Ultimate Guide to UPPSC Assistant Professor History Recruitment 2025

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the UPPSC Assistant Professor examination, focusing on the History optional subject. It covers eligibility criteria, the multi-stage exam pattern, a detailed syllabus breakdown, and a preparation strategy to help you succeed in the 2025 recruitment.

• Overview and Key Details
  The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) recruits for Assistant Professor positions in various government degree colleges.
  • Total Vacancies (History): There are 58 vacancies for the History subject, divided as follows:
    • General: 25
    • SC: 12
    • ST: 2
    • OBC: 14
    • EWS: 5
    • DFF: 01
    • Women: 11
    • Physically Handicapped: 2 
• Eligibility Criteria
  To be eligible for the Assistant Professor (History) post, candidates must meet the following academic qualifications:
  • Master's Degree: A Master's degree in a relevant subject (Ancient, Medieval and Modern History and Archeology for the History post) with at least 55% marks. A 5% relaxation is available for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/Differently abled candidates.
  • NET/SLET/SET Qualification: Candidates must have cleared the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by UGC or CSIR, or a similar test like SLET/SET.
  • D. Exemption: Candidates who have been awarded a Ph.D. degree in accordance with UGC Regulations of 2009 or 2016 are exempted from the NET/SLET/SET requirement.
  • Age Limit: 21-40 years, with age relaxation applicable as per government rules.
    • Note for Candidates from Other States: Candidates from outside Uttar Pradesh can apply for the examination. However, they will be considered under the General category, regardless of their reservation status in their home state.
• Selection Process & Exam Pattern
  The selection process for the UPPSC Assistant Professor is a three-stage process.
  • Preliminary Exam (Screening Test): This is a qualifying stage to shortlist candidates for the Mains exam. The marks from this stage will not be counted in the final merit list.
    • Total Questions: 120 (30 from General Studies and 90 from the Optional Subject).
    • Total Marks:
    • Duration: 2 hours.
    • Question Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions).
  • Mains Exam (Written Examination): This is a descriptive, written exam and is crucial for the final selection.
    • Total Questions: 20 (10 short answer and 10 long answer).
    • Total Marks:
    • Duration: 3 hours.
  • Interview: The final stage of the selection process carries significant weightage.
    • Total Marks:
  • Final Selection: The final merit list will be prepared based on the combined marks from the Mains (Written) Exam and the Interview.
• UPPSC Assistant Professor History Syllabus
  The syllabus for the UPPSC Assistant Professor History exam is extensive and closely mirrors the UGC NET History syllabus, which is a significant advantage for candidates preparing for both examinations. The syllabus is structured thematically and chronologically across ten units, covering Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Indian History, as well as Historiography.
  • Unit - 1: Sources & Pre-history
    • Sources: Covers archaeological sources like inscriptions and coins, literary sources, and foreign traveler accounts: Greek, Chinese & Arabic.
    • Pre-history and Proto history: Includes Paleolithic and Mesolithic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic Phase, Indus Valley Civilization (origin, major sites, society, trade, decline), and the Vedic period (Aryan debate, polity, religion, varna system), Expansion of State system: Mahajanapadas, Monarchical and Republican States, Economic and Social Developments, Emergence of Second Urbanization & Jainism and Buddhism.
  • Unit - 2: State Formation to the Mauryan Empire
    • State Expansion: Covers the Mahajanapadas, the rise of Magadha, Alexander the Great's invasion, and the Mauryan Empire.
    • Mauryan Empire: Focuses on Mauryan polity, society, economy, Ashoka's Dhamma, and architecture.
    • Gupta and Vakataka Period: Details their society, economy, land grants, coinage, temple architecture, and developments in science, technology, mathematics, and medicine.
    • Harshavardhana's Administration: Also covers the post-Gupta period and the Pallavas.
  • Unit - 3: Emergence of Regional Kingdoms & Early Medieval India
    • Regional Kingdoms: Deccan; Gangas, Kadambas, Chalukyas (Western, Eastern, Kalyani), Rashtrakutas, Kakatiyas, Hoysalas, Yadavas, South India; Pallavas, Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Eastern India: Palas and Senas of Bengal, Western India; Maitrakas of Vallabhi, Chalukyas of Gujarat, North India; Gurjara-Pratiharas, Kalachuris (Chedis), Gahadavalas, Paramaras.
    • Key Features of Early Medieval India: Administration & Politics: Feudal structure, kingship legitimation, decentralization, Agrarian Economy, Feudalism, Trade & Urbanization: Growth of towns, ports, trade routes, guilds, South-East Asian trade links.
    • Religion & Culture: Growth of Brahminical Religion; Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Bhakti Movement; Tamil saints, philosophers like Shankara, Madhava, Ramanujacharya, & Temple Architecture.
    • Society: Varna-Jati System, Women’s Position, Tribal Groups, Untouchability.
    • Education: Centres of learning; Agraharas, Mathas, Mahaviharas, fostering religious and secular knowledge.
  • Unit - 4: Early Medieval and Medieval India
    • Sources of Medieval Indian History: Literary Sources; Chronicles, Foreign Travellers' Accounts, Archaeological and Numismatic Sources.
    • Political Developments: Ghaznavi and Ghori Invasions, The Delhi Sultanate, Slave Dynasty, Khalji Dynasty, Tughluq Dynasty, Lodi Dynasty.
    • Foundation and Decline of the Mughal Empire: Babur, Humayun and the Suris, Akbar to Aurangzeb, Later Mughals and Disintegration.
    • Vijayanagara and Bahmani Kingdoms: Vijayanagara Empire: Deccan Sultanate; Bijapur, Golkonda, Bidar, Berar and Ahmadnagar-Rise, Expansion and Disintegration; Eastern Gangas and Suryavamshi Gajapatis.
    • Rise of the Marathas & the foundation of Swaraj by Shivaji: Its expansion under the Peshwas Mughal- Maratha relations, Maratha Confederacy, Causes of Decline.
  • Unit - 5: Administration and Economy (Medieval)
    • Administration: Covers the administrative systems of the Delhi Sultanate, Sher Shah Suri, Mughals (Mansabdari, Jagirdari), Vijayanagara, Bahmani, and Maratha states.
    • Economy: Details agricultural production, major industries, trade (internal and external), coinage, and the currency system.
    • Trade: European Trade, Trade Centres and Ports, Transport and Communication. Hundi (Bills of Exchange) and Insurance, State Income and Expenditure, Mint System; Famines and Peasant Revolts.
  • Unit 6: Society and Culture (Medieval)
    • Social Structure: The Sufis-Their Orders, Beliefs and Practices, the leading Sufi Saints, Social Synchronization.
    • Bhakti Movements: Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism.
    • The Saints of the Medieval Period: North and South-their impact on Socio-Political and Religious Life, Women Saints of Medieval India.
    • The Sikh Movement: Guru Nanak Dev and his teachings, Adi Granth; the Khalsa.
    • Social Classification: Ruling Class, Major Religious Groups, the Ulemas, the Mercantile and Professional Classes Rajput Society.
    • Rural Society: Petty Chieftains, Village Officials, Cultivators and Non-Cultivating Classes, Artisans.
    • Position of Women: Zanana System - Devadasi System.
    • Development of Education: Centres of Education and Curriculum, Madarasa Fine Arts - Major Schools of Painting Mughal, Rajasthani, Pahari, Garhwali, Development of Music.
    • Art and Architecture: Indo-Islamic Architecture, Mughal Architecture, Regional Styles of Architecture. Indo-Arabic Architecture, Mughal Gardens, Maratha Forts, Shrines and Temples.
  • Unit - 7: Sources of Modern Indian History & European Powers
    • Sources: Archival records, newspapers, biographies, creative literature, paintings, monuments and coins.
    • Advent of Europeans: Covers the arrival of the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British, their expansion, Revolt of 1857; Causes, Nature and Impact, Administration of the Company and the Crown.
    • British Expansion: Includes Paramountcy, Civil Service, Judiciary, Police and the Army, Princely States under the Crown, Local Self-Government, Constitutional Changes, 1909-1935.
  • Unit - 8: Colonial Economy and Social Reforms
    • Agriculture & Economy: Expansion, commercialization, land rights, settlements, rural debt, irrigation, canals.
    • Decline of Industries: De-industrialization, de-urbanization, economic drain, World Wars’ impact.
    • Industrial & Labor Policy: British industrial policy, modern industries, factory legislation, trade unions.
    • Infrastructure: Monetary policy, banking, currency, railways, roads, post & telegraph.
    • Urbanization: New towns, town planning, architecture, urban society & problems.
    • Crises & Movements: Famines, epidemics, tribal and peasant movements.
    • Societal Transition: Christian missions, critiques of traditions, education reforms, science & medicine.
    • Renaissance & Reforms: Socio-religious reforms, middle class, caste mobility.
    • Women’s Question: Nationalist discourse, women’s organizations, legislation, gender identity.
    • Culture & Communication: Printing press, journalism, modernization of languages, literature, arts.
  • Unit - 9: Indian National Movement
    • Rise of Nationalism: Covers the Indian National Congress (Moderate and Extremist phases), revolutionary movements, and mass movements like Swadeshi & Swaraj, Gandhian Mass Movements; Subhas Chandra Bose and INA; Role of Middle Class in National Movement; Women Participation in National Movement.
    • Independence and Partition: Includes the roles of key figures like Subhash Chandra Bose and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the challenge of princely states, and the making of the Indian Constitution & its features, New Education Policy.
    • Linguistic Reorganisation of States: Centre-State Relations, Foreign Policy Initiatives- Panchsheel; Dynamics of Indian Politics-Emergency; Liberalisation, Privatisation & Globalisation of Indian Economy.
  • Unit - 10: Historiography and Research Methodology
    • Historiography: Discusses the nature and scope of history, objectivity, bias, and various schools of historical thought (Greek, Roman, Marxist, etc.), Renaissance and its Impact on History Writing, Negative and Positive Schools of Historical Writing.
    • Research Methodology: Significance of Regional History, Hypothesis in History and Area of Proposed Research, Thesis and Assignment Writing; Design, Methods of Bibliography, Data Collection, primary and secondary sources, recent trends in Indian history, Footnotes, Editing and Final Draft of Thesis & plagiarism.
    • Public Ethics: Definition and importance.
    • Open Access Publication: Concept, Identification, Predatory Publishers and Journals.
• Preparation Strategy
  A structured approach is essential for covering the extensive syllabus.
  • Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Thoroughly analyze the syllabus to identify high-weightage topics. Familiarize yourself with the three-stage exam process.
  • Create a Study Plan: Design a realistic study schedule, allocating sufficient time for both General Studies and the History optional subject. Focus more on weaker areas.
  • Previous Year Papers: Solving previous year papers of both UPPSC and other State Civil Service Exams is crucial. The Ghatna Chakra Purvavlokan for Indian History is an excellent resource, containing chapter-wise solved papers from 1990 onwards from various exams like UPPSC and IAS.
  • Practice and Revision:
    • Mock Tests: Regularly attempt mock tests to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.
    • Note-Making: Create concise, topic-wise notes for quick revision.
    • Focus on Factual Details: The exam often includes detailed factual questions. Pay close attention to names, dates, places, and specific terms mentioned in the syllabus.
    • Interview Preparation: Once you clear the Mains, focus on your subject knowledge, teaching aptitude, and communication skills. Mock interviews can be very beneficial.
• Drishti Online Course for UPPSC Assistant Professor 2025 (History + General Studies)

Admissions Open Now!

To help aspirants systematically prepare for the exam, Drishti Teaching Exam has launched a dedicated UPPSC Assistant Professor Online Course for both General Studies and Optional Subjects (including History).

• Key Features of the Course:
  • Complete coverage of the latest syllabus
  • General Studies + History (optional subject)
  • Focused preparation for both Preliminary & Main Examinations
  • Live Online Classes + PDFs + Mock Tests + Handouts
  • Interactive Doubt Clearing Sessions
  • 2 Years Validity with unlimited access to each class
  • Course Size: 200+ classes
  • Commencement Date: 25 September 2025
  • Mode: Live Online (via Drishti Learning App)
• Final Thoughts
  The UPPSC Assistant Professor History 2025 exam demands a balance of subject expertise, strategic preparation, and consistent practice. With a well-structured study plan, quality resources, and the guidance of Drishti’s Online Course, aspirants can maximize their chances of success.