Books
Know History important topics for UPSC Prelims 2026, covering Ancient, Medieval, and Modern India, key events, PYQs, weightage, and preparation tips.
History Important Topics For UPSC prelims: History is one of the most critical and equally important subjects for aspiring UPSC candidates, especially for the Prelims examination. Every year, questions from Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian history appear considerably. We have created this comprehensive guidepost, which will provide a list of important historical topics for UPSC prelims that every candidate should prioritize for effective preparation for UPSC Prelims 2026.
For the UPSC Prelims 2026, the history subject will play a vital role in the General Studies Paper. Aspiring candidates are advised to focus on important history topics for UPSC prelims, including ancient, medieval, and modern history, along with India’s freedom struggle, cultural heritage, and significant events and personalities.
Ancient Indian history provides the foundation for understanding India’s cultural and political evolution. Although the number of questions in this section appears less than in Modern History, it still carries high weightage.
Here’s a history important topics for UPSC prelims from Ancient India:
| Click to know: Indus Valley Civilization |
| Click to know: Vedic Age |
| Click to know: 16 Mahajanapadas |
| Click to know: Jainism And Buddhism |
| Click to know: MAURYAN EMPIRE (322-185 BCE) |
| Click to know: Post Mauryan Period (200 BC – 300 AD) |
By focusing on these important topics of ancient history for UPSC Prelims, every aspiring candidate can cover a major portion of the History syllabus from the section on ancient history.
Medieval Indian history is based on the period from the decline of the Gupta Empire to the rise of the Mughal Empire and beyond. It has been seen that fewer questions appear from this section, but some notable years have witnessed a heavier emphasis on medieval rulers and cultural aspects.
Key medieval history important topics for UPSC are:
| Click to know: EARLY MEDIEVAL INDIA (c.600-1200 CE) |
| Click to know: THE DELHI SULTANATE (1206-1526 AD) |
| Click to know: Bhakti Movement and Sufi Movement |
| Click to know: VIJAYANAGARA EMPIRE and Bahmani Kingdom |
| Click to know: MUGHAL PERIOD (1526-40 And 1555-1857) |
| Click to know: THE RISE OF MARATHAS (1674-1818) |
These medieval history important topics for UPSC prelims will help aspirants prepare effectively for the questions related to the political and cultural changes during this era.
Modern Indian history holds the highest weightage in the Prelims exam. This segment of the syllabus covers the period from the arrival of Europeans in India to the Independence movement, so it is essential to focus on this era.
Here are the modern history important topics for UPSC Prelims:
| Click to know: Advent Of Europeans In India |
| Click to know: British Economic Policy In India |
| Click to know: Tribal Revolts |
| Click to know: Social Reform Movements |
| Click to know: Indian National Movement |
| Click to know: Independence and Partition of India |
Candidates should focus on important modern history topics for UPSC Prelims, which are mentioned above to learn this vital section of the Prelims exam.
The General Studies Paper I of UPSC Prelims contains around 15-20 questions from history. These questions are generally straightforward and conceptual, or sometimes tricky. 17 questions were asked from history in UPSC Prelims 2025;
| Number of History Questions | |
| Year | Number of Questions |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2024 | 08 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2018 | 22 |
The Prelims History Question Paper 2025 assessed candidates’ understanding of ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history. Questions focused on key events, important personalities, timelines, cultural developments, and historical concepts, testing both factual knowledge and analytical ability required for competitive examinations.
| Download UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 PDF | |
| Prelims Question Paper 2025 | Download Link |
| General Studies Paper I (GS Paper) | Click Here |
The UPSC Prelims 2024 history question paper comprises of a balanced mix of questions from Ancient, Medieval, and Modern history. By analyzing trends from previous years, candidates can identify patterns and focus their preparation on high-yield topics.
| Download UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2024 PDF | |
| Prelims Question Paper 2024 | Download Link |
| General Studies Paper I (GS Paper) | Click Here |
| UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2024 | Click Here |
The History questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 showed a balanced mix of ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history. The questions in the history section covered topics such as the Indian freedom struggle, prominent historical figures, and important cultural developments.
| History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 | |
| Ancient History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 | Click Here |
| Modern History Questions In UPSC Prelims 2024 | Click Here |
| Medieval History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024 | Click Here |
To effectively prepare for history important topics for UPSC Prelims 2026, consider the following tips:
| Enhance History Preparation With These Resources | |
| UPSC UDAAN Prelims Wallah | PWONLYIAS UPSC Wallah Polity |
History is a subject that requires detailed yet focused preparation. By covering the history important topics for UPSC Prelims 2026, such as Ancient Indian history (Indus Valley Civilization, Buddhism, and Mauryan Empire), medieval history important topics for UPSC (Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, and Bhakti Movement), and modern history important topics for UPSC Prelims (Indian National Movement, Revolt of 1857, and British economic policies), candidates can ensure that their preparation is complete and covers all essential areas.
Remember, strategic preparation of these important topics of ancient history for UPSC prelims, medieval history important topics for UPSC, and modern history will boost the chances of success in the UPSC Prelims 2026.
Join top courses from Physics Wallah to increase your chances of cracking UPSC. Enroll now!
Check Out UPSC CSE Books
Visit PW Store
History is a high-weightage subject in UPSC Prelims, contributing around 15–20 questions. It covers Ancient, Medieval, and Modern history, testing candidates’ conceptual clarity, chronology, and understanding of key events and personalities.
Modern Indian History carries the highest weightage, especially topics related to British rule, revolts, social reform movements, and the Indian National Movement from 1885 to 1947.
Candidates should prioritize important topics, study NCERTs, maintain clear timelines, practice previous year questions, link history with culture, and regularly revise using concise notes and mock tests.
In UPSC Prelims 2025, a total of 17 questions were asked from History, covering Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian history with a focus on factual and analytical understanding.
Key Ancient History topics include the Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, Mahajanapadas, Buddhism and Jainism, Mauryan Empire, and the Gupta and Post-Mauryan period.
.png)
Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing
Books
Udaan
Udaan 500+
Prahaar (Mains Wallah)
Prahaar Summary
Mains Wallah (Q&A Bank)
Budget & Economic Survey
NCERT Wallah
Marks Booster
Prelims Wallah (Q&A Bank)
Current Affairs
Monthly Current Wallah
Subject Wise Current Affairs
Editorial Analysis
Editorial PDFs
News of The Day
Download Our App
Download Our App
<div class="new-fform">
</div>
GS Foundation
Optional Course
Combo Courses
Degree Program
