Prelim
| Year | No. of Questions | Key Topics Asked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | Jain texts, Harappan site, Sangam literature |
| 2023 | 4 | Vedic texts, Ashokan edicts, NBPW pottery |
| 2022 | 3 | Indus Valley drainage, Gupta coins, early temples |
| 2021 | 5 | Buddhism, foreign travelers, Rigveda, Chalukya |
| 2020 | 4 | Mauryan polity, Jainism, Bhimbetka |
| 2019 | 3 | Harappan site, Gandhara art, Gupta literature |
| 2018 | 4 | Jain-Buddhist councils, Puranas, foreign accounts |
🔁 Trend:
- Most questions are fact-based or 2-3 statement MCQs.
- Buddhism, Jainism, Art & Culture and Indus Valley Civilization are repeated themes.
Mains
In GS Paper 1 (Mains), Ancient India contributes 1 or 2 questions of 10 or 15 marks.
| Year | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Topics Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 15 marks | Contribution of Gupta & Chola dynasties |
| 2022 | 1 | 15 marks | Gandhara & Mathura art |
| 2021 | 1 | 10 marks | Bhakti saints & social reorientation |
| 2020 | 1 | 15 marks | Gupta numismatics |
| 2019 | 2 | 25 marks | Sangam literature & Gupta science |
| 2018 | 2 | 25 marks | Foreign travelers’ accounts & Puranic literature |
| 2017 | 1 | 10 marks | Mauryan administration vs Gupta |
| 2016 | 2 | 25 marks | Buddhism’s rise, Harappan features |
| 2015 | 1 | 15 marks | Ashokan inscriptions |
📊 Trend:
- UPSC asks analytical, not factual questions.
- Questions test your ability to link society, polity, culture, and religion.
- Art & literature (Sangam, Gupta) and foreign accounts are favorites.
Important Topics
High Priority Topics
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Vedic Age (Early and Later Vedic)
- Buddhism
- Jainism
- Mauryan Empire
- Ashoka and Dhamma
- Gupta Empire
- Sources of Ancient Indian History
- Post-Mauryan Kingdoms (Shungas, Satavahanas, Kushanas, Indo-Greeks)
- Art and Architecture (Stupa, Temple, Cave, Sculpture)
- Religious Developments (Hinduism, Bhakti beginnings, temple worship)
Medium Priority Topics
- Sangam Age
- Prehistoric Cultures (Paleolithic to Iron Age)
- Harsha and Post-Gupta Developments
- Education and Ancient Universities (Nalanda, Takshashila)
- Science and Technology in Ancient India (Aryabhata, Sushruta, Charaka)
- Economic Life (Trade, Coinage, Guilds, Urbanisation)
- Foreign Accounts (Megasthenes, Fa-Hien, Hiuen Tsang)
- Society and Social Structure
- Religious Literature (Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas)
Low Priority Topics
- Delhi Iron Pillar and Metallurgy
- Minor Dynasties (Ikshvakus, Kalabhras, etc.)
- Chronology of Dynasties
- Tribal Societies and Peripheral Regions
- Folk Traditions and Music
- Early Coinage (Punch-marked, Satavahana coins)