UPSC Prelims 2024
Modern History Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 3 solved UPSC Prelims 2024 Modern History questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements:
- It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
- Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Answer: ✅ 1 Only (Option A)
The Government of India Act, 1935 was the most comprehensive constitutional reform introduced by the British before independence. It proposed an All-India Federation but kept crucial subjects under British control.
✅ Statement I is Correct: The Act provided for an All India Federation consisting of British Indian Provinces and Princely States. However, the federation never came into existence because enough princely states did not join.
❌ Statement II is Incorrect: Defence and Foreign Affairs were reserved subjects under the control of the Governor-General, not the federal legislature. This ensured continued British control over key areas.
Short Notes: Government of India Act, 1935
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It was the longest Act passed by the British Parliament for India.
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Proposed an All India Federation of Provinces and Princely States.
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Introduced Provincial Autonomy, ending dyarchy in provinces.
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Introduced Dyarchy at the Centre, though it was never implemented.
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Created the Federal Court of India in 1937.
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Divided powers into Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent Lists.
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Extended the principle of separate electorates.
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Many provisions of the Act influenced the Constitution of India (1950).
Consider the following pairs :
| Party | Its Leader |
|---|---|
| 1. Bharatiya Jana Sangh | Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee |
| 2. Socialist Party | C. Rajagopalachari |
| 3. Congress for Democracy | Jagjivan Ram |
| 4. Swatantra Party | Acharya Narendra Dev |
How many of the above are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Answer: ✅ Only Two (Option B)
This question tests knowledge of major political parties and their founders/leaders in post-independence India.
✅ Pair 1 is Correct: Bharatiya Jana Sangh – Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee
Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951.
❌ Pair 2 is Incorrect: Socialist Party – C. Rajagopalachari
C. Rajagopalachari founded the Swatantra Party in 1959, not the Socialist Party.
✅ Pair 3 is Correct: Congress for Democracy – Jagjivan Ram
Jagjivan Ram established the Congress for Democracy (CFD) in 1977 during the Emergency period.
❌ Pair 4 is Incorrect: Swatantra Party – Acharya Narendra Dev
Acharya Narendra Dev was a prominent socialist leader associated with the Socialist movement, not the Swatantra Party.
Short Notes: Political Parties and Leaders in India
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Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1951) was founded by Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.
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Swatantra Party (1959) was founded by C. Rajagopalachari to oppose excessive state control and socialism.
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Acharya Narendra Dev is regarded as a pioneer of the socialist movement in India.
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Congress for Democracy (1977) was founded by Jagjivan Ram.
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Congress for Democracy later merged with the Janata Party.
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The Bharatiya Jana Sangh eventually evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980.
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Socialist leaders included Jayaprakash Narayan, Acharya Narendra Dev, and Ram Manohar Lohia.
With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis, consider the following statements:
- Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were exempted from revenue payment in case of bad harvests or natural calamities.
- Under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, if the Zamindar failed to pay his revenues to the state, on or before the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Answer: ✅ 2 only
The question compares two land revenue systems of British India.
Ryotwari Settlement did not provide automatic exemption from revenue during bad harvests, though limited remissions could sometimes be granted.
Under the Permanent Settlement (1793) introduced by Lord Cornwallis, zamindars had to pay fixed revenue on time; failure could lead to loss or auction of their zamindari rights.
❌ Statement I is Incorrect: Ryotwari Settlement did not guarantee exemption from revenue payment during crop failure or natural calamities.
✅ Statement II is Correct: Under Permanent Settlement, failure to pay revenue by the fixed date could result in the zamindari being auctioned or taken away.
Short Notes: Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari and Mahalwari
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Permanent Settlement (1793) was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal.
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Revenue demand was fixed permanently between the British and zamindars.
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Under the Sunset Law, default in revenue payment could lead to auction of estates.
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Ryotwari System was developed by Thomas Munro and Alexander Reed in Madras and Bombay Presidencies.
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In Ryotwari, settlement was made directly with cultivators (ryots).
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Mahalwari System was introduced in parts of North-Western Provinces, Punjab and Central India.
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Mahalwari settlement was made with the village community (mahal) collectively.
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British land revenue systems often imposed high revenue demands, causing rural distress.
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UPSC Prelims 2024 - Modern History Chapter-wise Distribution
Economic Impact of British Rule
1 Qs (33.3%)Post-Independence India
1 Qs (33.3%)Constitutional and Administrative Developments
1 Qs (33.3%)UPSC Prelims 2024 - Modern History Questions FAQs
Q1 How many Modern History questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2024?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for Modern History in UPSC Prelims 2024?
- Economic Impact of British Rule: 1 questions (33.3%)
- Post-Independence India: 1 questions (33.3%)
- Constitutional and Administrative Developments: 1 questions (33.3%)