UGC NET History Syllabus (Code 06) — Full Official Syllabus

UGC NET History Syllabus (Code 06) — Full Official Syllabus

The complete official UGC NET History syllabus for Code 06, unit by unit, verbatim — every topic the paper can ask from, in one place, not a scanned PDF.

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10units
4subject groups
300marks
3 hoursboth papers

Open the official syllabus PDF ↗हिंदी में पढ़ें →

Exam pattern

PaperQuestionsMarks
Paper 1: General (teaching & research aptitude)50100
Paper 2: History (code 06)100200
Total150300

Both papers in three hours, on a computer. Every correct answer earns 2 marks and there is no negative marking. The Paper 2 syllabus is below.

Syllabus at a glance

UnitTopic areaGroupTopics
Unit 1Negotiating the SourcesAncient India10
Unit 2From State to EmpireAncient India13
Unit 3The Emergence of Regional KingdomsAncient India14
Unit 4Sources of Medieval Indian HistoryMedieval India11
Unit 5Administration & EconomyMedieval India10
Unit 6Society and CultureMedieval India10
Unit 7Sources of Modern Indian HistoryModern India8
Unit 8Colonial EconomyModern India11
Unit 9Rise of Indian NationalismModern India11
Unit 10Historical Method, Research, Methodology, and HistoriographyHistoriography & Methodology9

Ancient India Units 1–3

Get the full Ancient India notes →
Unit 1Negotiating the SourcesArchaeological sources · Dating of archaeological sites · Literary sources…10 topics
  • Archaeological sources: exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics
  • Dating of archaeological sites
  • Literary sources: indigenous (primary/secondary), religious & secular texts, myths, legends
  • Foreign accounts: Greek, Chinese, Arabic
  • Neolithic & Chalcolithic: settlement, tools, exchange
  • Indus/Harappan Civilization: origin, extent, sites, society, polity, trade, decline — first urbanization
  • Vedic & later Vedic: Aryan debate, state structure, varna system, religious ideas
  • Iron technology; South Indian megaliths
  • Mahajanapadas: monarchies & republics; second urbanization (6th c. BCE)
  • Heterodox sects: Jainism, Buddhism, Ajivikas

Read the Unit 1 complete overview notes →

Unit 2From State to EmpireRise of Magadha · Mauryan expansion, polity, society, economy · Asoka's Dhamma…13 topics
  • Rise of Magadha; Alexander's invasion & effects
  • Mauryan expansion, polity, society, economy
  • Asoka's Dhamma; decline of the Mauryan empire
  • Mauryan art & architecture; Asokan edicts (language, script)
  • Post-Mauryan powers: Indo-Greeks, Sungas, Satavahanas, Kushanas, Saka-Kshatrapas
  • Sangam literature: polity & society in South India
  • Trade 2nd c. BCE–3rd c. CE; trade with Rome
  • Mahayana Buddhism; Kharavela & Jainism
  • Post-Mauryan art: Gandhara, Mathura, Amaravati schools
  • Gupta-Vakataka age: polity, agrarian economy, land grants, land revenue
  • Gupta coins; beginning of temple architecture; Puranic Hinduism
  • Sanskrit language & literature; science, astronomy, mathematics, medicine
  • Harsha: administration & religion; Salankayanas, Vishnukundins in Andhra

Read the Unit 2 complete overview notes →

Unit 3The Emergence of Regional KingdomsDeccan · South India · East India…14 topics
  • Deccan: Gangas, Kadambas, Chalukyas (W & E), Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Hoysalas, Yadavas
  • South India: Pallavas, Ceras, Colas, Pandyas
  • East India: Palas, Senas of Bengal; Varmans of Kamarupa; Bhaumakaras, Somavamsis of Odisha
  • West India: Maitrakas of Vallabhi; Chalukyas of Gujarat
  • North India: Gurjara-Pratiharas, Kalacuri-Chedis, Gahadavalas, Paramaras
  • Early medieval traits: administration, political structure, legitimation of kingship
  • Agrarian economy: land grants, graded land rights, peasantry, water resources, taxation, currency
  • Trade & urbanization: routes, ports, merchandise, guilds; trade with Southeast Asia
  • Brahminical religions: Vaishnavism, Shaivism; temples, patronage, regional styles
  • Dana, Tirtha, Bhakti; Tamil Bhakti — Shankara, Madhava, Ramanujacharya
  • Society: Varna-Jati proliferation; women's position, marriage, property; tribes & untouchability
  • Education: agraharas, mathas, mahaviharas; growth of regional languages
  • State-formation debates: feudal / segmentary / integrative models
  • Arab contacts: Suleiman, Ghaznavid conquests, Alberuni

Read the Unit 3 complete overview notes →

Medieval India Units 4–6

Get the full Medieval India notes →
Unit 4Sources of Medieval Indian HistoryArchaeological, epigraphic, numismatic sources · Literary sources · Daftar Khannas…11 topics
  • Archaeological, epigraphic, numismatic sources; monuments; chronicles
  • Literary sources: Persian, Sanskrit, regional languages
  • Daftar Khannas: Firmans, Bahis/Pothis, Akhbarat
  • Foreign travellers' accounts: Persian, Arabic
  • Delhi Sultanate: Ghorids, Turks, Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Sayyids, Lodis; decline
  • Mughal foundation: Babur, Humayun, the Suris
  • Mughal expansion Akbar–Aurangzeb; decline; later Mughals
  • Vijayanagara & Bahmanis; Deccan Sultanates: Bijapur, Golkonda, Bidar, Berar, Ahmadnagar
  • Eastern Gangas; Suryavamshi Gajapatis
  • Rise of the Marathas: Shivaji's Swaraj; Peshwa expansion
  • Mughal-Maratha relations; Maratha Confederacy; causes of decline

Read the Unit 4 complete overview notes →

Unit 5Administration & EconomySultanate administration · Sher Shah's reforms · Deccan systems…10 topics
  • Sultanate administration: theocratic state; central/provincial/local; succession law
  • Sher Shah's reforms; Mughal administration: Mansabdari, Jagirdari
  • Deccan systems: Vijayanagara polity, Bahamani administration, Maratha Asta Pradhan
  • Frontier policies; inter-state relations (Sultanate & Mughals)
  • Agriculture & irrigation; village economy; peasantry; land grants
  • Urbanization & demography
  • Industries: cotton textiles, handicrafts, agro-based; factories & technology
  • Trade: state policy, internal/external trade, European trade, ports
  • Hundi & insurance; state income/expenditure; currency & mint
  • Famines & peasant revolts

Read the Unit 5 complete overview notes →

Unit 6Society and CultureSocial organisation & structure · Sufis · Bhakti movement…10 topics
  • Social organisation & structure
  • Sufis: orders, beliefs, leading saints, social synchronization
  • Bhakti movement: Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism; North & South saints; women saints
  • Sikh movement: Guru Nanak, Adi Granth, Khalsa
  • Social classes: ruling class, Ulemas, mercantile/professional classes, Rajput society
  • Rural society: chieftains, village officials, cultivators, artisans
  • Women's position: Zanana system, Devadasi system
  • Education: centres, curriculum, Madarasa education
  • Painting schools: Mughal, Rajasthani, Pahari, Garhwali; development of music
  • Art & architecture: Indo-Islamic, Mughal, regional styles, Mughal gardens, Maratha forts

Read the Unit 6 complete overview notes →

Modern India Units 7–9

Get the full Modern India notes →
Unit 7Sources of Modern Indian HistoryArchival materials, biographies, memoirs, newspapers, oral evidence, coins · European traders 16th–18th c. · Establishment & expansion of British dominion…8 topics
  • Archival materials, biographies, memoirs, newspapers, oral evidence, coins
  • European traders 16th–18th c.: Portuguese, Dutch, French, British
  • Establishment & expansion of British dominion
  • British relations: Bengal, Oudh, Hyderabad, Mysore, Carnatic, Punjab
  • Revolt of 1857: causes, nature, impact
  • Company & Crown administration (1773–1858)
  • Paramountcy, civil service, judiciary, police, army; princely states policy
  • Local self-government; constitutional changes 1909–1935

Read the Unit 7 complete overview notes →

Unit 8Colonial EconomyChanging trade · Agriculture · Decline of industries…11 topics
  • Changing trade: composition, volume, direction
  • Agriculture: commercialization, land rights/settlements, rural debt, irrigation
  • Decline of industries: artisans, de-urbanisation, economic drain, world wars
  • British industrial policy; factory legislation; labour & trade unions
  • Monetary policy, banking, currency; railways, roads, post & telegraph
  • New urban centres; town planning; famines, epidemics; tribal & peasant movements
  • Contact with Christianity: missions, critique of Indian practices
  • New education policy; English language; science, health & medicine
  • Indian Renaissance: socio-religious reforms; middle class; caste associations
  • Women's question: nationalist discourse, organisations, British legislation
  • Printing press & public opinion; modernisation of languages, painting, music

Read the Unit 8 complete overview notes →

Unit 9Rise of Indian NationalismSocial & economic basis of nationalism · INC birth & ideology 1885–1920 · Swadeshi & Swaraj…11 topics
  • Social & economic basis of nationalism
  • INC birth & ideology 1885–1920: early nationalists, assertive nationalists, revolutionaries
  • Swadeshi & Swaraj
  • Gandhian mass movements; Subhas Bose & INA; middle-class & women's role
  • Left-wing politics; depressed class movement; communal politics; Muslim League
  • Towards independence & partition
  • Post-independence: integration of princely states — Kashmir, Hyderabad, Junagarh
  • Ambedkar & the Constitution; bureaucracy; new education policy
  • Economic policies & planning; development, displacement, tribal issues
  • Linguistic reorganisation of states; Centre-State relations
  • Foreign policy: Panchsheel; Emergency; liberalisation & globalisation

Read the Unit 9 complete overview notes →

Historiography & Methodology Unit 10

Get the full Historiography & Methodology notes →
Unit 10Historical Method, Research, Methodology, and HistoriographyScope, importance, objectivity & bias in history · Heuristics, criticism, synthesis · Causation & imagination…9 topics
  • Scope, importance, objectivity & bias in history
  • Heuristics, criticism, synthesis; history as science/art/social science
  • Causation & imagination; regional history; recent trends
  • Research methodology: hypothesis, sources, data collection (primary/secondary)
  • Recent historiography; topic selection; notes, references, footnotes, bibliography
  • Plagiarism & intellectual dishonesty
  • Beginnings of historical writing: Greek, Roman, Church; Renaissance impact
  • Von Ranke's revolution; Marxist philosophy of history
  • Spengler's cyclical theory; Toynbee's Challenge-Response; post-modernism

Read the Unit 10 complete overview notes →

How to use this syllabus

  1. Start with the table above and find the group you are weakest in.
  2. Each unit lists its topics in the official wording. Look up any unfamiliar term in the glossary.
  3. After a unit, take its free mock test, and build a study plan for your timeline.
Concepts, Ideas and Terms (82)

Part of the official syllabus itself: terms the paper can draw on across any unit, not tied to one.

Frequently asked questions

How many units are in the UGC NET History syllabus?

10 units, from the sources of history to historiography and methodology. Every unit's topics are listed above.

Is there negative marking?

No. Every correct answer earns 2 marks and a wrong answer costs nothing.

Is the syllabus available in Hindi?

Yes. The official syllabus is issued in Hindi and English, and this page is available in both.

Where should I start?

With your weakest group. Each group links to its notes, and each unit to a practice test.

Presented by Mr. Parveen Malik (B.Tech. (CSE), M.A. (History), History JRF). The text follows the official UGC syllabus.

What this covers

  • All ten units of the official UGC NET History syllabus, exactly as notified — real text, not a PDF scan.
  • Use it as a checklist: tick a topic only once you can answer a PYQ on it.
  • Every chapter of the Itihaaskar notes is mapped back to these units.
One piece of a bigger syllabus

See how this fits into the complete notes for this subject.

See the Notes →
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