Free Resources for History Optional

Syllabus, previous-year questions, topper copies, demo classes and current updates for History Optional — curated by LevelUp IAS.

In UPSC CSE, one of the biggest dilemmas faced by any aspirant is about choosing the optional. It is very natural also since optional subject carries 500 marks out of 1750 marks in Mains and takes up a lot of time and effort.

Generally, we hear experts talking about ‘trend’ and choosing an optional based on recent data of average and maximum scores. While it is not a wrong approach but we must keep it in mind that it is a subject that shall not only going to occupy half your energy for the duration of your preparation but will also play an important role in moulding your personality forever.

History, as a discipline, is considered as the mother of all subjects. It broadens one’s perspective and empowers one to take a mature, analytical and wholesome approach in any situation. What can be more interesting than tracing the journey of human civilisation and understanding the contemporary period from a historical, yet a fresh perspective.

Although, in the end, everything comes down to the ‘utility’ of the subject in clearing this examination-

Overlap with GS- Much of the syllabus of the history optional is anyways to be covered for Preliminary and Mains (GS Paper-I) examination.

Interconnectedness- The very nature of the subject of history is connecting the historical developments with their respective economic, social, political and cultural changes. It helps one in linking the subjects in a better manner.

Essay Writing- Essay is the first paper to be conducted during Mains examination. In most of the cases, at least one topic would be directly related to history and the depth provided by the knowledge of history comes handy in other topics as well.

Availability of quality material and faculty- At Levelup IAS, under the esteemed guidance of Nikhil Sheth sir and Vishal Singh sir, we have ensured one of the best materials including a free comprehensive book on PYQs which would help an aspirant to gauge the performance of the teachers regarding the coverage of syllabus and relevance to the questions asked by UPSC.

Our Programs

Topics of History Optional

Ancient India

Medieval India

Early Medieval

Modern India

Post Independence

World History