UPSC History Optional

Paper II — Modern India & World History

27 topics covering European penetration, Indian nationalism, World Wars and post-colonial world.

Modern India

15 topics
1
European Penetration into India
Portuguese, Dutch, English, French; Carnatic Wars; Battle of Plassey
Early European SettlementsPortuguese & DutchEnglish & French Companies+2
2
British Expansion in India
Battle of Buxar, Mysore Wars, Anglo-Maratha Wars, Punjab
Battle of BuxarMysore WarsAnglo-Maratha Wars+1
3
Early Structure of the British Raj
Regulating Act, Pitt's India Act, Charter Act, Utilitarian thought
Regulating Act 1773Pitt's India Act 1784Charter Act 1833+1
4
Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule
Land revenue settlements, commercialization, de-industrialization, drain of wealth
Permanent SettlementRyotwari SettlementMahalwari Settlement+3
5
Social and Cultural Developments
Education controversy, western education, press, vernacular literature
Indigenous EducationOrientalist-Anglicist ControversyWestern Education+2
6
Social & Religious Reform Movements
Ram Mohan Roy, Brahmo Movement, Dayananda, Wahabi, social reforms
Ram Mohan RoyBrahmo MovementIswarchandra Vidyasagar+3
7
Indian Response to British Rule
Tribal & peasant uprisings, Revolt of 1857
Peasant & Tribal UprisingsRevolt of 1857 — CausesCharacter & Course+2
8
Birth of Indian Nationalism
INC foundation, Moderates & Extremists, Swadeshi, Partition of Bengal
Birth of NationalismFoundation of INCModerates+3
9
Rise of Gandhi & Gandhian Nationalism
Rowlatt, Khilafat, Non-cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India
Rowlatt SatyagrahaKhilafat MovementNon-cooperation Movement+4
10
Constitutional Developments 1858–1935
Acts and reforms from 1858 to Government of India Act 1935
Act of 1858Indian Councils ActsMorley-Minto Reforms+2
11
Other Strands in the National Movement
Revolutionary terrorism, Left & Congress Socialists, Communist Party
Revolutionary MovementLeft within CongressNehru & Bose+2
12
Politics of Separatism & Partition
Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, communalism, transfer of power
Muslim LeagueHindu MahasabhaCommunalism+2
13
Post-Independence Consolidation
Nehru's foreign policy, linguistic reorganization, integration of princely states
Nehru's Foreign PolicyIndia & NeighboursLinguistic Reorganisation+1
14
Caste and Ethnicity after 1947
Backward castes, tribal politics, Dalit movements
Backward Castes in PoliticsTribal IssuesDalit Movements
15
Economic Development & Political Change
Land reforms, planning, ecology, science & technology post-independence
Land ReformsPlanning & Rural ReconstructionEnvironmental Policy+1

World History

12 topics
16
Enlightenment and Modern Ideas
Kant, Rousseau, Enlightenment in colonies, Marxian Socialism
Major Enlightenment IdeasKant & RousseauEnlightenment in Colonies+2
17
Origins of Modern Politics
American & French Revolutions, European states system, British democracy
European States SystemAmerican RevolutionFrench Revolution+2
18
Industrialization
English Industrial Revolution, USA, Germany, Russia, Japan
English Industrial RevolutionIndustrialisation in USAGermany & Russia+2
19
Nation-State System
19th century nationalism, German & Italian unification, disintegration of empires
Rise of NationalismGerman UnificationItalian Unification+1
20
Imperialism and Colonialism
South-East Asia, Latin America, Africa, neo-imperialism
South & South-East AsiaLatin America & South AfricaAustralia+1
21
Revolution and Counter-Revolution
19th century revolutions, Russian Revolution, Fascism, Chinese Revolution
19th Century RevolutionsRussian Revolution 1917Fascism — Italy & Germany+1
22
World Wars
WWI & WWII causes, consequences and societal implications
WWI — CausesWWI — ConsequencesWWII — Causes+2
23
The World after World War II
Two power blocs, Third World, Non-alignment, UNO
Two Power BlocsThird World & Non-alignmentUNO & Global Disputes
24
Liberation from Colonial Rule
Latin America, Arab World, Africa, Vietnam
Latin America — BolivarEgyptAfrica — Apartheid to Democracy+1
25
Decolonization and Underdevelopment
Factors constraining development — Latin America, Africa
Development ConstraintsLatin AmericaAfrica
26
Unification of Europe
NATO, European Community, consolidation and expansion, European Union
Post-War FoundationsNATOEuropean Community+1
27
Disintegration of Soviet Union & Unipolar World
Collapse of Soviet communism, political changes in East Europe, US ascendancy
Collapse of Soviet CommunismPolitical Changes in East EuropeEnd of Cold War+1