Modern History Notes for UPSC: Download Modern History of India Notes PDF
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 20th, 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. Modern history notes initiating from the middle of the 18th century ranging to India’s independence in 1947. Every year, a significant number of questions are asked from this section.
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.
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Modern History Notes
Modern History notes are usually lengthy as they comprise an essential segment of the history syllabus that is included in the UPSC Syllabus. But the topics of Modern History can become distinctly clear once the candidate keeps revising the topics at regular intervals without fail. The strategy to cover Modern History notes is simple. One should give the first reading of the topics as one is reading a novel. Candidates ought to prepare notes and revise frequently for the exam. If any topic is covering the headlines then the value addition, the candidates need to prepare through the Current Affairs section.
For UPSC Prelims, one needs to understand that it is a complicated stage of the IAS exam. In the prelims question paper, one can find a significant chunk of questions from Modern History notes. The strategy to cover the Modern History Notes lies in continuously covering the prelims syllabus and mains syllabus for History.
For Mains, the candidates must be able to gain an in-depth knowledge of the topics and subjects. A critical analysis of each topic is needed. The main criteria for UPSC Mains are how much a candidate can retain and showcase at the time of the exam.
Modern History Notes PDF for UPSC
The Modern Indian History section of GS 1 Mains Syllabus includes events from the events in the midst of the eighteenth century ranging from current events, personalities, and issues. It also includes the Freedom Struggle, its various stages, and eminent contributors/contributions from varied parts of the country.
Modern History UPSC 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 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
The British Expansion in India topic includes the Anglo-Maratha War, the Subsidiary Alliance System, the Conquest of Sindh, the Anglo-Sikh Wars, the Doctrine of Lapse, and the Annexation of Oudh.
The Administrative before 1857 topic comprises segments of the topics such as the Dual System, the Charter Acts, and the Judicial System.
Economic Policies of Britishers
The table below comprises the main segments of the economic policies in India. The candidates must be versed in the complete details of the topics to answer the questions accurately.
| Modern History Notes for UPSC | |
| Phase of Mercantilism | Ryotwari Revenue Policy System |
| The phase of Free Trade | Mahalwari Revenue Policy System |
| The phase of Finance Imperialism | Permanent Settlement and 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 and 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 the 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
The major topics of the Development of the Press are Different Publications and Journals, Vernacular Press Act, 1878.
The Socio-religious movements also hold enormous importance as questions can be asked in the exam from this topic.
The tribal movements in India are an essential topic for the upcoming exam. The candidates must prepare effectively to be able to perform exceptionally well in the exam.
| Modern History Notes for Tribal Movements | |
| Bhil Uprising | Jaintia and Garo Rebellion |
| Kol Uprising | Rampa Rebellion |
| Santhal Rebellion | Munda Rebellion |
| Khonda Dora Uprisings | Tana Bhagat Movement |
Peasant Movements in India: 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), 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
- 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)
The candidates must prepare well for the UPSC exam and structure the notes effectively to gain a competitive edge in the competition. Check here the detailed and comprehensive notes to get conversant with the particulars of the topics.
| Modern History UPSC Notes for Indian National Movement [1930-1947] | |
| Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1931) | Communal Award |
| First Round Table Conference, 1930 | Poona Pact, 1932 |
| Gandhi-Irwin Pact, 1931 | Government of India Act, 1935 |
| Karachi session of 1931 | Poona Resolution and Conditional Support to Britain (1941) |
| Second Round Table Conference, 1931 | August Offer of 1940 |
| Third Round Table Conference | 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 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 UPSC Notes?
To cover the 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 covering the NCERTs, one can refer to the UPSC Books on History to comprise all the related essential topics of Modern History. One ought to refer to some of the history books for UPSC to make Modern History Notes.
- Preparation Strategy for Exam: The candidates can present a methodical strategy for the syllabus and enhance the level of preparation.
- Understanding the Concepts: The aspirants should also possess knowledge of ancient and medieval history in order to be able to interconnect the events and comprehend the chronology.
- Referring to Previous Year Papers: One ought to keep practicing UPSC Previous Year Questions to comprehend 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
