Answer with Explanation

Date 07/04/2018
1 With reference to Swarajists, consider the following statements:

1. Swarajists negated the non-cooperation movement and argued that council entry
should be allowed
2. They intended to use the councils as organs for gradual transformation of colonial rule.
3. C.R Das , Vallabhai Patel and Motilal Nehru were prominent Swarajist leaders

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
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(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Swarajists argued that entering the councils would not
negate the non-cooperation programme; in fact, it would be like carrying on the
movement through other means—opening a new front.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Their only intention was to use the councils as arena of political
struggle; they had no intention to use the councils as organs for gradual transformation
of colonial rule.

Statement 3 is incorrect: C.R Das and Motilal Nehru were Swarajists, while, Vallabhai
Patel was a no-changer

2 With reference to Nehru Report, consider the following statements:

1. It recommended joint electorates with reservation for Muslims even in the provinces
where they were in majority
2. Formation of linguistic provinces was recommended in the report
3. It recommended complete dissociation of state from religion

Which of the statements given above is/are correct:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Nehru Report rejected separate electorates which had been the
basis of constitutional reforms so far; instead, a demand for joint electorates with
reservation of seats for Muslims at the centre and in provinces where they were in

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minority (and not in those where Muslims were in majority, such as Punjab and Bengal)
in proportion to the Muslim population there with a right to contest additional seats was
recommended.

Statement 2 is correct: Nehru report recommended the formation of linguistic provinces.

Statement 3 is correct: Complete dissociation of state from religion was envisaged in the
report.

3 Consider the following statements:

1. Lahore session of Indian National Congress was presided by Jawaharlal Nehru

2. Pakistan Resolution was passed at the Lahore session of Muslim League
3. Setting up of Indian Statutory Commission was seen as the violation of the principle of
self determination

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Jawaharlal Nehru, who had done more than anyone else to
popularize the concept of Purna Swaraj, was nominated the president for the Lahore
session of the Congress (December 1929) mainly due to Gandhi's backing, (15 out of 18
Provincial Congress Committees had opposed Nehru). Nehru was chosen).

Statement 2 is correct: On March 24, 1940, the 'Pakistan Resolution' was passed at the
Lahore session of the Muslim League calling for "grouping of all geographically contiguous
Muslim majority areas (mainly north-western and eastern India) into independent states
in which the constituent units shall be autonomous and sovereign,

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Statement 3 is correct: The Indian response against the commission was immediate and
nearly unanimous. What angered the Indians most was the exclusion of Indians from the
commission and the basic notion behind the exclusion that foreigners would discuss and
decide upon India's fitness for self-
government. This notion was seen as a violation of the principle of self-determination,
and a deliberate insult to the self-respect of Indians.

4 With reference to Civil Disobedience Movement, consider the following statements:

1. In Tamil Nadu, K. Kelappan lead the dandi march from Calicut to Poyannur
2. Agitation against Cunningham Circular was organized
3. The movement saw unprecedented level of participation by Muslims

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: In Tamil Nadu, C.Rajagopalachari led a march from

Tiruchirapally to Vedaranniyam. In Malabar, K. Kelappan led a march from Calicut to
Poyannur. In Assam, satyagrahis walked from Sylhet to Noakhali (Bengal) to make salt. In
Andhra, a number of sibirams (camps) came up in different districts as headquarters of
salt satyagraha.

Statement 2 is correct: Assam, A powerful agitation was organized against the infamous
'Cunningham circular' which forced parents, guardians and students to furnish assurances
of good behavior.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Muslim participation was nowhere near the 1920-22 level
because of appeals by Muslim leaders to Muslim masses to stay away from the movement

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and because of, active government encouragement to communal dissension. Still, some
areas such as the NWFP saw an overwhelming
participation. Middle class Muslim participation was quite significant in Senhatta, Tripura,
Gaibandha, Bagura and Noakhali. In Dacca, Muslim leaders, shopkeepers, lower class
people and upper class women were active. The Muslim weaving community in Bihar,
Delhi and Lucknow were also effectively mobilised.

5 With reference to Communal Award, consider the following statements:

1. Congress neither accepted nor rejected the communal award

2. It led to the signing of Poona Pact which provided for a larger number of reserved seats
for minorities

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Congress was not in favour of changing the Communal Award
without the consent of the minorities. Thus, while strongly disagreeing with the
Communal Award, the Congress decided neither to accept it nor to reject it.

Statement 2 is correct: Poona Pact was signed by B.R. Ambedkar on behalf of the
depressed classes in September 1932, the Pact abandoned separate electorates for the
depressed classes. But the seats reserved for the depressed classes were increased from
71 to 147 in provincial legislatures and 18 per cent
of the total in the central legislature.

6 With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following
statements:

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1. It lead to the formation of an All India Federation
2. It provided for the system of diarchy in the central legislature
3. It provided for direct elections to the council of states, while federal assembly was to
have indirect elections

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: An All India Federation was envisaged by Government of India

Act, 1935. It was to comprise all British Indian provinces, all chief commissioner's
provinces and Indian states. The federation's formation was conditional on the fulfilment
of two conditions:

1. states with allotment of 52 seats in the proposed Council of

States should agree to join the federation.

2. aggregate population of states in the above category should

be 50 per cent of the total population of all Indian states.

Since these conditions were not fulfilled, the proposed federation never came up. The
Central Government carried on up to 1946 as per the provisions of Government of India
Act, 1919.

Statement 2 is correct: At the centre, the reserved subjects were administered by the
governor-general on the advice of the executive councilors, while, transferred subjects
were to be administered by the governor-general on the advice of ministers elected by
the legislature. Thus the act introduced diarchy at the centre.

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Statement 3 is correct: The Council of States was to be a 260-member house, partly
directly elected from British Indian provinces and partly (40 per cent) nominated by the
princes. The Federal Assembly was to be a 375-member house, partly indirectly elected
from British Indian provinces and partly (one third) nominated by the princes. Oddly
enough, election to the Council of States was direct and that to the Federal Assembly,
indirect.

7 Which of the following was not proposed by Cripps Mission?

(a) Making of the constitution solely in the hands of Indians

(b) It offered complete independence instead of dominion status
(c) It provided an option to the provinces to frame a separate constitution
(d) Free India was given an option to withdraw from the Commonwealth

Ans: (b)

Explanation

The Cripps Mission proposals failed to satisfy Indian nationalists and turned out to be
merely a propaganda device for US and Chinese Consumption as it offered dominion
status instead of a provision of complete independence. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.

8 Who started an underground radio in Mumbai during Quit India Movement?

(a) Ram Manohar Lohia

(b) Aruna Asaf Ali
(c) Usha Sharma
(d) None of the above

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Usha Sharma started an underground radio in Bombay. This phase of underground

activity was meant to keep up popular morale by continuing to provide a line of command
and guidance to distribute arms and ammunition.

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9 With reference to the INA agitation, consider the following statements:

1. The agitation garnered support from Muslim League

2. Defence of INA prisoners in the court was organized by prominent Congress leaders
3. INA agitation drew sympathy from the armed forces

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Those who supported the INA cause in varying degrees, apart
from the Congress, included the Muslim League, Communist Party, Unionists, Akalis,
Justice Party, Ahrars in Rawalpindi, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Hindu Mahasabha and
the Sikh League.

Statement 2 is correct: Defence of INA prisoners in the court was organised by Bhulabhai
Desai, Tej Bahadur Sapru, Kailash Nath Katju, Nehru and Asaf Ali.

Statement 3 is correct: Men of the armed forces were unexpectedly sympathetic and
attended meetings, received those released (often in uniforms) and contributed funds.

10 With reference to the Cabinet Mission plan, consider the following statements:

1. It accepted the demand for a full - fledged Pakistan

2. Existing provincial assemblies were grouped into three sections
3. Residual powers were given to the provinces under Cabinet Mission Plan

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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(a) 1 and2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Cabinet Mission plan rejected the demand for a full-fledged
Pakistan because:
(i) the Pakistan so formed would include a large non-Muslim population-38%
in the North-West and 48% in the North-East;

(ii) the very principle of communal self-determination would claim separation of Hindu-
majority Western Bengal and Sikh- and Hindu- dominated 'Ambala and Jullundur divisions
of Punjab (already some Sikh leaders were demanding a separate state if the country was
partitioned);

(iii) deep-seated regional ties would be disturbed if Bengal and Punjab

were partitioned;

(iv) partition would entail economic and administrative problems, for instance, the
problem of communication between the western and eastern
parts of Pakistan; and

(v) the division of armed forces would be dangerous.

Statement 2 is correct: Grouping of existing provincial assemblies into three

Sections was proposed:

Section-A: Madras, Bombay, Central Provinces, United Provinces, Bihar

and Orissa (Hindu-majority provinces).

Section-B: Punjab, North-West Frontier Province and Sindh (Muslim-

majority provinces).

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Section-C: Bengal and Assam (Muslim-majority provinces).

Statement 3 is correct: Provinces were to have full autonomy and residual powers.
Princely states were no longer to be under paramountcy of British Government. They
would be free to enter into an arrangement with successor governments or the British
Government.

11 Which of the following committee reports the improvements needed in

organisation, efficiency, and suggest alternative policies in order to bring about
efficiency and economy in administration?

(a) Public accounts committee

(b) Public Undertaking committee
(c) Estimates Committee
(d) Committee on Efficiency

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

Estimates committee - It reports the improvements needed in organisation, efficiency, or

administrative reform, consistent with the policy underlying the estimates. They suggest
alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency and economy in administration. This
Committee consists of 30 members who are elected by the Lok Sabha every year from
among its members.

12 Which of the following countries has become the first country to pass a law which
bans any extraction of fossil fuels in its territories by 2040?

(a) France
(b) Norway
(c) Sweden
(d) Iceland

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Ans: (a)

Explanation:

France passed a landmark bill banning fossil fuel extraction following a vote in the
French National Assembly. Starting immediately, no new permits will be awarded to
extract fossil fuels, while existing licenses will not be renewed past 2040. At this point,
oil production in France and its territories will come to an end.

13 Consider the following statements:

1. The Inter-State River Water Disputes are governed by the Inter-State Water Disputes
Act, 1956.
2. A state government can approach the Centre to refer the dispute to a tribunal.
3. Supreme Court shall exercise jurisdiction in respect of any such dispute or complaint.

Choose the correct answer from the given code:

(a) 1 Only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1,2 and 3
(d) 2 Only

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Inter-state river water Disputes are governed by Inter-State Water
Dispute Act, 1956:
In case, if a particular state or states approach to Union Government for the constitution
of the tribunal:

1. Central Government should try to resolve the matter by consultation among the
aggrieved states.

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2. In case, if it does not work, then it may constitute the tribunal.

Statement 2 is correct: A state government can approach the Centre to refer the dispute
to a tribunal, whose decision is considered final.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Supreme Court shall not question the Award or formula given
by tribunal but it can question the working of the tribunal.

14 Which of the following river has become the first in the world to be recognised as a
living entity with its own rights and values and given the legal status of a person?

(a) Volga River

(b) Yangtze River
(c) Whanganui river
(d) Yellow river

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The Whanganui River in New Zealand has become the first in the world to be
recognised as a living entity with its own rights and values and given the legal status of a
person.
The Whanganui River, located in the north island of New Zealand, has a special and
spiritual importance for the Maori people.

15 Consider the following statements regarding electoral bonds:

1. It can be purchased by any citizen of India or a body incorporated in India.

2. Donors can donate the bonds to their party of choice which can then be cashed in via
the party's verified account within 1 year

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3. The objective of the bonds is to move towards cashless economy and cleanse the
electoral funding by bringing transparency

Choose the correct answer from the given code:

(a) 1 Only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1,2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2 only

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: An electoral bond is designed to be a bearer instrument like a

Promissory Note — in effect, it will be similar to a bank note that is payable to the bearer
on demand and free of interest. It can be purchased by any citizen of India or a body
incorporated in India.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The bonds will be issued in multiples of ₹1,000, ₹10,000, ₹1

lakh, ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore and will be available at specified branches of State Bank of
India. They can be bought by the donor with a KYC-compliant account. Donors can donate
the bonds to their party of choice which can then be cashed in via the party's verified
account within 15 days.

Statement 3 is correct: In order to “cleanse the system of political funding in the country”
and in keeping with the government’s desire to move to a cashless economy, the
government has introduced electoral bonds.

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