Table of contents
Problem with Modern Indian History
Modern Indian history (Spectrum) can be a double-edged sword for UPSC aspirants. While undeniably important, aspirants often see it as a bottomless pit, fearing wasted effort. Its vast scope and unpredictable nature in the Prelims can lead to anxieties about maximizing returns on investment (ROI) in terms of marks scored.
This raises the question - how much time and effort should be dedicated to Modern History during the crucial pre-Prelims phase, considering other demanding subjects? Let us discuss.
Choosing the Right Resources
Although aspirants might consider different sources for this subject, we will go with the most preferred one.
Spectrum's - A Brief History of Modern India
Breaking Down the Index
Our method involves a systematic analysis of the books' indexes, categorizing chapters based on their importance derived from previous years' questions (PYQs). Here's how we do it:
- Red Marked Chapters: These are your must-read chapters. They hold the essence of the periods and are frequently visited in exams.
- Blue Marked Chapters: Important, but second in priority. They provide additional context and are occasionally queried.
- Green Marked Chapters: These should be your last priority, offering background information that seldom makes its way into exams.
Important Topics from Modern India (Spectrum)
High Priority Topics
- CHAPTER: 6 - PEOPLE'S RESISTANCE AGAINST BRITISH BEFORE 1857
- CHAPTER: 7 - THE REVOLT OF 1857
- CHAPTER: 8 - SOCIO-RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENTS: GENERAL FEATURES
- CHAPTER: 9 - A GENERAL SURVEY OF SOCIO-CULTURAL REFORM MOVEMENTS
- CHAPTER: 10 - BEGINNING OF MODERN NATIONALISM IN INDIA
- CHAPTER: 11 - INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS: FOUNDATION AND THE MODERATE PHASE
- CHAPTER: 12 - ERA OF MILITANT NATIONALISM (1905-1909)
- CHAPTER: 13 - FIRST PHASE OF REVOLUTIONARY ACTIVITIES (1907-1917)
- CHAPTER: 14 - FIRST WORLD WAR AND NATIONALIST RESPONSE
- CHAPTER: 15 - EMERGENCE OF GANDHI
- CHAPTER: 16 - NON-COOPERATION MOVEMENT AND KHILAFAT MOVEMENTS
- CHAPTER: 17 - EMERGENCE OF SWARAJISTS, SOCIALIST IDEAS, REVOLUTIONARY ACTIVITIES AND OTHER NEW FORCES
- CHAPTER: 18 - SIMON COMMISSION AND THE NEHRU REPORT
- CHAPTER: 19 - CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT AND ROUND TABLE CONFERENCES
- CHAPTER: 20 - DEBATES ON FUTURE STRATEGY AFTER CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MOVEMENT
- CHAPTER: 22 - NATIONALIST RESPONSE IN THE WAKE OF WORLD WAR II
- CHAPTER: 23 - QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT, DEMAND FOR PAKISTAN, AND THE INA
- CHAPTER: 24 - POST-WAR NATIONAL SCENARIO
- CHAPTER: 25 - INDEPENDENCE WITH PARTITION
- CHAPTER: 26 - CONSTITUTIONAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL DEVELOPMENTS
- CHAPTER: 31 - PEASANT MOVEMENTS 1857-1947
Medium Priority Topics
- CHAPTER: 3 - ADVENT OF THE EUROPEANS IN INDIA
- CHAPTER: 4 - INDIA ON THE EVE OF BRITISH CONQUEST
- CHAPTER: 5 - EXPANSION AND CONSOLIDATION OF BRITISH POWER IN INDIA
- CHAPTER: 21 - CONGRESS RULE IN PROVINCES
- CHAPTER: 27 - SURVEY OF BRITISH POLICIES IN INDIA
- CHAPTER: 28 - ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BRITISH RULE
- CHAPTER: 29 - DEVELOPMENT OF INDIAN PRESS
- CHAPTER: 30 - DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION
- CHAPTER: 32 - THE MOVEMENT OF THE WORKING CLASS
Low Priority Topics
- CHAPTER: 1 - SOURCES FOR THE HISTORY OF MODERN INDIA
- CHAPTER: 2 - MAJOR APPROACHES TO THE HISTORY OF MODERN INDIA
- CHAPTER: 33 - CHALLENGES BEFORE THE NEW-BORN NATION
- CHAPTER: 34 - THE INDIAN STATE
- CHAPTER: 35 - MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION FOR INDIA
- CHAPTER: 36 - THE EVOLUTION OF NATIONALIST FOREIGN POLICY
- CHAPTER: 37 - FIRST GENERAL ELECTIONS
- CHAPTER: 38 - DEVELOPMENTS UNDER NEHRU'S LEADERSHIP (1947-64)
- CHAPTER: 39 - THE LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI YEARS (JUNE 1964- JANUARY 1966)
- CHAPTER: 40 - INDIRA GANDHI: THE FIRST PHASE (JAN 1966 - MAR 1977)
- CHAPTER: 41 - THE JANATA PARTY YEARS (MARCH 1977-JANUARY 19801
- CHAPTER: 42 - INDIRA GANDHI: THE SECOND PHASE (JANUARY 1980 TO OCTOBER 1984)
- CHAPTER: 43 - THE RAJIV YEARS (OCTOBER 1984 TO DECEMBER 1989)
- CHAPTER: 44 - V.P. SINGH AND CHANDRASHEKHAR GOVERNMENTS (1989-1991)
- CHAPTER: 45 - THE NARASIMHA RAO YEARS (1991 TO 1996
- CHAPTER: 46 - THREE PRIME MINISTERS IN THREE YEARS (1996 - 1999)
- CHAPTER: 47 - THE NDA YEARS (1988 - 1999)
- CHAPTER: 48 - THE UPA YEARS (2004 - 2014)
- CHAPTER: 49 - THE NDA GOVERNMENT (2014 ONWARDS)
Just because we have marked some topics as red that does not mean that you avoid the low priority ones. It means that you don't worry about the green ones till you've done Reds and Blues
That's all we wanted to share today. All the best.
Why don't you watch the video instead?