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World History Books For UPSC: Expert Topic Wise Booklist

Last Updated on Nov 29, 2024

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World History Books for UPSC play a vital role in preparation for the History section in UPSC IAS Exam. As you would know, History is subdivided into three parts: Ancient History, Medieval History & Modern History for the UPSC IAS Prelims exam. But World History must be studied too as a part of the UPSC IAS Mains syllabus. Also, candidates who have chosen History as an Optional paper should make good use of these study references. Thus, it is imperative to choose the Best World History Book for UPSC from the expert-curated list given here.

Candidates must have a thorough knowledge of the world history events, dates, and concepts since 18th-century revolutions, world wars, and other British colonialism as present in the latest UPSC Mains Syllabus.
Although World History is important to prepare, as per the previous 3-4 years’ IAS Exam Analysis, questions from this portion have been limited (2-3 max), for a weightage of around 15 marks each.
In this article, we have listed the Best World History books for UPSC that can be referred to for preparing the Prelims & Mains GS Paper-I Syllabus as well as History optional papers if you have chosen them.

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List Of Best World History Books For UPSC
Candidates generally face difficulty while selecting the best World History book for UPSC Mains. Some of the top books for World History are listed in the table below. This Booklist will certainly be helpful for preparing Mains GS Paper 1 as well as the History optional papers. Have a look at the list below.

Book Name Author/Publication Book Description

Mastering Modern World History Norman Lowe The book expands on the events of the early 20th century starting from the First World War across the modern advancements in technologies towards the end of the century in a chronologically detailed manner.

World History – A Comprehensive Study of Modern World McGraw Hill It presents a panoramic view of World History to UPSC Mains aspirants. Here, each event is analyzed with ‘What happened’, ‘When did it happen’, ‘How did it happen’ and ‘What was the outcome’.

History Of The Modern World Dr. HC Jain & Dr. K.C Mathur This book is recommended by UPSC CSE toppers to cover both GS Paper 1 and Optional History syllabus in detail

History of the World Arjun Dev and Indira Arjun Dev It covers detailed crisp points with explanations of world history events from the late 19th to the early 21st century

Age of Revolution Eric Hobsbawm This book traces with brilliant analytical clarity the transformation brought in every social, political, economic, and religious sphere of Britain by two major French and Industrial Revolutions.

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List Of Other Books For World History UPSC
We have already covered all the World History books as per the official UPSC General Studies Paper 1 as well as History optional syllabus above. However, candidates who want to go for advanced preparation or cannot access some of the books above, can refer to this list below. Here are some other World History reference books for UPSC exam.

Book Name Author/Publication Book Highlights

History of Modern World B.V Rao This revised edition highlights world events of the late 18th century to 20th Century Cold war, Paris Agreement, UK’s exit from Brexit. It also adds two new chapters from its earlier editions called “Progressive Era & Civil RIghts Movement in US”, and “International Relations: World Rights Movement in US, applicable for UPSC GS Paper 2 Syllabus study as well.

Europe Since 1870: An International History James Joll It’s a low priced book with detailed accounts of the development of Europe since 1870 with highlights on intellectual and social trends as well as political developments.

Decode History – World History & Post Independence Mudit Jain, IRS and Amrita Jain This book covers structure-wise topic explanations with 85 Diagrams, 56 Tables, 100+ Sample Questions & PYQs solved by past toppers as per the latest UPSC World History syllabus.

Modern World History Uddipan Mukherjee This crisp text explains the latest UPSC World History syllabus with chapter-wise bullet points, 125 brain teasers, and solved questions from the 2000 exam year.

A History of the Modern World Ranjan Chakrabarti It’s a well-rounded historical account ranging from the French Revolution and Napoleon to the American Civil War, and the World Wars of the 20th century. It will help you analytically understand how revolutions, wars, dictatorships and empires have led to long-term experiments with nationalism, democracy, liberalism, human rights, socialism, sustainable development, and global peace.

History Optional – Modern India & World History – Previous Year’s UPSC Solved Papers 1979-2019 Rashid Yasin It deals with the optional history questions that have come in the UPSC examination from 1979 to 2019 with lucid question-wise answers for good last minute revision.

Check the official UPSC Exam Pattern For IAS Prelims, Mains, and Personal Interview here!

World History NCERT Books For UPSC
Hundreds of aspirants lack the time and energy to read comprehensive History books for UPSC IAS preparation. Thus, NCERT books happen to be a one-stop solution for them. We have provided the list of the best NCERT Books for UPSC World History preparation. You can also download these NCERT World History Books for UPSC in PDF for offline reading.

Book Name Download NCERT World History book for UPSC in PDF!

Class XI- Themes in World History Download PDF

Contemporary World History – A History textbook for class XII. Download PDF

Check Out Other History Books With The Below Links

Medieval History Books Ancient History Books Bipan Chandra History Books

Check out World History UPSC Mains Questions here.

Important Topics on World History for UPSC Mains and Optional
Now that you have gone through the list to select the best book for World History for UPSC preparation, it’s essential that you know its topics as well. Apart from the UPSC Mains optional subjects, the World History portion is present in UPSC GS Paper 1 Syllabus primarily. Here, we have provided all important World History topics for UPSC IAS Mains as well as optional papers below.

World History Topics For UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-I

World History since 18th Century Imperialism First World War of 1914-1918 Colonization

Allied and Axis Powers in Second World War Difference between Indian Secularism and Western Secularism Redrawing of national boundaries Decolonization

Difference Between Capitalism, Socialism and Communism Difference between Marxism and Communism – –

World History Topics For UPSC History Optional Paper

Industrial Revolution in America Yom Kippur War 1973 Chinese Civil War 1927-1949 Napoleon Bonaparte

Industrial Revolution in Russia Six Day War 1967 Decolonisation of the middle east (1932-1971) Roman Empire

Japan Industrial Revolution Gulf War American Civil War October Manifesto

French Revolution Vietnam War European Union (EU) Germany political system

Global impact of World War 2 Red Flag Exercise Soviet Union Ottoman Empire

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Syrian Civil War What is Fascism? Age of Enlightenment

Cold War Confrontation Opium Wars (1839, 1842, 1856, 1860) Windrush Generation Great Depression

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We hope that this informative article could help you choose the best World History Book for UPSC Mains and optional History subjects. Join UPSC Online Coaching or you can also download the Testbook App now to get such topic and section-wise study materials, books and other exam resources for UPSC IAS, CDS, NDA or other administrative Govt. exams held across the country.

World History Books For UPSC - FAQs

How much is World History important for UPSC?

As per previous exam analysis of the last 4-5 years, the World History portion carried much lesser weightage as compared to other History portions. Thus, you must stick to limited books and study notes from the latest UPSC History syllabus.

Which World History books are recommended by toppers for UPSC?

Some of the important topper-recommended world history books for UPSC IAS preparation are Decode History - World History & Post Independence by Mudit Jain IRS, NCERT Class XI- Themes in World History, and Norman Lowe’s Mastering Modern World History.

What are some of the important World History topics for UPSC Civil Services preparation?

Some of the important World History topics for both GS Paper 1 and optional subjects are 18th century events ranging from Industrial to French, and American or Chinese Revolutions, World War 1 and 2, Cold War, Middle East and Gulf Wars, Age of Enlightenment, Soviet Union, NATO and other World History topics till late 20th century.

Which book should I read for World History for UPSC in English?

We have provided an exhaustive list of best World History books for UPSC IAS preparation. However, for GS Paper 1, you can read Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe and for optionals, try an advanced book like History of the World by Arjun Dev.

Which book is best for World History for UPSC in Hindi?

Adhunik Vishwa Itihas (1500 se 2000 AD tak) by Jain and Mathur can be the best choice as a World History book for UPSC in Hindi language.

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World History Books For UPSC: Expert Topic Wise Booklist

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