UPSC History Optional PYQ 2026: Paper I & II Download PDF

UPSC History Optional 2026 Paper I

Examination: Civil Services Main Examination – 2026
Subject: History — Paper I

Time Allowed: Three Hours
Maximum Marks: 250

Question Paper Specific Instructions

Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions:

There are EIGHT questions divided in two Sections and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.

The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.

Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.

Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.

Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

Section – A

1. Identify the following places marked on the map supplied to you and write a short note of about 30 words on each of them in your Question-cum-Answer Booklet. Locational hints for each of the places marked on the map are given below seriatim: (50 marks)

(i) Harappan burial site
(ii) Harappan site with radial town planning
(iii) Jain cave painting
(iv) Large Megalithic dolmen complexes
(v) Ancient port
(vi) Ancient capital
(vii) Meso-Chalcolithic site
(viii) Group of early medieval temples
(ix) Ancient capital
(x) Megalithic site
(xi) Neolithic site
(xii) Terra-cotta ring wells
(xiii) Mauryan fort
(xiv) Ancient Buddhist site
(xv) Mesolithic site
(xvi) Megalithic burial site
(xvii) Neolithic ash mound site
(xviii) Site with evidence of monastery, Stupa and Shiva temple
(xix) Chalcolithic and early historic site with five occupational phases
(xx) Buddhist site

2.(a) Analyze the role of terrain, climate and vegetation in shaping the settlement and movement of prehistoric communities in India. (15 marks)

2.(b) “Harappan architecture reflects an integrated vision of environmental adaptation, technological rationality and urban aesthetics, going beyond functionality.” Examine the statement. (15 marks)

2.(c) “Greek writers viewed India largely from a political perspective, Chinese travellers from a religious perspective, and Arab scholars from a scientific and cultural perspective.” Comment. (20 marks)

3.(a) “The Iranian and Macedonian invasions reshaped ancient India through administrative influence, political transformation and cultural interaction.” Review. (15 marks)

3.(b) Evaluate the political and socio-cultural changes occurred in North India after the decline of the Mauryan Empire under the Shunga and Kanva Dynasties. (15 marks)

3.(c) “Royal patronage and religious institutions significantly contributed to the development of Nalanda, Vikramashila and Vallabhi into prominent centres of learning.” Elucidate. (20 marks)

4.(a) “Hoysala temple architecture marks a distinctive and innovative phase in the evolution of South Indian art and architecture.” Illustrate with examples. (20 marks)

4.(b) Analyze the significance of the Vedic Age in shaping the social institutions, religious thoughts and intellectual traditions of ancient India. (15 marks)

4.(c) “The Satavahanas not only served as a vital link between Northern and Southern India in the Deccan region, but also strengthened the process of trade, urbanization and cultural integration.” Review. (15 marks)

Section – B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (10 × 5 = 50 marks)

5.(a) How far may the Qutub Complex at Mehrauli be considered as an ideal specimen for the study on the development of architecture under the Delhi Sultanate? Analyze. (10 marks)

5.(b) “The success of the Cholas as an imperial power rested not only on the administrative efficiency, but also on a well-organized army and a formidable navy.” Evaluate. (10 marks)

5.(c) What European features were incorporated in the Mughal school of painting? Did it absolve the traditional Persian influences of the Mughal paintings? Evaluate. (10 marks)

5.(d) “The Sufis created a climate in which people belonging to different sects and religions could live in peace and harmony.” Discuss. (10 marks)

5.(e) “Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq’s token currency scheme was an innovative economic experiment in medieval India, but its failure exposed the limitations of State control over the medieval economy.” Evaluate. (10 marks)

6.(a) Critically examine the theories on the origin of the Rajputs. How do the indigenous evidences contradict the European theorists? (20 marks)

6.(b) Why did the abdication of power by Alauddin Alam Shah in favour of Bahlol Lodi not culminate in the establishment of the Lodi Dynasty? Elucidate. (15 marks)

6.(c) Critically analyze Barani’s Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi and identify the shortcomings in his account. (15 marks)

7.(a) From the Portuguese merchant Domingo Paes’ description of Krishnadevaraya’s reign, assess the socio-economic and cultural uniqueness of the Vijayanagara Empire. (15 marks)

7.(b) Trace the formulation of the Mughal imperial authority from Akbar to Aurangzeb. Focus on the influence of Persian ideas of kingship in the construction of Mughal royalty. (20 marks)

7.(c) “From Asia to Europe, from head to foot, everyone was clothed in Indian textiles.” Qualify this statement with a critical account of India’s foreign trade with special reference to textiles. (15 marks)

8.(a) Analyze the influence of Persian traditions on the development of architecture and painting under the Mughals. To what extent did these art forms reflect a synthesis of Indian and Persian cultural elements? Discuss. (15 marks)

8.(b) Would you consider eighteenth century in India an era of ‘Dark Age’, or a period of economic growth? Elucidate. (20 marks)

8.(c) Trace the trajectory of Maratha polity from Shivaji to Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao. What was the impact of the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) on the Maratha State? Analyze. (15 marks)

UPSC History Optional 2009 Paper II

Examination: Civil Services Main Examination – 2026
Subject: History — Paper II

Time Allowed: Three Hours
Maximum Marks: 250

Question Paper Specific Instructions

Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions:

There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO SECTIONS and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

Questions No. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, any THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.

The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.

Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.

Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.

Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet must be clearly struck off.

Section – A

1. Critically examine the following statements in about 150 words each: (10 × 5 = 50 marks)

1.(a) “Superior Maritime strength proved to be England’s most powerful weapon in the struggle for colonial supremacy, particularly in the Carnatic Wars.” (10 marks)

1.(b) “No educated Indian has ever forgotten the lesson of Ilbert Bill.” (10 marks)

1.(c) “Permanent settlement policy resulted in an unfair distribution of assessment, particularly when there was no survey.” (10 marks)

1.(d) “The poverty of India was not a product of the Geography or of the lack of natural resources, it was mainly a product of the History of the last two centuries.” (10 marks)

1.(e) Alan Hume’s ultimate aim in encouraging the foundation of the Indian National Congress was to provide a ‘Safety Valve’ for the release of growing Indian discontent. (10 marks)

2.(a) Underline the various factors for decline of the Indian cottage industries during the nineteenth century. (20 marks)

2.(b) Was the Moplah Rebellion in Malabar an expression of anti-landlord and anti-foreign discontent? Discuss. (20 marks)

2.(c) “In my belief, congress is to tottering to its fall and one of my great ambitions which in India is to assist it to a peaceful demise.” Comment. (10 marks)

3.(a) ‘Raja Rammohan Roy stands in history as the living bridge over which India marches from her unmeasured part to her incalculable future.’ Explain. (20 marks)

3.(b) ‘The Quit India Movement of 1942 was a decisive phase in India’s struggle for independence, rooted in the circumstances of the second world war, colonial policies and the growing strength of Indian Nationalism.’ Analyse. (20 marks)

3.(c) ‘The Orientalist-Anglicist controversy of the 19th century constituted a turning point in shaping colonial educational policy in India.’ Examine. (10 marks)

4.(a) Why did the British Crown assume direct control over the Indian Government in 1858? Mention the new administrative arrangements. (20 marks)

4.(b) ‘Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army awakened an unprecedented sense of national consciousness among both the Indian armed forces and masses.’ Evaluate. (20 marks)

4.(c) How did the introduction of Community Development Programme and Panchayat Raj Programme promote welfare of rural India? Explain. (10 marks)

Section – B

5. Critically examine the following statements in about 150 words each: (10 × 5 = 50 marks)

5.(a) “Immanuel Kant was an advocate of liberalism and nationalism.” (10 marks)

5.(b) “The rise of the Cordelier Club in France was significant for the revolutionary body.” (10 marks)

5.(c) “The Meiji reign (1868-1912) was an epoch making in the industrial history of Japan.” (10 marks)

5.(d) “Globalization tends to benefit the privileged sections of society and further marginalized those who are already disadvantaged.” (10 marks)

5.(e) ‘The July Revolution of 1830 marked a significant turning point in the advancement of liberalism and constitutionalism in France.’ Analyse. (10 marks)

6.(a) The Vienna Settlement of 1815 was based on three principles, restoration, legitimacy and compensation. Elucidate. (20 marks)

6.(b) The conquests of Napoleon were ephemeral but his civilian work was built on granite. Explain. (20 marks)

6.(c) Review the features of the ‘New Imperialism’ in the context of the revival of colonialism in the nineteenth century. (10 marks)

7.(a) The Industrial Revolution in England accelerated the decline of traditional Indian handicrafts and cottage Industries. Critically examine the factors responsible for this decline and its impact on the Indian economy and society. (20 marks)

7.(b) Lenin was the brilliant strategist of the socialist revolution. Substantiate. (20 marks)

7.(c) ‘The League of Nations failed to achieve its objectives of maintaining international peace and security.’ Analyse the major factors responsible for its failure during the period 1919-1946. (10 marks)

8.(a) ‘The Acerbo law played a crucial role in strengthening Mussolini’s hold on power by undermining democratic institutions in Italy.’ Examine. (20 marks)

8.(b) The European Union sought to create ‘Europe without frontiers’. Elaborate. (20 marks)

8.(c) Discuss the core principles and significance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. (10 marks)

UPSC History Optional PYQ 2026 Paper I & II – Download PDF

Download the original UPSC Civil Services Main Examination 2026 History Optional Paper I question paper in PDF format.

• CSM 2026: History Paper I
• CSM 2026: History Paper II

The Union Public Service Commission publishes previous year question papers on its official website. Candidates can refer to the following official resource to verify and access the original examination papers:

• UPSC – Previous Year Question Papers
• Union Public Service Commission – Official Website

For authentic examination preparation, candidates should refer to the original UPSC question papers and the official syllabus.