The UGC NET History syllabus is not simply a timeline of dynasties and political events. It covers sources, archaeology, society, economy, culture, colonial transformation, nationalism, post-independence India, research methodology and major schools of historiography.
History is listed as Subject Code 06. The current official syllabus contains ten broad units and is listed by UGC among the updated syllabi applicable from the June 2019 examination cycle onward.
What is included in the UGC NET History syllabus?
UGC NET History Paper 2 covers Indian history from prehistory to the post-independence period. It includes early and medieval political systems, society and economy, colonial rule, the national movement, historical methods, research methodology and historiography.
Paper 2 contains 100 questions for 200 marks. Every History candidate must also attempt the common Paper 1, which contains 50 questions for another 100 marks.
Official code for History Paper 2.
From sources and early India to historiography.
100 compulsory subject questions.
Common aptitude paper for every candidate.
Official references: UGC NET History syllabus PDF, UGC syllabus index and UGC NET June 2026 Information Bulletin.
UGC NET History exam pattern
| Paper | Questions | Marks | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 50 | 100 | Teaching, research, reasoning, comprehension and general aptitude |
| Paper 2: History | 100 | 200 | Domain knowledge of History |
| Total | 150 | 300 | Aggregate performance |
Both papers are completed in one three-hour Computer-Based Test without a break. All questions are compulsory, every correct response carries two marks and there is no negative marking for an incorrect response.
UGC NET History syllabus at a glance
| Unit | Simplified focus |
|---|---|
| I | Historical sources, prehistory, Harappan, Vedic and Mahajanapada periods |
| II | Magadha, Mauryas, post-Mauryan powers, Gupta-Vakataka age and Harsha |
| III | Regional kingdoms and early medieval polity, economy, religion and society |
| IV | Medieval sources, Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Vijayanagara, Deccan and Marathas |
| V | Medieval administration, agrarian economy, industry, trade and currency |
| VI | Medieval society, Sufism, Bhakti, Sikh movement, education, art and architecture |
| VII | Modern sources, European powers, British expansion, 1857 and constitutional change |
| VIII | Colonial economy, social change, education, reforms, women, press and culture |
| IX | Nationalism, Gandhian movements, independence and post-independence India |
| X | Historical method, research methodology and historiography |
The headings above simplify the official syllabus for navigation; candidates should use the complete PDF as the final checklist.
Unit-wise UGC NET History Paper 2 syllabus
Sources and Early India
The unit begins with how historians reconstruct the past and then moves into early settlements and state formation.
- Archaeology, excavation, epigraphy and numismatics
- Literary sources and foreign accounts
- Neolithic and Chalcolithic cultures
- Harappan civilisation
- Vedic and later Vedic periods
- Mahajanapadas, Buddhism, Jainism and Ajivikas
Empires and Regional Powers
This unit covers state expansion, imperial systems and cultural developments in early historical India.
- Rise of Magadha and Alexander’s invasion
- Mauryan polity, economy and Ashoka’s Dhamma
- Indo-Greeks, Satavahanas, Kushanas and Sakas
- Sangam age and Roman trade
- Gupta-Vakataka age
- Harsha and regional developments
Early Medieval India
The focus shifts from political chronology to regional state formation, agrarian relations and social change.
- Regional kingdoms of Deccan, South, East, West and North India
- Land grants, taxation and peasantry
- Trade, ports, guilds and urbanisation
- Temple traditions and Bhakti
- Varna, jati, women and tribes
- Feudal, segmentary and integrative models
Medieval Political Developments
This unit connects sources with the formation, expansion and decline of major medieval states.
- Persian, Sanskrit, regional and traveller accounts
- Delhi Sultanate dynasties
- Mughal foundation, expansion and decline
- Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdoms
- Deccan Sultanates
- Shivaji, Peshwas and Maratha Confederacy
Medieval Administration and Economy
The unit examines how states governed, taxed, produced, traded and maintained administrative institutions.
- Sultanate and Mughal administration
- Mansabdari and Jagirdari systems
- Vijayanagara, Bahmani and Maratha administration
- Agriculture, irrigation and village economy
- Industries, crafts and technology
- Trade, currency, minting, famines and revolts
Medieval Society and Culture
This unit requires social and cultural understanding rather than only remembering rulers and wars.
- Sufi orders and social interaction
- Bhakti traditions and saints
- Sikh movement and the Khalsa
- Social groups, rural society and women
- Education and madrasas
- Painting, music, architecture, gardens, forts and shrines
British Expansion and Colonial State
The modern section begins with sources, European competition and the construction of British power.
- Archives, memoirs, newspapers and oral evidence
- Portuguese, Dutch, French and British traders
- Expansion of British dominion
- Relations with Indian states
- Revolt of 1857
- Administration and constitutional changes, 1909–1935
Colonial Economy and Social Transformation
This unit connects economic policy with changes in labour, education, gender and public culture.
- Agriculture, land settlements and rural debt
- De-industrialisation and economic drain
- Industries, labour and transport
- Famines, epidemics, tribal and peasant movements
- Education, reform and the middle class
- Women, press, language, literature and arts
National Movement and Independent India
The unit covers multiple strands of nationalism and the challenges of creating a postcolonial state.
- Congress, early and assertive nationalism
- Swadeshi, Swaraj and revolutionary movements
- Gandhian movements, Bose and INA
- Left politics, depressed classes and communal politics
- Partition and integration of princely states
- Constitution, planning, federalism, foreign policy and liberalisation
Historical Method and Historiography
This unit tests how historical knowledge is produced, criticised, organised and written.
- Objectivity, bias, causation and historical criticism
- Research questions, hypotheses and source collection
- References, footnotes, bibliography and thesis writing
- Plagiarism and ethics
- Greek, Roman, Church and Renaissance traditions
- Ranke, Marx, Spengler, Toynbee and postmodernism
Why Unit 10 changes how History should be prepared
A candidate can remember many historical facts and still struggle with questions on objectivity, source criticism, research design, references, plagiarism or schools of historiography. Unit 10 makes it clear that UGC NET History tests the discipline of History—not only historical information.
Study every period through sources, interpretation, debates and historical writing—not through dates alone.
How UGC NET Paper 1 connects with History preparation
History Paper 2 carries 200 marks, but the final aggregate also includes the 100 marks of Paper 1. Paper 1 is the same common paper attempted by History, Environmental Science, Education, Commerce and every other subject candidate.
Paper 1 covers Teaching Aptitude, Research Aptitude, Comprehension, Communication, Mathematical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, ICT, People and Environment, and the Higher Education System. Trying to prepare these ten units only in leftover time can make the aggregate more fragile.
There is also a natural academic connection: History Unit 10 includes research methodology, references and plagiarism, while Paper 1 contains Research Aptitude. The syllabi are not identical, but preparation in one can reinforce academic vocabulary and research awareness in the other.
A smarter two-paper strategy for History aspirants
Follow the official ten units, period-wise sources, historiographical debates, PYQs and structured revision.
Study all ten aptitude units through concepts, repeated question practice and accuracy tracking.
Research methodology can reinforce Research Aptitude, but reasoning, DI, ICT and Higher Education still need dedicated preparation.
The goal is not to turn Paper 1 into another History subject. The goal is to make its 100 marks predictable enough that Paper 2 depth can translate into a stronger aggregate.
Keep your History source. Structure Paper 1 separately.
SWMG is not presenting its Paper 1 course as a History Paper 2 course.
Continue History preparation with the books, educator or programme that best fits Subject Code 06. SWMG can support the common Paper 1 through a separate basic-to-advanced learning path covering all ten units.
The current SWMG Paper 1 course includes concept-based live and recorded learning, topic- and unit-wise PYQs, regular doubt support, weekly test practice and study material according to the selected active plan.
What History aspirants should avoid
Let History remain your subject. Make Paper 1 less random.
SWMG Paper 1 preparation is designed for candidates from every Paper 2 subject. It gives History aspirants a structured route through the ten common units without claiming to replace their History Paper 2 preparation.
Final advice
Use the official UGC NET History syllabus PDF as the master document. Organise Paper 2 by units, sources, themes and historiographical debates. At the same time, protect the 100 Paper 1 marks through a separate plan rather than waiting for the History syllabus to finish.
A strong History result is built from deep subject preparation plus a common paper that was prepared deliberately—not accidentally.
Read the complete Paper 1 syllabus, understand UGC NET and JRF qualification, or review marks, percentage and percentile.