We will be going through the UPSC Mains Topic-Wise PYQs – World History. The official UPSC Syllabus reads – 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.
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UPSC Mains Topic-Wise PYQs – World History 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 – Questions and Sub-themes from 2013-2023
| Question | Year | Marks | Sub-theme |
| Bring out the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world. | 2023 | 10 | Introduction of railways- Socio-economic effects in different countries of world |
| “There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars.” Evaluate the statement. (250 words) | 2021 | 15 | Challenge to the Democratic State System emerged in inter-war years |
| Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French revolution. (15m,250 words) | 2019 | 15 | American and French revolution- their impact on foundation of modern world |
| Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to other colonies? Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? | 2018 | 15 | Indentured labour- Reason of being taken away from India to other colonies, Preservation of Cultural Identity over there |
| What problems were germane to the decolonization process of Malay Peninsula. | 2017 | 10 | Problems in the Decolonization Process of the Malay Peninsula |
| The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. Examine. | 2016 | 12.5 | Anti-colonial struggles in West Africa |
| 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? | 2015 | 12.5 | Industrial Revolution in England- Reason of occurence, quality of life and comparison with present India |
| To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically | 2015 | 12.5 | Germany role in 2 WW, other factors involved |
| What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which motivated the anti-colonial struggle in India? | 2014 | 10 | Global factors motivating 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? | 2014 | 10 | Suez Crisis- Impact on Britain’s Status as a World Power |
| Latecomer Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what west had experience. | 2013 | 10 | Different Factors Involved in the Japanese IR from the Western IR |
| Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European competition. Analyse. | 2013 | 10 | Fragmentation of Africa- Due to European competition |
| American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate. | 2013 | 10 | Mercantilism- American revolution against it |
| What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression? | 2013 | 10 | Great economic depression- Policy measures deployed |
Read More – Complete UPSC Mains Topic-Wise PYQs (2013-2023)
