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UPPSC History Syllabus 2025, Optional History Syllabus

UPPSC History Syllabus is available on this page. Candidates can check out UPPSC history syllabus below. Stay tuned to this page for more information regarding UPPSC history syllabus and exam pattern.
authorImageSupriya Shrivastava6 Sept, 2025
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UPPSC History Syllabus

UPPSC History Syllabus 2025 : The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) conducts the exam to select Group A and Group B officers for the Administrative Civil Services of the UP state government. It is necessary for candidates who passed the preliminary round to learn about the next stages of the exam.

The latest UPPSC History Syllabus 2025 increases the possibilities of selection for candidates. There are  two steps after the preliminary exams the mains and interviews. Candidates have to clear both of these to be considered for selection. Read the topics listed below to learn more about the content included in the UPPSC History Syllabus .

UPPSC History Syllabus 2025 Overview

The UPPSC History syllabus for 2025 covers a wide range of topics from Ancient to Modern Indian History as well as World History. Candidates need to study social, economic, cultural, and political history, with emphasis on the Indian National Movement and post-independence developments. The syllabus is divided mainly between the Prelims and Mains stages, with prelims focusing on broad historical knowledge and mains having descriptive papers on detailed historical events and concepts.

UPPSC History Syllabus 2025 Overview

Syllabus Section

Topics Covered

Ancient Indian History

Early civilizations, Maurya and Gupta Empires, Social and cultural developments

Medieval Indian History

Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Regional Kingdoms, Bhakti and Sufi movements

Modern Indian History

British colonization, Indian National Movement, Freedom Struggle, Social and economic changes

Post-Independence India

Integration of states, socio-economic developments till 1965

World History

Industrial Revolution, French Revolution, World Wars, Socialism, Nazism, major global events

Indian Culture and Society

Art, literature, architecture from ancient to modern times, role of women, social issues

UPPSC History Exam Pattern 

Every paper for the mains exam is significant and is explained in a detailed manner. There are two optional papers out of a total of eight. Applicants can check the format of the exam in the following section: There are two optional papers: history
  • Paper 1: History Paper: Mechanics, Thermal History, Waves and Oscillations, and Optics
  • Paper 2: History Paper: Electricity and Magnetism, Modern History and Electronics

UPPSC History Syllabus

Candidates who want to pass the examination with good marks should understand the syllabus well. They can check the complete UPPSC History syllabus in the table provided below:
UPPSC History Syllabus
UPPSC History Syllabus : (PAPER-I)
(SECTION-A)
  • Sources and approaches to studying early Indian history.
  • Early pastoral and agricultural communities. Archaeological evidence. (Neolithic and
  • ChalcolithicCulture)
  • The Indus civilization has its origin, nature, and decline.
  • Patterns of settlement, economy, social organization, and religion in India (c. 2000–500 B.C.): archaeological perspectives.
  • Evolutions of North Indian society and culture: evidence of Vedic texts (Samhitas of Sutras).
  • Teachings of Mahavira and Buddha, Contemporary Society. Early phase of state formation and urbanization.
  • Rise of Magadha: the Mauryan Empire.
  • Ashoka's inscriptions, his dharma, and the nature of the Mauryan State.
  • Post-Mauryan Period in Northern and Peninsular India. Political and administrative history. Society, economy, culture, and religion. Tamil akamand its society and SangamTexts.
  • Changes in the Gupta and Gupta period (up to circa 750) political histories of northern and peninsular India. Samanta System and changes in political structure, economy, social structure, culture, and religion.
  • Themes in early India
  • Cultural history, languages,
  • Major stages in the evolution of art and architecture, major philosophical thinkers and schools, and ideas in science and mathematics.
SECTION-B
  • Major Dynasties And Political Structures In North India From 750 A.D. to 1200 A.D.  Rise of the Rajput Dynasties and the Imperial Cholas.
  • Arab Conquest of Sindh and the Ghaznavide
  • Empire; Advent of Islam and Sufism Alberuni, and His Study of Indian Science and Civilization.
  • India, 750 A.D.–1200 A.D.: Economy, Society, Literature, Major Historical works, Styles of architecture, Religious thought, and institutions, the growth of the Bhakti Movement.
  • The Ghorain invasions, Economic, Social, and Cultural consequences, and
  • The Foundation of the Sultanate.
  • The Sultanate Period and Political Dynasties: Slaves, Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Syeds, and Lodis; major historical sources, including foreign travelers' accounts; Society and Culture During the Sultanate Period.
  • The Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Bahmani and Vijaynagar.
  • The Mughal Period: Babar, Humayun; the Sur Period: Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan, Aurangzeb; a decline of the Mughal Empire; society, culture, and administration; economic changes; the arrival of European trading companies.
  • Shivaji, Peshwas, And Rise Of Marathas
  • The Rise of Sikh Power and the Third Battle of Panipat.
  • Sources of the Mughal Period: Persian and Indigenous Accounts of Foreign Travelers.
 
  • Establishment of British Rule in India: East India Company and its relations with the Regional Powers.
  • Colonial Economy: Tribute System, Drain of wealth
  • and “Deindustrialization”. Fiscal and Land Revenue Settlements (Zamindari, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari)
  • settlements).Administrative Policies and Structure of the British Raj up to 1857 (including constitutional developments)
  • Resistance to Colonial Rule: Early Uprisings, Causes, Nature, and Impact of the Revolt of 1857, Reorganization of the Raj in 1858, and After.
  • Socio-Cultural Impact Of Colonial Rule: Official Social Reform Measures; Orientalist
  • Anglicist Controversy, coming of English Education and the Press; Christian Missionary activities;
  • Social and Religious Reform Movements in Bengal and Other Parts of the Country Economic Policies 1858–1914. Railways Commercialization of Indian Agriculture; Growth Of Landless Labourers And Rural Indebtedness; Famines; India As Market For British Industry; and drain theory
  • Early Indian nationalism; Social background;
  • Formation Of political associations; Peasant and tribal uprisings during the early nationalist era; Foundation of the Indian
  • The National Congress; the moderate phase of the Congress; the growth of extremism; anti-partitions; and the Swadeshi Movement; the birth of the Muslim League. The Indian Councils Act of 1909; the Government of India Act of 1919.
  • The interwar economy of India:
  • Industries and problems of protection; Agricultural distress; The Great Depression; Ottawa agreements and discriminatory Protection. The growth of Trade unions
  • Peasant movements.
  • Home Rule Movement nationalism under Gandhi's leadership: Gandhi's thoughts, methods of mass mobilization and Different movements
UPPSC History Syllabus : (PAPER-II)
Section-A States People's Movement and Other Strands of the National Movement: (a) Revolutionary movements in India and Abroad; (b) Swarajists, Liberals, Responsive cooperation; (c) Emergence of Leftism In India (d) Subhash Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army.
  • Growth Of Communalism: Causes And Developments,
  • Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, etc.
  • Women and National Movement.
  • Literary and cultural developments: Tagore, Premchand, Subramaniam Bharti, and Iqbal as examples only,
  • Towards freedom: The Act of 1935; Congress Ministries, 1937–1939; The Pakistan movement,
  • Post-1945 upsurge(RIN Mutiny, Telangana uprising, etc.): Constitutional negotiations And The Transfer Of power; Freedom And Partition.
Section-B
  • Renaissance, Reformation, and Counter-Reformation, Age of Enlightenment; Major ideas of Enlightenment, Kant, Rousseau, etc.;
  • Spread of Enlightenment outside Europe,
  • Rise of Socialist Ideas.
  • Origins of Modern Politics European States System; American Revolution; French Revolution and its aftermath (1789–1815).
  • Industrialization: Industrial Revolution: Causes and Impact on Society: Industrialization in Other Countries.
  • Nation-State System
  • Rise of Nationalism
  • Century: Unification of Germany and Italy: Disintegration of Empires Through the Emergence of Nationalities.
  • Imperialism and Colonialism: Transatlantic Slave Trade, Asian Conquest, Types
  • Empire Settlement Latin America, South Africa, Indonesia, and Australia.
  • Revolutions and Counter-Revolutions: 19th-century European revolutions; the Russian Revolution of 1917–1921; the Fascist Counter-Revolution in Italy and Germany; and the Chinese Revolution of 1949.
  • World Wars (First and Second): causes, consequences, and various developments.
  • Cold War: Emergence of two blocs and other related developments. The emergence of Third World and Non-Alignment
  • UNO and Dispute Resolution.
  • Colonies and Liberation—Latin America—Bolivia; Arab World—Egypt; South Africa—Apartheid Policy and Democracy; South-East Asia—Vietnam.
  • Decolonization and underdevelopment Breakup of Colonial Empires (British, French, and Dutch) Factors Constraining Development: Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
  • Soviet Disintegration and the Unipolar World: Causes, Consequences, and Other Developments, Globalization.

UPPSC History Marking Scheme

The UPPSC history syllabus and marking scheme should be updated for candidates to enable them to plan their preparation based on both total and negative marks. By taking this step, they improve their chances of receiving high marks in the exam. The UPPSC History Marking Scheme criteria are listed below for candidates to review:
  • The preliminary exam consists of multiple-choice questions in objective form.
  • This is separated into two papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, whose details are provided in the paragraph above.
  • Every right answer on paper 1 will receive 1.33 marks.
  • Every right answer on paper 2 will receive two marks.
  • There will be a 0.33 mark deduction for every wrong answer.

UPPSC History Preparation Books

Books are important for exam preparation since they provide candidates with the right study guidelines to follow. The UPPSC History Preparation Books for the exam are listed in the table below.
UPPSC History Preparation Books

UPPSC Sampoorna History of India and World

  • Holistic and In-depth discussion of topics as per core needs and requirements of Preliminary and Mains Examination
Indian History
  • Ancient history: NCERTs
  • Medieval history: Book by Satish Chandra
  • Modern History:
  • Book by Bipin Chandra
  • 6-12th NCERT Books

UPPSC History Syllabus Optional

Candidates have to understand the entire pattern, UPPSC History Syllabus, and question type. It's important to get a better understanding of the actual exam to perform well in optional subjects. Candidates will also get a fresh perspective on how questions are posed and how they can be answered. It is easier to study and understand the UPPSC history syllabus if you have a previous understanding of the subject. Candidates have to understand the pattern and questions to answer them and achieve good marks. Analyze your performance after completing the UPPSC History Optional Question Paper. Pay attention to your areas of weakness and prepare your study plan. Study the most recent pattern for papers and plan appropriately.

PW Batch for UPPSC

PW is the best option for UPPSC online coaching. We have a staff of experts ready to support candidates in acing the UPPSC exams. Batch Link - UPPSC Online Coaching
Other Related Links of UPPSC Exam 2025
UPPSC Notification UPPSC Salary
UPPSC Result UPPSC Syllabus
UPPSC Answer Key UPPSC Eligibility Criteria
UPPSC Admit Card UPPSC Apply Online
UPPSC Previous Year Question Paper UPPSC Selection Process
UPPSC Cut Off

UPPSC History Syllabus 2025 FAQs

Q1 - What are the challenges of studying history for the UPPSC exam?

Ans - The difficulties with sources, knowledge, justification, objectivity, topic selection, and the particular issues of modern history are the primary challenges to historical study.

Q2 - What is the history subject all about for the UPPSC exam?

Ans - Human civilization is studied from every angle by historians, who examine how things have changed throughout time. History includes developments in the fields of politics, society, economy, science, technology, medicine, culture, intellectualism, religion, and the military. Several questions on historical topics are asked in the UPPSC prelims exam.

Q3 - Why is history important?

Ans - Learning about history helps us understand how previous events influenced current situations. We may learn from history not just about who we are and how we got here, but also how to improve our society by learning from our mistakes and creating new and better paths.

Q4 - How can I effectively use UPPSC's previous question papers?

Ans - Start by completing these papers within a time limit. Review the answers after completing them, find the mistakes, and focus on improving weak areas.

Q5 - Are UPPSC's previous question papers useful for all stages of the exam?

Ans - Yes, they are useful for both the prelims and main exams since they provide an understanding of the exam structure.
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