UPSC Prelims 2015
Modern History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 8 solved UPSC Prelims 2015 Modern History questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined -
Detailed Explanation:
The Government of India Act of 1919 (also called Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) clearly defined the jurisdiction of central and provincial governments by dividing subjects into Central List and Provincial List, thereby relaxing central control over provinces.
The Act introduced Dyarchy at the provincial level, dividing provincial subjects into Transferred subjects (administered by Governor with ministers responsible to Legislative Council) and Reserved subjects (administered by Governor with Executive Council).
With reference to the cabinet mission, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It recommended a federal government.
- It enlarged the powers of the Indian courts.
- It provided for more Indians in the ICS
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Cabinet Mission (1946) recommended a federal structure with a weak centre controlling only defence, foreign affairs, and communications, while provinces would have autonomy in other matters.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Mission did not propose any changes regarding the powers of Indian courts; it focused solely on constitutional framework for transfer of power.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Mission made no recommendations about the Indian Civil Services (ICS) or increasing Indian representation in it.
With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the ‘Sedition Committee’
- In Rowlatt Satyagraha Gandhiji tried to use the Home Rule League
- Demonstrations against the Simon Commission coincided with the Rowlatt Satyagraha
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Rowlatt Act (1919) was based on recommendations of the Sedition Committee headed by Justice Sidney Rowlatt, which investigated revolutionary activities and recommended preventive detention powers.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Gandhi attempted to utilize the organizational networks of the Home Rule Leagues (led by Annie Besant and Tilak) to mobilize support for the Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919), though it wasn't the primary mobilization tool.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Demonstrations against the Simon Commission occurred in 1928, while Rowlatt Satyagraha took place in 1919 – nearly 9 years apart, not coinciding.
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Which one of the following movements have contributed to a split in the Indian National Congress resulting in the emergence of ‘moderates’ and ‘extremists’?
Detailed Explanation:
The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908) led to the ideological split in the Indian National Congress between Moderates (Gokhale, Surendranath Banerjee) who favored constitutional methods and Extremists (Lal-Bal-Pal trio - Tilak, Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal) who advocated aggressive nationalism.
This split culminated in the Surat Session of 1907, where the Congress formally divided over differences in ideology and methodology. The other movements occurred after this split had already taken place.
Who of the following was/were economic critic/critics of colonialism in India?
- Dadabhai Naoroji
- Subramania Iyer
- R.C. Dutt
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Dadabhai Naoroji, the 'Grand Old Man of India', pioneered the 'Drain of Wealth' theory and authored 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' (1901), demonstrating how British policies impoverished India.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: G. Subramania Iyer, co-founder of 'The Hindu', wrote 'Some Economic Aspects of British Rule in India' (1903), criticizing colonial economic exploitation and stagnation.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: R.C. Dutt, a retired ICS officer, authored 'The Economic History of India' (1902, 1904), documenting the negative impact of British land revenue systems and trade policies.
Consider the following statements :
- The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini Naidu.
- The first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress was Badruddin Tyabji
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Annie Besant in 1917 (Calcutta Session). Sarojini Naidu became the first Indian woman President in 1925 (Kanpur Session).
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Badruddin Tyabji was the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress, presiding over the third session in 1887 (Madras).
Who of the following organized a march on the Tanjore coast to break the Salt Law in April 1930?
Detailed Explanation:
C. Rajagopalachari organized the Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha on the Tanjore coast in April 1930, inspired by Gandhi's Dandi March.
This march was part of the Civil Disobedience Movement in the Madras Presidency, where Rajaji led volunteers from Trichinopoly to Vedaranyam to break the Salt Law.
With reference to Congress Socialist Party, consider the following statements:
- It advocated the boycott of British goods and evasion of taxes.
- It wanted to establish the dictatorship of the proletariat.
- It advocated separate electorate for minorities and oppressed classes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Congress Socialist Party (CSP) focused on abolition of zamindari and socialistic reorganization, not on advocating tax evasion as a policy.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The CSP was founded on democratic socialism principles in 1934 and explicitly rejected the dictatorship of the proletariat, working within the democratic framework of Congress.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The CSP opposed separate electorates and advocated for joint electorates, believing that problems of minorities and oppressed classes should be addressed through economic and social reforms.
UPSC Prelims 2015 - Modern History Chapter-wise Distribution
Indian National Congress and Early Nationalists
3 Qs (37.5%)Constitutional and Administrative Developments
2 Qs (25%)Economic Impact of British Rule
1 Qs (12.5%)Rise of Indian Nationalism
1 Qs (12.5%)Mass National Movements
1 Qs (12.5%)UPSC Prelims 2015 - Modern History Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Modern History questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2015?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Modern History in UPSC Prelims 2015?
- Indian National Congress and Early Nationalists: 3 questions (37.5%)
- Constitutional and Administrative Developments: 2 questions (25%)
- Economic Impact of British Rule: 1 questions (12.5%)
- Rise of Indian Nationalism: 1 questions (12.5%)
- Mass National Movements: 1 questions (12.5%)