Short answer: Indian (non-Rajasthan) history carried 8 to 10 questions in each of the 2021, 2023 and 2024 RAS Prelims papers. Most came from ancient and early medieval India and from the freedom struggle and social reform. The 2026 syllabus extends the modern period to 2000 and newly names the Indian knowledge and value system, British imperialism and resistance, and the 1857 revolt. Revise in three blocks, then give the new lines one focused pass.
2026 syllabus at a glance
| Period | Main lines (RPSC, 9 January 2026) |
|---|---|
| Ancient and medieval | Indus and Vedic age; Ajivikas, Buddhism and Jainism; Maurya, Kushan, Satavahana, Gupta, Chalukya, Pallava and Chola; art, architecture and science; the Indian knowledge and value system; the Sultanate and Vijayanagara; Mughal administration and policies; the Marathas; medieval art and literature; Bhakti and Sufi movements |
| Modern (early 19th century to 2000) | British imperialism and resistance (Maratha, Mysore, Sikh); the 1857 revolt; British policies; nationalism and socio-religious movements; the freedom struggle, revolutionary and regional movements, partition; nation-building to 2000: reorganisation of states, Nehruvian institutions, planning and economic reforms, science and technology |
The main changes from 2024 are summarised in the 2026 syllabus guide.
What recent papers asked
- Ancient: Mauryan art, Chandragupta II, the Bharhut stupa, Buddhist texts, the Ajivika sect, Jain doctrines.
- Medieval: Vijayanagara and Krishnadevaraya, asked in all three papers.
- Modern: conspiracy cases, Quit India, the Servants of India Society, the 1920 Congress session, the liberal phase of the national movement, the Bharat Mata painting.
Source: our PYQ analysis.
Three-block revision plan
- Ancient and early medieval (1 day): religions of the 6th century BC, dynasty one-liners, art and architecture (stupas, temples, schools of sculpture).
- Medieval (half a day): Sultanate and Vijayanagara rulers, Mughal administration (mansabdari, revenue), Bhakti and Sufi saints with their teachings.
- Modern to 2000 (1–1.5 days): a timeline from the Anglo wars and 1857 through the Congress sessions and movements to 1947. Then a second timeline for 1947–2000: reorganisation of states, Five-Year Plans, major institutions, the 1991 reforms.
The new 2026 lines in one sitting
- Indian knowledge and value system: the four ashramas and varnas as described in texts, the four purusharthas, the main sanskaras, the six schools of philosophy, ancient centres of learning.
- Resistance to British expansion: the Anglo-Maratha, Anglo-Mysore and Anglo-Sikh wars, with their outcomes.
- Post-independence to 2000: the landmark institutions and reforms named above.
Conclusion
Indian history is smaller than the Rajasthan block, but it is predictable. Two timelines, dynasty one-liners and a pass through the new lines give you most of its marks. Test the timelines in a full-length mock.