UPSC History Syllabus 2026: Complete Prelims & Optional Syllabus
Gajendra Singh Godara
Oct 31, 2025
20
mins read
History forms a cornerstone of the UPSC Civil Services exam. It appears explicitly in Prelims GS Paper I as “History of India and Indian National Movement”, and it overlaps heavily with GS-I (heritage and culture, freedom struggle) and the History optional for Mains. Unlike many dynamic subjects, the UPSC history syllabus is largely static and well-defined, making it a high-yield area.
In fact, history is one of the most popular optional subjects due to its structured syllabus and extensive overlap with General Studies. Mastering history gives aspirants a strong factual base and analytical perspective that also benefits essays and interviews.
UPSC Prelims History Syllabus & Mains GS Paper 1
Ancient History Syllabus
The ancient history syllabus spans India’s early civilizations up to around 600 CE. Key areas include:
Prehistoric cultures in India
Indus Civilization
Geographical distribution and characteristics of pastoral and farming society.
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 Religions- Bhagavatism, Shaivism, Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana, Jainism and Culture and art
The Guptas and their descendants
Literature, Science, Arts, Economy, and society : Political restructuring within the empire
Medieval History Syllabus
The medieval history syllabus spans India’s early civilizations from approximately 600 CE to 1800 CE. Key areas include:
Early Medieval India.
Cultural trends(750-1200), Religious circumstances:
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
The decline of the Mughal Empire
Modern History Syllabus
The modern history syllabus spans India from approximately 1757 onwards, covering the British colonial period, the Indian independence movement, and post-independence developments. Key areas include:
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:
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
Quit India Movement
another strand in the National Movement-Revolutionaries
Subhash Chandra Bose, and the Indian National Army
Separatist movements in Indian politics
India after Independence
UPSC History Optional Syllabus Paper 1 & 2 Overview
The UPSC history syllabus is extensive and covers ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history as well as world history. It is crucial both for the prelims and mains exams. Candidates may also choose history as an optional subject for the mains, which involves more detailed study. In the mains exam, history is divided into two papers, each worth 250 marks and of 3 hours duration, adding up to a total of 500 marks. Strong preparation in history can significantly improve your overall UPSC score.
Sl. No. | UPSC IAS Mains Papers | Subject | Marks | Time Duration |
1 | Paper VI | Optional Subject Paper-I | 250 | 3 hours |
2 | Paper VII | Optional Subject Paper-II | 250 | 3 hours |
Total | 500 |
Paper 1 consists of 5 questions totaling 250 marks, with a 3-hour time limit.
Compulsory Questions:
Question 1 is a compulsory map-based question worth 50 marks, requiring candidates to identify historical sites and provide brief notes on their significance.
Question 5 is also compulsory, worth 50 marks, and focuses on Ancient or Medieval India history.
Optional Questions:
Candidates must attempt 3 additional questions from Q2, Q3, and Q4 (each worth approximately 40-50 marks combined, or distributed as per the specific exam pattern). These questions cover themes from Ancient and Medieval periods.
2. Paper 2 contains 5 questions totaling 250 marks with 3 hours allocated.
Compulsory Questions:
Questions 1 and 5 are compulsory and can cover topics from either Modern Indian History or World History.
Optional Questions:
Candidates must select 3 additional questions from the remaining options (Q2, Q3, Q4), each worth approximately 40-50 marks combined, with the mandatory requirement to attempt at least one question from Modern India and at least one from World History to ensure balanced coverage across both sections.
Note: The exact structure is NOT fixed year-to-year and may vary.
UPSC History Optional Paper 1 Syllabus
Sources :
Archaeological sources: Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments.
Literary sources:Indigenous: Primary and secondary; poetry, scientific literature, literature, literature in regional languages, religious literature.
Foreign account: Greek, Chinese and Arab writers.
Pre-history and Proto-history: Geographical factors; hunting and gathering (paleolithic 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 economical 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 centres; 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. Disintegration of the empire; Sungas and Kanvas.
Post-Mauryan Period (Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas): 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 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 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, bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq.
Firuz Tugluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public works, decline of the Sultanate, foreign contacts and Ibn Battuta's account.
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, evolution of a composite culture.
Economy: Agricultural Production, rise of urban economy and non-agricultural production, trade, and commerce.
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, 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 cultures specificities.
Literary traditions.
Provincial architecture.
Society, culture, literature, and the arts in Vijayanagara Empire.
Akbar:
Conquests and consolidation of 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 16th and 17th Centuries:
Population Agricultural and craft production.
Towns, commerce with Europe through Dutch, English and French companies: a trade revolution.
Indian mercantile classes. Banking, insurance, and credit systems.
Conditions of peasants, Conditions of Women.
Evolution of the Sikh community and the Khalsa Panth.
Culture during Mughal Empire:
Persian histories and other literature.
Hindi and 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, political, cultural, and economic, on eve of the British conquest.
UPSC History Optional Paper 2 Syllabus
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 AngloMaratha 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 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;
The social reform movements in India including Sati, widow remarriage, child marriage, etc.;
The contribution of Indian renaissance to the growth of modern India; Islamic revivalism-the Feraizi and Wahabi Movements.
Indian Response to British Rule:
Peasant movement and tribal uprisings in the 18th and 19th centuries including the Rangpur Dhing (1783),
the Kol Rebellion (1832),
the Mopla Rebellion in Malabar (1841-1920),
the Santal Hul (1855),
Indigo Rebellion (1859-60),
Deccan Uprising (1875)
the Munda Ulgulan (1899-1900);
The Great Revolt of 1857 —Origin, character, causes of failure, the consequences;
The shift in the character of peasant uprisings in the post-1857 period; the peasant movements of the 1920s and 1930s.
Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism:
Politics of Association;
The Foundation of the Indian National Congress;
The 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;
The Partition of Bengal (1905);
The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal;the economic and political aspects of Swadeshi Movement;
The beginning of revolutionary extremism in India.
Rise of Gandhi:
Character of Gandhian nationalism;
Gandhi's popular appeal;
Rowlatt Satyagraha;
the Khilafat Movement; the Non-cooperation Movement;
National politics from the end of the Noncooperation movement to the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement;
the two phases of the Civil Disobedience Movement; Simon Commission; The Nehru Report; the Round Table Conferences;
Nationalism and the Peasant Movements;
Nationalism and Working-class movements;
Women and Indian youth and students in Indian politics (1885-1947);
the election of 1937 and the formation of ministries;
Cripps Mission;
the Quit India Movement;
the Wavell Plan;
The Cabinet Mission.
Constitutional Developments in Colonial India between 1858 and 1935.
Other strands in the National Movement:
The Revolutionaries: Bengal, the Punjab, Maharashtra, U.P. the Madras Presidency,
Outside India. The Left; The Left within the Congress: Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, the Congress Socialist Party; the Communist Party of India, other left parties.
Politics of Separatism:
the Muslim League;
the Hindu Mahasabha;
Communalism and the politics of partition;
Transfer of power;
Independence.
Consolidation as a Nation:
Nehru's Foreign Policy;
India and her neighbours (1947-1964);
The linguistic reorganisation of States (1935-1947);
Regionalism and regional inequality;
Integration of Princely States;
Princes in electoral politics;
The 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; the 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 Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World:
Factors leading to the collapse of Soviet Communism and Soviet Union, 1985-1991.
Political Changes in East Europe 1989-2001.
End of the Cold War and US Ascendancy in the World as the lone superpower.
How to use UPSC History Optional Syllabus to plan your study?
With this outline in hand, aspirants should strategize their preparation. Here are some approaches:
Prioritizing Topics:
Some topics have higher yields. For example, British India (e.g. 1857 revolt, revenue systems), the Indian National Movement (1919-47), and significant medieval themes (Delhi Sultanate, Mughal policies, Bhakti/Sufi movements) are often emphasized.
Similarly, fundamental ancient topics (Indus, Ashoka, Guptas) recur frequently. Identifying these “high-frequency” areas helps focus revision.
Overlap Strategy (Optional + GS + Prelims):
Take advantage of overlaps. For instance, the same story of the 1857 revolt is required for Prelims, GS Mains, and can even appear in essays or interviews.
Similarly, studying Mughal administrative systems serves both GS-Mains (medieval polity) and Paper I optional. Plan your notes so that a single revision session covers the core facts and themes for all relevant papers.
Study Resources & Notes Creation:
Stick to standard books for each segment and make concise notes.
For example, recommended sources include
NCERT textbooks and R.S. Sharma (Old NCERT) for Ancient India;
Satish Chandra (Old NCERT) for Medieval;
Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir) or Bipin Chandra
NCERT for Modern India.
Art & Culture is technically part of GS, but overlaps with history – Nitin Singhania’s Indian Art & Culture is a popular choice.
When taking notes, organize them by topic (e.g. polity, economy, society, culture) and include timelines or charts. Revision techniques like making flashcards of rulers, maps for locations/sites, and thematic timelines can help retain factual details.
List of Books & Resources to prepare for UPSC History Optional Syllabus
The following table consists of UPSC optional history syllabus books :
Book Title | Author(s) | Coverage / Significance |
India’s Ancient Past | R.S. Sharma | Covers early Indian history; essential for understanding the ancient period (Paper 1). |
Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300 | Romila Thapar | Offers historiographical perspectives and critical analysis beyond mere facts. Excellent for mains answer writing. |
History of Medieval India | Satish Chandra | Provides a comprehensive overview of India’s medieval era, useful for Paper 1. |
A New Look at Modern Indian History | B.L. Grover & Alka Mehta | Important for studying India’s modern history phase, including British rule and reforms. |
From Plassey to Partition and After | Sekhar Bandyopadhyay | Offers in-depth insights into colonial India and the Indian freedom movement. |
Mastering World History | Norman Lowe | Excellent source for world history topics, particularly relevant for Paper 2. |
NCERT Textbooks (Classes 6-12) | NCERT | Comprehensive coverage of Indian and world history. Essential foundation. Should be read completely for conceptual clarity. |
Indian Art & Culture | Nitin Singhania | covers architecture, sculpture, painting, music, literature from ancient to modern times. |
Common mistakes during UPSC preparation and how to avoid them
Ignoring World History for UPSC history Optional:
Some aspirants neglect the World History portion thinking only India matters. In reality, Paper II requires a fair coverage of global topics (Enlightenment, World Wars, etc.); omitting them can cost 20% of optional marks.
Plan ahead to cover world history alongside Indian history while preparing for UPSC history optional syllabus.
Treating Prelims and Mains Topics Separately:
UPSC recycles themes, don’t silo your notes. For example, a question on “Dravidians in Indus Valley” could be needed both for a Prelims factual query and a Mains answer.
Integrate study for Prelims and Mains/Optional wherever possible.
Not Practicing Answer-Writing for Optional:
UPSC history optional syllabus requires well-structured answers. Many aspirants focus on learning content but neglect writing practice.
Once content is covered, practice writing answers on broad topics (e.g. “Compare Mauryan and Mughal empires”) to develop clarity and timing.
Mastering the UPSC history syllabus is essential for both Prelims/GS and the optional. A well-rounded approach – giving due weight to ancient, medieval and modern India (as well as world history, if optional) – will pay dividends. Stay aware of the official syllabus outline and past question trends. Start early, integrate your learning across Prelims and Mains, and revise regularly.
With systematic study of each segment (and regular answer practice for optional), you can turn the vast history syllabus into a scoring strength. Remember: balanced coverage and consistency are key – plan your timeline, stick to it, and keep revisiting the facts and themes. Good luck!
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