If you’re preparing for the UPSC Mains examination and wondering about the number of questions that are asked from World History, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss the number of questions that are generally asked from World History in UPSC Mains.
What is UPSC Mains?
UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) is one of the toughest examinations in India. It consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
The Mains stage comprises nine papers, out of which two papers are on Optional subjects, and one paper is on Essay writing. The other six papers are General Studies papers, which include topics like Indian Polity, Geography, Economy, Science & Technology, Environment & Ecology, and World History.
World History in UPSC Mains
World History is an essential part of the General Studies paper in UPSC Mains. It covers a vast range of topics from ancient civilizations like Egyptian, Greek to modern-day events like World Wars and Cold War. The questions asked from this section can be both factual as well as analytical.
Number of Questions
The number of questions asked from World History varies every year. However, on average, there are around 4-5 questions from this section in UPSC Mains.
Types of Questions
The questions asked from World History can be broadly classified into four categories:
- Factual: These questions test your knowledge about historical events and their timelines.
- Analytical: These questions require you to analyze a particular event or situation critically.
- Cause and Effect: These questions test your understanding of how an event caused a particular effect or consequence.
- Comparison: These questions require you to compare and contrast two events or situations.
Preparation Strategy
To prepare for the World History section in UPSC Mains, you need to follow a systematic approach. Here are some tips that can help:
- Read NCERT textbooks: The NCERT textbooks of Class 11 and 12 cover most of the topics in World History. Start with them.
- Refer to standard reference books: Books like ‘A Brief History of Modern India’ by Rajiv Ahir and ‘India’s Ancient Past’ by RS Sharma are excellent sources for Indian history.
For world history, books like ‘The Story of Civilization’ by Will Durant and ‘A History of the Modern World’ by Palmer & Colton can be helpful.
- Analyze current events: Try to analyze current events from a historical perspective. This will help you understand how historical events have shaped the present.
- Practice answer writing: Practice writing answers to previous year’s question papers. This will help you get an idea about the type of questions asked and how to structure your answers.
In Conclusion
World History is an essential part of the General Studies paper in UPSC Mains, and on average, there are around 4-5 questions asked from this section. To prepare for this section, you need to follow a systematic approach that includes reading NCERT textbooks, referring to standard reference books, analyzing current events critically, and practicing answer writing. With proper preparation and hard work, you can ace this section and score well in UPSC Mains!