The weightage of history in the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination has varied over the years. Based on the data from recent years, here is the number of questions from history in the General Studies Paper I:
2023: 14 questions, 2022: 14 questions, 2021: 10 questions, 2020: 20 questions, 2019: 17 questions, 2018: 22 questions, 2017: 14 questions, 2016: 15 questions
As a UPSC aspirant, I understand the importance of selecting the right books for history, a subject that’s not only vast but also crucial for the Civil Services Examination. Here are some recommended books that are widely recognized as essential for UPSC history preparation:
1. Ancient India
- “India’s Ancient Past” by R.S. Sharma – A comprehensive book covering ancient Indian history.
- “Ancient India” by Makkhan Lal – For a clear understanding of topics in ancient history.
2. Medieval India
- “History of Medieval India” by Satish Chandra – Covers the entire medieval period in a detailed manner.
- “Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals-Delhi Sultanat (1206-1526)” by Satish Chandra – Specific focus on the Delhi Sultanate.
3. Modern India
- “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipan Chandra – A must-read for modern Indian history.
- “India After Independence” by Bipan Chandra – Focuses on the events post-independence.
- “History of Modern India” by Bipan Chandra – Provides a concise overview of modern Indian history.
4. World History
- “Mastering Modern World History” by Norman Lowe – A comprehensive book for world history.
- “History of the World” by Arjun Dev – Good for understanding the broader aspects of world history.
5. Art and Culture
“Indian Art and Culture” by Nitin Singhania – Specifically designed for the UPSC exam, covering art and culture comprehensively.
Additional Resources
NCERT books (6th to 12th grade) are crucial for building a strong foundation in history.
Reference books like “A Brief History of Modern India” by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum) and “Facts of Indian Culture” by Spectrum are also highly recommended.
These books cover the vast syllabus of history for the UPSC exam comprehensively. It’s important to complement these books with current affairs reading, previous years’ question papers, and mock tests for a well-rounded preparation
