What is History: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Salary & Scope

History is one of the best scoring subjects for UPSC exam preparation and very popular among UPSC aspirants. UPSC is a civil services exam which is conducted once a year for recruitment of government officials for administration and other services. 

UPSC is considered one of the toughest exams to crack and highly regarded in Indian society. The UPSC CSE exam is conduted in three main stages including UPSC Prelims, UPSC Mains and Interview round. 

History is one of the UPSC Mains general subjects and Prelims subjects. Taking History as an optional adds to advantage of the candidate as it is already covered Mains. The familiarity of students with History subject from school makes it easier for them to learn faster and score better in the UPSC exam. 

UPSC syllabus for History remains constant and hardly changes which adds to the preparation of students learning throughout the years and provide them better chance at clearing the final UPSC exam.

Given below are some skills that one can develop while pursuing a History course:

• Critical Thinking: Through the examination and interpretation of historical texts and events, critical thinking abilities are developed.
• Understanding Society: By shedding light on society processes, institutions, and values, history helps students make sense of the world in which they live.
• Cultural Awareness: By examining other societies, customs, and viewpoints, history studies promote cultural awareness and appreciation.
• Contextualising Current Events: By giving historical background and demonstrating how past events have influenced the present, it aids students in understanding current events.
• Gaining perspective: As students examine many points of view and experiences, learning about historical personalities and events fosters empathy and perspective-taking.

Absolutely yes. You may get introduced to a plethora of career opportunities for the future after completing a major degree course in History. A few popular job profiles include Historian, Archaeologist, Journalist, Civil Servant, Tour Guide, and Academic Researcher or Assistant Professor. As is evident from the ongoing historical research and archaeological discoveries taking place every day in almost every corner of the world, the demand for History students is on the rise.

It is often difficult to find enough talent in this field as it requires thorough research and critical thinking abilities, and hence reputed universities make sure to improvise their curriculum on an annual basis to keep up with the respective needs and to impart as much historical knowledge to the students as possible. The universities often organize seminars and conferences to make students like you job-ready.

History subject can be taken as an optional paper for UPSC CSE exam. The History optional subject for UPSC includes two papers of 250 marks each. UPSC History optional for Mains exam includes various subject topics such as pre-history, ancient history, early medieval India, european penetration, economic impact of british colonial rule, etc. 

UPSC preparation takes about 6 months to 2 years on an average depending upon the aspirant. History subject provides a measurable weightage in the UPSC Prelims exam as well. 

Students can check the complete syllabus details of History optional for UPSC exam below:

UPSC History Syllabus with Important Topics

Students who are interested in pursuing a course in any programme in History, need to meet the eligibility criteria set by universities. The common eligibility criteria are as follows:

• BA History: Students need to have done their Class 12 from a recognised board and should have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate. Students from a Humanities background are generally given more preference. However, some universities allow students from any stream to apply for admission.
• MA History: The candidate should have done their graduation from a recognised university and should have secured a minimum of 55% aggregate. The student should have done their BA (Hons), BA Programme with History as a major/minor, or any similar related subject.
• MPhil: Students who want to pursue their MPhil in History, should hold a master's degree in History. The candidate should have also secured a minimum of 55% aggregate in their Master’s from a recognised college.
• PhD: If a student wants to pursue a doctoral degree in History, the candidate should hold a master’s degree from a recognised university and should clear UGC-NET.

Well, I do not think there is any such minimum or maximum age limit to pursue a History course. But, some colleges may have their own admission criteria which you will have to check by visiting their official website or contacting the respective helpdesk as they may give you a better idea about it.

Dear aspirant, you can definitely pursue a BA in History or History Honors at Delhi University despite being a Science student. The only thing that you need to do is to get a good CUET score as the cut-off marks are quite high for some of the top colleges. Further, apart from selecting your Class 12 subjects, there may be an additional requirement for you to select History subject in the exam form for securing admission to the course. For example, to get admission to an Economics Honors course at Delhi University, candidates need to opt for Mathematics as one of the domain subjects in the CUET exam, regardless of the Class 12^th stream.

So I would suggest you to check the specific eligibility requirement (if any) in advance so as to avoid any future discrepancies. The eligibility criteria for the courses is subject to change every year.

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Yes, of course, you can opt for an undergraduate History course or a certificate course after securing 55% marks in your Class 12^th board exams. For a BA degree in History, you will have to appear for any of the national/state-level entrance exams such as CUET-UG, IPU CET, or others and score good marks.

Talking about the certificate courses, both online and offline, you need not give any entrance exam and can directly enroll yourself in the course by filling the application form and paying the fees.

You will have to appear for the CUET-UG entrance exam in the subjects you studied in Class 12, which takes place every year for admission to various courses at top Indian universities such as Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, etc. Also, Stephens College, DU conducts an interview round after you get shortlisted through CUET.

However, if you wish to pursue the course on a merit-basis then you will have to explore other college options in India that do not require any entrance exam or face-to-face interview rounds.

Hello Aspirants! Here is the strategy to clear UGC NET History exam

1. To qualify Paper I with good score, candidates are required to check the complete syllabus. 
2. Start with topic you listed at the top, don't leave any topic. 
3. Focus on the short tricks and formulas, that will help you to boost your speed in the exam.
4. Take mock series and solve UGC NET History previous year question paper
5. Try to teach someone like your friends
6. Make small notes in your language.
7. Start with basics
8. Avoid continuous sitting studies. Study 34 hour per day
9. Make a schedule
10. Sleep well and eat good. Thanks aspirants!

Candidates must note that CUET PG examination is conducted in computer based test (CBT Mode) only. Hence they are advised to be familiar with the pattern. The examination question paper is divided into two sections. To know more about the examination, refer to the official website.

Well, it is not compulsory to appear for the CUET-UG exam for admission in undergraduate History courses but all the top universities and colleges in India provide admission either through CUET or conduct their university-specific entrance exams such as IPU-CET, JMI entrance, etc. So it is better to prepare for CUET and score good marks in the exam to become eligible for admission to various popular History courses at top universities across India.

Rest, you can also look for easy options to get admission on a merit basis in some of the private Indian colleges by paying high annual college fees. The choice is yours!

See, it depends on the number of applicants, their performance in the exam, and seats available that year. The minimum expected score to get admission in BA History at DU is of 60% and above but if the students get extremely good marks then the cut-off will obviously be high for that particular course, and you may not qualify for admission. So I would suggest you to work hard and prepare well for the entrance exam so that you can score well.

BA History is a broad degree that covers a wide range of historical themes. Courses in ancient history, medieval history, modern history, and world history are common. BA Hons History is a highly specialised degree that focuses on a specific historical period. Students often take classes that focus on a certain historical period, place, or topic. The level of specialisation is the primary distinction between BA History and BA Hons History.

BA Hons History students are required to complete additional courses in their chosen area of specialisation, as well as produce a thesis or dissertation. This makes BA Hons History a more appealing option.

The duration of certificate courses in History is usually 1 year or less. For example, the short term certificate course in History offered by the National Archives of India can be completed within 8 weeks depending upon the specialisation you choose. Also, the certificate course in History at KJ Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce is a 2-month part-time course which you can easily complete along with your studies.

Yes, why not, you can take up certificate courses along with your regular degree programs without any stress because these courses are very flexible and easy to understand. They do not demand any major adjustments in your daily routine.

Well, this is a very subjective question. Some candidates would prefer Diploma in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology because the coursework perfectly aligns with their interests in literature, archaeological heritage and Indian culture. Also, it is conducted in an online mode for the duration of one year. On the other hand, other candidates might be interested in pursuing an MA in History even if takes two years for completion as it offers a detailed understanding of past history and civilizations.

So you should think about your interest areas, future goals, and the amount of time you can invest in the course. Once you are clear about these points, you can apply accordingly. Best of luck!

Well, the syllabus of History courses is chosen by the college offering the course depending on the course level. The undergraduate level History courses involve the study of the basics of history and the postgraduate level courses offer a deep understanding of History and its impact on our society. The doctoral-level courses are pursued by people who are looking for research opportunities in academia.

Given below are the main topics in History courses of various levels:

The syllabus of entrance exams like JMI, CUET UG, and others for BA Hons History course revolves around the Current Affairs, Social Science, World History, Indian History, General Knowledge and General Sciences. The braoad division of the questions for the examination is given below: Indian History: 50% World History: 10% Current Affairs: 10% General Knowledge: 10% General Sciences: 10% Social Science: 10% (Other than History) 100 Multiple Choice Questions are asked from the topics mentioned above. The questions are based on the syllabi of Intermediate or Senior Secondary level.

Desirous students can pursue History courses from colleges in different locations. Click on the links below to know:

• Best History Colleges in Delhi/NCR 
• Best History Colleges in Kolkata
• Best History Colleges in Bangalore
• Best History Colleges in Mumbai
• Best History Colleges in Pune

The college fees is an important factor that is usually considered before securing admission to History courses. Here are some colleges that offer History courses with an affordable fee structure:

Among the Delhi University affiliatd colleges, the St.Stephen's is considered the best one for the BA(Hons) in History course. One of the oldest DU college, Hindu has a rich and diverse history. Likewise, Miranda House with high academic standards, is one of the best women’s college in India. One of the largest and renowned college for its vibrant student life is Hansraj College. The aforementioned are just a few of the many great BA Hons History colleges of DU. The best college depends on several factors such as individual needs, preferences, etc. Candidates must research well before reaching a conclusion.

The salary of a history graduate may vary depending on the job profile, company offering the job and various other factors. There are many different job profiles that you can pursue after a history course.

Here are a few of the most common ones, along with their average salaries:

History occupations with strong career possibilities are available in both the public and private sectors. History graduates' pay is determined by a variety of factors, including the sector's job growth, governmental policies, initiatives, taxes, and so on. 

• Archeological Survey of India
• Ministry of Tourism
• Ministry of External Affairs
• National Library

HIstory Subject courses can pursued by students who have a minimum qualification of Class 12 passed in any stream from a recognized board of India.

History Subject can be taken by students at various education levels such as undergraduation, post-graduation and doctoral degree levels. Each degree level for History course has different eligibility criteria depending upon the college.

Hello there, few of the courses that are related to the History course are mentioned below:

You can opt for a bachelor's degree in History after completing class 12th. Bachelor degree in History is a three-year undergraduate course. You can get admission to BA in History based on the CUET-UG entrance exam score or other state/college level entrance scores. All you need to do is study hard and get good marks in the entrance exam because the cut-off marks are usually very high for top Indian universities offering the course.

Rest, you may check the table below to learn about the important details related to the History course:

History Subject can be pursued as undergraduation degree, post-graduation degree and doctoral degree. Students can also take Diploma and certifications courses in History. The basic qualifications for History Subject demands students to have passed their Class 12 in any stream from a recognised board of India.

The choice of degree for History subject depends on the student's education level, qualification and career preference. Students are advised to check the eligibility criteria and History degree based on their education level before applying for admission.

Students can pursue high-paying career paths after completing History courses such as Historian or History faculty members at various education levels. The job profile of a Historian offers a competitive salary package in India on an avearge of INR 4 Lakhs to 5 Lakhs and may vary depding upon the job profile, job level and candidate's expertise.

Students can choose various career options after completing graduation course, post-graduation course, Diploma course, certificate course or PhD course in History subject. Students can check the full details of History careers in the link below:

History Subject Careers

BA History is a 3-year undergraduation course which can be pursued by students who have completed their Class 12 with minimum 45% marks from a recognised board of India. BA History provides various lucrative career options to students such as 

Whether History is a good course for you or not totally depends on your interests and preferred career path. If you are a person who is fascinated about knowing about past empires, civilisations and cultures then you would find History to be interesting. It is theoretical and analytical. So, if you have a flair for writing and critical thinking skills you can score good marks in the semester exams. A good CPGA or percentage in college-level exams can help you at the onset of your career. Once you complete your course you can either pursue a PhD or start looking for jobs.

Here are a few reasons why studying History can prove beneficial:

• History provides insightful knowledge about historical occurrences, societies, and cultures.
• We can learn from the failures and achievements of our ancestors by studying history.
• Critical thinking and analytical abilities are developed through historical event analysis.
• Making sense of the past enables us to interpret the present and its patterns.
• An appreciation of many cultures and viewpoints is fostered by history.
• Decision-makers frequently use historical perspectives to guide their choices.
• For the benefit of future generations, historical documentation protects memory and legacy.
• Inspirational historical tales highlight the tenacity and accomplishment of people.
• In the end, learning about the past is crucial to comprehending both the past and the present.

Some of the main reasons for studying History subject are:

• A degree in history is perfect for people who have a strong desire to comprehend the past.
• Enhances communicative, analytical, and critical thinking abilities.
• A versatile skill set allows for a wide range of job options.
• Opportunities in public service, education, business, law, research, and writing.
• Strong basis for graduate-level or post-graduate work.
• Provides opportunities for networking and internships to gain real-world experience.

Well, there are many advantages to pursuing an online History course. If you have cleared class 12, many colleges will give you admission to online History courses. Even those who have any sort of educational qualification or experience, are eligible to pursue online courses in History.

To add further, online courses in History are very flexible which you can complete at your own pace. Thus, if you are working or have other commitments like not being able to travel daily, you can consider this. Also, these courses are a budget-friendly option as compared to offline courses.

Also, you can attend lectures by prominent historians and industry experts to further your learning in this field. You can also participate in discussion boards where students with similar interests engage in collective learning.

Please upvote if it answers your query.