankaras Teachings of Mahavira Organisation and Sects of Jainism Jain Literature Jain Philosophy Jain Councils, Spread and Royal Patrons
	Buddhism	Life of Buddha Teachings of Buddha Sects of Buddhism Buddhist Literature Buddhist Councils Causes for the Decline
	Mahajanapadas	The 16 Mahajanapadas Famous Dynasties and their Capitals Society and Economy Administration Decline of Mahajanapadas
	Age of Mauryas	Sources of Information (Inscriptions, literature) Famous Rulers Administration Society Economy Foreign Relations Asoka’s reign Decline of Mauryas
	Post Mauryas	Satavahanas Sungas and Kanvas Sakas Kushanas
	Age of Guptas	Sources of Gupta Rule Rulers and Guptas Chronology Foreign Travellers Visit Gupta Administration Society Religion and Culture Development of Urban centres in Gupta period Economy Science and Technology Literature Later Guptas Other Contemporary Dynasties
	Vardhana Dynasty	Harsha and Buddhism Hiuen Tsang Administration Society and Culture Battle of Narmada
Medieval History	Early Medieval Dynasties	The Pratiharas (8th to 10th Century) The Palas (8th to 11th Century) The Senas (11th to 12th Century) The Rajputs Pallavas Chalukyas Rashtrakutas
	South Indian Dynasties	Chola Rulers and Political History Chola Administration and Socio-Economic Life The Cheras (9th to 12th Century) The Yadavas (12th to 13th Century)
	Early Muslim Invaders	Mohhamed Bin Qasim Mahmud of Ghazni Muhammad Ghori
	Sultanate Period	Slave Dynasty Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320 AD) Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414 AD) Sayyid Dynasty Lodi Dynasty Mongol Invasions Administration Economy Society and Culture Weakening of the Sultanate
	Emergence of Mughals	The 1st Battle of Panipat and Emergence of Babur Babur’s Struggle with Rana Sanga Babur’s Contributions Humayun and the Afghans The Struggle with Sher Shah Suri The Sur Empire (1540-56) Contributions of Sher Shah
	Consolidation of Power: Akbar’s Rule	The 2nd Battle of Panipat Early Expansion of the Empire Relations with the Rajputs Structure of Government Land-Revenue System, the Dahsala System, the Mansabdari System and the Army Din-i-Ilahi – State Policies and religious toleration Akbar’s Contributions Development of Art and Culture during Akbar’s era.
	Post-Akbar Mughals	Jehangir’s Rule Shah Jahan’s Rule Emergence of Aurangzeb Evolution of the Mughal Ruling Class
	Emergence of Marathas	Rise of the Marathas – Early Career of Shivaji Shivaji’s Administration Aurangzeb and the Deccani States (1658-87) Marathas and the Decean Rulers The Marathas and their Policy of Expansion Third Battle of Panipat The Peshwas (1713-1818) Other Maratha States
	Deccan Sultanate	Deccani States Mughal Conquest of Deccan Rise of Malik Ambar Suzerainty by Bijapur and Golconda Cultural Contribution of the Deccani States
	Vijayanagara Empire	Sources of History Administration Social and Cultural Life Chronology of Different Dynasties Conflicts with the Bahmani Kingdom Foreign Travelers to Vijayanagara
	Rise of Regional Kingdoms	The Sikhs The Jats The Rajputs Bengal Nawabs Awadh Kingdom
Modern History	Advent of Europeans	The Portuguese in India The Dutch in India The Danes in India The English The French Anglo-French Rivalry The carnatic Wars
	British Expansionism	Battle of Plassey Battle of Buxar Anglo-Mysore wars Anglo Maratha Wars The Subsidiary Alliance System Anglo-Sikh Wars Doctrine of Lapse Ring Fencing
	British Administration and Constitution Development of India	Dual Governance Impact of British Administration Regulating Act 1773 Pitt’s India Act of 1784 Charter Act of 1793 Charter Act of 1813 Charter Act of 1833 Charter Act of 1853 Government of India Act 1858 The Indian Councils Act 1861 Indian Councils Act 1892 Morley – Minto Reforms Montague – Chelmsford Reforms Government of India Act 1935 Indian Independence Act, 1947
	Development of Education	Charter Act of 1813 Orientalist-Anglicist Controversy Wood’s Dispatch (1854) Hunter Education Commission (1882-83) Indian Universities Act, 1904 Saddler University Commission (1917-19) Hartog Committee (1929) Wardha Scheme of Basic Education (1937) Sergeant Plan of Education Kothari Education Commission (1964-66) Development of Vernacular Education Development of Technical Education
	Development of Press	Famous Publications and Journals Vernacular Press Act, 1878 Freedom of Press
	Indian Renaissance	Factors causing Reforms Hindu Reform Movements Muslim Reforms Movement Sikh Reform Movement Parsi Reform Movement Impact of Reform Movements
	Personalities Involved in Indian Social Reforms	Raja Ram Mohan Roy Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Swami DayanandaSaraswati Keshab Chandra Sen Mahadev Govind Ranade Annie Besant–Theosophical Society Syed Ahmad Khan Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Swami Vivekananda Pandita Ramabai Jyotiba Phule Dr.Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
	Peasant and Tribal Revolts in India	Bhil Uprising Kol Uprising Santhal Rebellion Jaintia and Garo Rebellion Rampa Rebellion Munda Rebellion Khonda Dora Uprisings Tana Bhagat Movement Champaran Satyagraha Kheda Peasant Struggle Bardoli Movement Moplah Rebellion Tebhaga Movement Telangana Movement
	Post Congress Era	Early Phase Indian National Congress The Moderate Congress Era The Extremist (1905-1920) The Revolutionary Movement Revolutionary Activities in different parts of the country Revival of Revolutionary Nationalism Revolutionary Activities Outside India The Indian Independence Committee in Berlin Differences between the Moderates and the Extremists
	1st Phase of Indian National Movement	Partition of Bengal (1905) Swadeshi Movement Formation of Muslim League Surat Split of Congress Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909 Ghadar Party Komagata Maru Incident The Lucknow Pact Home Rule Movement August Declaration, 1917
	2nd Phase of Indian National Movement	Emergence of Gandhi Champaran Satyagraha (1917) Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918) Kheda Satyagraha (1918) The Government of India Act, 1919 The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Khilafat Movement The Non-Cooperation Movement Chauri Chaura Incident Bardoli Resolution Swaraj Party and its Evaluation Simon Commission (1927) Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) Nehru Report (1928) Jinnah’s Fourteen Points Lahore Session, 1929
	Last Phase of the Indian National Movement	Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1931) First Round Table Conference, 1930 Gandhi-Irwin Pact, 1931 Karachi session of INC (1931) Second Round Table Conference, 1931 Civil Disobedience Movement Third Round Table Conference McDonald’s Communal Award Poona Pact, 1932 Government of India Act, 1935 Rise of Subhas Chandra Bose World War II and Indian Nationalism Resignation of Congress Ministers (1939) August Offer of 1940 Individual Satyagraha Two-Nation Theory Cripps Mission (1942) Quit India Movement Azad Hind Fauj Indian National Army INA Trials Naval Rebellion Rajagopalachari Formula, 1945 Desai – Liaqat Pact Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) Wavell Plan Jinnah’s Direct Action Resolution Mountbatten Plan Indian Independence Act of 1947
	Governor Generals of India	A brief study of the Governor generals of British India

UPSC History Paper I Syllabus 2025

The UPSC History Paper 1 syllabus for the 2025 Civil Services Exam covers Ancient India and Medieval India, two main periods in Indian history. This syllabus includes a wide range of topics, focusing on the development of societies, cultures, and political systems across various historical phases. To get good marks in UPSC History Paper 1, candidates must not only refer to standard reference books but also engage in depth analysis of historical events and 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 2025

The UPSC History Paper 2 Syllabus covers Modern India and World History, including topics like the European invasion of India, important figures like Robert Clive, and events leading to the 1947 Independence Act.

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 The 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 networks 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 The 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 the 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 MahasabhaCommunalism and politics of partition Transfer of Power Independence
Consolidation as a Nation	Nehru’s Foreign Policy India and her neighbours (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 concerning 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	The 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 the 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

Preparation Tips for UPSC History Syllabus

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 the UPSC Previous year’s questions to build a strong understanding of these topics. NCERT books are essential for building a strong historical foundation. Starting with NCERTs helps you master the history

Previous Year Question Paper
Best Books for the UPSC Examination
Books- For Ancient India- Jha & Shrimali, NCERT, Sonali Bansal, For Medieval India- Satish Chandra, Imitiyaaz Ahmad, For Modern India- Spectrums, B.L Grover, and lastly, for world History- Jain & Mathur.

UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus
History optional question paper	Best optional for UPSC
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