What is modern history of India?

The modern history of India records the occurrence of the events from the mid-eighteenth century till the independence of India . It comprises essential and significant events of Indian history such as the Moplah rebellion , the non-cooperation movement, Satyagraha etc. The candidates must prepare this unit well for the upcoming exam. The questions can be asked in both prelims and mains stage of the exam.

What is Modern Indian history?

Modern Indian History is considered the history from 1850 onwards. It includes British Rule, Freedom Struggle, Indian Independence , and so on. Modern history forms an eminent part of the UPSC syllabus. The candidates need to prepare notes and create efficient notes for the exam.

Is modern history notes important for UPSC Mains?

Modern History Notes are the most essential part of the UPSC Exam. One needs to write detailed answers in UPSC mains , which is only possible when one is well accustomed to the Modern History Notes.

Which NCERT books are best for modern history notes?

The NCERT of Class 12 is best for Modern History Notes. Other than this, one can refer to the old NCERT, Modern India by Bipan Chandra. The candidates must create notes by referring to the NCERT books for UPSC . It is highly essential for the candidates to enhance the concept by practicing for the previous year papers.

Why is modern history important?

Modern history is important as it is an assemblage of records of the efforts put in by humans in changing the shape of the country. It records essential and important segments of the history syllabus . The candidates can get comprehensive knowledge of the topics and the details that have been encrypted in Indian history to understand the chronology of the events. It is highly important for UPSC aspirants as numerous questions can be asked from this segment.

When did the modern history period of India began?

The timeline of the modern history of India began in the eighteenth century and lasted till the time of independence. It keeps a record of all the essential events that took place during that time period. The aspirants preparing for UPSC mains and prelims must also keep revising these topics for securing good grades in the upcoming exams.

How are dates important in modern history of India?

The dates are important in the modern history of India because it marks and gives idea of the time of the occurrence of the event. These dates play an instrumental and essential role in the history syllabus . The candidates preparing for the UPSC exam must be revising the dates for getting complete knowledge of the events and history.

What should I refer apart from the modern history of India notes?

The candidates must refer to the modern history syllabus and previous year papers. It is important for the aspirants to solve the questions of modern history to be able to gain an understanding of the core concepts and fundamentals of the exam. You should also refer to the UPSC mock tests , and recommended books for surging the level of preparation of the exam.

Is modern history important for UPSC?

Yes, modern history is important for UPSC, the questions can be asked in the prelims and mains exam. The candidate must gain complete knowledge and understanding of the concepts that will assist them in scoring better. The candidates must mark the essential topics and move ahead in the UPSC preparation strategy .

How to prepare modern history for UPSC?

The aspirants will be able to prepare well for modern history by referring o the detailed syllabus. You must solve the previous year papers and UPSC mock test. The aspirants must also gain insights of the topics that are frequently asked in the exam. You can decipher and decode the level of difficulty to present an effective strategy for the exam.

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Modern History Notes for UPSC Prelims & Mains: Download Modern History of India Notes PDF

Q: How to prepare modern history notes?

It is essential for the candidates to have modern history notes for revising the contents on the regular basis. The steps to create notes for Modern history have been elaborated here- Step 1: Know the UPSC Syllabus Step 2: Write micro topics. Step 3: Refer to NCERTs and standard books Step 4: Revise periodically Step 5: Add Sources Step 6: Cut Down Your Notes with subsequent readings

By Balaji

Updated on: February 17th, 2023

Modern History Notes are essential to cover the Modern Indian history part of the UPSC syllabus. This is an essential segment, and the candidates can get complete details of the topics in this article. The modern history notes are beneficial for both Prelims and Mains exam. Notes from this section will enhance the core concepts and fundamentals of the candidates. The Modern history notes range from the middle of the 18th century to India’s independence in 1947. Every year, a significant number of questions are asked from the Modern History Notes.

This article focuses on Modern history notes, their micro-topics, the strategy to cover the syllabus, and the booklist one should refer to these notes for effective preparation. The essential topics of this segment will assist the candidates in constructing a methodical strategy to complete the syllabus. Check the elaborated details of the Modern history notes as illustrated here in the article.

Table of content

1. Modern History Notes
2. Modern History Notes PDF for UPSC
3. Modern History of India- Topics
4. How to Prepare Modern History Notes?
5. Books for Modern History of India

Modern History Notes

Modern History notes are always lengthy because they cover a significant part of the history syllabus that is included in the UPSC Syllabus. But the topics of Modern History become very clear once the candidate keeps revising the topics at regular intervals without fail. The approach to covering Modern History Notes is simple. One should give the first reading of the topics as one is reading a novel. The following reading should proceed with note-taking and revision. If any topic is in the news, that value addition should be through the Current Affairs section.

For UPSC Prelims, one needs to understand that it is the trickiest stage of the UPSC Exam. In the UPSC prelims question paper, one can find a significant chunk of questions from Modern History Notes. The approach to covering Modern History Notes lies in simultaneously covering the prelims syllabus and mains syllabus for History.

For Mains, one needs to go in-depth about the topic. A critical analysis of each topic is needed. Mains is all about how much a candidate retains and presents at the time of the examination

Modern History Notes PDF for UPSC

The Modern Indian history section of GS 1 Mains Syllabus includes events from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events, personalities, and issues. It also includes the Freedom Struggle, its various stages, and significant contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.

Modern Indian History PDF
Anglo Maratha War	Battle of Plassey
Pitt’s India Act 1784	Permanent Settlement of Bengal
Regulating Act 1773	Ryotwari System of Land Revenue
Mahalwari Systems	Charter Act 1813
Charter Act of 1833	Charter Act 1853
Revolt of 1857	Government of India Act 1858
Indian Council Act 1861	Government of India Act 1935
Morley Minto Reforms	Government of India Act 1919
Simon Commission	Dandi March – Salt Satyagraha Movement
Indian National Congress Session	Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Non Cooperation Movement	Quit India Movement
Women Freedom Fighters of India	List of Viceroys in India
Rowlatt Act	Mansabdari System
Champaran Satyagraha	Cabinet Mission Plan 1946

Modern History of India- Topics

The topics that are included in the Modern History Notes for UPSC and should be studied for the upcoming UPSC Exam are as follows. You must also check all the topics covered under UPSC CSE General Studies-Paper-I History of India and Indian National Movement for the mains exam.

The Advent of Europeans in India

Portuguese in India- De Almeida, Albuquerque
Dutch in India
French in India
English in India
Anglo-French Rivalry
First Carnatic War
Rise of the Hyderabad State
The Second Carnatic War
The Third Carnatic War

British Expansion in India

Anglo Maratha War
Subsidiary Alliance System
Conquest of Sindh
Anglo-Sikh Wars
Doctrine of Lapse
Annexation of Oudh

Administrative before 1857

Dual System
The Charter Acts
Judicial System

Economic Policies of Britishers

Phase of Mercantilism
The phase of Free Trade
The phase of Finance Imperialism
Ryotwari Revenue Policy
Mahalwari Revenue Policy
Permanent Settlement
Impact of British Policy on the Indian Economy

Modern Indian History Notes on Revolt of 1857

Causes of 1857 Revolt
Leaders of the Revolt
Causes of Failure of the Revolt
Nature and Impact of the Revolt

Development of Civil Services

Indian Civil Services Act, 1861
Montford Reforms (1919)
Lee Commission (1924)
Government of India Act, 1935

Modern History Notes on Development of Education

Charter Act of 1813
Wood’s Dispatch (1854)
Hunter Education Commission (1882-83)
Indian Universities Act, 1904
Government Resolution on Education Policy 1913
Saddler University Commission (1917-19)
Wardha Scheme of Basic Education (1937)
Sergeant Plan of Education
Development of Vernacular Education
Evaluation of British Policy on Education

Development of Press

Different Publications and Journals
Vernacular Press Act, 1878

Socio-religious movements

Tribal Movements

Bhil Uprising
Kol Uprising
Santhal Rebellion
Jaintia and Garo Rebellion
Rampa Rebellion
Munda Rebellion
Khonda Dora Uprisings
Tana Bhagat Movement

Peasant Movements

Champaran Satyagraha
Kheda Peasant Struggle
Bardoli Movement
Moplah Rebellion
Tebhaga Movement
Telangana Movement

Revolutionary Nationalism

Early Phase Indian National Congress
The Moderate Congress (1885-1905)
The Extremist (1905-1920)
Differences between the Moderates and the Extremists

Modern History Notes on Indian National Movement (1905-1918)

Partition of Bengal (1905)
Swadeshi Movement
Muslim League, 1906
Surat Session of INC, 1907
Indian Council Act (Morley-Minto Act) 1909
Ghadar Party, 1913
Komagata Maru Incident 1914
The Lucknow Pact (1916)
Home Rule Movement (1915-1916)
August Declaration, 1917

Indian National Movement (1918-1929)

Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
Ahmadabad Mill Strike (1918)
Kheda Satyagraha (1918)
The Government of India Act, 1919
Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)
Khilafat Movement
The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22)
Nagpur Session of Congress
Swaraj Party and its Evaluation
Muddiman Committee (1924)
Simon Commission (1927)
Bardoli Satyagraha (1928)
Nehru Report (1928)
Jinnah’s Fourteen Points
Lahore Session, 1929
Allahabad Address (1930)

Indian National Movement (1930-1947)

Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1931)
First Round Table Conference, 1930
Gandhi-Irwin Pact, 1931
Karachi session of 1931
Second Round Table Conference, 1931
Third Round Table Conference
Communal Award
Poona Pact, 1932
Government of India Act, 1935
Poona Resolution and Conditional Support to Britain (1941)
August Offer of 1940
Two-Nation Theory
Demand for Pakistan (1942)
Cripps Mission (1942)
Modern History Notes on Quit India Movement
Azad Hind Fauj
Indian National Army
N.A. Trials
Rajagopalachari Formula, 1945
Desai – Liaqat Pact
Cabinet Mission (1946)
Wavell Plan
Jinnah’s Direct Action Resolution
Mountbatten Plan of June 1947
Indian Independence Act 1947

Modern History Notes on Constitutional Development in India

Regulating Act 1773
Pitts India Act of 1784
Charter Act of 1793
Charter Act of 1813
Charter Act of 1833
Charter Act of 1853
Government of India Act 1858
Modern History Notes on The Indian Councils Act 1861
Indian Councils Act 1892
Indian Councils Act 1909
Morley – Minto Reforms Government of India Act 1919
Montague – Chelmsford Reforms
Government of India Act 1935
Indian Independence Act, 1947
Governor Generals and Viceroys of India

How to Prepare Modern History Notes?

To cover Modern History section of the syllabus and prepare Modern History Notes, one can refer to the following books:

Refer to NCERT: To have a firm grasp of the Modern History Notes, one should refer to the NCERT Books to make a solid foundation.
Follow Preferred Books: After completing the NCERTs, one can refer to the UPSC Books on History to cover all the relevant micro-topics of Modern History. One can also refer to some of the history books for UPSC to make Modern History Notes.
The candidates can present a methodical strategy for the syllabus and enhance the level of preparation.
The aspirants should also possess knowledge of ancient and medieval history in order to be able to interconnect the events and comprehend the chronology.
One should also practice UPSC Previous Year Questions to understand the exam pattern.

Books for Modern History of India

The candidates must pick an apt and accurate UPSC study material for modern history in India. The selection of the right and apt study material will make the way for effective preparation. Below we have compiled a list of all the highly recommended Modern History Books for UPSC to compile the notes:

India After Gandhi – Ramchandra Guha
India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra
History Of Modern India – Bipan Chandra