History — Syllabus & Chapters

The complete syllabus for History — every chapter you need to study, and how the exam paper is structured.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Towards Independence and Partition: The Last Phase (1939-1947)
Chapter 2: Establishment of Indian Democracy (1947-1966)
Chapter 3: Development of Indian Democracy (1964-1977)
Chapter 4: Changing Face of Indian Democracy (1977-1986)
Chapter 5: India's Foreign Policy
Chapter 6: Movements for Women's Rights
Chapter 7: World War II
Chapter 8: De-colonisation in Asia and Africa
Chapter 9: Cold War (1945-1991): Origin, End and Impact
Chapter 10: Protest Movements
Chapter 11: Middle East: Israeli-Palestine Conflict (1916-1993)
Chapter 12: History Project Work

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in History?

The History syllabus has 12 chapters, listed in full above. Cover the high-weightage chapters first using the exam pattern as a guide.

How do I know which History chapters carry the most marks?

Compare the chapter list above with the exam pattern and the last few years of question papers — the topics that appear most often and the units with the highest marks are where to focus first. Always confirm weightage against the official syllabus for your exam year.

Has the History syllabus changed this year?

Boards occasionally revise the syllabus or remove topics for a session. Always download the official syllabus for your exact exam year from the official ICSE & ISC portal rather than relying on an older copy or a social-media list.

How can I prepare for History faster?

Begin with the most-frequently-asked topics and the last few years of question papers, then test yourself under timed conditions. If you want guided help, you can use the free AI study tutor for History — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused History study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.