The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has conducted the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 successfully, and the official History Paper II question paper is now available for aspirants. This paper is extremely important for candidates who have chosen History as their optional subject, especially because Paper II focuses on Modern India, world history, and significant political and economic developments. The question paper is now accessible in PDF format for easy downloading and revision.

I am sharing this article because History Paper II plays a crucial role in helping aspirants understand how UPSC frames analytical and narrative-based questions. Many students search for accurate question papers after the exam, but often struggle to find the correct version. Analysing previous year papers is one of the most dependable preparation strategies as it gives clarity on recurring topics, evolving trends, and the depth of answers expected. Whether a candidate is preparing for the next attempt or wants to cross-check their performance this year, downloading the official paper becomes essential. My aim is to make the process simple and to provide a clear overview so that aspirants can plan their preparation with confidence.

About the Exam

The Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 includes nine descriptive papers, of which two papers belong to the optional subject selected by the candidate. History Paper II covers Modern Indian history starting from the eighteenth century, as well as major developments in the world from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. The questions check a candidate’s understanding of social, political, economic, and cultural changes, as well as their ability to present arguments clearly and concisely.

Highlights of the History Paper II 2025

Here is a quick overview of the History Paper II conducted under UPSC Mains 2025:

• Exam Name: UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025
• Paper: History Paper II
• Type: Descriptive
• Maximum Marks: 250
• Duration: 3 hours
• Medium: English and Hindi
• Paper Format: Eight questions divided into two sections (A and B), out of which five must be attempted

Key Topics Covered

Based on the 2025 History Paper II, the following areas received major focus:

• Decline of the Mughal Empire and rise of regional powers
• British expansion and consolidation in India
• Socio-religious reform movements and their impact
• Indian freedom struggle, including contributions of major leaders
• Constitutional development from early charters to the framing of the Constitution
• Industrialisation, labour movements, and economic changes in modern India
• World Wars, rise of fascism, nationalism, and global political shifts
• Decolonisation and emergence of modern nation-states

The paper was considered moderate in difficulty but required strong conceptual understanding and the ability to present answers with clarity and balance.

Importance of Downloading the Question Paper

Downloading and studying the History Paper II is highly beneficial for aspirants preparing for UPSC Mains. Here’s why:

• Helps identify high-weightage themes that appear repeatedly
• Gives a clear picture of the expected answer structure
• Useful for practising analytical writing and time management
• Helps aspirants revise the full Modern India and World History syllabus systematically
• Offers insight into UPSC’s evolving emphasis on interpretation and understanding rather than memorisation

Candidates preparing for UPSC 2026 can use this paper as a model to refine their preparation strategy.

How to Download History Paper II 2025 PDF

Follow these simple steps to download the official question paper:

• Visit the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in
• Go to the “Examinations” section
• Click on “Previous Question Papers”
• Select “Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025”
• Find “History Paper II” and click on the Download PDF link

N.B: If you want to download the question paper without any difficulty, you can easily download it by Click here.

Candidates may also access the paper from trusted educational websites that archive UPSC papers, but downloading directly from the official website ensures accuracy.