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UPSC History Syllabus 2024 - Check UPSC History Paper 1 and 2 Syllabus

UPSC History Syllabus 2024 - Check UPSC History Paper 1 and 2 Syllabus

Edited By Vishnukumar V | Updated on Feb 14, 2024 05:59 PM IST | #UPSC CSE
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The Commission prescribed the IAS History syllabus in the UPSC notification online. History optional syllabus is released separately for paper 1 and paper 2 of the UPSC CSE mains exam. The UPSC IAS syllabus 2024 for History is released by the Commission together in PDF format.
Download - UPSC IAS History syllabus pdf

This Story also Contains
  1. UPSC History Syllabus 2024 - For Paper I
  2. UPSC History Syllabus 2024 - For Paper II
  3. UPSC Preparation Strategy 2024
  4. UPSC History Optional Books 2024
UPSC History Syllabus 2024 - Check UPSC History Paper 1 and 2 Syllabus
UPSC History Syllabus 2024 - Check UPSC History Paper 1 and 2 Syllabus

With the help of UPSC History question papers, candidates can know about the important topics, difficulty level, and chapters asked in the UPSC CSE 2024 mains exam. UPSC optional History syllabus comprises 500 marks for Paper 1 and Paper 2 of UPSC IAS exam. Along with the IAS History syllabus for mains exam, candidates must also check UPSC IAS exam pattern for their preparations. For more details about IAS History syllabus 2024, candidates must read the article below.

Relevant Articles:


UPSC History Syllabus 2024 - For Paper I

Subject

Topics

Sources

  • Archaeological sources: Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments.

  • Foreign account: Greek, Chinese and Arab writers.

  • Literary sources: Indigenous: Primary and secondary; poetry, scientific literature, literature, literature in regional languages, religious literature.

Pre-history and Proto-history

  • Beginning of agriculture (neolithic and chalcolithic)

  • Geographical factors; hunting and gathering (paleolithic and mesolithic)

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 agriculture, Crafts, Pottery, and Iron industry

  • Development of community life, Settlements

Aryans and Vedic Period

  • Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic period; Political, social and economical life; Significance of the Vedic Age; Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system

  • Expansions of Aryans in India

Period of Mahajanapadas

  • Formation of States (Mahajanapada): Republics and monarchies; Rise of urban centres; Trade routes; Economic growth; Introduction of coinage; Spread of Jainism and Buddhism; Rise of Magadha and Nandas

  • Iranian and Mecedonian 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

Post-Mauryan Period

  • Contact with outside world growth of urban centres

  • 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, Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Administration, Economy, land grants, coinage, trade guilds and urban centres; Buddhist centres; Sangam literature and culture

  • Art and architecture

Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas

  • Polity and administration, Economic conditions

  • Coinage of the Guptas

Land grants

  • Decline of Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply. urban centres

  • Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women

  • Education and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi

  • Literature, scientific literature, art and architecture

Regional States during Gupta Era

  • The Kadambas, Pallavas, 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. Arab conquest of Sind; Alberuni

  • The Chaluky as 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.

Cultural Traditions in India, 750-1200

  • Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta, Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita, Madhva and Brahma-Mimansa.

  • 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 Ghorian 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 Khilji: Conquests and territorial expansion, agrarian and economic measure.

  • Firuz Tugluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public works, decline of the Sultanate, foreign contacts and Ibn Battuta's account

  • Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects, agrarian measures, bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq.

Society, Culture and Economy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries

  • 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, evolution of a composite culture.

  • Economy: Agricultural Production, rise of urban economy and non-agricultural production, trade and commerce

  • Society: composition of rural society, ruling classes, town dwellers, women, religious classes, caste and slavery under the Sultanate, Bhakti movement, Sufi movement.

The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century-Political Developments and Economy

  • Mughal Empire, first phase : Babur, Humayun.

  • The Sur Empire : Sher Shah’s administration.

  • Malwa, Bahmanids.

  • The Vijayanagara Empire.

  • Lodis.

  • Portuguese colonial enterprise, Bhakti and Sufi Movements

  • Rise of Provincial Dynasties : Bengal, Kashmir (Zainul Abedin), Gujarat.

The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century- Society and culture

  • Provincial architecture.

  • Society, culture, literature and the arts in Vijayanagara Empire.

  • Regional cultures specificities.

  • Literary traditions.

Akbar

  • Rajput policy.

  • Conquests and consolidation of empire.

  • Establishment of jagir and mansab systems.

  • Court patronage of art and technology.

  • Evolution of religious and social outlook. Theory of Sulh-i-kul and religious policy.

Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century

  • Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.

  • Late Seventeenth Century crisis and the revolts.

  • The Ahom kingdom.

  • Shivaji and the early MarathaKingdom.

  • Religious policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.

  • Nature of the Mughal State.

  • Major administrative policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.

  • The Empire and the Zamindars.

Economy and society, in the 16th and 17th Centuries

  • Towns, commerce with Europe through Dutch, English and French companies : a trade revolution.

  • Conditions of peasants, Condition of Women.

  • Evolution of the Sikh community and the Khalsa Panth.

  • Indian mercantile classes. Banking, insurance and credit systems.

  • Population Agricultural and craft production.

Culture during Mughal Empire

  • Provincial architecture and painting.

  • Persian histories and other literature.

  • Hindi and religious literature.

  • Mughal architecture.

  • Mughal painting.

  • Classical music.

  • Science and technology.

  • Hindi and religious literature.

The Eighteenth Century

  • The regional principalities: Nizam’s Deccan, Bengal, Awadh.

  • Maratha ascendancy under the Peshwas.

  • The Maratha fiscal and financial system.

  • Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire.

  • Emergence of Afghan power Battle of Panipat, 1761.

  • State of, political, cultural and economic, on eve of the British conquest.

UPSC Subject-wise Questions for various Subjects

UPSC History Syllabus 2024 - For Paper II

Subject

Topics

European Penetration into India

The Early European Settlements

The English and the French

East India Companies

Siraj and the English

The Battle of Plassey

Significance of Plassey

Their struggle for supremacy

Carnatic Wars; Bengal-The conflict between the English and the Nawabs of Bengal

The Portuguese and the Dutch

British Expansion in India

The three

Anglo-Maratha Wars

The Punjab

Bengal-Mir Jafar and Mir Kasim

The Battle of Buxar; Mysore

The Marathas

Early Structure of the British Raj

The Pitt's India Act (1784)

The Charter Act (1833)

The Voice of free trade and the changing

The English utilitarian and India

The Early administrative structure

From diarchy to direct control

The Regulating Act (1773)

character of British colonial rule

Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule

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

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.

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

Islamic revivalism-the Feraizi and Wahabi Movements.

The Brahmo Movement

The Young Bengal Movement

Dayanada Saraswati

The social reform movements in India including Sati, widow remarriage, child marriage etc.

Devendranath Tagore

Iswarchandra Vidyasagar

The contribution of Indian renaissance to the growth of modern India

Enlightenment and Modern ideas

Major Ideas of Enlightenment : Kant, Rousseau.

Rise of socialist ideas (up to Marx); spread of Marxian Socialism

Spread of Enlightenment in the colonies.

Origins of Modern Politics

American Revolution and the Constitution.

British Democratic politics, 1815-1850 : Parliamentary Reformers, Free Traders, Chartists.

French Revolution and Aftermath, 1789-1815.

American Civil War with reference to Abraham Lincoln and the abolition of slavery.

European States System.

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.

Disintegration of Empires in the face of the emergence of nationalities across the World.

Nationalism : State-building in Germany and Italy.

Imperialism and Colonialism

South and South-East Asia.

Imperialism and free trade: Rise of neo-imperialism

Latin America and South Africa.

Australia.

Revolution and Counter-Revolution

Fascist Counter-Revolution, Italy and Germany.

19th Century European revolutions.

The Chinese Revolution of 1949.

The Russian Revolution of 1917-1921.

World Wars

World War I : Causes and Consequences.

1st and 2nd World Wars as Total Wars : Societal implications.

World War II : Causes and Consequences

The World after World War II

Emergence of the Third World and non-alignment.

Emergence of Two power blocs.

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.

European Union

Consolidation and Expansion of European Community

Disintegration of Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World

Factors leading to the collapse of Soviet Communism and Soviet Union, 1985-1991

End of the Cold War and US Ascendancy in the World as the lone superpower.

Political Changes in East Europe 1989-2001.

Quick Links: UPSC Mock Tests Series for UPSC

UPSC CSE Preparation Strategy and Best Books
UPSC CSE preparation strategy along with best books for prelims as well as mains exam for sure success.
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UPSC Preparation Strategy 2024

Candidates preparing for UPSC IAS 2024 must check the preparation tips and tricks mentioned below.

UPSC History Optional Books 2024

Books

Authors

NCERT Books for History

NCERT

The Wonder that was India by A.L Basham for Ancient History

A.L Basham

Medieval India

Satish Chandra

Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India all three volumes

J.L Mehta

India's Ancient Past

R.S. Sharma

History of Modern India

Bipan Chandra

India's Struggle for Independence: 1857-1947

Bipan Chandra

History of the World

Arjun Dev and Indira Arjun Dev

Also read: Complete guide for UPSC CSE exam preparation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which book should I read for modern history for UPSC?

Candidates must refer to the Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India by J.L Mehta for their preparations.

2. What are the details required to download the IAS admit card?

Candidates will be able to download UPSC IAS admit card 2024 through their registration number and date of birth.

3. How to download UPSC question papers PDF?

Candidates can download IAS question papers 2024 from the official website of UPSC.

4. What is the minimum age to apply for IAS exam?

The minimum age to apply for IAS exam is 21 years.

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Questions related to UPSC CSE

Have a question related to UPSC CSE ?

The choice of your graduation path – integrated BSc BEd (Zoology), BTech CS, or integrated BS-MS at IISER Thiruvananthapuram – to pursue the dream of becoming an IAS officer requires careful consideration.

A Bachelor of Arts degree, particularly in subjects like Political Science, History, or Economics, is often considered the most aligned with the CSE syllabus, covering crucial topics relevant to General Studies papers.

However, a science background, especially with a BTech CS degree, develops analytical and logical reasoning skills beneficial for the CSAT paper and could be advantageous for certain optional subjects like Mathematics or potentially Engineering disciplines.

Even if you choose a science or engineering stream, you can still select humanities-based optional subjects that overlap with the General Studies papers like Anthropology, Sociology, or Public Administration, which many engineers have successfully opted for.The integrated BSc BEd (Zoology) offers a strong foundation in science and a backup career in teaching, but the primary focus of the BEd component may not be directly relevant to the UPSC syllabus. The integrated BS-MS at IISER offers a strong research focus and academic excellence, potentially leading to diverse career paths in science, academia, industry, or even government agencies But still it is not connected with your ias dream.

Among all b.tech is best as many successful candidates from engineering backgrounds, have utilized their analytical skills and knowledge to crack the exam.

Hello

This is the typical schedule of the IAS Exam (UPSC CSE):

Notification Release: February
Online Application Window: February to early March
Prelims Exam: May or June
Mains Exam: September/October

As for 2025, the registration date is already gone, so you have to see for 2026 now. The registration will open most probably in February 2026 so stay tuned.

To know more about the IAS Exam: UPSC CSE

Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!

A candidate who has undergone heart surgery can be eligible for the IAS post if they are medically fit and can perform the required duties without any serious health problems The UPSC allows candidates to appear for the exam if they meet the general physical and mental fitness criteria After clearing the main examination and interview all selected candidates must undergo a detailed medical examination by a government medical board If the candidate has recovered well from heart surgery and there are no complications they can be declared fit for service However if the surgery has caused any permanent disability and if it is certified under the benchmark disability rules then the candidate may be eligible for reservation under the persons with disabilities category Final eligibility depends on the report given by the medical board during the selection process

If a person has undergone heart surgery for ASD which means Atrial Septal Defect and is now medically fit then they can apply for the IAS exam There is no restriction for such candidates if their physical and mental condition is stable and they can perform the duties required in civil services However selection to IAS also depends on passing the medical test conducted after clearing the main exam and interview If the person has any lasting disability due to the heart condition and it is certified by a government medical board then they may be considered under the benchmark disability category as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act In such cases the candidate may come under reservation for persons with disabilities in the specific category mentioned by the medical authority It is always advised to check the official UPSC notification and consult with a government hospital for proper disability certification before applying

Hello ,

If you want to give IAS exam then you should complete your graduation first or also if you are in your last year of graduation then you can fill the application form.

To know more, refer this:

https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-ias-application-form

I hope this helps you!

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