IAS Prelims 2016:GS Paper I: Tips for Indian National Movement

History of India and Indian National Movement is mentioned in the IAS Prelims Syllabus. The Indian National Movement is a very important section of the whole Syllabus as it is separately mentioned, around 15-20 questions have been asked each year.
The Period: - 1857 to 1947 can be taken for the Indian National Movement

Important Topics

Some of the Important Topics are given below
•    Revolt of 1857
•    Early Indian national movement (1858-1905)
•    Morley  Minto Act 1909
•    Home rule movement 1916
•    Emergence of mahatma Gandhi – Champaran Satyagraha, Kheda Satyagraha, Ahmadabad Mill Strike, Satyagraha against  Rowlatt Act.
•    Government of India Act 1919
•    Khilafat  and Non Cooperation Movement
•    Swaraj Party
•    Revolutionary Terrorism in 1920s
•    Simon Commission and Nehru Report
•    Civil Disobedience Movement
•    Government of India Act 1935
•    Second World War And Proposals By British Government- August Offer, Cripps mission, Wavell Plan, Mountbatten Plan
•    National movement in 1940s – Individual Satyagraha, Quit India Movement Etc.
•    Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj)    
•    Muslim League and Congress
•    India independence Act 1947    
•    Socio and religious reform movements during 19^th century like anti sati act, widow remarriage act etc.

The last topic is not typically related to the freedom struggle but it is an important as the exam point of view.

Analysis and Strategy for Preparation

This is the most important part of the Indian History. Most of the questions in prelims come from freedom struggle. So every student must prepare this part seriously. Most of the questions are factual and straight.
So this part is not very hard to prepare, you just need to study it properly and revise it again and again. When you study any freedom struggle movement, try to study it in this format and make your own notes in the same format:
-Cause of Movement
-Nature of The Movement
-Salient Features like Participation of the General Mass, Response of Govt Etc
-Consequences / Significance

Reference Books
Old 12th class NCERT book “Modern India”. If you don’t find old NCERT book in the market, you can buy 8th class new NCERT and 12th class (Themes of History III) new NCERT.
“India’s Struggle for independence” by Bipin Chandra. This book you must read, it will help you in pre as well as in mains and in essay writing related to the freedom struggle.

Strategy for Revision

Revision is must for any subject and for History, the candidates need to revise it again and again. At the time of revision the candidate should prepare revision notes from standard books , the hand written notes will help the candidates lot for the last minute revision. So start preparing the notes and try to make flowchart of the all the important events and struggle movement in chronological order with their important leaders. In previous years some question are asked like arrange the following events in chronological order:
Cripps mission, august offer, individual satyagraha , Wavell plan.
So you should know the chronology of the events with their important features.

Click here for the IAS Prelims Previous Year Indian National Movement Questions

The Candidates can share their preparation related Issues and experiences in IAS/PCS group of Myjosh.