Socio-Religious Movements: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Modern History)
This page lists 6 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on Socio-Religious Movements (Modern History), asked between 2001 to 2020. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Showing 1–6 of 6 questions
UPSC 2020Modern History · Socio-Religious Movements
Q1. In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around: 1. women’s right to gain education 2. age of consent 3. restitution of conjugal rights Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: Dr. Rakhmabai was an Indian physician and a feminist. At the young age of eleven, she was married to Dadaji Bhikaji, who was then nineteen. The Rakhmabai case did not centrally involve the women’s right to gain education.
Statement 2 is correct: The Rakhmabai case of 1884 was instrumental in the drafting of the Age of Consent Act in 1891.
Statement 3 is correct: She was married off at the young age of eleven with Dadaji Bhikaji, who was nineteen years old. In 1885, after 12 years of marriage, Bhikaji filed a petition in the court and sought "restitution of conjugal rights".
UPSC 2016Modern History · Socio-Religious Movements
Q2. Satya Shodhak Samaj organized:
Explanation
On 24 September 1873, Jotirao Govindrao Phule formed Satyashodhak Samaj to focus on the rights of depressed groups such as women, the Shudra, and the Dalit in Maharashtra. The Satyashodhak Samaj opposed idolatry and the caste system, advocating for reason and equality. It rejected the need for priests and promoted simple religious practices for all. The group’s viewpoints were voiced through the Deenbandhu newspaper. Members included Muslims, Brahmins, and government officials, with financial support primarily from Phule’s Mali caste.
UPSC 2016Modern History · Socio-Religious Movements
Q3. Consider the following: 1. Calcutta Unitarian Committee 2. Tabernacle of New Dispensation 3. Indian Reform Association Keshab Chandra Sen is associated with the establishment of which of the above?
Explanation
Option (1) is incorrect: The Calcutta Unitarian Committee (1823) was founded by Rammohan Roy, Dwarkanath Tagore, and William Adam to promote Unitarian beliefs and social reforms, but Keshab Chandra Sen was not involved in its formation.
Option (2) is correct: The Tabernacle of New Dispensation (1881) was established by Keshab Chandra Sen as part of his Nava Vidhan (New Dispensation) movement, which aimed to integrate the teachings of Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and other religions into a universal faith. It reflected his belief in religious harmony and spiritual unity
Option (3) is correct: Indian Reform Association (1870), focusing on social reforms such as women’s rights, education, widow remarriage, and temperance (restrictions on alcohol consumption). The association played a crucial role in advocating progressive changes in Indian society.
UPSC 2012Modern History · Socio-Religious Movements
Q4. During the Indian freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed. What was the reason for its formation?
Explanation
Indian Social Conference (1887) was formed by M. G.
Ranade and Raghunath Rao in Madras. It was a separate social reform organ of the Indian National Congress as they did not want to include social reforms in their deliberations. It advocated inter-caste marriage, opposed polygamy and kulinism and launched "Pledge Movement to pledge against Child Marriage"
UPSC 2012Modern History · Socio-Religious Movements
Q5. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Brahmo Samaj? 1. It opposed idolatry. 2. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting the religious texts. 3. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
The Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828, was a reformist movement aimed at promoting monotheism, social equality, and the abolition of social evils like Sati and child marriage. It sought to reform Hinduism by advocating for reason, rationality, and rejection of idol worship and caste discrimination.
Statement 1 is correct: Brahmo Samaj vehemently opposed idolatry or idol worship.
Statement 2 is correct: The chief aim of Brahmo Samaj was the worship of the eternal God. It was against priesthood, rituals and sacrifices.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Brahmo Samaj spread the religious treasure and teachings of Vedas but never claimed that Vedas are infallible.
Exam tip:
S1 and S2 both show rationalist, reformist, anti-ritualistic tendencies(Group 1). S3 implies scriptural orthodoxy(Group 2). Therefore, Group 2 logically contradicts Group 1, This eliminates option A and D. Since Brahmo Samaj is historically known (even without exact recall) as a liberal, reformist movement, S3 cannot logically align with its ideology.
UPSC 2001Modern History · Socio-Religious Movements
Q6. Consider the following statements: 1. Arya Samaj was founded in 1835. 2. Lala Lajpat Rai opposed the appeal of Arya Samaj to the authority of Vedas in support of its social reform programme. 3. Under Keshab Chandra Sen, the Brahmo Samaj campaigned for women’s education. 4. Vinoba Bhave founded the Sarvodya Samaj to work among refugees. Which of these statements are correct?
Explanation
The given statements refer to notable figures and reform movements in Indian history, particularly Arya Samaj, Brahmo Samaj, and Sarvodaya Samaj.
Statement 1 is incorrect: Arya Samaj was established in 1875, not in 1835. It was founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati to promote Vedic ideals and social reform.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent nationalist leader, was a staunch supporter of Arya Samaj and its principles. He did not oppose its appeal to the Vedas but actively advocated its social reform agenda.
Statement 3 is correct: Keshab Chandra Sen, as a prominent leader of Brahmo Samaj, played a significant role in championing women’s education and addressing social issues like child marriage and dowry.
Statement 4 is correct: Vinoba Bhave founded the Sarvodaya movement, which focused on the welfare of all sections of society, particularly through initiatives like the Bhoodan movement. It also worked with refugees.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2020
(b) 2 and 3 only
2
2016
(c) an anti-caste movement in Maharashtra
3
2016
(b) 2 and 3 only
4
2012
(b) and
5
2012
(b) 1 and 2 only
6
2001
(d) 3 and 4
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Socio-Religious Movements?
This page covers 6 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Socio-Religious Movements (Modern History), asked between 2001 to 2020. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Socio-Religious Movements?
Questions on Socio-Religious Movements (Modern History) are available for 4 years, from 2001 to 2020. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
