In UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains examinations, Indian History is an important area from where a major set of questions come. Indian History is an extensive subject and one should prioritize its important areas for the examination.

Indian History consists of vast syllabus and it is important to identify and prioritize topics while preparing for IAS Prelims and Mains exam. After analyzing previous years question papers, we can reach a conclusion that UPSC asks majority of questions from Modern Indian History followed by Ancient Indian History. A small number of questions are expected from Medieval Indian History and they mostly come from Mughal art/architecture.

You are advised not to leave any area totally, but dedicate your time accordingly. Give maximum weightage to Modern Indian History first and then revise Ancient Indian History followed by Medieval Indian History.

Every aspirant should try to build basic understanding of chronology of events related to Indian history in totality. Once the foundation is built, the next plan of action or strategy should be to identify the main topics of importance (for this you may refer to textbooks in the market). History and culture are related topics especially in respect to ancient and medieval Indian History.

Important Topics For History

• Art and Culture of Indus valley civilization
• Literature of Vedic age
• Arts and Literatures of Jainism and Buddhism
• Sangam Literature and depictions of social, economic and political life of south india
• Development of Art and culture during the Mauryan age

10 Most Important Topics of Modern History for IAS UPSC Exam

1. All the Government and British Parliamentary Acts that led to the foundation for the constitution
2. Those movements which were undertaken under the actual umbrella of the PAN-India movements, their leaders. Like if we consider CDM as a PAN india movement we need know the regional leaders of local CDM movement
3. Understanding of British economic policy and why Indian revolted.
4. Land legislations, revenue systems.
5. The underdog social thinkers and changers. They Sheldom ask about big shots like Ram Mohan ROY or Tagore but focus more on regional players.
6. So divide the history in parts:- Pre 1857, 1857- to Congress, Congress to Split and reunion, Gandhi, Rowlatt Satyagraha to CDM, CDM to quit India, Quit India to post war missions cabinets and committees
7. Polity history question from modern india is a must so if you can do all the acts from Council Acts to Government of India Act of 1935 in detail, that would be a bliss.
8. Books, newspapers and organisations. Don’t remember it but just look for visual clues like you can pick the correct options if you see the set of words together. This is a better method to remember more stuff in history instead of trying to learn by heart. Try to make visual clues around such info
9. Facts are required for post 1905 incidents but a thorough understanding is required for pre 1900 duration. Questions from this time frame are explanatory not informatory
10. Personalities who came up with some unique ideas or organisations. The ideas and their name.

Important Topic: Ancient Indian History

Important Topic: Medieval Indian History

Important Topic: Modern Indian History