13 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Modern History in the UPSC 2003 Prelims. Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 11–13 of 13 questions
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UPSC 2003Modern History · Economic Policies of the British
Q11. During the colonial period in India, what was the purpose of the Whitley Commission?
Explanation
The Whitley Commission (1929), also known as the Royal Commission on Labour in India, was established by the British colonial government to investigate labour conditions in India. Chaired by Sir William Whitley, its purpose was to examine issues like wages, working hours, and living conditions of industrial workers. It recommended improving labour welfare, establishing labour unions, and creating welfare funds, along with measures for industrial peace, better working conditions, and health and safety improvements for workers.
UPSC 2003Modern History · Economic Policies of the British
Q12. In India, the first Bank of limited liability managed by Indians and founded in 1881 was:
Explanation
The Oudh Commercial Bank, founded in 1881 in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, was the first Indian-managed bank to be established as a limited liability company. It was created by local businessmen and marked a significant shift in India’s banking sector, which had previously been dominated by the British. The bank’s establishment highlighted the increasing involvement of Indians in economic activities, especially in banking, and it aimed to provide financial services to local industries and trade, representing a milestone in Indian-controlled commercial banking.
UPSC 2003Modern History · Development of Education
Q13. The aim of education as stated by the Wood’s Despatch of 1854 was:
Explanation
The Wood’s Despatch of 1854, often called the "Magna Carta of English Education in India," laid the foundation for modern educational policies in colonial India. Its primary focus was to establish a comprehensive system of education, emphasizing scientific learning and rational thinking over traditional religious teachings. The dispatch included support for education for girls and encouragement for private and missionary involvement. It provided government grants to qualifying schools. In it’s three tier educational hierarchy of Education, vernacular languages for basic education, English and Indian languages at the secondary level and English at the Higher level i.e. at University level (Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras).
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
11
2003
(b) To report on existing conditions of labour and to make recommendations.
12
2003
(b) Oudh Commercial Bank
13
2003
(d) the introduction of scientific research and rationalism in the traditional Indian education
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Modern History?
This page covers 13 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Modern History in the UPSC 2003 Prelims, asked from 1996 to 2025. 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 Modern History?
Questions on Modern History in the UPSC 2003 Prelims are available for 30 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
