488 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on modern Indian history are on this page, in 12 chapters. They cover British expansion and early resistance, the Anglo-Sikh wars, the Revolt of 1857, colonial policies, reform movements, the rise of nationalism, the Gandhian era, revolutionary movements and Partition, and nation-building up to 2000. Each question has an answer and an explanation, in the formats the exam uses.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 281–290 of 488 questions
Browse Modern Indian History chapters
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Gandhian Era: Mass Movements and Major Events
Q281. Consider the following statements regarding the programmes of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22): I. Surrender of titles and honorary offices conferred by the British. II. Boycott of government-affiliated schools and colleges by students. III. Boycott of law courts by prominent lawyers. IV. Immediate refusal to pay land revenue and taxes in the very first phase. V. Promotion of Swadeshi goods and boycott of foreign cloth. Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
The Non-Cooperation Movement involved surrendering British titles and boycotting government schools, colleges, and law courts. Promoting Swadeshi goods and boycotting foreign cloth were central to its economic program. However, a mass refusal to pay taxes was intended only as the final stage of the movement. Most areas focused on the initial boycott and constructive activities rather than immediate tax resistance campaigns.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Gandhian Era: Mass Movements and Major Events
Q282. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the Chauri Chaura incident of 1922:
Explanation
The Chauri Chaura incident occurred in February 1922 in the Gorakhpur district of the United Provinces. A clash between protesters and police led to a mob burning down a police station, killing twenty-two personnel. Although Gandhi was not physically present at the site, he was deeply distressed by the violence. He promptly decided to withdraw the Non-Cooperation Movement to maintain non-violence.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Gandhian Era: Mass Movements and Major Events
Q283. The following question consists of two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other labeled as Reason (R). Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer using the codes given below: Assertion (A): Mahatma Gandhi abruptly halted the Non-Cooperation Movement in February 1922 following the Chauri Chaura incident. Reason (R): He believed that the Indian masses had not yet fully understood the method of strict non-violence and the movement could turn into a violent rebellion.
Explanation
Gandhi abruptly stopped the Non-Cooperation Movement because he felt the country was not yet sufficiently trained for non-violence.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Gandhian Era: Mass Movements and Major Events
Q284. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Region of Salt Satyagraha
Key Leader
A. Tamil Nadu (Tiruchirappalli to Vedaranyam)
i. K. Kelappan
B. Malabar (Calicut to Payyanur)
ii. Sarojini Naidu
C. Dharasana Salt Works
iii. C. Rajagopalachari
D. Odisha (Balasore and Cuttack)
iv. Gopabandhu Chaudhuri
Codes:
Explanation
During the Salt Satyagraha, C. Rajagopalachari led a march from Tiruchirappalli to Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu. K. Kelappan organized a similar march from Calicut to Payyanur in the Malabar region. Sarojini Naidu famously led the raid on the Dharasana Salt Works in Gujarat. In Odisha, the movement was spearheaded by Gopabandhu Chaudhuri, who organized salt making in Balasore and Cuttack during 1930.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Gandhian Era: Mass Movements and Major Events
Q285. Consider the following statements regarding the activities during the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-31): I. Wide-scale defiance of oppressive forest laws was seen in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and the Central Provinces. II. No-chowkidari tax campaigns were successfully organized in Eastern India, particularly Bihar and Bengal. III. The Indian National Congress fully participated in the First Round Table Conference to negotiate on the movement’s demands. Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The Civil Disobedience Movement involved diverse forms of protest, including the violation of forest laws in Central India and no-tax campaigns in Bihar. While these activities gained massive participation, the Indian National Congress officially boycotted the First Round Table Conference held in London. The party’s absence meant that no meaningful constitutional progress could be achieved without the involvement of India’s largest organization.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Gandhian Era: Mass Movements and Major Events
Q286. Arrange the following major events of the Gandhian era in their correct chronological order: I. Signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact II. Execution of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru III. Karachi Session of the Indian National Congress IV. Second Round Table Conference Select the correct order from the options given below:
Explanation
The sequence of events in 1931 began with the signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact on March 5. This was followed by the tragic execution of Bhagat Singh and his comrades on March 23. Shortly after, the Karachi Session of the Congress was held to endorse the pact. Later that year, Gandhi traveled to London to attend the Second Round Table Conference.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Gandhian Era: Mass Movements and Major Events
Q287. While the Indian National Congress boycotted the first and third Round Table Conferences, who among the following prominent Indian leaders attended all three Round Table Conferences in London?
Explanation
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a key figure who represented the interests of the Depressed Classes at all three Round Table Conferences in London between 1930 and 1932. While the Indian National Congress only participated in the second conference, Ambedkar’s consistent presence allowed him to advocate for separate electorates and social rights for the marginalized sections of Indian society throughout.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Gandhian Era: Mass Movements and Major Events
Q288. Consider the following statements regarding the Communal Award of 1932: I. It was announced by the British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. II. It provided separate electorates for Muslims, Sikhs, and Europeans, but explicitly denied them to the Depressed Classes. III. Mahatma Gandhi started a fast unto death in the Yerwada Central Jail in protest against its provisions. IV. It was entirely supported by the Indian National Congress without demanding any modifications. Which of the above statements are incorrect?
Explanation
The Communal Award of 1932, announced by Ramsay MacDonald, granted separate electorates to several groups, including the Depressed Classes. Gandhi strongly opposed this, viewing it as a move to divide Hindu society. He began a fast unto death in Yerwada Jail to protest these provisions. The Congress also did not accept the award, leading to the eventual negotiation of the Pact.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Gandhian Era: Mass Movements and Major Events
Q289. In the context of the provincial elections of 1937, what was the primary reason for the resignation of the Congress Ministries in October-November 1939?
Explanation
The Congress Ministries resigned in 1939 as a protest against the unilateral decision of Viceroy Lord Linlithgow to involve India in World War II. The British government failed to consult the provincial legislatures or the national leadership before making this declaration. This total disregard for Indian opinion led the Congress to conclude that it could not continue cooperating with the administration.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Gandhian Era: Mass Movements and Major Events
Q290. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Province in 1937 Elections
Congress Premier/Prime Minister
A. United Provinces
i. C. Rajagopalachari
B. Bihar
ii. Govind Ballabh Pant
C. Bombay
iii. B.G. Kher
D. Madras
iv. Sri Krishna Sinha
Codes:
Explanation
Following the 1937 elections, Govind Ballabh Pant became the Premier of the United Provinces. Sri Krishna Sinha led the Congress ministry in Bihar, while B.G. Kher headed the administration in the Bombay Presidency. In the Madras Presidency, C. Rajagopalachari took office as the Premier. These ministries implemented various social and agrarian reforms before their collective resignation at the start of WWII.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
281
(a) I, II, III and V
282
(b) Mahatma Gandhi was physically present in Chauri Chaura when the violence broke out.
283
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
284
(a) A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv
285
(c) III only
286
(a) I, II, III, IV
287
(d) B.R. Ambedkar
288
(b) II and IV only
289
(a) Viceroy Linlithgow declared India a belligerent state in the Second World War without consulting the Indian political leadership.
290
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i
Key facts from Modern Indian History
The RPSC syllabus covers the period from the early 19th century to 2000: British imperialism, the Revolt of 1857, colonial policies, reform movements, nationalism, the freedom struggle, Partition and nation-building.
Questions on colonial rule often turn on a single Act or reform and its year, such as the Government of India Act 1858 or the Indian Councils Act 1861.
Freedom-struggle questions pair a movement with its leader, place and date, for example Champaran in 1917 and the Dandi March in 1930.
Statement and chronology questions are common in the freedom struggle chapters, so learn events in order.
The post-independence chapters cover state reorganisation, planning, bank nationalisation and the growth of science and technology.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Modern Indian History?
This page has 488 practice MCQs on Modern Indian History. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the modern Indian history set cover?
Twelve chapters: British imperialism and early resistance, Anglo-Sikh wars and the Doctrine of Lapse, the Revolt of 1857, political and administrative policies, economic policies, socio-religious reform movements, early nationalism, the Gandhian era, revolutionary and regional movements and Partition, state reorganisation, planning and reforms, and science and technology.
Which period does RAS Prelims modern history cover?
RPSC lists the modern period from the early 19th century to 2000, including British imperialism and resistance, the Revolt of 1857, British policies, nationalism, the freedom struggle, Partition and post-independence nation-building.
How should I prepare modern history for RAS Prelims?
Build a timeline of Acts, movements and leaders first. Then attempt each chapter, read the explanation for every miss and note the leader, place and year. Chronology questions are common, so revise the order of events a few times.
