This page lists 12 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on Modern History in the UPSC 2012 Prelims. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Showing 1–10 of 12 questions
UPSC 2012Modern History · Socio-Religious Movements
Q1. 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
Q2. 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 2012Modern History · Indian National Movement II (1918-1929)
Q3. The Rowlatt Act aimed at:
Explanation
Option (b) is correct: Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act/ Rowlatt act gives the notorious power to imprison activists without trial for up to two years, even possession of seditious newspapers is adequate evidence of guilt. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
The drain on the Indian economy in the form of cash, kind and loans to the British government came to about 367 million pounds during the WW-I. Rowlatt Act has no direct relation with draining Indian money or economic support to war efforts. The Khilafat Movement (1919-20) was a movement to express Muslim support for the Caliph of Turkey and protect the institution of the Khalifa in Turkey against the allied powers, particularly Britain. The Rowlatt Act was not explicitly aimed at suppressing the Khilafat Movement. Vernacular Press Act, The Newspaper Act and The Indian Press Act were passed in order to impose restrictions on freedom of press. It has no relation with the Rowlatt Act.
UPSC 2012Modern History · Indian National Movement II (1918-1929)
Q4. The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because: 1. The Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence. 2. The rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session. 3. A resolution was passed rejecting the two-nation theory in that Session Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: In the Lahore Session of Indian National Congress (1929), the resolution on ‘Poorna Swaraj’ or complete independence was passed. The Congress also decided to boycott the First Round Table Conference because the British refused to include Indian demands for a Constituent Assembly and full self-rule.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The rift between the extremists and moderates took place in the Surat Session(1907) and the split was resolved in the Lucknow Session 1916.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Two-Nation Theory, proposed by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and later championed by the Muslim League, argued that Hindus and Muslims in India were two distinct nations with separate religious, cultural, and social identities. But it is not associated with the Lahore Session of Indian National Congress.
UPSC 2012Modern History · Indian National Movement III (1930-1947)
Q5. The Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939, because:
Explanation
In 1937, after the Government of India Act, 1935, which allowed for provincial autonomy, the Indian National Congress (INC) formed ministries in eight out of eleven provinces in India. Lord Linlithgow, the Viceroy of India, declared India’s involvement in World War II on behalf of the British government. As a result of this unilateral declaration Congress ministries resigned as a protest against the British government’s failure to consult Indian leaders regarding India’s participation in the war.
UPSC 2012Modern History · Administrative Changes after 1857
Q6. Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919? 1. Introduction of diarchy in the executive government of the provinces. 2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims. 3. Devolution of legislative authority by the center to the provinces. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
Statements 1 and 3 are correct: GoI Act 1919 introduced the dual scheme of governance known as ‘dyarchy’ in the executive government of the provinces. By demarcating and separating the central and provincial subjects, it relaxed the central control over the provinces. It introduced bicameralism and direct elections in the country. The devolution of legislative authority by the center to the provinces was done in the Government of India Act, 1919.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Indian Council Act, 1909 or the Morley-Minto Reforms introduced separate communal electorates for Muslims. It was put into place to appease the moderates (in Congress) and introduces separate electorates based on religion. Lord Minto came to be known as "Father of the Communal Electorate in India".
UPSC 2012Modern History · Administrative Changes after 1857
Q7. The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the:
Explanation
The Government of India Act, 1935 divided powers between the Centre and provinces into three lists: Federal (59 items), Provincial (54 items), and Concurrent (36 items). It abolished dyarchy in provinces, replacing it with provincial autonomy, while retaining it at the Centre. The Act introduced bicameralism in six provinces and extended communal representation to Scheduled Castes, women, and labor. It also abolished the Council of India created by GoI Act 1858.
UPSC 2012Modern History · Economic Policies of the British
Q8. With reference to Ryotwari Settlement, consider the following statements: 1. The rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Government. 2. The government gave Pattas to the Ryots. 3. The lands were surveyed and assessed before being taxed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Ryotwari System was started by Thomas Munro and Alexander Reed. It was started in the Baramahal district of Tamil Nadu and later spread to Madras, parts of Bombay, East Bengal, Assam and Coorg. Ryots were required to pay the revenue directly to the government
Statement 2 is correct: Ryots (farmers) were given the ownership and other rights (Pattas) over the land.
Statement 3 is correct: The Ryotwari System involved high taxes (50% in dryland and 60% in wetland) and the taxes had to be paid regardless of the harvest, leading to peasant distress. The land was surveyed and an assessment for its productivity before imposing taxes. This assessment was based on the quality and size of the land, and the tax was usually a fixed portion of the estimated crop yield. Mahalwari System Permanent Settlement Ryotwari Settlement Punjab and UP Bombay and Madras Bengal Bihar and Orissa
UPSC 2012Modern History · Economic Policies of the British
Q9. Consider the following statements: The most effective contribution made by Dadabhai Naoroji to the cause of Indian National Movement was that he-1. Exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British. 2. Interpreted the ancient Indian texts and restored the self-confidence of Indians. 3. Stressed the need for eradication of all the social evils before anything else. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Dadabhai Naoroji (Grand Old man of India) wrote the "Poverty and UnBritish Rule in India" in which he propounded The Drain of Wealth Theory and exposed the economic exploitation of Indians by the British.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Swami Vivekananda, etc. interpreted the ancient texts and restored the self confidence of Indians, not Dadabhai Naoroji. Swami Dayananda Saraswati even gave the call to "go back to vedas".
Statement 3 is incorrect: Raja Rammohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Keshav Chandra Sen, Atmaram Pandurang, etc. emphasized the need for eradication of all social evils before anything else.
UPSC 2012Modern History · Economic Policies of the British
Q10. Consider the following: 1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops. 2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare. 3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies. Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: After getting the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in 1765 the major aim of the British East India Company was to increase their land revenue collection without caring of its consequences on cultivators and peasants.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The first recorded use of Artillery in India is at the Battle of Adoni in 1368 by the Bahamani kings against the Raja of Vijayanagar.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Tobacco and Red Chillies were introduced by Portuguese not British.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2012
(b) and
2
2012
(b) 1 and 2 only
3
2012
(b) Imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial.
4
2012
(a) 1 only
5
2012
(d) None of the statements
6
2012
(c) 1 and 3 only
7
2012
(c) Government of India Act, 1935
8
2012
(c) 1, 2 and 3
9
2012
(a) 1 only
10
2012
(d) None
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Modern History?
This page covers 12 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Modern History in the UPSC 2012 Prelims, asked between 1996 to 2024. 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 2012 Prelims are available for 29 years, from 1996 to 2024. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
