UPSC Modern Indian History Notes 2025, Topic wise, Download PDF

Q: What should I study in modern history for UPSC?

Aspirants can refer to the notes provided by Vajiram and Ravi to study modern history.

Q: What is the modern history of India?

The modern history of India is generally considered to have started post-1700, with the majority of this period dominated by British colonial rule.

Q: What is the syllabus of modern history for UPSC?

The Modern Indian History Syllabus covers the period from Post-18th Century to 1947.

Q: Which book to read for Modern India UPSC?

NCERT Class XI, Vajiram & Ravi Yellow books, Modern India- Bipan Chandra.

Q: Is NCERT sufficient for UPSC history?

NCERT books are the backbone of UPSC preparation, offering clear, accurate, and foundational knowledge across subjects.

Modern Indian History Notes for UPSC are a very crucial resource for the candidates who are planning to appear for the UPSC CSE 2025. These notes include India’s transformation from colonial rule to independence and key movements shaping the nation’s history. UPSC Modern Indian History Notes are prepared by the best faculty and subject experts aligning perfectly with UPSC requirements, offering aspirants a reliable resource for Modern Indian History.

UPSC Modern Indian History Notes

Modern Indian History is an important subject for UPSC CSE 2025, including India’s struggle for independence and socio-political transformation. Vajiram and Ravi offer UPSC Modern Indian History Notes, which are concisely prepared for aspirants with syllabus-aligned content.

UPSC Modern Indian History

The UPSC CSE Exam 2025 is one of the most prestigious annual exams. For both Prelims and Mains, having well-structured UPSC Modern Indian History Notes, covering the 18th century to independence in 1947, is essential. These notes simplify complex events and highlight important movements and leaders, making them a trusted resource for aspirants.

Advent of Europeans in India

This section explores the advent of various Europeans which began in 1498, highlighting the discovery of a sea route to India around Africa by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.

Advent of Europeans in India
- Portuguese in India
  - Cartaz System
- Dutch in India – Colonies and Settlement
- British East India Company
- French in India
  - Carnatic Wars
- Danish East India Company

Establishment of British Rule in India – Colonialism in India

This section explores the Establishment of British Rule in India, highlighting Colonialism in India when the British ruled in India through the foundation East India Company, which began to arrive in India in the 16th century.

Establishment of British Rule in India – Colonialism in India
- Battle of Plassey
- Battle of Buxar
- Dual Government in Bengal
  - Robert Clive
- Anglo Mysore Wars
  - Tipu Sultan
- Anglo Maratha Wars
- Anglo Sikh Wars
  - Maharaja Ranjit Singh
- Anglo Nepal War
- Anglo Burmese War: First Anglo Burmese War, Second Anglo Burmese War
- Anglo Afghan War
- Impact of British Rule in India

Acts and Regulations under East India Company

These UPSC Modern Indian History Notes include the Acts and Regulations under East India Company:

Acts and Regulations under East India Company
- Regulating Act 1773
- Pitt’s India Act 1784
- Charter Act 1813
- Charter Act 1833
- Charter Act 1853
- Government of India Act 1858
- Indian Councils Act 1861
- Indian Councils Act 1892
- Morley Minto Reforms – Indian Councils Act 1909
- Government of India Act 1919 – Montagu Chelmsford Reforms
- Government of India Act 1935
- Indian Independence Act 1947

British Policies in India

This section of Modern Indian History Notes for UPSC includes the British Policies in India that impacted society in many ways.

British Policies in India
- British Economic Policies in India – Drain of Wealth and Critique
  - Drain of Wealth Theory
- British Education System in India
- Land Revenue System in British India
- Factories Act 1948

Governor General and Viceroy of India

This section outlines the key figures and policies of the British administration in India, highlighting the significant contributions and reforms made by various Governors-General and Viceroys. Their actions had profound impacts on Indian society, economy, and governance.

Governor General and Viceroy of India
- Warren Hastings
- Lord Cornwallis
  - Permanent Settlement
  - Ryotwari system
  - Mahalwari system
- Lord Wellesley
  - Subsidiary Alliance
- Lord William Bentinck
- Lord Dalhousie
  - Doctrine of Lapse
  - Widow Remarriage act
  - Wood’s Despatch 1854
- Lord Canning
- Lord Lytton
  - Vernacular Press Act
- Lord Ripon
  - Ilbert Bill controversy
  - Hunter Commission
- Lord Curzon

Civil Uprisings Before 1857

This section explores the early civil uprisings in India that took place before the significant Revolt of 1857. These uprisings, driven by various social, economic, and political factors, highlighted the growing discontent against British colonial rule and set the stage for later, larger movements.

Civil uprisings before 1857
- Sanyasi Revolt
- Moplah Rebellion
- Poligar Revolt
- Velu Thampi Revolt
- Ramosi Rebellion
- Rampa Rebellion
  - Alluri Sitarama Raju

Tribal Revolts – Tribal movements in India, their causes and impact

This section of the notes includes the Tribal Revolts which started in India due to land alienation, economic exploitation, cultural suppression, denial of rights, forest policies, lack of development, injustice, and the influence of national movements.

Tribal Revolts – Tribal movements in India, their causes and impact
- Santhal Rebellion
- Kol Uprising
- Munda Rebellion
- Birsa Munda
- Rani Gaidinliu – Heraka Movement

Revolt of 1857

The Revolt of 1857, also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857 or the First War of Independence. It explores events and leaders of the Revolt of 1857.

Revolt of 1857
- Important leaders of the revolt of 1857
  - Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai

Indian National Congress – Foundation

This section of Modern Indian History Notes for UPSC includes the formation of the Indian National Congress and how it provided a unified platform for Indians.

Indian National Congress – Foundation
- INC Sessions – Venue and Presidents
- Moderates
- British Indian Association
- Madras Mahajan Sabha
- Bombay Presidency Association
- Poona Sarvajanik Sabha
- Indian League

Peasant Movements

This section of Modern Indian History Notes for UPSC includes peasant movements as social movements that aim at securing the rights of peasants related to agricultural policy.

Peasant Movements
- Indigo Revolt | Indigo Rebellion of Bengal
- Pabna revolt
- Deccan riots
- Eka Movement
- Bardoli Satyagraha
- All India Kisan Sabha
- Tebhaga Movement
- Telangana Movement

Socio-Religious Reform Movements

This section includes the Socio-Religious Reform Movements that emerged during the 19th and early 20th centuries to challenge social injustices and outdated customs.

Socio-Religious Reform Movements
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy
  - Brahmo Samaj
- Swami Vivekananda
- Ramakrishna Mission
- Arya Samaj
- Dayanand Saraswati
- Young Bengal Movement
  - Henry Vivian Derazio
- Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
- Prarthana Samaj
- Gopal Hari Deshmukh
- Dharma Sabha
- Theosophical Society
- Aligarh Movement – Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
- Wahabi Movement
- Faraizi Movement|Faraizi Revolt
- Deoband Movement
- Ahmadiyya movement
- Akali movement|Gurudwara Reform Movement
- Kuka Movement | Namdaris
- Jyotiba Phule – Satyashodhak Samaj
- Savitribai Phule
- Paramahansa Mandali
- Pandita Ramabai
- SNDP Movement – Sree Narayana Guru
- Justice Party
- Self Respect movement
- Temple Entry Movement
- Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar
  - Gandhi vs Ambedkar
  - Mahad Satyagraha

Extremists – Rise of extremism in Indian National Movement

This section of the Modern Indian History Notes for UPSC includes the Rise of extremism in Indian National Movement

Extremists – Rise of extremism in Indian National Movement
- Chapekar Brothers
- Bipin Chandra Pal
- Lala Lajpat Rai
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Aurobindo Ghosh
  - Alipore Conspiracy Case
- Surat Split

Swadeshi movement

This section includes the Swadeshi movement which was a self-sufficiency movement that began in India in 1905 to protest the British partition of Bengal.

Swadeshi movement
- Partition of Bengal
- Muslim League
- Hindu Mahasabha

Mahatma Gandhi

This section covers the life and contributions of Mahatma Gandhi. His unique approach to non-violent resistance, known as Satyagraha, played a crucial role in challenging British colonial rule and inspiring global movements for civil rights and freedom.

Mahatma Gandhi
- Gandhi in South Africa
- Satyagraha
  - Champaran Satyagraha
  - Ahmedabad Mill Strike
  - Kheda Satyagraha
  - Vaikom Satyagraha
- Books written by Mahatma Gandhi

Home Rule movement

This section includes the Home Rule movement which lasted around two years between 1916–1918.

Home Rule movement
- Annie Besant
- Lucknow Pact

Non Cooperation movement

This section of the Modern Indian History Notes for UPSC includes the Non-Cooperation Movement which was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on 4th September 1920. It was a political campaign aimed at urging Indians to withdraw their support for the British government.

Non Cooperation movement
- Khilafat movement
- Rowlatt Act
- Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
- Chauri Chaura Incident
- Swaraj Party
  - Swarajists vs No changers
- Simon Commission
  - Nehru Report
  - Jinnah’s 14 points

Civil Disobedience Movement – Dandi March and Salt Satyagraha

This section of the Modern Indian History Notes for UPSC includes the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), launched in 1930, was a non-violent protest against British colonial rule in India which was led by Mahatma Gandhi, it sought to challenge unjust British laws, particularly the salt tax, through acts of peaceful march like the Salt March.

Civil Disobedience Movement – Causes, Limitations, Short Note

Revolutionary Movement in India – Revolutionary Activities

This section of the Modern Indian History Notes for UPSC includes the revolutionary movement in India which was a militant and underground movement focused on ending British colonial rule and establishing self-government.

Revolutionary Movements in India – Factors, Ideology, Movements
- First Phase of Revolutionary Activities
  - Delhi Conspiracy Case
  - Ghadar Party – Ghadar movement
  - Lahore Conspiracy Case
  - komagata maru incident
- HSRA – Hindustan Socialist Republican Association
  - Kakori Conspiracy Case
  - Bhagat Singh
- Chittagong Armoury Raid
  - Surya Sen

Communist Party of India

These UPSC Modern Indian History Notes include the Communist Party of India and related cases.

Communist Party of India
- Meerut conspiracy case
- Kanpur Conspiracy Case
- Congress Socialist Party
- AITUC – All India Trade Union Congress

Quit India Movement

These UPSC Modern Indian History Notes cover the Quit India Movement, which was launched by Mahatma Gandhi at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee on 8th August 1942, during World War II.

Quit India Movement – Causes, Impact, Significance
- August Offer 1940, History, Features, Response, Individual Satyagraha
- Individual Satyagraha
- Cripps Mission
- C R Formula
- Wavell Plan – Shimla Conference
- Cabinet Mission
- RIN Mutiny
- Mountbatten Plan
- Partition of India

Freedom Fighters of India

This section provides insights on the Freedom Fighters of India. Through courage and determination, freedom fighters left an indelible mark on history. Their contributions ranged from revolutionary activities and political leadership to social reforms and mass mobilization, each adding a unique facet to the freedom struggle.