2022 Prelims PYQs
1] With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements: [2022]
1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
2. 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
Show Answer
Ans: c) Both 1 and 2
2021 Prelims PYQs
1] With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct? [2021]
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
Show Answer
Ans: a) The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC
2] In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillion are remembered as: [2021]
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
Show Answer
Ans: d) Officers of the Indian National Army
2019 Prelims PYQs
1] With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs: [2019]
| Person | Position held |
| 1. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru | 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
Show Answer
Ans: d) 1, 2 and 3
2018 Prelims PYQs
1] Who among the following were the founders of the “Hind Mazdoor Sabha” established in 1948? [2018]
a) B. Krishna Pillai, E.M.S. Namboodiripad and K.C George
b) Jayaprakash Narayan, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and M.N Roy
c) C.P Ramaswamy Iyer, K. Kamaraj and Veeresalingam Pantulu
d) Ashok Mehta, T.S Ramanujan and G.G Mehta
Show Answer
Ans: d) Ashok Mehta, T.S Ramanujan and G.G Mehta
2017 Prelims PYQs
1] With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events: [2017]
1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy
2. Quit India Movement launched
3. Second Round Table Conference
What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?
a) 1-2-3
b) 2-1-3
c) 3-2-1
d) 3-1-2
Show Answer
Ans: c) 3-2-1
2016 Prelims PYQs
1] The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War: [2016]
a) India should be granted complete independence
b) India should be partitioned into two before granting independence
c) India should be made a republic with the condition that she will join the Commonwealth
d) India should be given Dominion status
Show Answer
Ans: d) India should be given Dominion status
2015 Prelims PYQs
1] With reference to cabinet mission, which of the following statements is/are correct? [2015]
1. It recommended a federal government
2. It enlarged the powers of the Indian courts
3. It provided for more Indians in the ICS
Select the correct answer using the code given below
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3
c) 1 and 3
d) None
Show Answer
Ans: a) 1 only
2014 Prelims PYQs
1] The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to: [2014]
a) Solve the problem of minorities in India
b) Given effect to the Independence Bill
c) Delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan
d) Enquire into the riots in East Bengal
Show Answer
Ans: c) Delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan
2013 Prelims PYQs
1] Quit India movement was launched in response to? [2013]
a) 1 mission plan
b) Cripps proposals
c) Simon Commission report
d) Wavell plan
Show Answer
Ans: b) Cripps proposals
2] With reference to Indian history, the members of the constituent assembly from the provinces were? [2013]
a) Directly elected by the people of those provinces
b) Nominated by the Indian national congress and the Muslim league
c) Elected by the provincial legislative assemblies
d) Selected by the government for their expertise in constitutional matters
Show Answer
Ans: c) Elected by the provincial legislative assemblies
2011 Prelims PYQs
1] Which one of the following observations is not true about the quit India movement of 1942? [2011]
a) It was a non-violent movement.
b) It was led by mahatma Gandhi.
c) It was a spontaneous movement.
d) It did not attract the labour class in general.
Show Answer
Ans: b) It was led by mahatma Gandhi.
2010-1995 Prelims PYQs
1] Who among the following were official Congress negotiators with the Cripps Mission? [2010]
a) Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel
b) Acharya J. B. Kripalani and C. Rajagopalachari
c) Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad
d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai
Show Answer
Ans: c) Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad
2] After the Quit India Movement, C. Rajagopalachari issued a pamphlet entitled “The Way Out”. Which one of the following was a proposal in this pamphlet? [2010]
a) The establishment of a “War Advisory Council” composed of representatives of British India and the Indian States.
b) Reconstitution of the Central Executive Council in such a way that all its members, except the Governor General and the Commander – in – Chief should be Indian leaders.
c) Fresh elections to the Central and Provincial Legislatures to be held at the end of 1945 and the Constitution making body to be convened as soon as possible.
d) A solution for the constitutional deadlock.
Show Answer
Ans: d) A solution for the constitutional deadlock.
3] With which one of the following movements is the slogan ”Do or Die” associated? [2009]
a) Swadeshi Movement
b) Non – Cooperation Movement
c) Civil Disobedience Movement
d) Quit India Movement
Show Answer
Ans: d) Quit India Movement
4] In the ”Individual Satyagraha”, Vinoba Bhave was chosen as the first Satyagrahi. Who was the second? [2009]
a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
c) Rajagopalachari
d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Show Answer
Ans: b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
5] Consider the following statements: [2009]
The Cripps Proposals include the provision for
1. Full independence for India
2. Creation of Constitution making body.
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
Show Answer
Ans: b) 2 only
6] During the freedom struggle, Aruna Asaf Ali was a major woman organiser of underground activity in: [2009]
a) Civil Disobedience Movement
b) Non-Cooperation Movement
c) Quit India Movement
d) Swadeshi Movement
Show Answer
Ans: c) Quit India Movement
7] Who of the following Prime Ministers sent the Cripps Mission to India? [2009]
a) James Ramsay MacDonald
b) Stanley Baldwin
c) Neville Chamberlain
d) Winston Churchill
Show Answer
Ans: d) Winston Churchill
8] During the Indian Freedom Struggle, who of the following raised an army called ‘Free Indian Legion’? [2008]
a) Lala Hardayal
b) Rashbehari Bose
c) Subhas Chandra Bose
d) V.D.Savarkar
Show Answer
Ans: c) Subhas Chandra Bose
9] Which one of the following suggested the reconstitution of the Viceroy’s Executive council in Which all the portfolios including that of War Members were to be held by the Indian leader? [2008]
a) Simon Commission
b) Simla Conference
c) Cripps Proposal
d) Cabinet Mission
Show Answer
Ans: b) Simla Conference
10] Assertion(A): According to the Wavell Plan, the number of Hindu and Muslim members in the Executive Council were to be equal. [2007]
Reason(R): Wavell thought that this arrangement would have avoided the partition of India.
a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is True but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Ans: c) A is True but R is false
11] Which portfolio was held by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in the Interim Government formed in the year 1946? [2006]
a) Defence
b) External Affairs and Commonwealth
c) Food and Agriculture
d) None
Show Answer
Ans: c) Food and Agriculture
12] Who among the following was the Chairman of the Union Constitution Committee of the Constituent Assembly? [2005]
a) B. R. Ambedkar
b) J. B. Kripalani
c) Jawaharlal Nehru
d) Alladi Krishanaswami Ayyar
Show Answer
Ans: c) Jawaharlal Nehru
13] Consider the following statements: On the eve of launch of Quit India Movement, Mahatma Gandhi: [2005]
1. Asked the government servants to resign.
2. Asked the soldiers to leave their posts
3. Asked the Princes of the Princely States to accept the sovereignty of their own people.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 b) 2 and 3
c) 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Ans: c) 3 only
14] Consider the following statements: [2005]
1. Lord Mountbatten was the Viceroy when the Simla Conference took place.
2. Indian Navy Revolt, 1946 took place when the Indian sailors in the Royal Indian Navy at Bombay and Karachi rose against the Government.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Ans: b) 2 only
15] Which one of the following statements is correct? [2004]
a) The Constituent Assembly of India was elected by the Provincial Assemblies in the year 1946.
b) Jawaharlal Nehru, M.A. Jinnah and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were members of the Constituent Assembly of India.
c) The First Session of the Constituent Assembly of India was held in January, 1947.
d) The Constitution of India was adopted on 26th January, 1950.
Show Answer
Ans: a) The Constituent Assembly of India was elected by the Provincial Assemblies in the year 1946.
16] An important aspect of the Cripps Mission of 1942 was: [2003]
a) That all Indian States should join the Indian Union as a condition to consider any degree of autonomy for India
b) The creation of an Indian Union with Dominion status very soon after the Second World War
c) The active participation and cooperation of the Indian people, communities and political parties in the British war effort as a condition for granting independence with full sovereign status to India after war.
d) The framing of a constitution for the entire Indian Union, with no separate constitution for any province, and a Union Constitution to be accepted by all provinces
Show Answer
Ans: b) The creation of an Indian Union with Dominion status very soon after the Second World War
17] Who headed the Interim Cabinet formed in 1946? [2003]
a) Rajendra Prasad
b) Jawaharlal Nehru
c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
d) Rajagopalachari
Show Answer
Ans: b) Jawaharlal Nehru
18] The last opportunity to avoid the partition of India was lost with the rejection of: [2002]
a) Cripps Mission
b) Rajagopalachari Formula
c) Cabinet Mission
d) Wavell Plan
Show Answer
Ans: c) Cabinet Mission
19] The members of the Constituent Assembly which drafted the Constitution of India were: [2002]
a) Nominated by the British Parliament
b) Nominated by the Governor General
c) Elected by the Legislative Assemblies of various provinces
d) Elected by the Indian National Congress and Muslim League
Show Answer
Ans: c) Elected by the Legislative Assemblies of various provinces
20] The President of Indian National Congress at the time of partition of India was: [2002]
a) C Rajagopalachari
b) J B Kripalani
c) Jawaharlal Nehru
d) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Show Answer
Ans: b) J B Kripalani
21] At the time of partition of India, which one of the following provinces of British India came forward with a plan for a united and independent existence? [2000]
a) Punjab b) Assam
c) Bengal d) Bihar
Show Answer
Ans: a) Punjab
22] The Balkan Plan for fragmentation of India was the brainchild of: [2000]
a) W. Churchill
b) M. A. Jinnah
c) Lord Mountbatten
d) V. P. Menon
Show Answer
Ans: c) Lord Mountbatten
23] As an alternative to the partition of India, Gandhiji suggested to Mountbatten that he: [2000]
a) Postpone granting of independence
b) Invite Jinnah to form the government
c) Invite Nehru and Jinnah to form the government together
d) Invite the army to take over for some time
Show Answer
Ans: b) Invite Jinnah to form the government
24] The Indian National Army (INA) came into existence in 1943 in: [2000]
a) Japan
b) Burma
c) Singapore
d) Malaya
Show Answer
Ans: c) Singapore
25] “It made its proposals in May. It still wanted a united India. There was to be a Federal Union composed of British provinces.” The above quotation is related to: [1999]
a) Simon Commission
b) GandhiIrwin Pact
c) Cripps Mission
d) Cabinet Mission
Show Answer
Ans: d) Cabinet Mission
26] Which Indian nationalist leader looked upon a war between Germany and Britain as a godsent opportunity which would enable Indians to exploit the situation to their advantage? [1999]
a) C. Rajagopalachari
b) M. A. Jinnah
c) Subhas Chandra Bose
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Show Answer
Ans: c) Subhas Chandra Bose
27] Which one of the following leaders of the Congress was totally in favour of the Cabinet Mission Plan? [1999]
a) Mahatma Gandhi
b) Jawaharlal Nehru
c) Sardar Patel
d) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Show Answer
Ans: c) Sardar Patel
28] Assertion (A): Lord Linlithgow described the August Movement of 1942 as the most serious rebellion since Sepoy Mutiny.: [1999]
Reason (R): There was massive upsurge of the peasantry in certain areas.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false
d) A is false, but R is true
Show Answer
Ans: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
29] Lord Mountbatten came to India as Viceroy along with specific instructions to: [1998]
a) Balkanize the Indian subcontinent
b) Keep India united if possible
c) Accept Jinnah’s demand for Pakistan
d) Persuade the Congress to accept partition
Show Answer
Ans: b) Keep India united if possible
30] Assertion (A): The Congress rejected the Cripps proposals.: [1998]
Reason (R): The Cripps Mission consisted solely of whites.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
c) A is true, but R is false
d) A is false, but R is true
Show Answer
Ans: b) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
31] When the Indian Muslim League was inducted into the interim government in 1946, Liyaqat Ali Khan was assigned the portfolio of: [1998]
a) Foreign affairs
b) Home
c) Finance
d) Defence
Show Answer
Ans: c) Finance
32] The Indian National Congress agreed in 1947 to the partition of the country mainly because: [1998]
a) The principle of two Nation theory was then acceptable to them
b) It was imposed by the British Government and the Congress was helpless in this regard
c) They wanted to avoid largescale communal riots
d) India would have otherwise lost the opportunity to attain freedom
Show Answer
Ans: c) They wanted to avoid largescale communal riots
33] At the time of India’s Independence, Mahatma Gandhi was: [1998]
a) A member of Congress Working Committee
b) Not a member of the Congress
c) The President of the Congress
d) The General Secretary of the Congress
Show Answer
Ans: b) Not a member of the Congress
34] What is the correct sequence of the following events? [1998]
I. The August Offer
II. The I.N.A. trial
III. The Quit India Movement
IV. The Royal Indian Naval Ratings’ Revolt
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Codes:
a) I, III, II, IV b) III, I, II, IV
c) I, III, IV, II d) III, I, IV, II
Show Answer
Ans: a) I, III, II, IV
35] Consider the following statements about Jawaharlal Nehru: [1996]
I. He was the President of the Congress Party in 1947.
II. He presided over the Constituent Assembly.
III. He formed the first Congress Ministry in United Province before India’s independence.
Of these statements:
a) I, II and III are correct
b) I and III are correct
c) I and II are correct
d) None is correct
Show Answer
Ans: d) None is correct
36] Which one of the following is not correct about the Cabinet Mission Plan? [1996]
a) Provincial grouping
b) Interim Cabinet of Indians
c) Acceptance of Pakistan
d) Constitution framing right
Show Answer
Ans: c) Acceptance of Pakistan
37] Who among the following suggested the winding up of the Indian National Congress after India attained independence? [1996]
a) C. Rajagopalachari
b) Acharya Kripalani
c) Mahatma Gandhi
d) Jayaprakash Narain
Show Answer
Ans: c) Mahatma Gandhi
38] Which one of the following first mooted the idea of a constituent assembly to frame a constitution for India? [1996]
a) Swaraj Party in 1934
b) Congress Party in 1936
c) Muslim League in 1942
d) All Parties Conference in 1946
Show Answer
Ans: a) Swaraj Party in 1934
39] Assertion (A): The British sovereignty continued to exist in free India.: [1996]
Reason (R): The British sovereign appointed the last Governor General of free India. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Ans: d) A is false but R is true
40] B.R. Ambedkar was elected to the Constituent Assembly from: [1996]
a) West Bengal
b) The Bombay Presidency
c) The then Madhya Bharat
d) Punjab
Show Answer
Ans: a) West Bengal
41] In the interim government formed in 1946, the VicePresident of the Executive Council was: [1995]
a) Jawaharlal Nehru
b) Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
c) C. Rajagopalachari
d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Show Answer
Ans: a) Jawaharlal Nehru
We’re in the process of posting all the questions from 1995-2023. The tentative date of completion is 16 Dec 2023. We highly recommend purchasing our UPSC Prelims PYQ Book (2024 Edition) to access all questions in a single PDF.
UPSC Prelims PYQ Book (2024 Edition)
- Last 29 year questions (1995-2023)
- All answers according to UPSC Official Answer Key
- Subject-wise distribution of questions
- Topic-wise classification of each subject PYQs
- Graphs and tables to illustrate subject and topic-wise weightage
- More than 3200 questions across all subjects
- At a price that is affordable for all