UPSC Prelims 2025 Analysis

Explanation

Statement I: The Congress declared the attainment of 'Swaraj' by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective.

• This statement is correct. In the Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress in December 1920, the Congress adopted the goal of attaining 'Swaraj' (self-government) by all legitimate and peaceful means. This became the official objective of the Congress during the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Statement II: It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if 'Swaraj' did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression.

• This statement is also correct. The Non-Cooperation Movement was planned to be implemented in stages. The initial phase included surrender of titles, boycott of government schools, law courts, and foreign goods. The next stage, which included civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes, was to be launched only if the government did not grant 'Swaraj' within a year and resorted to repression.

Therefore, the correct answer is (C) I and II.

Explanation

Statement I: Boycott of law-courts and foreign cloth Correct. The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) included the boycott of law courts, government schools, and foreign cloth as major components. This was a direct action against British institutions and goods.

Statement II: Observance of strict non-violence Correct. Mahatma Gandhi insisted on the strict observance of non-violence (ahimsa) as a core principle of the movement. Any deviation from non-violence was not tolerated.

Statement III: Retention of titles and honours without using them in public Incorrect. The Non-Cooperation Programme called for the surrender (not retention) of titles and honours conferred by the British government. Retaining them, even without using them in public, was not part of the programme.

Statement IV: Establishment of Panchayats for settling disputes Correct. The movement encouraged the establishment of local panchayats to settle disputes, as an alternative to British courts.

Therefore, only three of the above were parts of the Non-Cooperation Programme.

Explanation

The Poona Pact was signed in 1932 between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, following the British government's Communal Award, which provided separate electorates for the Depressed Classes (now known as Scheduled Castes).

• Gandhi strongly opposed separate electorates for untouchables, fearing it would divide Hindu society. He went on a fast unto death, which led to negotiations and the eventual signing of the Poona Pact.
• After this event, Gandhi intensified his efforts for the upliftment of Harijans (a term he used for the untouchables), making it a central part of his social and political programme. He launched the Harijan Sevak Sangh and started the 'Harijan' weekly to campaign against untouchability.
• This is the correct event after which Gandhi made the upliftment of Harijans a major focus.

Explanation

Statement I: Correct Raja Ram Mohan Roy had a deep appreciation for the traditional philosophical systems of the East, especially Vedanta. He studied Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic texts and sought to highlight the rational and ethical aspects of Indian philosophy. He believed that Indian traditions had much to offer, but also needed reform.

Statement II: Correct Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a strong advocate of rationalism, scientific approach, and the principle of human dignity. He campaigned against social evils like Sati, caste discrimination, and promoted the equality of men and women. He wanted Indians to adopt modern, rational, and scientific thinking while upholding human dignity and social equality.

Therefore, both statements are correct.

Explanation

Periyar E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker was the founder of the Self-Respect Movement in 1925 in Tamil Nadu. The movement aimed at achieving a society where backward castes had equal human rights, and it strongly opposed the caste system and the dominance of Brahminism in social and religious life.

• B. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: FALSE. While Dr. Ambedkar was a prominent leader for social justice and the rights of Dalits, he was not the founder of the Self-Respect Movement. He led the Dalit movement and was associated with the formation of the Independent Labour Party and the Scheduled Castes Federation.

• C. Bhaskarrao Jadhav: FALSE. Bhaskarrao Jadhav was a social reformer from Maharashtra, but he was not associated with the founding of the Self-Respect Movement.

• D. Dinkarrao Javalkar: FALSE. Dinkarrao Javalkar was also a social reformer from Maharashtra, but he did not found the Self-Respect Movement.

Therefore, option A is the correct answer as Periyar E. V. Ramaswamy Naicker was the founder of the Self-Respect Movement.

Explanation

After the Chauri Chaura incident in February 1922, a large number of people were arrested and put on trial. Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya played a very significant role in defending the accused. He, along with his son Krishna Kant Malaviya and other lawyers, argued the case for the accused, particularly in the appeal stages. Due to his efforts, out of 172 people sentenced to death by the sessions court, only 19 were eventually hanged, and the rest were either acquitted or had their sentences commuted to imprisonment.

Explanation

Dandi March

• On 6 April, Gandhiji reached Dandi and declared:
• The British rule in India has brought about moral, material, cultural, and spiritual ruination of this great country. I regard this rule as a curse. I am out to destroy this system of Government. ... Sedition has become my religion. Ours is a non-violent battle. We are not to kill anybody but it is our dharma to see that the curse of this Government is blotted out.

Explanation

I. Papaya: Correct Papaya is native to tropical America (Central America and southern Mexico). It was introduced to India by the Portuguese in the 16th century.

II. Pineapple: Correct Pineapple is also native to South America. The Portuguese introduced pineapple to India in the 16th century.

III. Guava: Correct Guava is native to Central America and Mexico, and it was introduced to India by the Portuguese in the 17th century.