Modern History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026

Modern History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2026: Modern History remains one of the key sections in the UPSC CSE Prelims examination. Every year, multiple questions are asked from this subject in the General Studies Paper 1. The section covers topics related to the arrival of foreign trading companies in India, administrative reforms introduced by the British, and the collective efforts of Indian freedom fighters during the independence movement. The UPSC Prelims examination conducted on May 24 included nearly 4 to 5 questions from Modern History. Candidates needed a detailed study and strong memory retention to answer the questions correctly.

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UPSC Prelims Modern History Questions 2026

Candidates can go through the UPSC Modern History Questions and Answers asked in the examination to understand the difficulty level and question pattern for future preparation. 

Q: Which of the following factors contributed to the formation of the Forward Bloc by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939?

1. Bose failed to win the confidence of Mahatma Gandhi.
2. The Congress Left was disunited and failed to support Bose.
3. The Communists did not support Bose in his endeavours.
4. The supporters of M.N. Roy and socialist leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan preferred Congress unity to supporting Bose.

Select the answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1, 2 and 4 (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) 2 and 4 only.

Answer: B

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856:

1. The taluqdars were dispossessed of their estates but allowed to retain their arms and forts.
2. A Summary Revenue Settlement was made in 1856, assuming that the taluqdars were outsiders.
3. The British believed in taking revenue directly from the peasants by removing the taluqdars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 2 and 3 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 2 only

Answer: A

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Q: Consider the following assertion:

The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919.

Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion?

1. Reforms retained and extended the principle of separate electorates.
2. Separate electorates were supposed to counter Indian nationalism, which was growing stronger.
3. Deprived classes rallied around the favours inherent in separate electorates.

Select the answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only, (b) 2 and 3 only, (c) 1 and 2 only, (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Q: The artificially fixed rupee-sterling exchange rate prescribed by the Hilton-Young Commission (1926) was adopted by the British Government for which one of the following reasons? 

(a) Aiding the flow of remittances from India and maintaining India’s creditworthiness 

(b) Providing support to Indian importers

(c) Encouraging the export of cotton produce from India

(d) Preventing depreciation of the Rupee in terms of gold

Answer: A

Q: Which one of the following statements about the Eka Movement and Bardoli Satyagraha is correct? 

(a) The Eka Movement was throughout supported and organised by the Congress, while the Bardoli Satyagraha was initially independent of Congress influence and was only in the last stages supported by the Congress. 

(b) The Eka Movement was provided leadership by the taluqdars of Awadh, whereas the Bardoli Satyagraha was a movement of the landless labourers. 

(c) The Bardoli Satyagraha was a campaign against the enhancement of land revenue, while the Eka Movement was a protest against excessive extraction of rents. 

(d) The Eka Movement was located in the Varanasi and Mirzapur districts of the present-day U.P., while the Bardoli Satyagraha took place in Saurashtra.

Answer: C

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How To Start Preparation For UPSC Prelims Modern History?

Candidates need to begin with the NCERT textbooks for the UPSC Prelims Modern History preparation, make notes, and solve the questions for the exam preparation.

Follow NCERT Textbooks

Begin preparation with the NCERT history books of Class 8 and Class 12. These books explain Indian history in a simple storytelling format, helping students understand the basic concepts and important historical developments easily.

Make a Timeline Chart

Prepare a timeline chart by arranging important years and historical events in chronological order. This method improves understanding of the sequence of battles, treaties, and national movements while reducing confusion during revision.

Revise Short Notes Regularly

Maintain concise notes containing major topics, significant freedom fighters, and important British acts. Revising these short notes repeatedly helps in retaining facts and improves long-term memory.

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Solve Old Exam Questions

Practice previous years’ UPSC history questions regularly. Solving old papers gives a better understanding of question framing, statement-based patterns, and the elimination techniques required to identify the correct answer.

Focus on Repeating Topics

Pay extra attention to topics that are frequently asked in UPSC examinations, including socio-religious reform movements, important contributions of Mahatma Gandhi, and major laws enacted by the British administration.

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