History — UPSC Civil Services Prelims Previous Year Questions

All 158 UPSC Civil Services Prelims History questions asked across 11 exam years, each with the correct answer, a detailed explanation and the source it was drawn from.

History questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2026

Q1History2026

In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni ('mistress of the field') originate ?

Q2History2026

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 ?

Q3History2026

Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched ?
1. Senguttuvan : Chera
2. Udiyanjeral : Chola
3. Nedunjeliyan : Pandya

Select the answer using the code given below :

Q4History2026

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 :

Q5History2026

Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct ?
1. It was located in the lower Krishna valley.
2. In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size.
3. The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia.

Select the answer using the code given below :

Q6History2026

What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography ?

Q7History2026

Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct ?

1. They acted as army fortresses.
2. They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles.
3. They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles.
4. They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles.

Select the answer using the code given below :

Q8History2026

Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music ?

Q9History2026

Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the :

Q10History2026

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

Q11History2026

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 :

Q12History2026

Consider the following statements about the archaeological findings in Harappan towns :

I. There is wide occurrence of spindle-whorls in the houses but absence of spinning wheels.
II. Weights and measurement scales, complete with graduations have been discovered.
III. There are houses built in large part with baked bricks, around relatively spacious courtyards, with their own wells, bathing platforms, and large rooms.

Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements ?

1. Statement I suggests that spinning was a laborious activity done at home.
2. Statement II suggests the extent of the scientific knowledge that the Harappans possessed.
3. Statement III suggests the emergence of a common property system.

Select the answer using the code given below :

Q13History2026

Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched ?
1. Vitasta : Chenab
2. Asikni : Jhelum
3. Parushni : Ravi
4. Yavyavati : Beas

Select the answer using the code given below :

Q14History2026

Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period :

I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface.
II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells.

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

1. There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water.
2. Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu / kulisha (axe) and datra / sreni (sickle).
3. There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts.

Select the answer using the code given below :

Q15History2026

Consider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India :

1. The earliest epigraphic use of the place-value system in India is found in the Mankani plates from Gujarat (AD 595 – 596).
2. In the ninth century, place-values become general in inscriptions all over India.
3. The place-values have been found in Sanskrit inscriptions in South-east Asia as early as the seventh century.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

Q16History2026

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 ?

Q17History2026

Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included ?

Q18History2026

The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents :

Q19History2026

Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara ?

1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami
2. Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole
3. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh
4. Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal

Select the answer using the code given below :

Q20History2026

Consider the following statements :

I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika.
II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver.

The above statements have been associated with which of the following ?

1. Emergence of urban life
2. Transition to money economy

Select the answer using the code given below :

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History questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2025

Q21History2025

Consider the following subjects with regard to Non-Cooperation Programme:

I. Boycott of law-courts and foreign cloth
II. Observance of strict non-violence
III. Retention of titles and honours without using them in public
IV. Establishment of Panchayats for settling disputes

How many of the above were parts of Non-Cooperation Programme?

Q22History2025

Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya?

Q23History2025

Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement:

1. The Congress declared the attainment of 'Swaraj' by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective.
2. It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if 'Swaraj' did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q24History2025

Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the 'Pradesika', 'Rajuka' and 'Yukta' were important officers at the

Q25History2025

The famous female figurine known as 'Dancing Girl', found at Mohenjo-daro, is made of

Q26History2025

Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy:

I. He possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophical systems of the East.
II. He desired his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q27History2025

Consider the following fruits:

I. Papaya
II. Pineapple
III. Guava

How many of the above were introduced in India by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?

Q28History2025

Who among the following was the founder of the 'Self-Respect Movement'?

Q29History2025

The irrigation device called 'Araghatta' was

Q30History2025

Subsequent to which one of the following events, Gandhiji, who consistently opposed untouchability and appealed for its eradication from all spheres, decided to include the upliftment of 'Harijans' in his political and social programme?

Q31History2025

Who provided legal defence to the people arrested in the aftermath of Chauri Chaura incident?

Q32History2025

With reference to ancient India (600–322 BC), consider the following pairs:

Territorial region – River flowing in the region
I. Asmaka : Godavari
II. Kamboja : Vipas
III. Avanti : Mahanadi
IV. Kosala : Sarayu

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Q33History2025

Fa-hien (Faxian), the Chinese pilgrim, travelled to India during the reign of

Q34History2025

'Sedition has become my religion' was the famous statement given by Gandhiji at the time of

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History questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2024

Q35History2024

56. Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal ?

Q36History2024

62. With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements :

1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q37History2024

58. Consider the following statements :

1. There are no parables in Upanishads.
2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q38History2024

55. Consider the following information :

Archaeological site | State | Description

1. Chandraketugarh | Odisha |Trading Port town
2. Inamgaon | Maharashtra | Chalcolithic site
3. Mangadu | Kerala | Megalithic site
4. Salihundam | Andhra radesh | Rock-cut Pradesh cave shrines

In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched ?

Q39History2024

63. Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa ?

Q40History2024

57. With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis, consider the following statements :

1. Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were exempted from revenue payment in case of bad harvests or natural calamities.
2. Under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, if the Zamindar failed to pay his revenues to the state, on or before the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q41History2024

54. With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets ?

1. Nayaputta
2. Shakyamuni
3. Tathagata

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Q42History2024

73. Consider the following pairs :

Party | Its Leader

1. |Bharatiya Jana Sangh| Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee
2. | Socialist Party | C. Rajagopalachari
3. | Congress for Democracy | Jagjivan Ram
4. |Swatantra Party | Acharya Narendra Dev

How many of the above are correctly matched ?

Q43History2024

64. Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on :

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History questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2023

Q44History2023

8. Who among the following rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across the Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometers long from the river to the capital city?

Q45History2023

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

Q46History2023

10. By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

Q47History2023

5. Consider the following dynasties

1. Hoysala

2. Gahadavala

3. Kakatiya

4. Yadava
How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in the early eighth century AD?

Q48History2023

9. Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to the Portuguese?

Q49History2023

4. Which one of the following explains the practice of ‘Vattakirutal' as mentioned in Sangam poems?

Q50History2023

1. In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist center under the Mahasanghikas, located?

Q51History2023

3. With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar, and Muchiri were well-known as

Q52History2023

7. "Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects'
The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?

Q53History2023

63. Consider the following statements:
Statement-I:7th August is declared National Handloom Day. It was in 1905 that the Swadeshi 
Statement-II:The movement was launched on the same day.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

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History questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2022

Q54History2022

96. The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?
1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present-day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Q55History2022

52. In medieval India, the term "Fanam" referred to:

Q56History2022

92. Consider the following pairs:      King                            Dynasty1. Nannuka             –          Chandela2. Jayashakti           –          Paramara3. Nagabhata II      –     Gurjara-Pratihara4. Bhoja                  –      Rashtrakuta
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

Q57History2022

54. 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
3. Britain regarding its future status.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q58History2022

60. According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, which of the following are correct?

1. A person could be a slave as a result of judicial punishment.

2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.

3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master's son.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q59History2022

56. With reference to Indian history consider the following pairs:Historical person  –  Known as1. Aryadeva – Jaina scholar2. Dignaga – Buddhist scholar3. Nathamuni – Vaishnava scholar
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

Q60History2022

94.  "Yogavasistha" was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:

Q61History2022

53. Consider the following freedom fighters:
1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee3. Rash Behari Bose
Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party?

Q62History2022

55. With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:
1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan3. Avadanasataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts?

Q63History2022

59. 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
4. Vijayanagara empire.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q64History2022

57. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:
1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of the northwest of his kingdom to Mongols.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q65History2022

91. Consider the following pairs:Site of Ashoka's major rock edicts        –      Location in the State of1. Dhauli                        –                               Odisha2. Erragudi                    –                           Andhra Pradesh3. Jaugada                     –                         Madhya Pradesh4. Kalsi                          –                              Karnataka
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

Q66History2022

95. The world's second tallest statue in the sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India in Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?

Q67History2022

51. In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into "Reserved" and "Transferred" subjects. Which of the following were treated as "Reserved" subjects?
1. Administration of Justice2. Local Self-Government3. Land Revenue4. Police
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Q68History2022

58. With reference to Indian history, who of the following was known as "Kulah-Daran"?

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History questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2021

Q69History2021

Q95. According to Portuguese writer Nuniz, the women in Vijayanagara Empire were experts in which of the following areas? (1) Wrestling (2) Astrology (3) Accounting (4) Soothsaying
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Q70History2021

Q87. In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal, and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as

Q71History2021

Q83. With reference to 8th August 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?

Q72History2021

Q91. With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: (1) It is a circular temple built during the reign of the Kachchhapaghata Dynasty. (2) It is the only circular temple built in India. (3) It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region. (4) Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q73History2021

Q100. With reference to the history of ancient India, which of the following statements is/are correct? (1) Mitakshara was the civil law for upper castes and Dayabhaga was the civil law for lower castes. (2) In the Mitakshara system, the sons can claim the right to the property during the lifetime of the father, whereas in the Dayabhaga system, it is only after the death of the father that the sons can claim the right to the property. (3) The Mitakshara system deals with the matters related to the property held by male members only of a family, whereas the Dayabhaga system deals with the matters related to the property held by both male and female members of a family.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Q74History2021

Q85. With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?

Q75History2021

Q45. With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho, and Kui' pertain to

Q76History2021

Q93. In the first quarter of the seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located? (1) Broach (2) Chicacole (3) Trichinopoly
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Q77History2021

Q98. Consider the following statements: (1) It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince. (2) It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus. (3) It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q78History2021

Q97. Consider the following pairs :
(Historical place)(Well-known for)
1. Burzahom: Rock-cut shrines
2. Chandra-Ketugarh: Terracotta art
3. Ganeshwar : Copper artefacts

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Q79History2021

Q82. Consider the following statements: (1) The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all women above the age of 21. (2) The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in the legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q80History2021

Q84. Who among the following is associated with ‘Songs from Prison', a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English?

Q81History2021

Q86. Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?

Q82History2021

Q88. With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct? (1) The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State (2) The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of Vijayanagara Empire. (3) The Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Q83History2021

Q92. Which one of the following ancient towns is well-known for its elaborate system of water harvesting and management by building a series of dams and channelizing water into connected reservoirs?

Q84History2021

Q94. From the decline of Guptas until the rise of Harshavardhana in the early seventh century, which of the following kingdoms were holding power in Northern India? (1) The Guptas of Magadha (2) The Paramaras of Malwa (3) The Pushyabhutis of Thanesar (4) The Maukharis of Kannauj (5) The Yadavas of Devagiri (6) The Maitrakas of Valabhi
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Q85History2021

Q96. With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?

Q86History2021

Q99. Consider the following statements: (1) St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order. (2) St. Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there. (3) The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

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History questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2020

Q87History2020

Q47. The Gandhi-Irwin pact included which of the following?

Invitation to Congress to participate in the round table conference
Withdrawal of ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement
Acceptance of Gandhiji's suggestion for enquiry into police excesses
Release of those prisoners who were not charged with violence
Select the correct answer using the code given below

Q88History2020

Q24. One common agreement between Gandhism and Marxism is

Q89History2020

Q43. Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of the Industrial revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?

Q90History2020

Q91. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs:
1. Parivrajaka – Renunciant and wanderer
2. Shramana – Priest with a high status
3. Upasaka – Lay follower of Buddhism

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Q91History2020

Q16. With reference to the Scholars/literatures of ancient India, consider the following statements:

Panini is associated with Pushyamitra
Amarsimha is associated with Harshavardhana
Kalidasa is associated with chandragupta-II
Which of the above given statements is/are correct-

Q92History2020

Q13. Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of

Q93History2020

Q57. With references to the history of India, consider the following pairs:

Famous Place Present State
1. Bhilsa -Madhya Pradesh
2. Dwarasamudra -Maharashtra
3. Girinagar -Gujarat
4. Sthanesvara -Uttar Pradesh

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Q94History2020

Q41. With reference to the history of India consider the following pairs:

Aurang in-charge Of treasury of the state
Banian Indian agent of the East India Company
Mirasidar designated revenue payer to the state
Which of the pairs above is/are correct?

Q95History2020

Q45. Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the ‘Hundi' generally referred to in sources of the Post Harsha period?

Q96History2020

Q49. With reference to the history of India, the terms Kulyavapa and dronavapa denote

Q97History2020

Q12. In the Indian history, The Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around

Women's rights to gain education
Age of consent
Restitution of conjugal rights
Select the correct answer using the given code below-

Q98History2020

Q14. Wellesley established the Fort William college at Calcutta because:

Q99History2020

Q62. With reference to the period of Gupta dynasty in ancient India, the towns Ghantasala, kadura and Chaul were well known as

Q100History2020

Q42. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

Sthaviravadins belong to mahayana Buddhism
Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism
The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered the mahayana Buddhism
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q101History2020

Q44. Consider the following events in the history of India:

Rise of Pratiharas under king Bhoja
Establishment of pallava power under Mahendravarman-I
Establishment of Chola power under Parantaka-I
Pala dynasty founded by Gopala
What is the correct chronological order of the above events, Starting from the earliest time?

Q102History2020

Q46. With reference to the book ‘desher Katha' written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements

It warned against the colonial states' hypnotic conquest of the mind
It inspired the performance of swadeshi street plays and folk songs
The use of ‘desh' by Deuskar was in the specific context of the region of Bengal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q103History2020

Q48. The Vital Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience was published by

Q104History2020

Q50. Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription?

"Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely "

Q105History2020

Q15. With reference to the history of India, ‘ulgulan' or the great tumult is the description of the which of the following?

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History questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2019

Q106History2019

Q7
4. With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements:
1. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of ‘indentured labor'.
2. In Lord Chelmsford's ‘War Conference', Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.
3. Consequent upon the breaking of the Salt Law by the Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q107History2019

Q55. With reference to Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements:1. It contributed to the revival of indigenous artisan crafts and industries.2. The National Council of Education was established as a part of Swadeshi Movement.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q108History2019

Q51. With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Q109History2019

Q60. With reference to forced labor (Vishti) in India during the Gupta period, which one of the following statements is correct?

Q110History2019

Q58. In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?

Q111History2019

Q7
2. Consider the following statements:
1. In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil'.
2. The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
3. The office of ‘Mir Bakshi' came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q112History2019

Q5
4. Consider the following statements about ‘the Charter Act of 1813':
1. It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.
2. It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.
3. The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q113History2019

Q57. Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?

Q114History2019

Q5
9. Consider the following:
1. Deification of the Buddha2. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas3. Image worship and rituals
Which of the above is/are the feature/ features of Mahayana Buddhism?

Q115History2019

Q75. With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs:
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Q116History2019

Q77Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portrait?

Q117History2019

Question 1: Consider the following pairs

       Movement/organization                          Leader 

All India Anti-Untouchability League:  Mahatma Gandhi 
All India Kisan Sabha :                    Swami Sahajanand Saraswati 
Self-Respect Movement:                     E.V.Ramaswami Naicker 
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Q118History2019

Q56. Consider the following pairs:

Movement/Organization Leader
1. All India Anti-Untouchability League Mahatma Gandhi
2. All India Kisan Sabha Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
3. Self-Respect Movement Naicker E.V. Ramaswami

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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History questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2018

Q119History2018

79. In 1920, which of the following changed its name to "Swarajya Sabha" ?

Q120History2018

71. With reference to the religious practices in
India, the "Sthanakvasi" sect belongs to

Q121History2018

75. Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley?

Q122History2018

19. Regarding Wood's Dispatch, which of the following statements are true ?

  1. Grants-in-Aid system was introduced.
  2. Establishment of universities was recommended.
  3. English as a medium of instruction at all levels of education was recommended.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Q123History2018

11. He wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji and Shrikrishna; stayed in America
for some time; and was also elected to the Central Assembly. He was

Q124History2018

51. After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government?

  1. The territories called 'Santhal Paraganas' were created.
  2. It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Q125History2018

69. Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha?

Q126History2018

73. Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India ?

Q127History2018

68. The staple commodities of export by the English East India Company from Bengal in the middle of the 18th century were

Q128History2018

70. Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948?

Q129History2018

74. With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world ?

Q130History2018

76. Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India?

  1. Charter Act of 1813
  2. General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823
  3. Orientalist and Anglicist Controversy
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Q131History2018

80. Which among the following events happened earliest ?

Q132History2018

89. With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs :
Institution - Founder
1. Sanskrit Collegeat Benaras - William Jones
2. Calcutta Madarsa - Warren Hastings
3. Fort William College — Arthur Wellesley
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct ?

Q133History2018

91. Consider the following events :

  1. The first democratically, elected communist party government formed in a State in India.
  2. India's then largest bank, 'Imperial Bank of India', was renamed 'State Bank of India'.
  3. Air India was nationalised and became the national carrier.
  4. Goa became a part of independent
    India.
    Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the above events ?
Q134History2018

52. Economically, one of the results of the British rule in India in the 19th century was the

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History questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2017

Q135History2017

51. Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom ?

Q136History2017

75. Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples?

  1. Arasavalli
  2. Amarakantak
  3. Omkareshwar

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Q137History2017

53. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements :

  1. Sautrantika and Sammitiya were the sects of Jainism.
  2. Sarvastivadin held that the constituents of phenomena were not wholly momentary, but existed forever in a latent form .

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q138History2017

13. Who among the following was/were associated with the introduction of Ryotwari Settlement in India during the British rule ?

  1. Lord Cornwallis
  2. Alexander Read
  3. Thomas Munro
    Select the correct answer using.the code given below :
Q139History2017

1. Radhakanta Deb — First President of the British Indian Association
2. Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty - Founder of the Madras Mahajana Sabha
3. Surendranath Banerjee - Founder of the Indian Association
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched ?

Q140History2017

93. 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 ?
Q141History2017

26. The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to

Q142History2017

62. In the context of Indian history, the principle of 'Dyarchy (diarchy)' refers to

Q143History2017

2. With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

  1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
  2. Rigedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.
  3. Rigedie Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Q144History2017

24. Consider the following statements :

  1. The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of industrial workers and to allow the workers to form trade unions.
  2. N.M. Lokhande was a pioneer in organizing the labour movement in British India.
    Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
Q145History2017

15. The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 provided for

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History questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2016

Q146History2016

45. With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following Statements:

  1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
  2. Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q147History2016

57. Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?

Q148History2016

87. Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements:

  1. The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land.

  2. Private owners of workshops paid an industries tax.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q149History2016

99. The 'Swadeshi' and 'Boycott' were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the

Q150History2016

56. Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally:

Q151History2016

30. What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?

  1. Both were built in the same period.
  2. Both belong to the same religious denomination.
  3. Both have rock-cut monuments.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Q152History2016

16. In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:
TermDescription

  1. EripattiLand, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank
  2. TaniyursVillages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
  3. GhatikasColleges generally attached to the temples

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Q153History2016

34. Consider the following:

  1. Calcutta Unitarian Committee
  2. Tabernacle of New Dispensation
  3. Indian Reform Association

Keshab Chandra Sen is associated with the establishment of which of the above?

Q154History2016

42. In the economic history of medieval India, what does the term 'Araghatta' refer to?

Q155History2016

2. What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907?

Q156History2016

7. Satya Shodhak Samaj organized:

Q157History2016

3. What plan did Sir Stafford Cripps envisage for India after the Second World War?

Q158History2016

29. The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to

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How History is asked in UPSC Civil Services Prelims

History is the most front-loaded subject in the UPSC Civil Services Prelims syllabus: ancient Indian history and art and culture carry far more questions than the modern period, which is the reverse of what most aspirants expect and the reverse of how most people prepare. Questions are rarely about dates. They test whether you can place a dynasty, a text or a site in its context — which is why rote timelines fail here and source-based reading works.

Ancient India

The Indus Valley and Harappan sites, the Vedic period, the Mahajanapadas, Buddhism and Jainism and the stupa and cave-shrine traditions they produced, the Mauryas and Guptas, Sangam literature and the southern kingdoms. This is where ancient history questions cluster hardest, often through pairs — a site with its state, a text with its author, a term with its meaning.

Medieval India

The Delhi Sultanate, the Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdoms, the Mughals, and the Bhakti and Sufi movements. Medieval history is asked less often than ancient India but the questions tend to be sharper, leaning on administrative terms, revenue systems and regional dynasties rather than well-known rulers.

Modern India and the freedom struggle

Company rule and the charter acts, the revolt of 1857, the Indian National Congress, the Swadeshi and non-cooperation movements, and post-independence consolidation. Modern history overlaps heavily with polity, so a question about an act often doubles as a constitutional question.

History weightage in UPSC Civil Services Prelims, year by year

How many History questions appeared in each UPSC Civil Services Civil ServicesPrelims question paper, and what share of the paper they made up. These are counts from the questions tagged on this site, not estimates.

Exam yearHistory questionsShare of the paperFull paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20262020%View 2026 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20251414%View 2025 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 202499%View 2024 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20231010%View 2023 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20221515%View 2022 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20211818%View 2021 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20201919%View 2020 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20191313%View 2019 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20181616%View 2018 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20171111%View 2017 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20161313%View 2016 paper

How to prepare History for UPSC Civil Services Prelims

Read the NCERTs for structure, then use these previous year questions as the test of whether the structure held. Ancient Indian history rewards making your own notes on sites, texts and terms, because that is the form UPSC Civil Services asks in — matching pairs rather than narrative. Attempt a year, check the answer key and explanation, and note not the fact you missed but the category of fact you missed.

Every question on this page carries the correct answer and a detailed explanation, so the set doubles as an answer key you can check against after an attempt. Previous year questions do not replace mock tests, but they are the only material that shows which topics UPSC Civil Services Civil Serviceshas actually rewarded — treat them as the backbone of your Prelims preparation rather than a revision exercise bolted on at the end. Remember that GS Paper I carries negative marking of one-third, so in CSE Prelims a wrong answer costs candidates more than a blank one: practise deciding when not to attempt, not only what to attempt. Browse the full set of UPSC Civil Services Prelims previous year question papers to work through other subjects the same way.

History previous year questions — frequently asked questions

How many History questions are asked in UPSC Civil Services Prelims?

History and art and culture together usually account for a substantial share of GS Paper I, though the split moves year to year. The table above shows the exact count on this site for every year, so you can see the trend rather than rely on an estimate.

Which period of History is asked most in UPSC Civil Services Prelims?

Ancient India and art and culture dominate, with medieval history the thinnest of the three. Modern history questions are steadier in number but often overlap with polity and governance, which is why they feel more familiar to most candidates.

Are NCERTs enough for UPSC Civil Services Prelims History?

NCERTs give you the frame and are non-negotiable, but ancient Indian history questions frequently reach past them into specific sites, texts and terms. Working through previous year questions is the fastest way to see where NCERT coverage stops and where you need a standard reference.

How should candidates revise History previous year questions?

Attempt one full year at a time under exam conditions, then review by period rather than in question order. Grouping your errors by ancient, medieval and modern shows you which division is actually costing marks, which a single overall score never reveals.

Other UPSC Civil Services Prelims subjects