1. Sources:
- Archaeological sources: Excavations, inscriptions, and monuments.
- Literary sources: Indigenous and foreign accounts, travelogues, and biographies.
- Oral traditions: Folk songs, ballads, and folklore.

2. Prehistory and Protohistory:
- Prehistoric cultures in India and the world.
- Indus Valley Civilization: Origin, extent, major sites, society, economy, and decline.
- Vedic Period: Society, economy, polity, and religion.

3. Ancient and Medieval India:
- Political, social, and economic history of ancient India.
- Early medieval India: Society, economy, polity, and culture.

4. Modern India:
- Political, administrative, economic, social, and cultural history from the 18th century.
- Resistance to British rule: Peasant movements, tribal uprisings, and popular revolts.
- Socio-religious reform movements, Indian National Congress, and nationalist struggle.



1. World History:
- Ancient World: Prehistoric cultures, ancient civilizations, and major empires.
- Medieval World: Feudalism, the Crusades, and the Ottoman Empire.
- Modern World: Renaissance, Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution, and World Wars.

2. History of India and Indian National Movement:
- Social and cultural awakening in 19th-century India.
- Indian National Congress, the rise of extremism, and the growth of communalism.
- Non-cooperation movement, civil disobedience movement, and Quit India movement.
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization of India.

3. Optional Themes:
- A candidate needs to choose any two themes from a given list of topics.
- These themes cover various aspects of Indian and world history.

4. Historiography:
- Approaches to the study of history.
- Indian and Western historiography.

The UPSC History Optional Subject Exam syllabus covers a wide range of topics including the sources of history, prehistory and protohistory, ancient and medieval India, modern India, world history, Indian national movement, optional themes, and historiography. It is important for candidates to thoroughly study each topic and understand the historical context, significant events, and their impact on society and culture.