Modern history is an important subject area in the context of the Indian civil services exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is essential for candidates to have a thorough understanding of modern Indian history because it is a significant part of the country’s past, and it is directly relevant to India’s present and future. It is a crucial area that candidates need to master to succeed in the prelims and mains exams.
Modern Indian history is important in the prelims exam because it covers a vast range of topics such as the Indian National Movement, British colonial rule in India, socio-economic and political changes in India post-independence, and the evolution of India as a nation-state. The questions asked in the prelims exam are not only related to factual knowledge but also require analytical abilities, which include identifying patterns, making inferences, and drawing conclusions from the given information. Therefore, a thorough understanding of modern Indian history is essential for candidates to answer these questions correctly and to crack the prelims exam.
It is also essential to solve previous year question papers (PYQ) related to modern Indian history. The PYQs serve as an essential tool for the candidates to understand the exam pattern and the type of questions asked in the exam. It helps them understand the level of preparation needed for the exam and helps them improve their overall performance. By solving the PYQs, candidates can identify their weak areas and focus on improving them. They can also learn how to manage their time effectively during the exam and develop a strategy to attempt the exam successfully.
In conclusion, modern Indian history is an essential subject area for candidates appearing for the Indian civil services exam. A thorough understanding of this subject is crucial for candidates to succeed in the prelims exam. Solving PYQs related to modern Indian history is equally important as it helps candidates identify their strengths and weaknesses and prepare for the exam accordingly. Therefore, candidates should focus on mastering this subject and solving the PYQs to increase their chances of success in the Indian civil services exam.
Modern History prelims 2022 questions
1. In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into “Reserved” and “Transferred” subjects. Which of the following were treated as “Reserved” subjects?
- Administration of Justice
- Local Self-Government
- Land Revenue
- Police
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2 and 4
2. Consider the following freedom fighters:
- Barindra Kumar Ghosh
- Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee
- Rash Behari Bose
Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
3. With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements:
- The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
- Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.
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
4. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:
- The Dutch established their factories/warehouses on the east coast on lands granted to them by Gajapati rulers.
- Alfonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate.
- The English East India. Company established a factory at Madras on a plot of land leased from a representative of the Vijayanagara empire.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Prelims 2022 solution
| UPSC Modern History of India Questions in Prelims 2022 – Answers | |
| 1. c | 3. b |
| 2. d | 4.b |
Modern History Prelims Questions of UPSC 2021
1. In the first quarter of the seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located?
(1) Broach
(2) Chicacole
(3) Trichinopoly
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 3 only
(d) 2 and 3
2. With reference to Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) Pingali Venkayya designed the tricolour Indian National Flag here.
(b) Pattabhi Sitaramaiah led the Quit India Movement of Andhra region from here.
(c) Rabindranath Tagore translated the National Anthem from Bengali to English here.
(d) Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott set up headquarters of Theosophical Society first here.
3. Consider the following statements:
(1) St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order.
(2) St. Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there.
(3) The feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
4. Consider the following statements:
(1) The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all women above the age of 21.
(2) The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in the legislature.
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
5. With reference to 8th August 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC.
(b) The Viceroy’s Executive Council was expanded to include more Indians.
(c) The Congress ministries resigned in seven provinces.
(d) Cripps proposed an Indian Union with full Dominion status once the Second World War was over.
6. Who among the following is associated with ‘Songs from Prison’, a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English?
(a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
(d) Sarojini Naidu
7. Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?
(a) Annie Besant
(b) Debandranath Tagore
(c) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
(d) Sarojini Naidu
8. In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as
(a) leaders of Swadeshi and Boycott Movement
(b) members of the Interim Government in 1946
(c) members of the Drafting Committee in the Constituent Assembly
(d) officers of the Indian National Army
2021 solution
| Modern Indian History Questions UPSC Prelims 2021 – Solutions | ||
| 1. a | 2. c | 3. c |
| 4. b | 5. a | 6. c |
| 7. c | 8. d | |
Prelims 2020 Modern Indian History Questions
1. In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around
(1) Women’s right to gain education
(2) Age of consent
(3) Restitution of conjugal rights
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
2. Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of
(a) peasant resistance to the oppressive conduct of planters
(b) its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions
(c) national leaders’ opposition to the cultivation of indigo
(d) Government control over the planters
3. Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because
(a) he was asked by the Board of Directors at London to do so
(b) he wanted to revive interest in oriental learning in India
(c) he wanted to provide William Carey and his associates with employment
(d) he wanted to train British civilians for administrative purpose in India
4. With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events?
(a) The Revolt of 1857
(b) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921
(c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859 – 60
(d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900
5. Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of the Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?
(a) Indian handicrafts were ruined.
(b) Machines were introduced in the Indian textile industry in large numbers.
(c) Railway lines were laid in many parts of the country.
(d) Heavy duties were imposed on the imports of British manufacturers.
6. With reference to the book “Desher Katha” written by Sakharam Ganesh Deuskar during the freedom struggle, consider the following statements :
(1) It warned against the Colonial State’s hypnotic conquest of the mind.
(2) It inspired the performance of swadeshi street plays and folk songs.
(3) The use of ‘desh’ by Deuskar was in the specific context of the region of Bengal.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
7. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following?
(1) Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference
(2) Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement
(3) Acceptance of Gandhiji’s suggestion for enquiry into police excesses
(4) Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only
solutions
| 2020 IAS Prelims Modern Indian History Questions with Solutions | |
| 1. | B |
| 2. | B |
| 3. | D |
| 4. | D |
| 5. | A |
| 6. | A |
| 7. | B |
Prelims 2019 Modern History Questions
1. With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings.
(b) The major aim of land reforms was to provide agricultural land to all the landless.
(c) It resulted in the cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation.
(d) Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.
2. Consider the following statements about ‘the Charter Act of 1813’:
(1) It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.
(2) It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.
(3) The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
3. With reference to the Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements:
(1) It contributed to the revival of the indigenous artisan crafts and industries.
(2) The National Council of Education was established as a part of the Swadeshi Movement.
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
4. Consider the following pairs:
| Movement/Organization | Leader |
| 1. All India Anti-Untouchability League | Mahatma Gandhi |
| 2. All India Kisan Sabha | Swami Sahajanand Saraswati |
| 3. Self-Respect Movement | E. V. Ramaswami Naicker |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
5. With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements:
(1) Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of ‘indentured labour’
(2) In Lord Chelmsford’s ‘War Conference’, Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.
(3) Consequent upon the breaking of Salt Law by Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
6. With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs:
| Person | Position Held |
| 1. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru | President, All India Liberal Federation |
| 2. K. C. Neogy | Member, The Constituent Assembly |
| 3. P. C. Joshi | General Secretary, Communist Party of India |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
| 2019 IAS Prelims Modern Indian History Questions with Solutions | |
| 1. | B |
| 2. | A |
| 3. | C |
| 4. | D |
| 5. | B |
| 6. | D |
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FAQ
Q. Why is modern Indian history important in the UPSC exam?
Modern Indian history is an essential part of the UPSC exam because it covers significant events that have shaped India’s past, present, and future. It includes the Indian National Movement, British colonial rule in India, socio-economic and political changes in India post-independence, and the evolution of India as a nation-state. A thorough understanding of this subject is crucial for candidates to succeed in the prelims and mains exams.
Q. How can solving PYQs related to modern Indian history help in the UPSC exam?
Solving previous year question papers (PYQs) related to modern Indian history is an essential tool for the candidates to understand the exam pattern and the type of questions asked in the exam. It helps them understand the level of preparation needed for the exam and helps them improve their overall performance. By solving the PYQs, candidates can identify their weak areas and focus on improving them. They can also learn how to manage their time effectively during the exam and develop a strategy to attempt the exam successfully.
Q. What are some tips to prepare for modern Indian history in the UPSC exam?
To prepare for modern Indian history in the UPSC exam, candidates should focus on understanding the key events, personalities, and movements related to this subject. They should also stay updated with current affairs related to modern Indian history. Candidates can refer to books and study materials recommended by experts, solve PYQs, and take mock tests to evaluate their preparation level. It is also essential to revise regularly to retain the information and be well-prepared for the exam.