History for UPSC Exam is possibly one topic that readily enchants an applicant. This is why almost every student begins their preparatory journey with this subject. The subject is also selected as optional by the majority of candidates. The explanation might be the subject’s clarity and its story-like nature, which appeals to practically everyone. The UPSC history syllabus is divided into three sections: ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history. The total syllabus is extensive, yet there are a substantial number of questions from the history section especially in the IAS Prelims. If you have done your preparation well, you should be able to answer all of the historical questions.
Unless you choose history as an optional subject, NCERT books are the primary source of preparation. It is generally recommended to read the old NCERTs for History. New NCERTs, on the other hand, can also be read. This article focuses on the key chapters that you must study in order to properly prepare for your UPSC exam.
Note- Read How to Prepare for History Subject for UPSC in the linked article.
Strategy to Read NCERTs for History
Aspirants usually don’t realise that each subject must be studied taking into consideration the types of questions asked in UPSC Prelims or Mains. So the strategy to study history is different from studying geography. For your better understanding, the following are basic recommendations for preparing history for UPSC CSE:
- To successfully answer the IAS Prelims questions, you must understand the timing and chronology of events. Create a timeline for each period that includes all of the significant events. This will allow you to revise more thoroughly at the final minute.
- Make short notes, jotting down important names, dynasties, art and culture aspects, acts, personalities or any important events.
- Over the period of the study, go over the full syllabus at least two or three times.
- To improve your preparation, solve previous years’ question papers as well as mock tests for history on a regular basis.
History is easier to prepare for than other subjects because it is factual rather than conceptual. You can read through the full syllabus as if it were a storybook and go over it a couple times before the exam.
Note– Go through the 15 Days Strategy to Prepare for Ancient and Medieval History to revise it quickly for the UPSC Prelims.
Important Chapters of History NCERTs for UPSC
Aspirants should read NCERTs from class 6th to 12th to prepare exhaustively for the both prelims and mains exam. Below is given chapter wise details of the NCERTs that you must study:
| Class | NCERT | Total Chapters | Important Chapters |
| 6th | Our Pasts Part-1 | Chapter 1- What, Where, How and When?
Chapter 2- From Hunting – Gathering to Growing Food Chapter 3- In the Earliest Cities Chapter 4- What Books and Burials Tell Us Chapter 5- Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic Chapter 6- New Questions and Ideas Chapter 7- Ashoka, The Emperor Who Gave Up War Chapter 8- Vital Villages, Thriving Towns Chapter 9- Traders, Kings and Pilgrims Chapter 10- New Empires and Kingdoms Chapter 11- Buildings, Paintings and Books |
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| 7th | Our Pasts Part-2 | Chapter 1- Tracing Changes through a Thousand Years
Chapter 2- New Kings and Kingdoms Chapter 3- The Delhi Sultans Chapter 4- The Mughal Empire Chapter 5- Rulers and Buildings Chapter 6- Towns, Traders and Craftspersons Chapter 7- Tribes, Nomads and Settled Communities Chapter 8- Devotional Paths to the Divine Chapter 9- The Making of Regional Cultures Chapter 10- Eighteenth-Century Political Formations |
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| 8th | Our Pasts Part-3 | Chapter 1- How, When and Where
Chapter 2- From Trade to Territory Chapter 3- Ruling the Countryside Chapter 4- Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age Chapter 5- When People Rebel Chapter 6- Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners Chapter 7- Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation Chapter 8- Women, Caste and Reform Chapter 9- The Making of the National Movement: 1870s – 1947 Chapter 10- India after Independence |
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| 9th | India and the Contemporary World – I | Chapter 1- The French Revolution
Chapter 2- Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Chapter 3- Nazism and the Rise of Hitler Chapter 4- Forest Society and Colonialism Chapter 5- Pastoralists in the Modern World |
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| 10th | India and the Contemporary World – 2 | Chapter 1- The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
Chapter 2- Nationalism in India Chapter 3- The Making of a Global World Chapter 4- The Age of Industrialisation Chapter 5- Print Culture and The Modern World |
This book helps in covering World History, which includes events from the 18th century such as the industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, colonisation, and decolonization, as well as political philosophies such as communism, capitalism, and socialism—their forms and effects on society. It also covers significant events, characters, and topics in modern Indian history from the middle of the eighteenth century to the present. You should focus on all key events and contributions of individuals that have had a significant influence on the nation up to this point. |
| 11th | Themes in World History | Chapter-1 Early Societies
Chapter-2 Empires Chapter-3 Changing Traditions Chapter-4 Towards Modernisation |
Important chapters are-
Chapter-2 Empires Chapter-4 Towards Modernisation |
| Ancient India RS Sharma | A total of 27 Chapters are given in the book | Aspirants should go through all the chapters starting from chapter-4 as it is important for a good understanding. | |
| Medieval India Satish Chandra | A total of 18 chapters are given in the book | Aspirants can skim through the whole book to develop a good understanding of the events. | |
| Modern India Bipan Chandra | A total of 15 chapters are given in the book | Aspirants are advised to read all the chapters to develop a better understanding of the events. | |
| 12th | Themes in Indian History – Part I | Theme-1 The Harappan Civilisation
Theme-2 Early States and Economies Theme-3 Early Societies Theme-4 Cultural Developments |
Aspirants are recommended to go through all the chapters but the important ones are
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| Themes in Indian History – Part II | Theme-5 Perceptions of Society
Theme-6 Changes in Religious Beliefs and Devotional Texts Theme-7 An imperial Capital- Vijayanagara Theme-8 Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire Theme-9 The Mughal Courts |
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| Themes in Indian History – Part III | Theme-10 Exploring Official Archives
Theme-11 1857 Revolt and its Representations Theme-12 Urbanisation, Planning and Architecture Theme-13 Civil Disobedience and Beyond Theme-14 Politics, Memories, Experiences Theme-15 The Beginning of a New Era |
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This blog covers all of the major History topics that must be covered for the Civil Services Exam. Candidates should use this knowledge in conjunction with the following UPSC History Notes to complete their preparation:
- Ancient Indian History Notes For UPSC
- Medieval Indian History Notes For UPSC
- Modern Indian History Notes For UPSC
- Art And Culture Notes For UPSC
Also read the Tips to make History Interesting for UPSC Exam, by clicking the linked article.
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