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 391–400 of 488 questions
Browse Modern Indian History chapters
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions
Q391. The following question consists of two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer: Assertion (A): The Indian Constitution is described as federal in form but unitary in spirit. Reason (R): The Constitution contains strong centralizing tendencies, such as single citizenship and the power of the Parliament to alter state boundaries.
Explanation
The Indian Constitution is characterized as federal in form because it establishes a dual polity with a clear division of powers. However, it remains unitary in spirit due to centralizing features like single citizenship, the appointment of governors, and Parliament’s authority over state boundaries. These elements ensure national integrity and stability, providing the central government with necessary powers during emergencies.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions
Q392. Which of the following constitutional features was explicitly added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, though its philosophy was implicit since 1950?
Explanation
The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 officially added the term ‘Secular’ to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. While the philosophy of secularism was already implicit through the Fundamental Rights protecting freedom of religion, this amendment made the state’s neutral stance toward all faiths explicit. This change reinforced India’s commitment to maintaining a pluralistic society without an official state religion.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions
Q393. What is the most appropriate interpretation of India being a ‘Republic’ as envisioned in the Constitution?
Explanation
In the Indian context, being a ‘Republic’ signifies that the head of the state is an elected official rather than a hereditary monarch. This status ensures that political sovereignty is vested in the people and that there is an absence of any privileged class. Any citizen is eligible to be elected to the highest public offices, reflecting democratic and egalitarian values.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions
Q394. Consider the following provisions of the Indian Constitution: I. Appointment of State Governors by the Center II. Division of powers through the Seventh Schedule III. All India Services Which of the above provisions do NOT denote the federal character of the Constitution?
Explanation
Federalism typically involves a division of powers between the center and states, as seen in the Seventh Schedule. However, certain provisions in the Indian Constitution are unitary in nature, such as the appointment of State Governors by the Center and the existence of All India Services. These features allow the central government to maintain significant influence over provincial administration and policy.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions
Q395. Which of the following is an exception to the core features of Nehru’s vision that shaped the Indian Constitution?
Explanation
Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision for India was deeply rooted in secularism, democratic socialism, and a parliamentary form of government. He championed the universal adult franchise and a strong commitment to socio-economic justice for all citizens. Consequently, a theocratic state machinery, which bases governance on religious doctrines, is entirely contradictory to the modern, inclusive, and secular democratic framework Nehru helped to establish.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions
Q396. The economic framework adopted by India post-independence, reflecting Nehru’s vision of democratic socialism, is best described as:
Explanation
Post-independence, India adopted a mixed economic model, which was a central pillar of Nehru’s vision of democratic socialism. This framework allowed for the coexistence of a dominant public sector, responsible for heavy industries and infrastructure, alongside a regulated private sector. This approach aimed to achieve rapid industrialization while ensuring that the benefits of economic growth were distributed across society.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions
Q397. What was the direct political effect of the 56- day hunger strike and subsequent death of Potti Sriramulu in 1952?
Explanation
The 56-day hunger strike and subsequent death of Potti Sriramulu in 1952 caused massive public unrest in the Telugu-speaking regions of the Madras State. To contain the situation, the Indian government was forced to announce the creation of a separate Andhra State. Formed in 1953, it became the first state in India organized specifically on a linguistic basis.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions
Q398. Which committee rejected language as the basis for reorganization of states immediately following the Dhar Commission report, citing concerns over national unity?
Explanation
Following the Dhar Commission’s report, the JVP Committee was formed in 1948 to reconsider the issue of linguistic states. Comprising Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Pattabhi Sitaramayya, the committee formally rejected language as the primary basis for reorganizing states at that time.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions
Q399. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 resulted in the creation of how many States and Union Territories?
Explanation
The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 created 14 States and 6 Union Territories.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions
Q400. The following question consists of two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer: Assertion (A): The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 abolished the distinction between Part A and Part B states. Reason (R): The States Reorganisation Act mandated a uniform status for all major states to foster national integration and administrative uniformity.
Explanation
The Seventh Amendment of 1956 ended the Part A, B and C classification of states. The reorganisation aimed at a uniform status for states, so R explains A.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
391
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
392
(b) Secular
393
(d) The head of the state is elected and there is an absence of any privileged class.
394
(a) I and III only
395
(c) Theocratic state machinery
396
(a) A mixed economy featuring both public and private sectors
397
(a) The creation of the first linguistic state of Andhra
398
(c) JVP Committee
399
(c) 14 States and 6 Union Territories
400
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
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.
