With thousands of aspirants appearing every year, choosing the right optional subject and the right mentor becomes crucial for standing out. History Optional remains a preferred choice due to its relevance across GS papers, essay papers, and interviews. However, mastering this vast subject requires proper guidance, structured preparation, and expert mentorship. In this blog, we’ve curated a list of the Top 10 Faculty for History Optional who have helped numerous aspirants crack the UPSC exam. Let’s begin with one of the most popular names among aspirants — Tauqeer Zafar Sir.
1. Tauqeer Zafar Sir
Tauqeer Zafar Sir is rapidly becoming a top choice for History Optional aspirants. Known for his engaging lectures, updated material, and focus on historiographical perspectives, he is admired by both beginners and experienced candidates.
His classes emphasize answer writing, conceptual clarity, and linkages between different historical periods.
He provides comprehensive notes, personal mentorship, and regular test discussions.
Tauqeer Sir is especially appreciated for simplifying World History and giving strategic insights into how to maximize scores in both Paper I and Paper II.
With an active presence online and through reputed coaching platforms, Tauqeer Zafar Sir is seen as a dependable mentor for scoring high in the History Optional.
2. Pratik Nayak Sir
Pratik Nayak is a well-known name in the UPSC preparation ecosystem. His ability to teach history like a story rather than a subject sets him apart.
He is highly popular on platforms like Unacademy, where his structured video lectures are followed by lakhs of students.
His strength lies in making complex topics engaging and easily digestible.
Particularly effective in Paper II and Modern Indian History, his classes are a good mix of depth and simplicity.
3. Baliyan Sir
Baliyan Sir is associated with top institutes like Vision IAS and is known for his crisp and targeted teaching.
Strong command over Modern History and the Indian National Movement.
Follows a highly analytical approach and integrates answer writing into the preparation.
Ideal for aspirants who want a classroom-based structure with regular assessments.
4. Dr. Vikas Divyakirti
Founder of Drishti IAS, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, is a master of theoretical and philosophical insights into historical thought.
His classes are rich in historiography, ideology-based interpretations, and philosophical debates.
Best suited for Hindi medium aspirants and those aiming for a deep conceptual foundation.
Simplifies tough theories with relatable examples and logic.
5. Nitin Sangwan
Though not a full-time faculty, Nitin Sangwan's History Optional strategy and notes have helped countless aspirants.
His free online notes and strategy blog posts are treasure troves of practical insights.
Recommended for self-study students who want to model their preparation after a successful candidate.
Offers a realistic roadmap to cover standard books and PYQs efficiently.
6. Sudarshan Gurjar
Sudarshan Gurjar is another rising faculty name who has gained traction for his concise and focused content delivery.
Particularly good at breaking down complex events and timelines.
Offers regular test series and answer evaluations that help in writing practice.
Known for his integrated GS and Optional strategy.
7. Sanjay Sir
Sanjay Sir has been a staple for many UPSC aspirants attending offline classes in Delhi.
Known for his years of experience and classroom depth, especially in Ancient and Medieval India.
His teaching style is structured and perfect for traditional learners who prefer classroom interactions.
Offers a detailed analysis of archaeological sources and historical interpretations.
8. Manikant Singh
Manikant Singh is known for his unique way of simplifying historical analysis and integrating facts with concepts.
Covers topics in a structured, point-wise manner, suitable for answer writing.
Gives due importance to maps, diagrams, and flowcharts.
Excellent for aspirants who struggle with remembering dates and events.
9. Krishna Reddy Sir
The author of the popular book “Indian History” for UPSC, Krishna Reddy Sir, also mentors students for optional preparation.
His classes align well with his book content, making it easier for students to sync their studies.
A great choice for aspirants using his book as their core resource.
10. Arjun Dev Sir
Arjun Dev, though more known as a historian than a coaching faculty, has had a significant influence through his NCERT books and academic contributions.
Students still refer to his works for foundational understanding.
Some coaching institutes also base their modules on his writing.
Ideal for building a solid base before moving to advanced coaching.
Conclusion
History Optional can be a high-scoring subject if prepared with the right strategy and guidance. The faculty members listed above have helped hundreds of aspirants navigate the vast syllabus with confidence, and many have become toppers under their mentorship. Among them, Tauqeer Zafar Sir stands out for his modern teaching approach, personal mentorship, and deep conceptual teaching. Whether you're just starting your preparation or looking to improve your answer writing, choosing a mentor aligned with your learning style is key.
Invest time in watching demo classes, reading reviews, and understanding the faculty's approach before committing. A great teacher doesn’t just teach—they inspire, clarify doubts, and build the confidence you need to ace the exam. Choose wisely, and stay consistent in your preparation.