Modern History: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)
289 previous year UPSC Prelims Modern History questions are on this page, from 1996 to 2025, in 16 chapters. The Indian National Movement is split into three phases and holds the most questions, with Indian National Movement III (1930-1947) the largest. Prominent Personalities, Administrative Changes, Economic Policies and Associations and Journals follow. Filter by chapter to revise one phase at a time.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 241–250 of 289 questions
Browse Modern History chaptersBrowse by year
UPSC 1999Modern History · Associations, Journals, Books and Plays
Q241. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Books)
List-II (Authors)
A. The First Indian War of Independence
1. Rabindranath Tagore
B. Anand Math
2. Sri Aurobindo
C. Life Divine
3. Bankim Chandra Chatterji
D. Sadhana
4. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
Explanation
A is matched with 4: The First Indian War of Independence was written by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. It is a seminal work that describes the 1857 revolt as the first war of Indian independence. B is matched with 3: Anand Math was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterji. It is a famous Bengali novel that inspired the Swadeshi movement and features the iconic patriotic song Vande Mataram. C is matched with 2: Life Divine was written by Sri Aurobindo. The Life Divine explores the evolution of consciousness and the integration of spiritual and material life. D is matched with 1: Sadhana was written by Rabindranath Tagore. It is a collection of essays that reflects his thoughts on humanism and spirituality.
UPSC 1999Modern History · Associations, Journals, Books and Plays
Q242. ‘Abinava Bharat’ a secret society of revolutionaries was organised by:
Explanation
In 1904, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and his brother Ganesh founded the Abhinav Bharat Society (Young India Society) as a secret organization during India’s struggle for independence. The organization was inspired by Giuseppe Mazzini’s Young Italy and aimed to overthrow British rule in India through armed revolution. Initially started as "Mitra Mela" in Nashik while Savarkar was a student, it was involved in assassinations of British officials. The group aimed to overthrow British rule. In 1904, Vinayak Savarkar named it Abhinav Bharat, inspired by Giuseppe Mazzini’s Young Italy. Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose were associated with Jugantar Party (Bengal Revolutionaries) Bhagat Singh was a member of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).
UPSC 1999Modern History · Associations, Journals, Books and Plays
Q243. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I
List-II
A. Shyamji Krishna Varma
1. Bande Mataram
B. Madame Bhikaji Cama
2. Indian Sociologist
C. Annie Besant
3. The Talwar
D. Aurobindo Gosh
4. Commonweal
Explanation
A is matched with 2: Shyamji Krishna Varma is associated with the journal Indian Sociologist, which advocated for India’s independence. B is matched with 3: Madame Bhikaji Cama is linked with The Talwar, a journal promoting nationalist ideas. C is matched with 4: Annie Besant published the Commonweal to support the Indian independence movement. D is matched with 1: Aurobindo Ghosh is known for the journal Bande Mataram, which was a platform for nationalist activism.
UPSC 1999Modern History · Miscellaneous
Q244. The paintings of Abanindranath Tagore are classified as:
Explanation
The paintings of Abanindranath Tagore, a prominent figure in the Bengal School of Art, are classified as revivalistic because they aimed to revive Indian cultural and artistic traditions during British rule. He drew inspiration from Mughal miniatures, Ajanta frescoes, and Japanese wash techniques, moving away from Western realism and promoting a distinctly Indian art style. Abanindranath Tagore’s works, such as Bharat Mata symbolized national pride and cultural heritage, blending art with India’s freedom movement.
UPSC 1999Modern History · Miscellaneous
Q245. The first feature film (talkie) to be produced in India was:
Explanation
Alam Ara (1931) was India’s first feature-length talkie film, directed by Ardeshir Irani. It marked the beginning of sound in Indian cinema and revolutionized the film industry. It was a musical drama based on a Persian story, and it featured several songs, which was a major draw for audiences at the time. The film had a huge impact on Indian cinema, especially in terms of introducing sound and dialogue, which made it a landmark in the history of Indian cinema.
UPSC 1998Modern History · Indian National Movement I (1905-1918)
Q246. What is the correct sequence of the following events? 1. Tilak’s Home Rule League 2. Komagatamaru Incident 3. Mahatma Gandhi’s arrival in India Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
The Komagata Maru Incident (1914) involved a Japanese steamship, the Komagata Maru, carrying 376 Indian passengers (mostly Sikhs) attempting to migrate to Canada but were denied entry to Canada under discriminatory immigration laws and were forced to return to Calcutta, India. Gandhi ji stayed in South Africa for 21 years and fought for the rights of the non-Europeans in South Africa. Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and toured India on the advice of Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Tilak established the Indian Home Rule League in April 1916 in Belgaum. The league focused its activities in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Central Province, and Berar, excluding Bombay. The objective was to achieve self-government for India.
UPSC 1998Modern History · Indian National Movement I (1905-1918)
Q247. The Indian Muslims, in general, were not attracted to the Extremist movement because of:
Explanation
Indian Muslims were generally not attracted to the Extremist movement because of the movement’s emphasis on Hindu symbolism, rituals, and historical references. The extremists believed in sacrificing everything including life for the cause of the motherland. They tried to instill self respect and patriotism in the people by invoking past heroes like Ashoka, Shivaji, Maharana Pratap, and this approach alienated many Muslims who felt that their religious and cultural identity was not adequately represented or respected.
UPSC 1998Modern History · Indian National Movement II (1918-1929)
Q248. Simon Commission of 1927 was boycotted because:
Explanation
The Simon Commission was set up in 1927 by the British government to review the working of the Government of India Act, 1919, and suggest constitutional reforms. However, it was boycotted by Indians across the political spectrum because all its members were British, and there was no Indian representation. This exclusion was seen as an insult to Indian self-respect and aspirations for greater autonomy. The boycott led to widespread protests, including the famous slogan "Simon Go Back."
UPSC 1998Modern History · Indian National Movement II (1918-1929)
Q249. Which one of the following events was characterised by Montague as ‘Preventive Murder’?
Explanation
Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, described the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of April 13, 1919 as "Preventive Murder". The massacre occurred when General Dyer ordered troops to open fire on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar, killing hundreds of unarmed Indians. This brutal act was carried out under the pretext of maintaining law and order but was widely condemned as a deliberate and excessive use of force. Montagu’s term reflected the British government’s internal criticism of this event, which intensified Indian demands for independence.
UPSC 1998Modern History · Indian National Movement II (1918-1929)
Q250. Assertion (A): The Khilafat movement did bring the urban Muslims into the fold of the National Movement. Reason (R): There was a predominant element of anti-imperialism in both the National and Khilafat Movement.
Explanation
The Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) was a pan-Islamic political campaign led by Indian Muslims, aimed at preserving the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I. Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, British and Allied forces sought to dismantle the caliph’s power, prompting Indian Muslims, particularly under leaders like Ali Brothers (Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali), to demand its restoration. A is true: Khilafat Movement united urban Muslims with the broader National Movement, as leaders like Maulana Mohammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali joined Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement. Cities like Delhi and Bombay saw significant participation in protests and boycotts. R is true: Both the Khilafat and the National Movement were united in their opposition to British imperialism, fostering Hindu-Muslim unity during the Non-Cooperation Movement. R is the correct explanation of A: The shared anti-imperialist goal served as a binding factor that drew urban Muslims into the larger nationalist fold.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
241
1999
(a) A-4; B-3; C-2; D-1
242
1999
(b) V.D. Savarkar
243
1999
(a) A-2; B-3; C-4; D-1
244
1999
(c) revivalistic
245
1999
(b) Alam Ara
246
1998
(d) 2, 3, 1
247
1998
(d) extremists’ policy of harping on Hindu aspect
248
1998
(a) there was no Indian member in the Commission
249
1998
(b) Massacre at Jallianwala Bagh
250
1998
(a) Both A and R are true but R the correct explanation of A
What UPSC has tested in Modern History
Acts and reforms are tested by their features: the 1858 Proclamation, Charter Acts, Acts of 1909, 1919 and 1935.
Movements are tested through causes, leaders, sessions and sequence, such as the Champaran, Rowlatt, Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience and Quit India movements.
Social reform and economic critique questions focus on named reformers, societies and the drain theory.
Recent 2025 questions covered Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Non-Cooperation, the Poona Pact, Periyar and Portuguese introductions.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Modern History?
This page covers 289 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Modern History, asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
Which Modern History chapter has the most questions?
Indian National Movement III (1930-1947) has the most, with 64 questions. The other two phases, 1905-1918 and 1918-1929, add 23 and 35, so the freedom struggle accounts for well over a third of this subject.
How can I revise Modern History by phase?
Use the chapter filter to open each phase, such as Indian National Movement II (1918-1929), then read the key facts and answer key on its page. The chapters follow the order of events, from the Revolt of 1857 to Independence.
Are the 2025 Modern History questions included?
Yes. The 2025 paper’s eight Modern History questions are filed under their chapters: Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Periyar, Non-Cooperation, Gandhi’s sedition statement, Chauri Chaura, the Poona Pact and Portuguese introductions.
