The Karnataka 2nd PUC History Syllabus for the academic year 2025-26 offers a wide range of themes, providing students with a deep understanding of India's past. While the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has not yet released the latest PDF of the syllabus for 2025-26, students can currently use the previous year's syllabus and model test papers for their board exams. The exam structure and pattern are expected to remain consistent for this academic year.
Karnataka 2nd PUC History Syllabus 2025-26: Course Structure
The Karnataka 2nd PUC History Syllabus 2025-26 is broadly divided into three main historical periods: Ancient India, Medieval India, and Modern India. These three periods will carry the highest weightage in the Karnataka 2nd PUC History exam. The theory paper will be conducted for 80 marks. Additionally, 20% of marks will be allotted for internal assessment in History.
Karnataka 2nd PUC History Syllabus 2025–26: Key Topics by Period
| Period | Chapter | Sub Topics/Details |
| Ancient Period | Chapter 1 | Introduction • Impact of Geography on Indian History • Sources of Indian History |
| Chapter 2 | Stone Age and Metal Age • Pre-Historic Period | |
| Chapter 3 | Indus Civilization • Excavations • Salient Features • End of the Indus Civilizations | |
| Chapter 4 | Ancient Period Sub-Topics: | |
| 4.1 | • Vedic Culture – Origin, features | |
| 4.2 | • Rise of New Religions | |
| 4.3 | • Mauryas – Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka (Contributions) | |
| 4.4 | • Kushanas – Kanishk, Gandhara Art | |
| 4.5 | • Guptas – Golden Age | |
| 4.6 | • Cholas – Rajraja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I (Administration) | |
| 4.7 | • Vardhanas and Early Chaulukyas | |
| 4.8 | • Rashtrakutas – Dhruva, Govinda III, Amoghavarsha | |
| 4.9 | • Later Chalukyas and Hoysalas | |
| Medieval Period | Chapter 5 | Medieval Period Topics: |
| 5.1 | • Delhi Sultanate • Contributions of the Delhi Sultanate | |
| 5.2 | • Mughals – Akbar and Contributions | |
| 5.3 | • Rise of Marathas – Shivaji | |
| 5.4 | • Vijayanagar Empire – Cultural Contributions, Foreign Accounts, Disintegration | |
| 5.5 | • Bahamani and Adil Shahi Sultans | |
| Chapter 6 | Socio-Religious Movement Reforms in India | |
| Modern Period | Chapter 7 | Modern Period Topics: |
| 7.1 | • Advent of Europeans • Establishment of British Supremacy in India | |
| 7.2 | • First War of Indian Independence | |
| 7.3 | • Impact of British Rule on Economy and Education | |
| 7.4 | • Socio-Religious Reform Movement | |
| 7.5 | • Mysore – A Model State | |
| 7.6 | • Indian National Movement – Role of Karnataka | |
| 7.7 | • Unification Movement in Karnataka | |
| Map Work | Chapter 8 | • Places of Historical Importance |
Karnataka 2nd PUC History Examination Scheme 2025-26
Students can refer to the marking scheme provided in the syllabus to prepare for different topics accordingly. The examination paper will be conducted for three hours and fifteen minutes, with 15 minutes provided for reading the question paper. A total of 36 questions will be asked in the exam, including MCQs, 1-mark questions, 2-mark questions, 5-mark questions, and 10-mark questions.
Detailed Chapter-wise Marks Distribution
| Chapter | Topic | MCQ | 1 Mark | 2 Mark | 5 Mark | 10 Mark |
| 1 | Introduction | 1 | - | 2 | 5 | - |
| Impact of Geography on Indian History, Sources of Indian History | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 2 | Stone age and Metal age, Pre-Historic Period | - | - | 2 | - | - |
| 3 | Indus Civilization Excavations, Salient Features | - | 1 | 2 | - | - |
| 4 | Ancient Period | - | - | - | - | - |
| 4.1 | Vedic Culture | 1 | - | 2 | - | - |
| 4.2 | Rise of New Religions | - | - | - | - | 10 |
| 4.3 | Mauryas | - | 1 | - | - | - |
| 4.4 | Kushanas | - | - | - | - | - |
| 4.5 | Guptas | - | - | - | - | - |
| 4.6 | Cholas | - | - | - | 5 | - |
| 4.7 | Vardhanas & Chaulukyas | - | - | - | - | 10 |
| 4.8 | Rahtrakutas | - | - | 1 | - | - |
| 4.9 | Chaulayas & Hoysalas | - | - | 2 | - | - |
| 5 | Medieval Period | - | - | - | - | - |
| 5.1 | Delhi Sultanate | - | - | 2 | - | 10 |
| 5.2 | Mughals | - | - | 2 | - | - |
| 5.3 | Marathas | - | - | 2 | - | - |
| 5.4 | Vijayanagar Empire | - | - | 2 | - | - |
| 5.5 | Bahamani & Adil Shahi | - | - | - | - | - |
| 6 | Socio-Religious Movements | 1 | - | 2 | 5 | - |
| 7 | Modern Period | - | - | - | - | - |
| 7.1 | Europeans & British Supremacy | 1 | - | 2 | - | - |
| 7.2 | 1857 War | - | - | - | - | - |
| 7.3 | British Rule on Economy & Education | - | - | 2 | - | - |
| 7.4 | Socio-Religious Reforms | - | - | - | - | - |
| 7.5 | Mysore - Model State | - | - | - | - | 10 |
| 7.6 | Indian National Movement - Karnataka | - | 1 | 2 | 5 | - |
| 7.7 | Unification Movement | - | - | 2 | - | - |
| 8 | Map Work | - | - | - | - | - |
Karnataka 2nd PUC History Internal Assessment Syllabus 2025-26
For internal assessment in History, 20% of marks will be allotted for students' projects. Students should have detailed knowledge about the topics allotted for their project, preparing them according to last year's syllabus. The following topics are generally allotted for projects:
- Archaeological Excavations in Karnataka and new perspectives
- New Dimension of Karnataka Tourism
- The History and culture of the Vedic period
- Basavanna Philosophy
- Evolution of Architectural Designs in Karnataka
- Comparative study of North-Indian and South Indian architecture
- A vision of Kempe Gowda
- Synthesis of Hindu and Muslim – A Vision of Kabir
- The Mystical Dimensions of Sufism
- Emergence of Jainism in Karnataka
- Swamy Vivekananda – A youth icon
- Vishweswaraiah - A Maker of modern Mysuru
- Land Revenue system in Karnataka (before & after independence)
- Legacy of English Education in India and its impact on Karnataka
- 1857 Revolt: A first war of Indian independence
- Buddhism in Karnataka
- Formation of Indian Constitution
- Gandhian Thoughts and International Peace
Preparation Recommendations
To achieve a high score in the board exam, students must strive to understand the Karnataka 2nd PUC History Syllabus 2026 in detail. While minor changes may be recorded in the syllabus, the exam structure and pattern are said to remain the same for this academic year. Students can utilize model test papers and previous year's question papers for effective revision. It is also recommended to check the Karnataka 2nd PUC History Model Question Paper 2026 to understand the latest exam structure.
