Prelims GS I · 37 questions · 2011–2026
Medieval India: every Prelims question, by topic
UPSC syllabus: “History of India and Indian National Movement.” Below, the topics inside it — most asked first — and how often each came up year by year.
Medieval India in Prelims 2024: 1 question
All years →Medieval India in UPSC Prelims at a glance
UPSC has asked 37 questions on Medieval India in GS Paper I from 2011 to 2026 — about 2 a year, the most in 2022 (6). The most-asked topic is Early medieval kingdoms (c. 700–1200) (11 questions).
Counted from UPSC's own papers in the Vault, each question under its main subject · updated 8 Nov 2026.
- Early medieval kingdoms (c. 700–1200)11 questions · asked in 7 of 16 years
- Vijayanagara, Bahmani & regional kingdoms7 questions · asked in 6 of 16 years
- The Mughals & the Marathas7 questions · asked in 7 of 16 years
- The Delhi Sultanate6 questions · asked in 4 of 16 years
- Bhakti & Sufi movements6 questions · asked in 6 of 16 years
Latest questions
- 2025 · Q13 · Early medieval kingdoms (c. 700–1200)The irrigation device called 'Araghatta' was…
- 2025 · Q16 · Early medieval kingdoms (c. 700–1200)Who among the following led a successful military campaign against the kingdom of Srivijaya, the powerful maritime State, which ruled the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java a…
- 2024 · Q56 · Vijayanagara, Bahmani & regional kingdomsWho of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal?…
- 2023 · Q45 · Early medieval kingdoms (c. 700–1200)Consider the following dynasties:…
- 2023 · Q48 · Vijayanagara, Bahmani & regional kingdomsWho among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and a canal-cum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to …
The same ground in Mains
These official Mains syllabus lines cover Medieval India. Prelims facts become Mains arguments.
Medieval India PYQs as a PDF — free
All 48 PDFs →Every Medieval India question from 2011 to 2026, topic-wise, with answers and explanations — 22 pages. Free; sign up once.
Medieval India PYQs: quick answers
How many Medieval India questions has UPSC asked in Prelims from 2011 to 2026?
37 questions in GS Paper I — about 2 a year, the most in 2022 (6). Every one is on this page, under its topic, with UPSC's answer and an explanation.
Which Medieval India topic does UPSC ask most in Prelims?
Early medieval kingdoms (c. 700–1200): 11 questions between 2011 and 2026, asked in 7 of 16 years. The topics are listed above, most asked first, each with its year-by-year trend.
Are the answers UPSC's official answer keys?
From 2016, yes: every answer is from UPSC's final answer key (2016–2025); for 2011–2015, where UPSC published no key online, each answer is worked out from official sources and reviewed independently; for 2026 UPSC has so far published a provisional key, and those answers are labelled. Explanations cite official sources — NCERT and government pages first.
Can I download the Medieval India PYQs as a PDF?
Yes — a print-ready PDF of every Medieval India question with answers and explanations (22 pages, 0.6 MB), free after a one-time sign-up, from the Vault's downloads page.
Counted from UPSC's own papers in the Vault; answers are UPSC's keys.
