UGC NET History 2025: Important Topics, Previous Year Trends & Preparation Tips

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16-Sep-2025

The UGC NET Paper - II History is a gateway for candidates aspiring to become Assistant Professors or qualify for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in the field of History. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the exam requires a deep understanding of Indian and World History, historical methods, and historiography.

In this blog, we provide the important topics, previous year trends, and effective preparation tips to help you crack UGC NET History 2025 with confidence.

UGC NET History Paper II: Exam Overview
- Exam Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Papers: Paper I (Teaching & Research Aptitude) + Paper II (Subject: History)
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Total Questions: 100 (Paper II)
- Marks: 200 (Each question = 2 marks)
- Duration: 3 hours (combined for Paper I & II)

Paper II focuses entirely on History, covering topics from ancient to modern times along with world history and historiography.

UGC NET History Important Topics
- Unit I – Sources & Early India
  - Archaeological Sources: Exploration, Excavation, Epigraphy, Numismatics
  - Literary & Foreign Accounts (Greek, Chinese, Arabic)
  - Neolithic & Chalcolithic Cultures, Indus Valley Civilization (origin, society, polity, decline)
  - Vedic & Later Vedic Age: polity, varna system, Aryan debates
  - Mahajanapadas & Second Urbanization (6th century BCE)
  - Rise of Jainism, Buddhism, Ajivikas
- Unit II – Mauryan to Gupta Age
  - Rise of Magadha, Alexander’s Invasion, Mauryan Empire (administration, economy, Ashoka’s Dhamma)
  - Post-Mauryan States: Indo-Greeks, Kushanas, Satavahanas, Sakas
  - Sangam Age: polity & society
  - Trade with Roman World (2nd BCE–3rd CE)
  - Gupta-Vakataka Age: polity, society, land grants, coins, temple architecture, Sanskrit literature, science & medicine
  - Harsha’s Administration & Religion
- Unit III – Early Medieval India
  - Deccan Kingdoms: Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Kakatiyas
  - South Indian Kingdoms: Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas
  - Eastern India: Palas, Senas, Varmans, Somavamsis
  - North India: Gurjara-Pratiharas, Gahadavalas, Paramaras
  - Economy: land grants, agrarian system, trade, urbanization, guilds, SE Asia trade
  - Bhakti & Temple Movements (Saivism, Vaishnavism, Ramanuja, Shankara, Madhava)
  - Society: Varna, jati, women, untouchability, tribal groups
  - Education: Agraharas, Mathas, Mahaviharas
- Unit IV – Medieval Indian History (Political)
  - Sources: chronicles, firmans, Persian/Sanskrit texts, travellers.
  - Delhi Sultanate: Ghorids, Turks, Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Sayyids, Lodis, decline of Delhi Sultanate.
  - Foundation of Mughal Empire: Babur, Humayun and Suris, Akbar –Aurangzeb, decline, decline of the Mughal Empire.
  - Vijayanagara & Bahmani Kingdoms; Deccan Sultanates.
  - Rise of Marathas: Shivaji, Peshwas, Maratha Confederacy, causes of decline.
- Unit V – Administration & Economy (Medieval)
  - Delhi Sultanate & Mughal Administration (Mansabdari, Jagirdari)
  - Sher Shah’s Reforms
  - Vijayanagara & Bahmani Polity, Maratha Ashta Pradhan
  - Frontier Policies (Delhi Sultanate & Mughals)
  - Agrarian production, peasantry, irrigation, village economy, urbanisation and demographic structure.
  - Industries: cotton textiles, handicrafts, organaisation, factories & technology.
  - Trade: European traders, ports, internal/external trade, transport & communication.
  - Currency, hundi, insurance, currency, famine, peasant revolts.
- Unit VI – Society & Culture (Medieval)
  - Sufism: orders, saints, beliefs, social impact
  - Bhakti Movement: saints (North & South), women saints
  - Sikh Movement: Guru Nanak, Adi Granth, Khalsa
  - Social Groups: ulema, mercantile classes, peasants, artisans
  - Position of Women: zanana, devadasi system
  - Education: Developments & Centres of Education, Madarasas, Curriculum
  - Art & Architecture: Indo-Islamic, Mughal, Regional Styles, Indo-Arabic Architecture, Maratha Forts, Shrines & Temples.
- Unit VII – Sources & British Expansion (Modern)
  - Sources: Archives, Biographies, Newspapers, Oral Evidence, Creative Literature & Painting, Monuments, Coins.
  - European Traders: Portuguese, Dutch, French, British
  - British Expansion: Bengal, Oudh, Hyderabad, Mysore, Carnatic & Punjab
  - Revolt of 1857: Causes, Nature, Impact
  - Administration: Company & Crown, Judiciary, Police, Army
  - Local Self-Government, Constitutional Acts (1909–1935)
- Unit VIII – Colonial Economy & Society
  - Trade Changes, Commercialization of Agriculture, Land Settlements, Rural Indebtedness, Irrigation & Canal System.
  - Decline of Industries, De-urbanization, Drain of Wealth, World Wars & Economy.
  - Modern Industries, Labour & Trade Movements, Transport, Banking & Communication.
  - Urbanization & Town Planning & Architecture
  - Famines, Epidemics, Tribal & Peasant Movements
  - Indian Renaissance: Socio-Religious Reform Movements, Caste Mobility.
  - Women’s Question, British Legislation, Education Reforms, Gender Identity & Constitutional Position.
  - Modern Indian languages & Literary Forms, Reorientation in Painting, Music & Performing Arts.
- Unit IX – Indian National Movement & Post-Independence
  - Social & Economic Bases of Nationalism.
  - Indian National Congress (1885–1920): Moderates, Extremists, Revolutionaries
  - Swadeshi, Swaraj, Gandhian Movements, Subhas Chandra Bose & INA
  - Left-Wing Politics, Depressed Class Movements, Communalism, Towards Independence & Partition.
  - Post-Independence: Integration of Princely States; Kashmir, Hyderabad & Junagarh.
  - Ambedkar & Indian Constitution, Structure of Bureaucracy, New Education Policy.
  - Planning Process, Tribal issues, Linguistic Reorganization.
  - Foreign Policy: Panchsheel, Emergency, Liberalisation & Globalisation of Indian Economy.
- Unit X – Historical Method & Historiography
  - Nature of History: Science, Art, Social Science
  - Objectivity, Bias, Causation, Imagination
  - Heuristics, Criticism, Synthesis, Presentation
  - Research Methodology: Hypothesis, Data Collection, Thesis Writing, Plagiarism
  - Ancient Historiography: Greek, Roman, Church
  - Renaissance Impact on History Writing, Rankean Revolution
  - Marxist, Subaltern, Postmodernist Historiography
  - Theories: Spengler (Cyclical), Toynbee (Challenge–Response)
Previous Year Trends
Analyzing previous UGC NET History papers helps identify high-weightage topics:
- Ancient & Medieval History: Around 25–30% of questions
- Modern Indian History & Freedom Struggle: 30–35% (highest weightage)
- World History: 20–25%
- Historiography & Methodology: 10–15%

Observation: Questions often focus on chronology, key personalities, administrative systems, and cultural developments. Repeated topics include Mauryan Empire, Mughal Administration, Gandhian Movements, French Revolution, and Cold War.

Recommended Books for UGC NET History
- A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India – Upinder Singh
- History of Medieval India – Satish Chandra
- Modern India – Bipan Chandra
- India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra & Others
- World History – Norman Lowe
Preparation Tips for UGC NET History 2025
- Start with NCERTs: Build strong basics with Class VI–XII NCERT History books.
- Make Unit-Wise Notes: Prepare concise notes with timelines, key events, and thinkers.
- Revise Chronology: Pay attention to dates, dynasties, and historical developments.
- Solve PYQs: Analyze at least the last 10 years’ question papers.
- Focus on Historiography: Don’t neglect historians, schools of thought, and methodology.
- Take Mock Tests: Practice online tests to improve accuracy and speed.
Suggested Study Plan
- Daily: 3–4 hours for Paper II (History) + 1 hour for Paper I.
- Weekly: Cover at least 2 units, revise notes, and attempt a mock test.
- Last Month: Focus on high-weightage topics like Modern India, World History, and quick revision notes.

Conclusion

Cracking the UGC NET History 2025 exam requires a clear understanding of the syllabus, smart study planning, and consistent practice. By focusing on important topics, analyzing previous year trends, and using the right study resources, you can boost your preparation. To strengthen your learning, you can also enroll in the Drishti UGC NET History Online Course, which provides complete syllabus coverage, test series, interactive sessions, and expert guidance for effective preparation.