UPSC Mains PYQs on World History (GS Paper 1)
Every UPSC Mains question on World History between 2013 and 2025 is listed below, newest year first, with the marks it carried. Filter by microtheme to see one idea across all the years.
By Team MaargX UPSC · UPSC Mains 2013-2025
Short answer: UPSC has asked 17 questions on World History (syllabus item 5 of GS Paper 1) between 2013 and 2025, worth 207.5 marks in all, about 1.5 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Anti-colonial struggles (4), World wars (3), American and French revolution (3), Industrial Revolution (3). The busiest year was 2013 (4 questions, 40 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 1, item 5: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc. - their forms and effect on the society.
Find Questions by GS Paper, Syllabus Topic and Microtheme
Step 1 paper → Step 2 syllabus topic → Step 3 subject → Step 4 microtheme. Each step opens after the one before it.
World History: questions year-wise with marks
2025 1 question · 15 marks
-
The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain.
2024 2 questions · 30 marks
-
How far was the Industrial Revolution in England responsible for the decline of handicrafts and cottage industries in India?
-
How far is it correct to say that the First World War was fought essentially for the preservation of balance of power?
2023 1 question · 10 marks
-
Bring out the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world.
2021 1 question · 15 marks
-
"There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars." Evaluate the statement. (250 words)
2019 1 question · 15 marks
-
Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French revolution.
2018 1 question · 15 marks
-
Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to other colonies? Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there?
2017 1 question · 10 marks
-
What problems were germane to the decolonization process of Malay Peninsula.
2016 1 question · 12.5 marks
-
The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. Examine.
2015 2 questions · 25 marks
-
Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people there during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present?
-
To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically
2014 2 questions · 20 marks
-
What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which motivated the anti-colonial struggle in India?
-
What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to Britain's self-image as a world power?
2013 4 questions · 40 marks
-
American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate.
-
Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European competition. Analyse.
-
What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression?
-
Latecomer Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what west had experience.
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
World History at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 1, item 5 (World History) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 17 (2013-2025), about 1.5 a year |
| Total marks | 207.5 marks |
| Last five years | 5 questions, 70 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 10 marks (8 questions) |
| Directive words | Explain (2), Evaluate (1), Examine (1), Compare (1) |
| Busiest year | 2013 (4 questions, 40 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2024 | 2 | 30 marks |
| 2023 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2021 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2019 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2018 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2017 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2016 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| 2015 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2014 | 2 | 20 marks |
| 2013 | 4 | 40 marks |
| Total | 17 | 207.5 marks |
Microthemes in World History
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Anti-colonial struggles 4 · 42.5 marks
- World wars 3 · 42.5 marks
- American and French revolution 3 · 40 marks
- Industrial Revolution 3 · 37.5 marks
- Miscellaneous 3 · 35 marks
- Great Economic Depression 1 · 10 marks
Other Topics in GS Paper 1
- 01. Indian Art, Culture and Literature 33 · 380 marks
- 02. Modern Indian History 20 · 230 marks
- 03. Freedom Struggle 10 · 125 marks
- 04. Post-Independence Consolidation 11 · 127.5 marks
- 06. Indian Society and Diversity 18 · 220 marks
- 07. Women, Population and Poverty 22 · 262.5 marks
- 08. Urbanisation 15 · 182.5 marks
- 09. Globalisation and Indian Society 10 · 135 marks
- 10. Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism 19 · 232.5 marks
- 11. World Physical Geography 23 · 252.5 marks
- 12. Distribution of Natural Resources 13 · 157.5 marks
- 13. Location of Industries 23 · 270 marks
- 14. Geophysical Phenomena 12 · 122.5 marks
- 15. Geographical Features and Their Changes 24 · 300 marks
How to Use Mains PYQs Topic Wise
- Start with the microthemes. Open a topic and read its microtheme list. The ones with the most questions are the ideas UPSC returns to.
- Read the demand words. Note how questions begin: discuss, examine, critically analyse, comment. Each asks for a different answer structure.
- Write by marks. A 10-mark question needs a tight answer of about 150 words, and a 15-mark question about 250 words.
- Cover all years of a microtheme. Write the oldest and the latest question on the same microtheme, and see how the angle changed.
- Revise and rewrite. Revise the topic from the notes, and write the same question again after a week.
For the method in full, read the Mains answer writing strategy. The official papers are on our UPSC PYQs page.
Questions are shown as printed in the UPSC Civil Services (Main) General Studies papers of 2013-2025. The grouping into topics and microthemes is by Team MaargX UPSC. Check any wording against the official paper on upsc.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPSC Mains questions have been asked on World History?
17 questions on World History appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 between 2013 and 2025, worth 207.5 marks in all. That is about 1.5 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which World History microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in World History are Anti-colonial struggles (4), World wars (3), American and French revolution (3), Industrial Revolution (3). The number in brackets is how many questions each has had since 2013. Use the microtheme filter to see all of them together, year by year, with marks.
In which year was World History asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for World History was 2013 (4 questions, 40 marks). The lightest was 2025 (1 questions, 15 marks). Treat these swings as noise: UPSC does not repeat a fixed pattern, so cover the whole topic.
How many marks do World History questions carry?
Of the 17 questions on World History, 6 of 15 marks, 3 of 12.5 marks, 8 of 10 marks. Plan your word limit by marks: 10-marker answers run to about 150 words and 15-marker answers to about 250 words.
What kind of questions does UPSC ask on World History?
The directive words in the 17 questions on World History are Explain (2), Evaluate (1), Examine (1), Compare (1). Match your answer to the word: discuss and examine want both sides with a conclusion, while comment and critically analyse want a reasoned stand.
Is World History important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 5 questions on World History, worth 70 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 10, worth 107.5 marks.
Which GS paper does World History belong to?
World History belongs to UPSC Mains GS Paper 1, titled Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society. The questions on this page are all from that paper.
How should I use these World History PYQs?
Read the microtheme list first, then pick one and write two or three answers in the time limit. Compare each with what the question demands (discuss, examine, critically analyse). Revise the topic from the Maarg Manthan notes and write the same question again after a week.
Official Sources
These are the primary sources behind this page. Rules, dates and papers can change, so confirm them on the official pages.
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers (Archives)
- UPSC: Revised Syllabus and Scheme
- UPSC: Civil Services Examination Rules