Part of the General Studies-I question bank for OPSC (OAS) Mains.
A comprehensive, topic-wise practice set of 9 questions on World History for OPSC (OAS) Mains General Studies-I. 5 of them have been set in an actual paper — the years and exams are printed against each (2025, 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020). The rest are practice questions on the same syllabus points.
Previous year questions
| No. | Question | Asked in |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2025 15 marks |
| 2 | How far is it correct to say that the First World War was fought essentially for the preservation of balance of power? | UPSC Mains GS-I 2024 15 marks |
| 3 | What were the reasons for the rapid growth of the industrial revolution in Europe? Discuss in the context of the relative absence of modern industrialisation in the prosperous lands of India and China till the 19th century. | OPSC OAS Mains 2022 15 marks |
| 4 | "There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars." Evaluate the statement. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2022 15 marks |
| 5 | Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French Revolutions. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2021 15 marks |
| 6 | Enumerate the legacy of the early Vedic Aryans. | OPSC OAS Mains 2020 20 marks |
Practice questions
| No. | Question | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | How far was the Industrial Revolution in England responsible for the decline of handicrafts and cottage industries in India? | — |
| 8 | Explore the differences in the perspectives of Chinese, Arab, and European travellers regarding Indian society and polity. How do these diverse accounts contribute to a comprehensive historical narrative? | — |
| 9 | Examine the impact of the French Revolution on the political and social structures of Europe and its relevance to the contemporary world. | — |