World History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)| UPSC Mains Examination

World History Previous Year Questions (PYQs) | UPSC Mains Examination

On this page you will find all the updates related to the previous year questions on the subject of World History for UPSC IAS Mains examination.

World History is part of the GS I syllabus. Analyzing World History PYQs is a valuable part of exam preparation. It helps you understand the exam pattern, identify important topics, and improve your historical knowledge and answer writing skills. This knowledge is essential not only for the exam but also for a broader understanding of global historical events and their relevance in today’s world.

Q.1) Bring out the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2023]

Q.2)”There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars.” Evaluate the statement. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2021]

Q.3) Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French Revolutions.[250 Words] [15 Marks] [2019]

Q.4) Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to their colonies? have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2018]

Q.5) What problems are germane to the decolonization process in the Malay Peninsula? [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2017]

Q.6) The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. Examine. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]

Q.7) 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 times? [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2015]

Q.8) To what extend can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2015]

Q.9) 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? [150 Words][10 Marks] [2014]

Q.10) The New Economic Policy–1921 of Lenin had influenced the policies adopted by India soon after independence. Evaluate. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2014]

Q.11) “Latecomer” Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what west had experience. [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Q.12) Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European competition. [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Q.13) American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate. [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Q.14) What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression? [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]

Trends of World History PYQs for UPSC Mains

In recent years, the examination trend has shown that questions related to World history  typically carry a weightage of 10 to 15 marks.

In the UPSC Mains examination, you may encounter occasional questions related to World History. It’s important to note that these questions tend to concentrate on particular subtopics within the broader field of World History.

The mains questions for World history in recent years have covered a wide range of topics. In 2023, questions were on the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world. The 2021 examination included a question regarding the challenges to the democratic state system that emerged in the inter-war years. In 2020, there was a question related to the American and French Revolutions.