BPSC History Syllabus 2026: Exam Pattern & Detailed Topics

Unit / Topic

Topics Covered

Sources of Indian History

Archaeological sources, inscriptions, coins, literary sources, foreign accounts, historical interpretation, and methods of historical research.

Prehistoric and Protohistoric Cultures

Stone Age cultures, Neolithic and Chalcolithic cultures, important archaeological sites, and the transition to settled life.

Indus Valley Civilization

Origin, extent, town planning, economy, trade, religion, art, architecture, decline, and legacy of the Harappan Civilisation.

Vedic Age

Early and Later Vedic society, political institutions, economy, religion, literature, social organisation, and philosophical developments.

Religious Movements

Rise and spread of Buddhism and Jainism, religious reforms, philosophical schools, and their impact on Indian society.

Mahajanapadas and Magadha

Formation of states, republican traditions, expansion of Magadha, political institutions, and administration.

Mauryan Empire

Administration, economy, Ashoka's Dhamma, foreign relations, art, architecture, and the decline of the empire.

Post-Mauryan India

Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushanas, Satavahanas, trade, cultural developments, and the spread of Buddhism.

Gupta Period

Political administration, economy, literature, science, mathematics, art, architecture, and the Gupta contribution to Indian culture.

Early Medieval India

Regional kingdoms, land grants, social and economic developments, religious movements, and cultural changes.

Delhi Sultanate

Establishment of the Sultanate, administration, economy, society, architecture, Bhakti and Sufi movements, and regional states.

Mughal Empire

Administrative system, Mansabdari, revenue administration, economy, literature, art, architecture, religious policy, and decline of the Mughal Empire.

Unit / Topic

Topics Covered

Advent of Europeans in India

Arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch, English, French, and Danish; establishment of trading centres; commercial rivalry; and the rise of the British East India Company.

Expansion of British Rule

Battle of Plassey, Battle of Buxar, subsidiary alliance, doctrine of lapse, annexation policies, administrative expansion, and consolidation of British power.

Economic Impact of British Rule

Land revenue systems, commercialisation of agriculture, deindustrialisation, drain of wealth, railway development, and changes in the Indian economy.

Socio-Religious Reform Movements

Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Prarthana Samaj, Aligarh Movement, Ramakrishna Mission, Theosophical Society, and the contributions of leading social reformers.

Revolt of 1857

Causes, major centres, leadership, nature of the revolt, consequences, and different historical interpretations.

Rise of Nationalism

Growth of political awareness, formation of the Indian National Congress, Moderate and Extremist phases, Swadeshi Movement, and revolutionary activities.

Gandhian Era

Champaran Satyagraha, Kheda Satyagraha, Ahmedabad Mill Strike, Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Quit India Movement, and Gandhiji's contribution to the freedom struggle.

Constitutional Developments

Indian Councils Acts, Government of India Acts, Simon Commission, Round Table Conferences, Cripps Mission, Cabinet Mission, and constitutional reforms before Independence.

Partition and Independence

Mountbatten Plan, partition of India, transfer of power, integration of princely states, and challenges faced after Independence.

World History

Renaissance, Reformation, Industrial Revolution, American Revolution, French Revolution, Russian Revolution, Unification of Germany and Italy, Imperialism, First World War, Second World War, League of Nations, United Nations, Cold War, and decolonisation.