UPSC Prelims · Topic-wise PYQs
Ancient History UPSC Prelims PYQs
48 questions on Ancient History asked in UPSC Prelims, sorted into 5 sub-topics. In the app you practise each sub-topic as a timed test with the UPSC marking (+2 / −0.66 per question), followed by a full analysis.
About Ancient History in UPSC Prelims
Ancient History is the 10th largest of the 13 topics in the UPSC bank: 48 of its 2,520 topic-wise PYQs (1.9%). The biggest sub-topics are South India & Early Medieval (22), Vedic Age & Religious Movements (12), Mahajanapadas & the Mauryas (6).
Sub-topics and question counts
| Sub-topic | PYQs | Latest year |
|---|---|---|
| South India & Early Medieval | 22 | 2026 |
| Vedic Age & Religious Movements | 12 | 2026 |
| Mahajanapadas & the Mauryas | 6 | 2025 |
| Post-Maurya & Gupta Age | 4 | 2025 |
| Prehistory & Indus Valley | 4 | 2026 |
| Total | 48 | 2026 |
Sub-topics with fewer than 20 questions are practised inside the Ancient History tests in the app and have no page of their own.
Ancient History PYQs by the latest year asked
Each question is counted once, under the latest year it was asked in the exam.
| Period | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 and later | 26 | |
| 2016–2020 | 16 | |
| 2011–2015 | 6 |
Sample Ancient History questions from the free tests
Question text only. The options, the answer and the explanation open in the free test (free sign-in with your mobile number).
Asked in 2026
In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni ('mistress of the field') originate ?
Attempt it in the free UPSC 2026 GS Paper I
Questions students ask
How many Ancient History questions has UPSC Prelims asked?
Sovereign IAS has 48 Ancient History previous-year questions from UPSC Prelims in 5 sub-topics, the latest from 2026.
Which Ancient History sub-topics come up most often?
South India & Early Medieval (22 questions), Vedic Age & Religious Movements (12 questions), Mahajanapadas & the Mauryas (6 questions).
Can I practise UPSC Ancient History PYQs for free?
Partly. 6 of these 48 questions are in the free UPSC tests (the latest papers and two topic-wise tests, free with a sign-in); the full set is part of the Destiny Pass.