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Modern History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024, Trend Analysis of Last 5 Year

PWOnlyIAS May 07, 2024 06:36 454 0

Modern history questions in UPSC prelims will help you to decode changing trends in UPSC prelims exam. This analysis will help you in preparing for modern history questions!

Modern History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2024, Trend Analysis of Last 5 Year

Modern history questions in UPSC prelims have been witnessing a downward trend due to the changing mindset of the examiner. Nevertheless, modern history is an important topic that must be studied in detail.

Modern history questions in UPSC prelims will focus on the period after the emergence of European colonialists in India. It will cover topics such as Indian renaissance, British governance, independence movement etc.

The nature of modern history questions in UPSC prelims will range from factual to 

analytical, making it a challenge for aspirants to attempt them. By analyzing past year questions, we can find out the topics that can be asked.

Modern History Questions in UPSC Prelims 2023

Compared to previous years, UPSC asked fewer modern history questions in UPSC prelims. However, we can still identify important themes from these questions. The list of modern history questions in prelims 2023 is given below.

1) By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

(a) The Regulating Act

(b) The Pitt’s India Act

(c) The Charter Act of 1793

(d) The Charter Act of 1833

Answer: (d)

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2) Consider the following statements:

Statement I: 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day.

Statement II: It was in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was launched on the same day.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.

(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I.

(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.

(d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.

Answer: (a)

3) With reference to Indian History, Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with

(a) Archaeological excavations

(b) Establishment of English Press in Colonial India

(c) Establishment of Churches in Princely States

(d) Construction of railways in Colonial India

Answer: (a)

Also Read: UPSC Prelims PYQs

Modern History Questions in UPSC Prelims in the Last Few Years

UPSC has been unpredictable when it comes to the number of modern history questions in UPSC prelims. From a high of 14 questions in 2018 to 3 questions in 2023, UPSC has been changing the trend. A detailed analysis of a number of modern history questions are given below.

Year of Examination Number of Questions
2023 3
2022 4
2021 9
2020 8
2019 5
2018 14
2017 7

modern history questions in UPSC prelims

How to Prepare for Modern History Questions in UPSC Prelims

Modern history is a challenging topic. It involves factual information as well as analytical information that candidates must process to arrive at a conclusion. Tips to prepare for modern history questions in UPSC prelims is given below:

  • Read Correct Books: Candidates preparing for UPSC prelims need not read reference books for history. Instead, they must focus on NCERT books and basic books such as Spectrum.
  • Revise Multiple Times: Modern history is highly factual. Candidates have to revise multiple times to remember facts that may be asked in the exam.
  • Mind Maps: Candidates have to interconnect events occurring in modern history. A basic idea of the timeline of events is also necessary.
  • Analyse PYQs: With PYQ analysis, candidates can recognize important themes that may be asked in the exam.
  • Practice Test Series: Candidates can join any good test series from any good institute, such as PW OnlyIAS, to prepare well for the exam.
Also Read: Modern History Questions in UPSC Prelims with Answers

Repeated Themes of Modern History Questions in UPSC Prelims

UPSC may have reduced the number of questions asked from modern history, but the themes have been repetitive. By analyzing questions from the past few years, we can arrive at a conclusion as given below.

Themes Significance
Freedom Movement 2-3 questions from Gandhian period
Advent of Europeans 1-2 questions from pre-Independence period
Tribal and Peasant revolts 1-2 questions
Personalities from Freedom and Renaissance movement 1-2 questions
Constitution Development 1-2 questions
British Imperialism 1-2 questions

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Sample Modern History Questions in UPSC Prelims

Modern history topics have some vital themes that need to be focused. Following are some questions from modern history repeated themes asked in UPSC prelims.

Famous Personalities

Q. Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because: (2012)

(a) Round Table Conference failed to satisfy Indian political aspirations.

(b) Congress and Muslim League had differences of opinion.

(c) Ramsay MacDonald announced the Communal Award.

(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context.

Constitution Development

Q. With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements:

  1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
  2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2022)

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Advent of Europeans

Q. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:

  1. The Dutch established their factories/warehouses on the east coast on lands granted to them by Gajapati rulers.
  2. Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate.
  3. The English East India Company established a factory at Madras on a plot of land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagara empire.

Which of the statements given above are correct? (2021)

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

British Colonization

Q. Which of the following statements correctly explain the impact of the Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century? (2020)

(a) Indian handicrafts were ruined.

(b) Machines were introduced in the Indian textile industry in large numbers.

(c) Railway lines were laid in many parts of the country.

(d) Heavy duties were imposed on the imports of British manufactures.

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Independence Movement

Q. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events:

  1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy
  2. Quit India Movement launched
  3. Second Round Table Conference

What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events? (2017)

(a) 1-2-3

(b) 2-1-3

(c) 3-2-1

(d) 3-1-2

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Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

Frequently Asked Questions

UPSC asks 3-15 questions from modern history in the prelims exam. The weightage may not be the same every year.

Yes. UPSC has asked questions directly from NCERT books.

Yes. UPSC gives special focus to certain themes in modern history and repeatedly asks questions about them. These themes can be identified in PYQs.

UPSC asks questions ranging from moderate to difficult level in UPSC prelims exam.

Themes such as the independence movement, personalities, British imperialism, Constitution development, etc. are important themes for prelims.

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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