Use this list of Decolonization and Underdevelopment History Optional PYQs to see how UPSC has examined this part of the syllabus between 1995 and 2026. It is unit 25 of Paper 2, Section B – World History, with 8 questions, the latest from 2024.
Decolonization and Underdevelopment – History Optional PYQs (1995–2026)
1. To what extent underdevelopment in Latin America is caused by neo-imperialism? [2024/20m/8b]
2. How far did Latin American countries overcome centuries of subjugation and foreign intervention? [2022/10m/8c]
3. Discuss the circumstances leading to the French exit from Algeria in 1962. [2020/10m/7c]
4. Critically examine whether it was true that after a century of dependency on Europeans, Africans were ill prepared for the task of nation-building. [2020/10m/8c]
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View the BookDownload Free Sample5. Discuss the factors constraining development of Africa after decolonization. [2018/20m/7b]
6. “History of Africa appears to be simply an extension or mere sub-theme under the broad headings of European and American history. According to this historiography, Africa seems to be without any history before the European scramble.” Elucidate. [2015/20m/6b]
7. Critically examine: “Colonialism not only deprives a society of its freedom and its wealth, but of its very character, leaving its people intellectually and morally disoriented.” [2013/10m/150w/5c]
8. Critically examine: “Decolonization has finished. It definitely belongs to the past. Yet somehow it has refused to become history.” [2013/10m/150w/5e]
Summary of Decolonization and Underdevelopment PYQs (1995–2026)
| Total questions (1995–2026) | 8 |
| Total marks asked | 110 |
| Questions in last 5 years (2022–2026) | 2 |
| Most recent year asked | 2024 |
| Sub-topics | None – questions are listed in a single sequence |
The earliest question here dates from 2013 and the latest from 2024; UPSC has drawn on this unit in 6 of the 32 years. In the last five years (2022–2026), 2 questions were set from it.
Official Syllabus
25. Decolonization and Underdevelopment
- (i) Factors constraining Development: Latin America, Africa.
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notification.
Where this unit stands in World History
Decolonization and Underdevelopment accounted for about 3% of the marks asked in World History in 2022–2026, the same as 3% over 2013–2026, ranking 12th of the 12 units in the section by recent weightage.
How to use these PYQs
- Read the syllabus line in the box above alongside the questions and mark which phrases UPSC keeps returning to; those are the areas to prepare first.
- Questions run from the latest year to the oldest, so read the top of each list first for the current pattern, then use older ones for practice of content.
- Use the question code to set the length of your practice answer – marks and word limit tell you how much depth UPSC expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many History Optional questions have been asked from Decolonization and Underdevelopment?
This collection lists 8 question entries from Decolonization and Underdevelopment (unit 25 of Paper 2) between 2013 and 2024. They were asked in 6 of the 32 years and 2 came in 2022–2026.
When was Decolonization and Underdevelopment last asked in History Optional?
Most recently in 2024, with 1 question (2024/20m/8b). Before that, it was asked in 2022.
Where can I find all History Optional PYQs topic-wise?
All units of Paper 1 and Paper 2, the map question and the earlier-syllabus questions are linked from History Optional PYQs Topic-wise (1995–2026).
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Back to: History Optional PYQs Topic-wise (1995–2026) | Also see: History Optional year-wise question papers (1995–2026)
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