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 451–460 of 488 questions
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RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q451. Match the pioneering Indian scientists in List I with the specific field or programme they are most famously associated with in List II.
Scientist
Field/Programme
A. Homi J. Bhabha
i. Agricultural Science and Green Revolution
B. M.S. Swaminathan
ii. Telecommunications Revolution
C. Sam Pitroda
iii. Satellite Technology and ISRO
D. U.R. Rao
iv. Atomic Energy Programme
Explanation
Several scientists played transformative roles in India’s development. Homi J. Bhabha pioneered the atomic energy programme, while M.S. Swaminathan led the agricultural advancements of the Green Revolution. Sam Pitroda was instrumental in the telecommunications revolution during the 1980s. U.R. Rao made significant contributions to satellite technology and headed the space agency during a period of major expansion and successful orbital launches.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q452. The tragic death of Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, which dealt a significant blow to India’s early atomic energy programme, occurred in 1966 due to which of the following events?
Explanation
Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, the architect of India’s nuclear programme, died tragically in January 1966. His death occurred when Air India Flight 101 crashed on Mont Blanc in the Alps while he was traveling to an international conference. This sudden loss was a severe setback for the country’s scientific community, as he was a key figure in institutionalizing atomic research.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q453. Which of the following was NOT an initiative or committee associated with the early formative years of the Indian space programme under Vikram Sarabhai?
Explanation
The early years of the Indian space programme focused on basic infrastructure and experimental projects. Initiatives like INCOSPAR, the Thumba equatorial station, and the SITE project for educational broadcasting were foundational. However, NavIC is a much more recent development. It refers to the independent regional satellite navigation system that became operational only in the 21st century, long after Sarabhai’s leadership tenure.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q454. Consider the following statements regarding the structural evolution of the Indian space programme: I. INCOSPAR was established in 1962 under the Department of Atomic Energy. II. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was formed in 1969, superseding INCOSPAR. III. The Government of India constituted the Space Commission and established the Department of Space (DOS) in 1972. IV. ISRO was brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Space in 1972. V. The Department of Space operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The Indian space programme underwent significant structural changes to ensure its growth. INCOSPAR was followed by the creation of ISRO in 1969. In 1972, the Government established the Space Commission and the Department of Space to provide specialized oversight. Crucially, the Department of Space reports directly to the Prime Minister, rather than being under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q455. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian pharmaceutical industry post-independence: Statement I: India is often referred to as the ‘pharmacy of the world’ due to its massive production of affordable generic medicines. Statement II: The transition to the production of affordable generic medicines was heavily facilitated by the Indian Patents Act of 1970, which allowed process patents instead of product patents for pharmaceuticals. Identify the correct statement from the options below.
Explanation
India is widely recognized as the "pharmacy of the world" because it produces a vast quantity of affordable generic drugs. This success was facilitated by the Patents Act of 1970, which allowed for process patents in the pharmaceutical sector. This legal provision enabled Indian companies to innovate manufacturing methods for existing drugs, thereby lowering costs and expanding global healthcare access significantly.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q456. Arrange the following premier scientific organizations in chronological order of their formal establishment in post-independence India (or transitioning to their modern national role): I. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) II. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) III. Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) IV. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - transitioning to national lab network Select the correct order from the given options:
Explanation
India’s scientific institutions were established in stages following independence. The CSIR began its national lab network expansion in the late 1940s. The Department of Atomic Energy was formally created in 1954. The Defence Research and Development Organisation followed in 1958 to consolidate defense research. Finally, the Indian Space Research Organisation was established in 1969, marking the formal start of the space agency.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q457. The first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) was formally inaugurated in 1951 at the site of the former Hijli Detention Camp. Where is this campus located?
Explanation
The first Indian Institute of Technology was established at Kharagpur in West Bengal. It was formally inaugurated in 1951 on the site of the former Hijli Detention Camp, which had served as a prison during the struggle for independence. This location was chosen to transform a place of colonial confinement into a premier center for technical education and national progress.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q458. The establishment of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and the subsequent creation of the PARAM series of supercomputers was a direct effect of which of the following events?
Explanation
The creation of C-DAC and the PARAM supercomputers was a direct response to international technology restrictions. In the late 1980s, the United States denied India’s request to purchase a Cray X-MP supercomputer for weather forecasting, citing strategic concerns. This refusal led the Indian government to prioritize the development of indigenous high-performance computing, resulting in the successful launch of the PARAM series.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q459. Which of the following statements best reflects the central philosophy of the Scientific Policy Resolution (SPR) of 1958 drafted by the Government of India?
Explanation
The Scientific Policy Resolution of 1958 reflected the government’s belief that science and technology are essential for national prosperity. Its central philosophy was to ensure that the country could fully benefit from scientific advancements through systematic cultivation and application. By promoting scientific research in all its aspects, the resolution aimed to solve social and economic problems and modernize the national infrastructure.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q460. Four of the following crops were primarily targeted for yield improvement during the initial phase of the Green Revolution in India. Identify the odd one out.
Explanation
The initial phase of the Green Revolution in India focused specifically on staple food crops to address chronic food shortages and achieve self-sufficiency. Significant yield improvements were achieved in wheat and rice through high-yielding varieties, followed by advances in maize and other cereals. Conversely, horticultural crops like apples were not the primary target of this intensive cereal-centric agricultural transformation programme.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
451
(a) A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii
452
(d) A commercial airplane crash near Mont Blanc in the Alps
453
(c) Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)
454
(b) V only
455
(c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
456
(a) IV, III, II, I
457
(c) Kharagpur
458
(a) The US denial of export clearance for Cray X-MP supercomputers to India
459
(d) To secure all benefits from the acquisition and application of scientific knowledge
460
(b) Apple
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.
