History Notes for UPSC Exam 2023
NCERT History Notes for UPSC Exam: History is one of the important subjects that UPSC put stress on in their Prelims and Mains exams. History is the knowledge of and study of the past and it’s utmost need to understand what went in the past to create the future. Every year, the UPSC conducts Civil Service exams to select candidates for various Civil Services of the Government of India. The study of Indian history is crucial for these selected individuals in order to comprehend the nature of the past and the challenges that India as a nation may face.
This is why the UPSC Prelims and Mains exams stress on the history subject. If you want to ace your UPSC exam, you need to strengthen your history basics first by covering NCERT History Notes. GeeksforGeeks‘ Important Topics of History is curated with all the important topics of history for UPSC that will help you in the UPSC Prelims.

Important History Notes for UPSC 2023 Exams
You can find the important topics of ancient history for UPSC, important topics of medieval history for UPSC, and important topics of modern history for UPSC – everything in the below list for your easy read:
- Distinct Between Indus Valley Civilization and its Contemporary Civilization
- Town Planning and Drainage System of Harappan Civilization
- Amri – A Pre-Harappan Site in Sindh
- Sinauli – A Harappan Site
- The Smallest Harappan Site
- Chanhudaro- A Harappan Site
- Mohenjo-Daro- A Harappan Site
- Jainism and its Council
- Central Teachings of Jainism
- Sikhism: History, Practices
- Role of Sikh Gurus in Sikhism
- Hinayana and Mahayana of Buddhism
- Impact of Buddhism on Indian Culture
- Historical Importance of Nalanda University
- Salient Features of Mahajanapadas
- Central and Provincial Administration System of the Maurya Empire
- Kanheri Caves
- The Paintings Of Bagh Caves
- Role of Theosophical Society, Self-Respect Movement, and Prarthana Samaj
- Brihadeshwara Temple: A World Heritage
- Ajanta And Ellora Caves
- Mongol Invasion of India
- Role of Lord Wellesley
- Importance of the Poona Pact
- Role of Lord Ripon
- Literature During The Mughal Empire
- Jyotiba Phule: Facts and Social Reforms
- Orientalist-Anglicist Controversy
- Battle of Buxar (1764)
- Anglo-Gorkha War of Nepal and the East India Company
- Mansabdari System
- Various Peasants Movement And Uprisings After 1857
- Carnatic Wars and Their Importance
- The Philosopher-Saint Ramanujacharya
- Social and Cultural Life of the Vijayanagar Empire
- Birsa Munda and His Contribution to Indian History
- Causes For the Decline of Portuguese Power In India
- Anglo-Mysore Wars and Their Importances
- Conquest And Expansion of Samudragupta
- Important Leaders Associated With The Revolt Of 1857
- Ghadar Movement
- Hunter Commission
- East India Company and British State
- Political Associations Before Indian National Congress
- Battle of Plassey
- Annie Besant and Theosophical Society
- Development of Indian Press During British Rule in India
- Syed Ahmad Khan – Aligarh Movement
- Role of Swami Vivekananda in Social Reform – Ramakrishna Mission
- Administrative System of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
- Swaraj Party: Its Objectives and Works
- Anti-Rowlatt Satyagraha Movement
- Charter Act of 1853
- Partition of Bengal (1905)
- All India Muslim League
- Vaikom Satyagraha
- Stalinism and Collectivization in The Soviet Union
- Major Issues and Debates Concerning Indian Women of the 19th Century
- Constructive Programmes of Mahatma Gandhi During Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement
- Changes Introduced By Napoleon in the Administrative System
- French Revolution – Causes and its Impact on the World
- Role of Print Culture to Grow Nationalism in British-India
- Major Beliefs and Practices of Sufism
- Land Revenue Systems in British India
- Russian Revolution – Causes and Effect
- Role of Several Foreigners in Indian Freedom Struggle
- Evaluate The Policies of Lord Curzon
- Causes of Failure of the Revolt of 1857
- Significance of Santhal Rebellion (1855-56)
- Role of Ahrar Movement and Ahmadiya Movement in Muslim Reform
- Role of Faraizi Movement and Wahabi Movement
- Cause and Impact of Peasant Movements on the Nationalist Phase
- Strengthened and Enriched of the Gandhian Phase
- Role of Mahatma Gandhi in the National Movement
- Simon Commission
- Chittagong Armoury Raid (1930)
- Khilafat Movement
- Local Bodies Reforms By Lord Ripon
- Purna Swaraj Resolution And Its Significance
- Difference Between Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement
- Nehru’s Report – Gulf Between Congress and Muslim League
- Dandi March – History and Significance
- Importance of Round Table Conferences
- Ideological Differences Between Gandhi and Ambedkar
- Role of British Imperial Power in Complicating the Process of Transfer of Power During the 1940s
- Cripps Mission – Objectives & Failure
- Wavell Plan and Shimla Conference
- Royal Indian Navy Rebellion – Causes and Significance
- Role of Subhash Chandra Bose in the Struggle for Freedom
- Amendments Passed During Emergency (1975–77)
- Relevance of Gandhian Principles in the 21st Century
- Religion of Indus Valley Civilization
- Unification of Italy
- British Forest Policy in India
- Gupta Period: Art and Culture
- Mauryan Art and Culture
- Role of Sri Aurobindo in Freedom Struggle
- Role of Foreign Trade during Medieval Indian History
- Role of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in India’s Freedom Struggle
- Fall of the Mauryan Empire
- Role of Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj and Satyashodhak Samaj
- Dayananda Saraswati: A Social Reformer of India
- Indian Independence Act 1947
- Discuss the Economic Reforms by Moderates
- Daimabad – Indus Valley Civilisation
- Sangam Age: Polity and Administration
- Ashoka Foreign Relations
- Role of Theosophical Society, Self-Respect Movement and Prarthana Samaj
History Notes for UPSC Exams:
The history syllabus for UPSC Exam can be divided into:
In the below table, you can check the UPSC Prelims History syllabus:
Indian Heritage & Culture | Indian Art Forms |
|
Literature |
| |
Architecture |
| |
Modern Indian History | Middle of the Eighteenth Centurytillthe Present |
|
The Freedom Struggle | The Revolt of 1857 | |
Growth of Nationalism in India (1858–1905) |
| |
Growth of Militant Nationalism & Revolutionary Activities (1905–18) |
| |
Beginning of Mass Nationalism (1919–39) |
| |
Towards Freedom & Partition (1939–47) |
| |
Post-Independence Consolidation | Nation Building |
|
Foreign Policy |
| |
Economy |
| |
Polity |
| |
Social |
| |
History of the World | The outbreakIndustrial Revolution |
|
World War I |
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World Between the Two Wars |
| |
World War II |
| |
Decolonization & Redrawing of National Boundaries |
| |
Concept, Types, and Social Impact of Political Philosophies |
|
Note:
- Importance Notes related to History for UPSC 2023
- Importance Notes related to Geography for UPSC 2023
- Importance Notes related to Polity for UPSC 2023
- Importance Notes related to Economics for UPSC 2023
- Importance Notes related to Science & Technology for UPSC 2023
Since a substantial portion of the subject overlaps between Prelims and Mains, it is best to learn the UPSC history syllabus comprehensively. Make sure to keep these 2 points in your mind while preparing for the UPSC History exam:
- To create a solid foundation in History, read NCERTs from Classes VIII to XII. Reading NIOS/IGNOU notes can help you improve your knowledge. The material presented in little boxes in the NCERTs must also be read because direct questions from those snippets are asked in the Prelims.
- It is necessary to study the events of history in order; thus, cover them chronologically. Maintain a strict commitment to the syllabus, especially on this topic. Even while perusing reference materials, it is critical to study just the portions pertinent to the UPSC CSE curriculum. Because the UPSC history syllabus is so broad, it must be taught exactly according to the syllabus offered for the Mains test.
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