NIOS 315 — History — Syllabus & Chapters
The complete syllabus for NIOS 315 — History — every chapter you need to study, and how the exam paper is structured.
What you will study (chapters)
- Chapter 1
- Understanding Indian History
- Chapter 2
- From Janapadas to Empire
- Chapter 3
- The Harappan Civilization
- Chapter 4
- The Vedic Age (1500bc–600bc)
- Chapter 5
- The Guptas and Their Successors (AD300–750)
- Chapter 6
- The Geographical Setting and Pre-historic Cultures of India
- Chapter 7
- Post Mauryan Developments
- Chapter 8
- India Between AD 750–1200
- Chapter 9
- Establishment and Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate
- Chapter 10
- Administrative System and Institutions
- Chapter 11
- Understanding Eighteenth Century India
- Chapter 12
- Economy
- Chapter 13
- Cultural Developments in Medieval India
- Chapter 14
- Establishment of the Mughal Rule
- Chapter 15
- Emergence of Regional States in India: Twelfth to Eighteenth Century
- Chapter 16
- Economic Effects of British Colonialism
- Chapter 17
- Social Changes in Modern India
- Chapter 18
- Establishment of British Rule in India Till 1857
- Chapter 19
- Popular Resistance to Company Rule
- Chapter 20
- Nationalism
- Chapter 21
- Indian National Movement
- Chapter 22
- World War I and the Russian Revolution
- Chapter 23
- Cultural Change in the Twentieth Century
- Chapter 24
- Social Transformation
- Chapter 25
- National Liberation Movements, Decolonisation and Development, 1945-present
- Chapter 26
- The Inter-war Period and The Second World War
- Chapter 27
- The Cold War Era and Its Politics
- Chapter 28
- The World in 1900: The Nineteenth Century Legacy
- Chapter 29
- Towards the Formation of the State
- Chapter 30
- The Medieval State
- Chapter 31
- Early States
- Chapter 32
- Colonial State
- Chapter 33
- Cultural Communication
- Chapter 34
- Cultural Production
- Chapter 35
- Contemporary Cultural Situation
Exam paper pattern
| Section | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Q1-Q20 | Answer all 20 multiple choice questions. Each question has four options and carries 1 mark. |
| Q21-Q24 | Complete the given sentences or fill the blanks. Each question contains two 1-mark blanks or sub-parts. |
| Q25 | Answer two one-word or one-phrase items based on the given topic. |
| Q26-Q31 | Fill in the blanks or complete the sentences. Each question carries 2 marks through two blanks or sub-parts. |
| Q32-Q35 | Choose either Option Module 6A or Option Module 6B and answer all four objective questions from that module. Each question carries 2 marks. |
| Q36-Q41 | Answer six very short questions in 30 to 50 words each. Some questions provide an internal choice, and Q41 must be answered from the same optional module chosen earlier. |
| Q42-Q47 | Answer six short questions in 50 to 80 words each. Some questions provide an internal choice. |
| Q48-Q50 | Answer three long questions in 80 to 120 words each. Some questions provide an internal choice, and Q50 must be answered from the same optional module chosen earlier. |
| Q51 | Mark five given locations or features on the outline map of India. Visually impaired candidates answer the alternative location-based questions instead. |
Frequently asked questions
How many chapters are there in NIOS 315 — History?
The NIOS 315 — History syllabus has 35 chapters, listed in full above. Cover the high-weightage chapters first using the exam pattern as a guide.
How do I know which NIOS 315 — 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 NIOS 315 — 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 NIOS portal rather than relying on an older copy or a social-media list.
How can I prepare for NIOS 315 — 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 NIOS 315 — History — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused NIOS 315 — History study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.