
UPPSC History Syllabus & Exam Pattern: Download PDF Here!
The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission conducts the UP PCS Exam to recruit the eligible candidates to become the administrative officers in the Uttar Pradesh government. All the candidates must brace up themselves for a great start to their career. But before that candidates must go through the syllabus to plan a proper preparation strategy. We have provided here the detailed UPPSC history syllabus for you to know all important topics that need to be covered.
To secure the selection it is mandatory to clear all the 8 papers of the Mains exam. For the mains the candidates, unlike the UPSC, are given an option to choose an optional subject. Choosing wisely is important because it can prove to bring a drastic change in the scoring.
Our entire article is focused on the latest exam pattern of UPPSC, Syllabus, and every little detail about the exam and Optional Subject. Candidates who are to appear for the mains exam must go through the detailed UPPSC history syllabus and exam pattern.
UPPSC History Syllabus
Every year UPPSC gives an official notification regarding syllabus and exam pattern. Here too we have provided the syllabus of the UPPSC History Exam.
Paper 1 – History Paper |
Section A |
Sources and approaches to study of early Indian History |
Early pastoral and agricultural communities. The Archaeological evidence. (Neolithic and Chalcaolithic Culture) |
The Indus civilization: its origin, nature and decline. |
Patterns of settlement, economy, social organization and religion in India (c. 2000 to 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 nature of the Mauryan State. |
Post- Mauryan Period in Northern and Peninsular India. Political and Administrative History. Society, Economy, Culture and Religion. Tamilakam and its society and Sangam Texts. |
Changes in the Gupta and post-Gupta period (upto c. 750) political history of northern and peninsular India. Samanta System and changes in political structure; economy; Social Structure; culture; religion. |
Themes in early Indian cultural history, languages and texts; major stages in the evolution of art and architecture; major philosophical thinkers and schools; ideas in science and mathematics. |
Section B |
Major dynasties and Political structures in North India from 750A.D. to 1200A.D. Rise ofRajputDynastiesandtheimperial Cholas. |
Arab Conquest of Sindh and the Ghaznavide Empire; Advent of Islam and Sufism Alberuni andhis study of Indian Science and Civilisation. |
India 750 A.D. – 1200 A.D.: Economy, Society, Literature, Major Historical works, Styles of Architecture, Religious thought and Institutions, Growth ofBhakti Movement. |
The Ghorain invasions, Economic, Social and Cultural consequences and the foundation of the Sultanat. |
The Sultanate period and Political Dynasties: Slaves, Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Syeds and Lodis; major historical sources in- cluding foreign travelers accounts; Society and Culture during the Sultanate Period. |
Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Bahmani and Vijaynagar. |
The Mughal Period: Babar, Humayun; Sur Period: Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan, Aurangzeb, decline of the Mughal Empire; Society, Culture, Administration, Economic changes; Arrival European Trading Companies. |
Shivaji,Peshwas and Rise of Marathas; the Rise ofSikhPower, third battle ofPanipat. |
Sources of Mughal Period: Persian and indigenous; accounts of Foreign travelers. |
Paper II- History |
Section A |
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 upto 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 laborers 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 National Congress; The moderate phase of the Congress; Growth of Extremism, Anti-partitions; and Swadeshi Movement, Birth of Muslim League. The Indian Councils Act of 1909; the Government of India Act of 1919. |
Inter-war economy of India: Industries and problem 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, and methods of mass mobilization, and different movements; 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, 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 theTransfer 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 ofSocialist 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 in 19th Century: Unification of Germany and Italy: Disintegration of Empires through the emergence of nationalities. |
Imperialism and Colonialism: Trans-Atlantic slave Trade, Asian Conquest; Types of Empire:Settlement and non-settle- ment; Latin America, SouthAfrica, Indonesia, Australia. |
Download the PDF format of the UPPSC History Syllabus here!
Go through the complete History syllabus for UPPSC & formulate a comprehensive approach for better results.

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UPPSC History Exam Pattern
The Prelims Exam of UPPSC is just a qualifying tradition. For the main exam, all the papers are important and conducted in descriptive mode. Total of 8 eight papers out of two are optional. Check the exam pattern below:-
- There will be two optional papers- History.
- Paper 1 – History Paper- Mechanics, Thermal History, Waves & Oscillations and Optics
- Paper 2- History Paper – Electricity and Magnetism, Modern History and Electronics
- Both the papers will be of 200 marks each with a duration of 3 hours each. Descriptive in nature.
Check out the previous UPPSC Civil Services exam pattern and marking scheme & prepare with the most accurate approach.

How to Prepare for UPPSC History Optional Subject?
In order to master your optional subject & get success it is important to have a better picture of the real exam. PYPs are at your service! To understand the complete pattern, syllabus & trends of the questions. You will also get a new & unique idea of how the questions are asked and how effectively you can answer them.
If you are already familiar with the subject then it becomes more easy to learn and interpret the course. All you need to understand the exact pattern & questions trends so that you can answer them to score maximum marks.
Solve the UPPSC History Optional Question Paper and analyze your performance. Focus on your weaknesses & plan your scholar strategy wisely. Understand the latest pattern of paper & prepare accordingly.
Previous Years Question Papers for UPPSC History Optional Subject
To help Candidates prepare fully for the UPPSC History Syllabus, here we have provided links to some previous years papers which will help the candidates get an actual interpretation of the examination and know about the type of questions which they can expect under the Mains History section. Download them for free today!
UPPSC History PYPs | ||
Year | Paper I | Paper II |
2014 | UPPSC History Paper – I | UPPSC History Paper – II |
2015 | UPPSC History Paper – I | UPPSC History Paper – II |
2016 | UPPSC History Paper – I | UPPSC History Paper – II |
2017 | UPPSC History Paper – I | UPPSC History Paper – II |
2018 | UPPSC History Paper – I | UPPSC History Paper – II |
2019 | UPPSC History Paper – I | UPPSC History Paper – II |
2020 | UPPSC History Paper – I | UPPSC History Paper – II |
2021 | UPPSC History Paper – I | UPPSC History Paper – II |
For a lot more vivid range of study materials for optional subjects, previous year papers,mock tests, test series, practice sets you can download our mobile application TestbookApp.
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