The understanding of historical research techniques and applicants’ knowledge with chronological events are highly valued in the history curriculum for the UPSC. Additionally, it is covered in General Studies Paper 1 of the IAS Exam. Give yourself enough time to revise History frequently. To make sure you retain the information, constantly review your notes, relevant dates, and key ideas.
History is a subject that calls for strong presentation abilities. To enhance your writing style, coherence, and clarity, practice answering questions frequently. Work on organising your responses, offering pertinent examples, and including historical nuances. Keep up with current events, especially those that pertain to history. To stay up to date on historical arguments, fresh interpretations of historical events, and latest archaeological findings, read newspapers, periodicals, and online sources.
History Notes 2025
- Indian National Congress History, Foundation, Objective and Feature
- Satyashodhak Samaj, Founders, Objective, Oath and Affirmations
- Sergeant Plan of Education 1944, Objectives and Recommendations
- Munda Rebellion, History, Causes, Impact and Significance
- Birsa Munda: The Architect of Tribal Resilience, His Life and Legacy
- Mughal Empire List (1526 -1857), Timeline Order with Years
- Civil Disobedience Movement, Causes, Impacts and Limitations
- Tripartite Struggle, History, Causes, Phases and Outcomes
- Bombay Presidency Association, History, Feature and Leaders
- Freedom Fighters of India From 1857 to 1947, List and Contribution
UPSC History Notes 2025
One of the important topics that UPSC emphasises in both the Prelims and Mains exams is history. Understanding what happened in the past to shape the present and future requires a thorough understanding of history. The UPSC holds civil service examinations each year to choose candidates for various governments of India civil services. For these chosen individuals, studying Indian history is essential in order to understand the character of the past and the difficulties that India as a country may encounter.
Ancient History India Notes
In the UPSC Prelims syllabus, ancient Indian history is given considerable weight. When we talk about ancient history, we mostly mean the time starting around 5000 years ago when humans first started keeping records and writing things down. Topics in ancient Indian history for the UPSC are mentioned below.
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Decline of Harrapan Civilization
- Sangam Period
- Sangam Literature
- Buddhism
- Hinaya school
- Jainism
- Chalcolithic Age
- Gupta Empire
- Harshavardhana
- Rig Vedic period
- Later Vedic period
- Mahajanapadas
- Mauryan empire
- Ashoka Empire
- Alexander Invasion of India
Medieval History Indian Notes
- Bhakti Movement
- Bhaktism, Sufism, and Sikhism
- Tripartite Struggle
- Cholas
- Mansabdari System
- Regional Cultures
- 18th Century Political Formations
- Delhi Sultanate (1206 AD – 1526 AD)
- Slave Dynasty
- Khilji Dynasty
- Tuglaq Dynasty
- Sayyid Dynasty
- Lodi Dynasty
- Pallava Dynasty
- Chalukya Dynasty
- Rashtrakuta dynasty
- First Battle of Panipat
- Second Battle of Panipat
Mughals (AD 1526 – AD 1857)
Modern History Indian Notes
Modern Indian history covers a wide range of topics related to the development of Modern India and events that happened in that period. It has changed a lot and had a big impact on our society’s economy and political system. Here are Some of the important Historical topics for UPSC in modern India are given below.
- Portuguese in India
- Dutch East India company
- French East India Company
- East India Company
- Regulating Act 1773
- Pitt’s India Act 1784
- Charter Act of 1793
- Subsidiary alliance
- Land Revenue System
- Ryotwari System
- Mahalwari System
- Permanent Settlement
- Revolt of 1857
- Socio-Religious Reforms
- Prarthana Samaj
- Satyashodhak Samaj
- Servants of India Society
- Social Service League
- Reforms Movements in south India
- Self-Respect Movement
- Temple Entry Movement
- Justice Movement
- Reform Movements by Parsis
- Singh Sabha Movement
- Akali Movement
- Reform movement in North India
- Wahabi Movement
- Faraizi Movement
- Aligarh Movement
- Ahmadiyya Movement
- Deoband Movement
- Portuguese in India
- Exaptation and Consolidation of British Power in India
- Conquest of Sindh
- Conquest of Punjab
- Brahmo samaj
- Arya samaj
- Anglo Mysore wars
- Anglo Maratha wars
- Emergence of Regional States
- Doctrine of Lapse
- The Charter Acts
- Cabinet Mission (1946)
- Indian Independence Act 1947
- Peasant Movements
- Extremist
- Differences between the Moderates and the Extremists
- 1857- First War of Indian Independence
- 1885- Formation of Indian National Congress
- Indian Councils Act 1861
- Indian councils act 1892
- Drain of Wealth, drain of wealth theory
- Land revenue, Land revenue system
- Government of India act 1858
- British Administration System
- Civil Service under British Administration
- Army & Police under British Administration
- 1905- 1918 National Movement
- 1919-1939 National Movement
- Government of India act 1919, Montague Chelmsford Reforms,
- Judicial system in British India
- Education system in British India
- Wood’s Despatch
- Hartog committee
- Macaulay minutes
- Hunter commission
- Raleigh commission
- Indian university act 1904
- Sadler commission
- Wardha education scheme
- Sergeant plan of education
- Rowlatt Act
- Khilafat Movement
- Swarajists Movement
- Growth of Communalism Upsurges
- Nehru Report
- Civil Disobedience Movement
- Poona Pact
- Communal Award
- Government of India act 1935
- Round Table Conference
- 1942- Quit India Movement
- 1947- Partition of India
- 1946 – 1950 Constitutional Development of India
- 1962- India- China war
- 1965-India-Pakistan war
- 1971- Formation of Bangladesh
- 1991-New Economic Policy
- Indian Independence Act 1947
- Integration of Princely States
- Two-Nation Theory
- Lee Commission
- Development of Indian Press
- Asiatic Society
- All India Trade Union Congress
- Tribal Revolts and Movements (1757-1900s)
- Sanyasi Revolt
- Paika Rebellion
- Tribal Movements in India
- Ahom Revolt
- Kuka Movement
- Chuar Uprising
- kol rebellion
- Pahariyas’ Rebellion
- Munda Rebellion (Ulgulan Revolt)
- Santhal Rebellion
- Khond Uprisings
- Bhil Revolts
- Ramosi Uprising
- Poligar Revolt
- Peasant Movements in India
- Moplah Rebellion
- Pagal Panthis Revolt
UPSC History Syllabus 2025
UPSC History is one of the most crucial topics for the UPSC Civil Service Exam. Ancient, Medieval and Modern Indian History is a relatively broad subject for the IAS, encompassing the following topics:
Ancient History | Medieval History | Modern History |
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How To Prepare History For UPSC Prelims?
History is one of the important subjects in the UPSC Prelims. It has significant weightage over the years. The Focus Section is ancient History, Medieval History, and Modern History. For the Prelims, Modern India is the most crucial. 15-20% of weightage comes from History according to present trends. We have discussed about the Preparation tips for the Indian History below:-
- The first thing that you need to focus on to prepare History for UPSC is the UPSC History Syllabus 2025 for Prelims.
- The syllabus will act as the framework for your preparation. It would help if you focused strictly on the topics that are there.
- Aspirants need to strategize their preparation by making timelines for each phase (ancient, medieval, and modern), highlighting all the crucial events that took place.
- It would help if you also focused on the definitions of all words and concepts because, in the History for UPSC Prelims, it has been noted that definitions of different words usually come.
- The section on medieval History has been getting fewer questions, so you can focus on topics that are definite but not avoid the section.
- Revision is a must to prepare History for UPSC Prelims.
- The factual nature of the study requires you to keep revising it so that you do not forget everything you have covered.
- The revision will help you in assessing your level of preparation.
- The best way to revise is to take mock tests and solve the previous year’s question papers.
Best Books for UPSC CSE History Topics
Without the appropriate reading materials, no preparation method for the Prelims history section will be successful. When it comes to selecting books for the history component of the Prelims, there are several alternatives. To finish them all, though, is impossible. When deciding on the proper book, it can get overwhelming for the applicants. The best books to cover history topics for UPSC Prelims are given here to make things easy.
- India’s Ancient Past by R. S. Sharma
- India’s Struggle For Independence by Bipan Chandra
- History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
- Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
- History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra
Weightage of Marks for History in UPSC Prelims (2021-2012)
Year | History Weightage in UPSC Prelims |
2021 | 20 |
2020 | 20 |
2019 | 17 |
2018 | 22 |
2017 | 14 |
2016 | 15 |
2015 | 17 |
2014 | 22 |
2013 | 16 |
2012 | 19 |