Economic Policies of the British: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Modern History)
21 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on British economic policies are on this page, from 1996 to 2024. UPSC asks about land revenue systems, Dadabhai Naoroji’s drain theory, Home Charges, labour legislation and the commercialisation of agriculture. The explanations give the settlement, its regions and its effects.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 21–21 of 21 questions
Browse by year
UPSC 1996Modern History · Economic Policies of the British
Q21. Who among the following leaders did not believe in the drain theory of Dadabhai Naoroji?
Explanation
The Drain Theory was propounded by Dadabhai Naoroji arguing that the British colonial rule in India resulted in the economic drain of wealth from India to Britain. Naoroji contested that a significant portion of India’s resources, including revenue and raw materials, were being transferred to Britain without equivalent returns. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan had a moderate approach and believed that British Rule could benefit India particularly in terms of education and infrastructure. He advocated for cooperation with the British and emphasized the need for Indian Muslims to adopt Western education and progress within the colonial framework. Supporters of the Drain Theory were Dadabhai Naoroji, R.C. Dutt, M.G. Ranade etc.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
21
1996
(d) Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
What UPSC has tested in Economic Policies of the British
Under the Permanent Settlement of 1793, zamindars were required to issue pattas to farmers.
Under the Ryotwari Settlement the rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Government; Munro and Reed are associated with it.
Dadabhai Naoroji gave the drain theory; Sir Syed Ahmad Khan did not believe in it.
Home Charges were an important part of the drain of wealth.
The Whitley Commission (1929) reported on labour conditions; the Trade Disputes Act of 1929 provided for tribunals and a ban on certain strikes.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Economic Policies of the British?
This page covers 21 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Economic Policies of the British (Modern History), asked from 1996 to 2024. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
What was the Permanent Settlement?
A land revenue arrangement introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal in 1793, fixing the revenue the zamindars owed permanently. The zamindars became landowners who collected rent from peasants, and were to issue pattas stating the rent.
What was the drain of wealth theory?
Dadabhai Naoroji’s argument that a large part of India’s wealth flowed to Britain through Home Charges, salaries and profits without return, which impoverished the country. It was a pillar of the early nationalist economic critique of colonialism.
What was the Whitley Commission?
A Royal Commission on Labour appointed in 1929 under J. H. Whitley to report on the conditions of labour in India. It reported in 1931 on working conditions, wages and welfare of industrial workers.
