Gandhi and the Freedom Struggle: The Decisive Phase – NDA History PYQs

NDA 2025-II

Q. 1. Who among the following presided over the first session of All India Kisan Sabha in Lucknow in April 1936?

(a) Sahajananda Saraswati

(b) R. G. Ranga

(c) Ram Manohar Lohia

(d) Jayaprakash Narayan

Answer: (a) Sahajananda Saraswati

Explanation: Sahajananda Saraswati presided over this founding session at Lucknow. He became the first president of the All India Kisan Sabha. Ranga, Lohia, and Jayaprakash Narayan held other roles in the peasant movement. So option (a) Sahajananda Saraswati is the correct answer. Concept Tested: First president of the All India Kisan Sabha

NDA 2025-I

Q. 2. Chronologically arrange the following political events related to Indian National Movement beginning from the earliest:

1. Formation of Swaraj Party

2. Communal Award

3. Lucknow Pact

4. Simla Conference

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 3, 1, 2, 4

(b) 1, 3, 2, 4

(c) 2, 1, 4, 3

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4

Answer: (a) 3, 1, 2, 4

Explanation: The Lucknow Pact came first, in 1916. The Swaraj Party was formed next, in 1923. The Communal Award followed later, in 1932. The Simla Conference came last, in 1945. This gives the order Lucknow Pact, Swaraj Party, Communal Award, Simla Conference. So option (a), 3-1-2-4, is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Chronology spanning the Lucknow Pact to the Simla Conference

NDA 2024-II

Q. 3. Inspired by the Dandi March by Mahatma Gandhi, in Tamilnadu, C Rajagopalachari led a salt march from

(a) Tirunelveli to Nagercoil

(b) Kanchipuram to Mahabalipuram

(c) Trichinopoly to Vedaranniyam on Tanjore coast

(d) Chennai to Vellore

Answer: (c) Trichinopoly to Vedaranniyam on Tanjore coast

Explanation: C. Rajagopalachari led his own salt march to Vedaranniyam. This route started from Trichinopoly, ending at the Tanjore coast. The other routes listed do not match this specific southern march. So option (c) is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Route of Rajagopalachari’s Tamil Nadu salt march

NDA 2024-II

Q. 4. Freedom Fighter Kanaklata Barua sacrificed her life while participating in

(a) Rowlatt Satyagraha

(b) Non-Cooperation Movement

(c) Civil Disobedience Movement

(d) Quit India Movement

Answer: (d) Quit India Movement

Explanation: Kanaklata Barua gave her life during the Quit India Movement in Assam. She died leading an effort to hoist the national flag under fire. The other movements listed took place before her active involvement. So option (d) Quit India Movement is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Movement in which Kanaklata Barua sacrificed her life

NDA 2024-I

Q. 5. Consider the following statements about the issue of separate electorate during the early decades of the twentieth century in India:

1. The All India Depressed Classes Association of M.C. Rajah was staunchly in favour of joint electorate.

2. The All India Depressed Classes Leaders’ Conference demanded separate electorate.

3. The Communal Award in September 1932 recognised the right to separate electorate for the ‘untouchables’.

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

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: M.C. Rajah’s association did favour a joint electorate approach. A rival Depressed Classes Leaders’ Conference did demand separate electorates. The Communal Award of September 1932 did grant this separate electorate right. All three statements together are correct here. Concept Tested: Competing positions within the Depressed Classes on electorate reform

NDA 2023-II

Q. 6. “…the immediate ending of British rule in India is an urgent necessity…” was a resolution of

(a) Non Co-operation Movement

(b) Quit India Movement

(c) Individual Movement

(d) Civil Disobedience Movement

Answer: (b) Quit India Movement

Explanation: This phrasing matches the Quit India resolution’s core demand. It called for an immediate, urgent end to British rule. The other movements listed framed their demands in different terms. So option (b) Quit India Movement is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Movement behind this resolution demanding immediate British exit

NDA 2023-I

Q. 7. Freedom fighter Kanaklata Barua was martyred in:

(a) Sepoy Mutiny

(b) Quit India Movement

(c) Non-Cooperation Movement

(d) Peasant Uprising of 1893-1894

Answer: (b) Quit India Movement

Explanation: Kanaklata Barua was martyred during the Quit India Movement. She was shot while leading a procession to hoist the national flag in Assam. The other movements listed occurred well before her participation. So option (b) Quit India Movement is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Movement in which Kanaklata Barua was martyred

NDA 2022-II

Q. 8. Consider the following historical events:

1. Gandhi-Irwin Pact

2. Second Round Table Conference

3. Peasant Movement in Bardoli

4. Peasant Movement in Kheda

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order (starting from the earliest)?

(a) 4-1-3-2

(b) 4-3-1-2

(c) 3-1-2-4

(d) 1-2-4-3

Answer: (b) 4-3-1-2

Explanation: The Kheda peasant movement came first, in 1918. The Bardoli peasant movement followed, in 1928. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact came next, in March 1931. The Second Round Table Conference followed later that same year. This gives the order Kheda, Bardoli, Gandhi-Irwin Pact, Second RTC. So option (b), 4-3-1-2, is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Chronology from Kheda through the Second Round Table Conference

NDA 2022-I

Q. 9. The Khudai Khidmatgar (Servants of the God) was organized by

(a) Mahatma Gandhi

(b) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan

(c) M. A. Jinnah

(d) M. M. Malaviya

Answer: (b) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan

Explanation: Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan organised the Khudai Khidmatgar movement. It mobilised Pashtun volunteers for non-violent resistance in the Frontier region. Gandhi, Jinnah, and Malaviya led separate movements and organisations. So option (b) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Founder of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement

NDA 2021-II

Q. 10. Which of the following statements about Mahatma Gandhi’s anti-untouchability campaign is/are correct?

1. The All India Harijan Sevak Sangh was founded for this purpose.

2. The campaign was to root out untouchability, since it did not enjoy the sanction of the Hindu shastras.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: The All India Harijan Sevak Sangh was indeed founded for this campaign. Gandhi argued untouchability lacked genuine sanction in the Hindu shastras. Both statements together are accurate here. Concept Tested: Basis and institutions of Gandhi’s anti-untouchability campaign

NDA 2021-II

Q. 11. Which of the following statements about the resolution adopted in the Karachi session of the Indian National Congress with regard to fundamental rights and economic policy is/are correct?

1. It was opposed by Ambalal Sarabhai.

2. Its 20 points included demands for civil liberties and adult suffrage.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: Ambalal Sarabhai, an industrialist, did oppose this resolution’s economic radicalism. Its twenty points did include demands for civil liberties and adult suffrage. Both statements together are accurate here. Concept Tested: Content and business-community reaction to the Karachi Resolution

NDA 2021-I

Q. 12. When and where was the demand for “Purna Swaraj” or complete independence made by the Indian National Congress?

(a) Bombay, 1885

(b) Lahore, 1929

(c) Kheda, 1917

(d) Bombay, 1942

Answer: (b) Lahore, 1929

Explanation: Congress declared Purna Swaraj as its goal at the Lahore session in 1929. This resolution set the stage for the independence pledge in January 1930. The other years and places listed relate to separate, unrelated events. So option (b) Lahore, 1929 is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Session where Congress declared Purna Swaraj

NDA 2020 I&II

Q. 13. Who was the Viceroy of India at the time of Gandhiji’s Dandi march?

(a) Lord Irwin

(b) Lord Linlithgow

(c) Lord Reading

(d) Lord Willingdon

Answer: (a) Lord Irwin

Explanation: Lord Irwin served as Viceroy during the 1930 Dandi March. He later negotiated directly with Gandhi in the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Linlithgow, Reading, and Willingdon served in other, separate periods. So option (a) Lord Irwin is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Viceroy in office during the Dandi March

NDA 2020 I&II

Q. 14. Which one among the following American newsmagazines was highly sceptical of Gandhiji’s Dandi march initially but within a week completely changed its opinion and saluted him as a Saint and Statesman?

(a) Saturday Evening Post

(b) Readers Digest

(c) Time

(d) Life

Answer: (c) Time

Explanation: Time magazine’s coverage shifted sharply within days of the march. It moved from scepticism to hailing Gandhi as a saint and statesman. The other magazines listed did not track this same dramatic shift. So option (c) Time is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Magazine whose stance on Gandhi shifted during the Dandi March

NDA 2019-I

Q. 15. Which Viceroy had made the observation, “It’s a beautiful world if it wasn’t for Gandhi …..”?

(a) Lord Irwin

(b) Lord Wavell

(c) Lord Mountbatten

(d) Lord Willingdon

Answer: (d) Lord Willingdon

Explanation: Lord Willingdon made this remark in a private letter around 1933. It reflected his frustration and lack of sympathy toward Gandhi. Irwin, Wavell, and Mountbatten held office at other, separate periods. So option (d) Lord Willingdon is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Viceroy who made this dismissive private remark about Gandhi

NDA 2019-I

Q. 16. Which Indian businessman favoured ‘healthy capitalism’ in helping Gandhiji to work towards a ‘common object’?

(a) Ghanshyam Das Birla

(b) Ambalal Sarabhai

(c) Sir Biren Mookerjee

(d) T. T. K. Krishnamachari

Answer: (a) Ghanshyam Das Birla

Explanation: G. D. Birla championed a reformed, socially responsible capitalism. He supported Gandhi’s movement while pursuing this shared broader goal. Sarabhai, Mookerjee, and Krishnamachari played other, separate business roles. So option (a) Ghanshyam Das Birla is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Businessman linked to Gandhi through ‘healthy capitalism’

NDA 2019-I

Q. 17. Who among the following historians have described the Quit India movement as a ‘spontaneous revolution’?

(a) Gordon Johnson

(b) David Arnold

(c) F G Hutchins

(d) Peter Robb

Answer: (c) F G Hutchins

Explanation: F. G. Hutchins used this exact phrase in his study of the movement. His book framed Quit India as a genuinely spontaneous popular revolution. Johnson, Arnold, and Robb offered separate historical interpretations. So option (c) F G Hutchins is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Historian who termed Quit India a ‘spontaneous revolution’

NDA 2019-I

Q. 18. Statement I: The Kisan manifesto adopted by the All India Kisan Sabha in August 1936 contained radical demands.

Statement II: The All India Kisan Sabha was a part of the Congress and maintained close relationship with the Provincial Congress Committees.

(a) Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I

(b) Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is NOT the correct explanation of Statement I

(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false

(d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Answer: (c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false

Explanation: The 1936 Kisan manifesto genuinely contained radical peasant demands. So Statement I correctly describes this manifesto’s content. The Kisan Sabha actually remained organisationally independent of Congress. Its relationship with Provincial Congress Committees was often tense, not close. So Statement II wrongly claims it was formally part of Congress. Statement I is true, but Statement II is false. Concept Tested: Actual organisational relationship between Kisan Sabha and Congress

NDA 2019-I

Q. 19. The Karachi resolution of Congress in 1931 advocated which one of the following issues?

(a) State shall not own or control key industries and services

(b) State shall handover the key industries and services to the Indian business groups

(c) State should allow the Indian business group to invest fifty per cent of the capital

(d) State shall own or control key industries and services

Answer: (d) State shall own or control key industries and services

Explanation: The Karachi Resolution called for state ownership of key industries. This reflected its broader socialist-leaning economic vision. The other options describe the opposite or unrelated economic arrangements. So option (d) is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Economic vision of the 1931 Karachi Resolution

NDA 2017-II

Q. 20. Which one of the following statements about the Quit India Movement is not correct?

(a) It broke out in August 1942.

(b) Ahmedabad Textile Mills went on strike for more than three months.

(c) Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha actively participated in the movement.

(d) Communist Party did not support the movement.

Answer: (c) Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha actively participated in the movement.

Explanation: Both the Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha actually stayed away from Quit India. So statement (c) wrongly claims their active participation in it. The movement genuinely broke out in August 1942. Ahmedabad’s textile mills did strike for an extended period. The Communist Party did officially withhold support from the movement. These other statements about Quit India are accurate. Concept Tested: Which parties actually stayed away from Quit India

NDA 2017-II

Q. 21. Consider the following movements:

1. Moplah Rebellion

2. Bardoli Satyagraha

3. Champaran Satyagraha

4. Salt Satyagraha

Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the above in ascending order?

(a) 1-3-4-2

(b) 3-1-2-4

(c) 2-3-1-4

(d) 4-2-1-3

Answer: (b) 3-1-2-4

Explanation: The Champaran Satyagraha came first, in 1917. The Moplah Rebellion followed in 1921. The Bardoli Satyagraha came next, in 1928. The Salt Satyagraha followed last, in 1930. This gives the order Champaran, Moplah, Bardoli, Salt Satyagraha. So option (b), 3-1-2-4, is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Chronology of key movements across the 1917-1930 period

NDA 2017-I

Q. 22. Which one of the following was a significant feature of the Quit India Movement?

(a) Women did not play an important role in the movement

(b) Nasik in Maharashtra was an important regional base during the movement

(c) It was marked by anti-zamindar violence

(d) It was marked by the emergence of parallel governments in different parts of India

Answer: (d) It was marked by the emergence of parallel governments in different parts of India

Explanation: Parallel governments arose in places like Satara, Ballia, and Tamluk. These local ‘Prati Sarkars’ ran administration independent of British control. Women actually played an important, visible role in this movement. Anti-zamindar violence was not this movement’s defining pattern. So option (d) is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Emergence of parallel governments during Quit India

NDA 2017-I

Q. 23. Who launched the Bardoli Satyagraha on 4th February, 1928?

(a) Mahatma Gandhi

(b) Vallabhbhai Patel

(c) Rajendra Prasad

(d) Kalyanji Mehta

Answer: (b) Vallabhbhai Patel

Explanation: Vallabhbhai Patel led and launched the Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928. His leadership here earned him the title ‘Sardar’. Gandhi, Prasad, and Mehta played other, separate roles in this era. So option (b) Vallabhbhai Patel is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Leader who launched the Bardoli Satyagraha

NDA 2017-I

Q. 24. Which one of the following Princely States did NOT support the Congress during the course of the Civil Disobedience Movement?

(a) Bhavnagar

(b) Mysore

(c) Junagadh

(d) Kathiawar

Answer: (b) Mysore

Explanation: Mysore’s ruler took a cautious, non-supportive approach to the movement. Bhavnagar, Junagadh, and Kathiawar states saw more active local support instead. So option (b) Mysore is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Princely state withholding support from the CDM

NDA 2016-II

Q. 25. Which of the following statements with regards to the Civil Disobedience movement is/are correct?

1. The movement received massive response from business groups and peasantry

2. The movement coincided with large scale labour upsurge in Maharashtra

3. The movement was marked by the mass participation of lawyers and students

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: Business groups and peasants both responded strongly to this movement. A significant labour upsurge in Maharashtra did coincide with this period. Lawyers and students also joined the movement in large numbers. All three statements together describe this movement’s wide base. Concept Tested: Breadth of social participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement

NDA 2014-I

Q. 26. Gandhiji’s ‘Harijan Campaign’ sought to

1. attack caste system as a whole

2. open wells, roads, temples, etc., to Harijans

3. encourage social work among Harijans

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 3 only

Answer: (b) 2 and 3

Explanation: The Harijan Campaign focused on ending untouchability specifically. It did not target the wider caste system as a complete structure. It did work to open wells, roads, and temples to Harijans. It did encourage broader social work among these communities. So statements 2 and 3 together are the correct answer. Concept Tested: Actual scope of Gandhi’s Harijan Campaign

NDA 2014-I

Q. 27. The Salt Satyagraha called by Mahatma Gandhi saw the

1. violation of salt laws along coastal India

2. participation of women

3. upward swing when it came to the working class joining in

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only

Explanation: Salt laws were defied at numerous points along India’s coastline. Women joined this campaign in large and unprecedented numbers. Working-class involvement was not a defining upward trend in this specific campaign. So statements 1 and 2 together are the correct answer. Concept Tested: Real participation pattern in the Salt Satyagraha

NDA 2014-I

Q. 28. During the Civil Disobedience Movement, tribals in Chota Nagpur

1. gave up opium consumption

2. wore Khadi

3. gave up drinking liquor and eating meat

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 2 and 3 only

Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: Tribals in Chota Nagpur did give up opium as part of self-purification. Many also adopted Khadi in solidarity with the wider movement. They did give up liquor and meat as further acts of moral discipline. All three practices together describe this local participation. Concept Tested: Tribal participation and self-reform during the CDM

NDA 2014-I

Q. 29. Which of the following was/were the new feature/features visible in the Quit India Movement (1942)?

1. Large-scale movements in some of the industrial areas

2. Large-scale mass involvement in some of the Princely States

3. Increase in the activities of the Kisan Sabha

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: Quit India did see large mobilisations in several industrial areas. It also saw notable mass involvement inside princely states for the first time. Kisan Sabha activity increased visibly during this same period. All three features together mark this movement’s new character. Concept Tested: New features distinguishing the Quit India Movement

NDA 2013-II

Q. 30. Consider the following statements about Salt Satyagraha:

1. It was a form of Civil Disobedience.

2. It was the first nationalist activity in which women participated in large numbers.

3. Gandhiji first experimented with Salt Satyagraha in South Africa.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only

Explanation: Salt Satyagraha genuinely embodied Civil Disobedience in action. It did mark large-scale women’s participation for the first time. Gandhi’s South Africa campaigns targeted registration and taxes, not salt. So statement 3 wrongly places the salt campaign’s origin there. Only statements 1 and 2 are correct among the three. Concept Tested: Origins and scale of the Salt Satyagraha

NDA 2013-II

Q. 31. Which of the following statements about Quit India Movement of 1942 is/are correct?

1. The movement was massive in character.

2. One of the unique features of the movement was the participation of the communists at the local level defying the official stand of the Communist Party.

3. It was a completely non-violent movement.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2

(c) 2 only

(d) 1 and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 2

Explanation: Quit India did spread as a genuinely massive, nationwide upsurge. Local communists did join in, defying the official Communist Party line. The movement actually saw considerable violence in many places. So statement 3 wrongly claims it stayed completely non-violent. Only statements 1 and 2 are correct among the three. Concept Tested: Scale and character of the Quit India Movement

NDA 2013-I

Q. 32. Which one among the following statements about Civil Disobedience Movement is correct?

(a) It started with Gandhiji’s march to Champaran

(b) Under Gandhi-Irwin agreement, the Congress agreed to give up Civil Disobedience Movement

(c) The British Government was quite soft towards the movement from the beginning

(d) There were no violent incidents during the movement

Answer: (b) Under Gandhi-Irwin agreement, the Congress agreed to give up Civil Disobedience Movement

Explanation: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact did include Congress agreeing to suspend the movement. This cleared the way for Congress participation in the Second Round Table Conference. The movement actually began with the Dandi March, not Champaran. The British responded with real repression, not early softness. Some violent incidents did occur across the country during this era. So option (b) is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Outcome of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact for Civil Disobedience

NDA 2013-I

Q. 33. Consider the following statements:

1. Gandhiji’s Salt Satyagraha in 1930 was against the State monopoly of the manufacture and sale of salt.

2. The American news magazine ‘Time’ covered the progress of Gandhiji’s walk to Dandi on the Salt Satyagraha.

3. The Viceroy of India at the time of the Salt Satyagraha was Lord Ripon.

4. Gandhiji did not complete the Dandi March due to ill-health.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 4

(c) 2 only

(d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: (d) 1 and 2 only

Explanation: The Salt Satyagraha did directly challenge the state’s salt monopoly. Time magazine genuinely tracked Gandhi’s Dandi walk in its coverage. The actual Viceroy at this time was Lord Irwin, not Lord Ripon. So statement 3 wrongly names an earlier, unrelated Viceroy. Gandhi did complete the Dandi March in full, despite his age. So statement 4 wrongly claims he failed to finish it. Only statements 1 and 2 are correct among the four. Concept Tested: Verified facts of the Salt Satyagraha and Dandi March

NDA 2012-I

Q. 34. Gandhiji’s call for breaking Salt Laws was in response to the

(a) Non-Cooperation Movement

(b) Civil Disobedience Movement

(c) Khilafat Movement

(d) Quit India Movement

Answer: (b) Civil Disobedience Movement

Explanation: Breaking the salt laws was the opening act of the Civil Disobedience Movement. Gandhi’s Dandi March directly launched this broader 1930 campaign. Non-Cooperation, Khilafat, and Quit India were separate, distinct movements. So option (b) is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Movement launched through the Salt Law defiance

NDA 2011-I

Q. 35. Which one among the following was the major demand of the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) organized under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel?

(a) Land to the Tiller

(b) Increase in the rates of labour wage

(c) Rollback of newly enhanced revenue rate

(d) Supply of agricultural inputs to the farmers at subsidised rate

Answer: (c) Rollback of newly enhanced revenue rate

Explanation: Bardoli’s peasants protested a steep rise in their land revenue rate. Patel led their demand to roll this new rate back. The other options describe demands from separate agrarian movements. So option (c) is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Core demand of the Bardoli Satyagraha

NDA 2011-I

Q. 36. Consider the following statement: ‘We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people as of any other people, to have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life so that they may have full opportunities of growth’ Identify the correct context of this statement from below:

(a) Pledge of independence to be publicly taken all over India on 26 January 1930

(b) Preamble of the Constitution of India adopted in 1950

(c) Congress Working Committee Resolution adopted at the Special Calcutta Congress in 1920

(d) Part of Speech delivered by Subhash Bose at the launch of Azad Hind Fauj

Answer: (a) Pledge of independence to be publicly taken all over India on 26 January 1930

Explanation: This passage forms part of the Purna Swaraj independence pledge. It was read out publicly across India on 26 January 1930. It predates the Constitution’s Preamble and differs from the 1920 or Bose contexts. So option (a) is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Source of this Purna Swaraj pledge passage

NDA 2010-I

Q. 37. Which one of the following with regard to the Poona Pact, 1932 is not correct?

(a) Adequate representation of depressed sections in government jobs

(b) Reservation of seats for the depressed classes in the provincial legislature

(c) Acceptance of joint electorate system

(d) Reservation of seats for the depressed classes in the central legislature

Answer: (a) Adequate representation of depressed sections in government jobs

Explanation: The Poona Pact focused mainly on legislative representation, not job quotas. It mentioned fair representation in services only as an aspiration, not a fixed guarantee. So statement (a) overstates this into a firm ‘adequate representation’ promise. It did reserve seats for depressed classes in provincial legislatures. It did replace separate electorates with a joint electorate system. It did reserve seats for depressed classes in the central legislature too. These other statements about the Poona Pact are accurate. Concept Tested: Precise scope of the Poona Pact’s provisions

NDA 2010-I

Q. 38. The Haripura Congress (1938) remains a milestone in Indian freedom struggle, because

(a) it declared war on the British Empire

(b) it anointed Jawaharlal Nehru as the future Prime Minister of India

(c) of the introduction of the idea of a planning commission

(d) of the acceptance of the Government of India Act, 1935 by the Congress

Answer: (c) of the introduction of the idea of a planning commission

Explanation: The Haripura session, under Subhas Bose, raised the idea of planned development. This laid groundwork for what later became India’s Planning Commission. It did not declare war, anoint a specific future Prime Minister, or accept the 1935 Act. So option (c) is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Significance of the 1938 Haripura Congress session

NDA 2009-II

Q. 39. Mahatma Gandhi undertook ‘fast unto death’ against the Communal Award. He, however, discontinued the fast, because

(a) the Congress leaders successfully prevailed upon Mahatma Gandhi to accept the Award

(b) the British Government withdrew the Communal Award

(c) of the conclusion of the Poona Pact

(d) the weaker classes openly opposed the Award

Answer: (c) of the conclusion of the Poona Pact

Explanation: Gandhi ended his fast once the Poona Pact was concluded. This agreement with Ambedkar replaced separate electorates with reserved seats. The Award itself was not withdrawn, nor did Congress simply persuade him to accept it. So option (c) is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Reason Gandhi ended his fast against the Communal Award

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