Program 02 · UPSC Mains Optional
A structured 10-month programme covering History Optional Paper I and Paper II, with syllabus-based teaching, lecture handouts and a clear progression from conceptual understanding to answer-writing practice and revision.
Develop a deeper understanding of historical developments, learn to analyse questions and practise presenting clear, well-structured answers.
The syllabus, mapped
History Optional requires more than memorising dates and events. It calls for an understanding of historical processes, causes and consequences, interpretations and change over time. Topics are organised around the prescribed UPSC syllabus, with attention to the analytical demands of History Optional questions.
These lists group the main areas of each paper. The official UPSC syllabus gives the full detail of every topic.
The roadmap
The ten months move through four stages. They may overlap according to your progress and preparation needs.
Build conceptual clarity across both papers. Follow the syllabus systematically and use lecture handouts to organise your learning.
Practise previous-year questions, develop answer structures and learn to support arguments with relevant historical evidence and analysis. Answer writing can begin alongside content learning.
Use sectional and full-length tests to assess content coverage, time management, analytical depth and answer presentation. Review feedback to identify areas that need further work.
Consolidate key themes, revisit difficult topics, practise relevant questions and refine revision notes for the examination.
What's included
Classes deliver the teaching: live and recorded sessions with lecture handouts. Personal mentorship adds individual planning, study notes, answer evaluation, tests and doubt-clearing.
Attend online classes and revisit recorded sessions for revision and clarification.
Use supporting handouts to follow classes and organise key concepts.
Personal mentorship includes study notes organised by syllabus topic to support focused reading and revision.
Practise relevant previous-year questions. Personal mentorship includes feedback on up to two answers a week, on content, relevance, structure, depth of analysis and presentation.
Tests are included in every personal mentorship plan, to assess your preparation and find areas to improve. The arrangements are explained before enrolment.
Get guidance on your preparation and discuss subject-related difficulties through the agreed mentorship arrangements.
Why this optional
History Optional may suit aspirants who enjoy understanding historical change, examining causes and consequences, comparing interpretations and building evidence-based arguments. Before choosing it, consider:
Are you willing to study historical periods, themes and interpretations in depth?
Are you prepared to move beyond factual recall and explain why events occurred and why they mattered?
Some areas connect with GS Paper I, including aspects of Indian history and culture. However, the optional requires greater subject-specific depth.
The syllabus requires organised reading, revision and regular answer-writing practice.
Choose an optional based on your interests, strengths, preparation time and willingness to engage with the subject - not on scoring claims alone. Book a free orientation to understand the programme and decide whether History Optional fits your preparation.
Plans & fees
Take the classes, the personal mentorship, or both. Classes deliver the teaching; mentorship adds individual guidance and structured practice.
For aspirants who want structured teaching across Paper I and Paper II.
For aspirants who want individual guidance and structured practice, with or without the classes.
The complete 10-month teaching programme combined with personal guidance, study notes, answer-writing practice, evaluation and tests.
Start with a free orientation. We discuss your preparation stage, explain the available options and clarify the applicable fees and terms before you decide.
Personal mentorship is a separate monthly service, between ₹4,000 and ₹7,000 a month and never above ₹7,000. Its duration and specific arrangements are discussed before enrolment. The class fee can also be paid in instalments, with an additional charge of about 33%.
Questions
The History Optional classes are structured over 10 months and cover Paper I and Paper II. Personal mentorship is a separate monthly service; its duration is agreed according to your needs.
Yes. Classes are online, with recordings and study materials available as described in the programme.
Standard books and NCERTs remain useful. Mentorship notes help organise your reading by syllabus topic; they are not a replacement for every recommended source.
Personal mentorship includes evaluation of up to two answers a week, with feedback on content, relevance, structure, depth and presentation.
Yes. Tests are included in every mentorship plan. The testing and review arrangements are explained before enrolment.
The class fee of ₹30,000 can be paid in instalments, with an additional charge of about 33% of the class fee. Contact us for the schedule before enrolling.
Whether you need structured classes, individual mentorship or both, start with a conversation. Book a free orientation to discuss your preparation stage, understand the programme and choose the support that suits your needs.
Book a free orientation