UPSC Mains Modern Indian History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Topic-wise previous year questions from UPSC Mains — General Studies Paper 1
📋 UPSC Syllabus
Modern Indian History
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present — significant events, personalities, issues; The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country; Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
Trend Analysis
Year-wise and theme-wise distribution of Modern Indian History questions
2025
1
2024
1
2023
2
2022
3
2021
3
2020
2
2019
4
2018
1
2017
4
2016
3
2015
3
2014
3
2013
4
18th Century India & East India Company
4
4
Expansion & Consolidation of British Rule
6
6
Early Nationalist Movement
3
3
Gandhian Phase & Towards Independence
14
14
Social & Religious Reform Movements
4
4
Year
Marks
Theme
34 of 34 questions
18th Century India & Establishment of East India Company
1
Why did the armies of the British East India Company – mostly comprising of Indian Soldiers – win consistently against the more numerous and better equipped armies of the then Indian rulers? Give reasons.
202210 Marks150 Words18th Century & EICQ2
2
Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons.
202210 Marks150 Words18th Century & EICQ3
3
Clarify how mid-eighteenth-century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity.
201710 Marks150 Words18th Century & EICQ2
4
The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat?
201410 Marks150 Words18th Century & EICQ4
Expansion & Consolidation of British Rule
5
The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples.
202215 Marks250 WordsBritish ExpansionQ11
6
The 1857 Uprising was the culmination of the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate.
201910 Marks150 WordsBritish ExpansionQ2
7
Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural economy.
201715 Marks250 WordsBritish ExpansionQ12
8
Explain how the upraising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.
201612.5 Marks200 WordsBritish ExpansionQ3
9
Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid-eighteenth century till independence.
201410 Marks150 WordsBritish ExpansionQ6
10
In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.
201310 Marks200 WordsBritish ExpansionQ5
Early Nationalist Movement
11
To what extent did the role of the moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement? Comment.
202115 Marks250 WordsEarly NationalismQ11
12
Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long-term implications on the national movements.
202010 Marks150 WordsEarly NationalismQ3
13
Why did the 'Moderates' fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century?
201710 Marks150 WordsEarly NationalismQ3
Gandhian Phase & Towards Independence
14
What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement? Point out its results.
202410 Marks150 WordsGandhian PhaseQ3
15
What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism?
202310 Marks150 WordsGandhian PhaseQ2
16
Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement.
202115 Marks250 WordsGandhian PhaseQ12
17
Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss.
202015 Marks250 WordsGandhian PhaseQ13
18
Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elaborate.
201915 Marks250 WordsGandhian PhaseQ11
19
Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process of transfer of power during the 1940s.
201915 Marks250 WordsGandhian PhaseQ12
20
Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times.
201810 Marks150 WordsGandhian PhaseQ3
21
Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian Independence since the twenties of the last century.
201715 Marks250 WordsGandhian PhaseQ13
22
Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.
201612.5 Marks200 WordsGandhian PhaseQ5
23
Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.
201612.5 Marks200 WordsGandhian PhaseQ4
24
How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss.
201512.5 Marks200 WordsGandhian PhaseQ3
25
Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate.
201512.5 Marks200 WordsGandhian PhaseQ4
26
It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting the Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience gained with the Government of India Act, 1935. Discuss.
201512.5 Marks200 WordsGandhian PhaseQ5
27
In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations in India?
201410 Marks150 WordsGandhian PhaseQ7
28
Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.
201310 Marks200 WordsGandhian PhaseQ3
29
Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.
201310 Marks200 WordsGandhian PhaseQ4
30
Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-independent India.
201310 Marks200 WordsGandhian PhaseQ8
Social & Religious Reform Movements
31
Mahatma Jotirao Phule's writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.
202515 Marks250 WordsSocial & Religious ReformsQ11
32
How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression?
202315 Marks250 WordsSocial & Religious ReformsQ13
33
Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj.
202110 Marks150 WordsSocial & Religious ReformsQ2
34
Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century's 'Indian Renaissance' and the emergence of national identity.
201910 Marks150 WordsSocial & Religious ReformsQ3
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