Important Topics of World History for UPSC Mains 2025: World History forms part of GS Paper 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Mains exam. If we analyze its World History weightage in UPSC Mains, then roughly 1 question has been asked every year in the exam since 2017. This means candidates should devote relatively proportionate time to this section.
Therefore, experts recommended focusing on frequently repeated and expected topics in World History for UPSC Mains 2025. A list of important topics of World History for UPSC Mains 2025 is shared here for the benefit of candidates to score well in the exam.Important Topics of World History for UPSC Mains 2025 | |
Topic | Subtopics |
Industrial Revolution | Origins, Causes, Inventions, Social and Economic Impact, Spread to other parts of the world |
French Revolution | Causes, Major Events, Key Figures, Impact on Europe and the World |
Russian Revolution | Causes, Major Events, Lenin and Stalin’s Role, Impact on Global Politics, including India |
Nationalism in Europe | Rise of nationalist movements, Unification of Italy and Germany, Impact |
Emergence of Superpowers | World Wars, Cold War, Consequences, and the Rise of the US and USSR |
Decolonization | Processes, Key Figures, Impact on Asia, Africa, and Latin America, End of Colonial Empires |
Miscellaneous | Renaissance and Reformation, Age of Discovery, American Revolution, Nazism, and Fascism, Disintegration of USSR, Globalization |
Other Topics | The Great Depression, Lenin’s New Economic Policy, International Organizations and Movements, Formation and role of major international bodies post-World War II |
Also Read: Important Topics For UPSC Mains 2025
Year | Questions | Word Limit | Marks |
2024 | How far is it correct to say that the First World War was fought essentially for the preservation of balance of power? | 150 Words | 10 Marks |
2021 | ”There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars.” Evaluate the statement. | 250 Words | 15 Marks |
2019 | Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French Revolutions. | 250 Words | 15 Marks |
2018 | Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to their colonies? Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? | 250 Words | 15 Marks |
2017 | What problems are germane to the decolonization process in the Malay Peninsula? | 150 Words | 10 Marks |
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