This Day in History - What happened today?

The historical events hold a lot of value for aspirants who are sitting for competitive exams including that of IAS Exam. BYJU’S initiative called ‘This Day in History’ covers every day of the calendar and recalls a major event that happened in the history of India and the world on this date which changed the course of history.

This article collaborates all historical days to make IAS Aspirants’ preparation for UPSC Civil Services Exam easy and more effective. The facts given will be helpful for aspirants in UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains exams and many topics are mentioned in UPSC Syllabus too. 

This Day in History for UPSC will help aspirants in the preparation of History subject of UPSC Mains GS 1. To complement This Day in History articles, aspirants can refer to NCERT History notes for the UPSC Exam:

Significance of This Day in History Initiative

While following what has happened on a particular day, IAS aspirants get to know facts about major historical events and the intricacies related to them. ‘This day in History’ segment will bring answers to the following questions:

This Day in History – Features

What famous things happened on this day in history? It will help aspirants to know the significance of a historical date. Whether it was in relation with the history of India, Polity of India or Economy of India.
What is special on today’s date? Each date of the calendar is covered with the information on major happenings. The facts provided in these articles can be used in the UPSC Prelims and Mains exam. 
What happened in the 1800s, 1900s and 2000s? All important details about the historical events that took place in yesteryears and the present will be covered. 
Who in history died today? Death centenaries of imminent personalities are always in the news and hence, This Day in History brings the information about the demise of the famous persons.

This Day in History - What Happened Today? UPSC Preparation

How can UPSC aspirants use ‘This Day in History’ initiative for their preparation?

Candidates can take help from UPSC Previous Years’ Question Papers to see how the information provided in the ‘This Day in History’ segment can be utilized as per the need of the questions.  

This new section incorporates an important event that occurred on this day in history and explains the significance of the day for India and also the world. 

The article will give you important dates of historical events. Check the list of examples of important dates that will be brought out on This Day of History segment below:

  1. Wars breaking out/ending
  2. Peace treaties brokered
  3. Birth of Leading personalities
  4. The demise of national freedom struggle leaders
  5. A new game-changing governmental policy set out
  6. Any historical incident that occurred and gave a complete makeover to India, its people and in the development of the country

This section will go hand-in-hand with your UPSC 2020 preparation as it will enhance your knowledge about Indian history, polity and economy among others and help in improving your memory and associate with it what you have studied for the day. Read on to understand how to approach ‘This Day in History’ for your UPSC preparation:

This Day in History – UPSC Subject-Wise Articles

We are giving you some random dates and examples to help you understand how to utilize the segment, ‘This Day in History.’

#History – This Day in History

1. 19th July – Reformation of Gadgil Formula by Planning Commission 

How to approach 

  • The topics that become important for aspirants from this day in history are ‘Gadgil Formula’ and ‘Planning Commission.’  
  • Candidates should know what Gadgil Formula is and what it is about.
  • Similarly, candidates should know about the Planning Commission & its revamped version – Niti Ayog.

2. 19th August – First Rupee Coin was minted

How to approach

Aspirants should collect the following facts:

  • Where was the first rupee coin minted?
  • Who minted the coin?
  • What was the name given to the first rupee coin?
  • Monetary system prevalent in India under the British Impact. 

#Polity – This Day in History

1. 22nd July–  Adoption of the National Flag of India

How to approach

Aspirants should get the facts about the National Flag of India. Those facts can be used in Mains answers (GS 1, 2, essay and history optional papers.) Afterwards, aspirants can also check ‘National Symbols of India’ article for similar articles. 

2. 9th December – The first meeting of Constituent Assembly

How to approach

Aspirants should complement the historical facts with the evolution of the Indian Constitution which is important for both History (GS 1) and Polity (GS 2). Afterwards, aspirants can read more about the Indian Constitution at the linked article.

#Economy – This Day in History

1. 15th March – Planning Commission was formed

How to approach

Aspirants should know the changes brought in the Indian economy with the five-year plans launched by the Planning Commission. Later aspirants may check the detailed information about the Planning Commission of India at the linked article.

2. 8th November – Demonetization was announced

How to approach

Aspirants should know about the causes, impact and benefits of the demonetization in  India. They can read the detailed Demonetization essay at the linked article.

Reading ‘This Day in History’ regularly will help candidates to remember and recall important dates and events in the history of India easily.

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The first Census of Independent India began on 9 February 1951 and enumeration continued till 28 February 1951. The country's population was...
Zakir Husain, educationist and India’s third President was born on 8 February 1897 at Hyderabad. He served as the President of India from 13th...
The Maastricht Treaty was signed on 7 February 1992, which paved the way for the formation of the Euro currency. Learn more about the treaty of...
6 February 1931 Death of Motilal Nehru. What happened? Motilal Nehru, lawyer and Indian independence activist died on 6 February 1931 at...
5 February 1924 Mahatma Gandhi released from prison unconditionally. What Happened? On 5 February 1924, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was...
On 4 February 1922, participants of the Non-cooperation movement clashed with police resulting in the deaths of about 22 policemen and 3...
The Battle of Diu was fought between the Portuguese forces on one side and the combined forces of the Sultan of Gujarat, the Zamorin of Calicut,...
2 February 1835Macaulay’s Minute on Indian EducationWhat happened?[caption id="attachment_47213" align="alignright" width="150"] Thomas Babington...
1 February 1835 The East India Company acquired Darjeeling What happened? On 1 February 1835, the East India Company acquired Darjeeling from...
On 31 January 1985, the Constitution (52nd Amendment) Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha. It is also known as Anti-Defection Law. As per this...
What happened? On 30 January 1948, the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated while on his way to a prayer meeting at New Delhi...
On 29 January 1780 On 29 January 1780, India’s and Asia’s first printed newspaper ‘Hicky’s Bengal Gazette’ started its publication. It was a...
28 January 1846 Battle of Aliwal What happened? The Battle of Aliwal was fought between the Sikh Khalsa army and the British forces at Aliwal...
On 27 January 1945, during the close of the Second World War, the Soviet Red Army, as part of the Allied forces, liberated the largest Nazi...
26 January 1950Republic DayWhat happened?On 26 January 1950, India became a republic when the Constitution of India came into effect....
25 January 1950 The Election Commission of India was established What happened? The Election Commission of India (EC) was established on 25...
On 24 January 1946, the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission (UNAEC) was founded by the UN General Assembly ‘to deal with the problems raised...
23 January 1809 Birth of freedom fighter Surendra Sai What happened? On 23 January 1809, the great freedom fighter from Odisha, Surendra Sai...
22 January 1849 What happened? [caption id="attachment_46849" align="alignright" width="259"] Siege of Multan[/caption] On 22 January 1849,...