UPSC CSE Prelims
Political Parties and Leaders Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

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

• Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1951) was founded by Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.

• Swatantra Party (1959) was founded by C. Rajagopalachari to oppose excessive state control and socialism.

• Acharya Narendra Dev is regarded as a pioneer of the socialist movement in India.

• Congress for Democracy (1977) was founded by Jagjivan Ram.

• Congress for Democracy later merged with the Janata Party.

• The Bharatiya Jana Sangh eventually evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980.

• Socialist leaders included Jayaprakash Narayan, Acharya Narendra Dev, and Ram Manohar Lohia.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam and G.G. Mehta

The Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) was established in 1948 by a group of socialists, Forward Bloc followers, and independent trade unionists. Among the prominent founders, Ashok Mehta (who became the first General Secretary), T.S. Ramanujam, and G.G. Mehta played key roles, making Option 4 the correct answer. R.S. Ruikar was elected as the first President of HMS.

📝 Short Notes: Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)

• Year of Establishment: 1948
• Founders: Group of socialists, Forward Bloc followers, and independent unionists including Basawon Singh (Sinha), Ashok Mehta, R.S. Ruikar, Maniben Kara, Shibnath Banerjee, R.A. Khedgikar, T.S. Ramanujam, V.S. Mathur, and G.G. Mehta
• First President: R.S. Ruikar
• First General Secretary: Ashok Mehta
• Ideology: Democratic socialism and non-communist trade unionism
• Affiliation: Initially aligned with Praja Socialist Party (PSP), later maintained independence
• Significance: One of the major central trade union organizations in India, representing workers' rights and welfare