Independent India: The Early Decades – NDA History PYQs

Practice NDA History previous-year questions with detailed solutions and explanations.

Chapter-wise PYQs • Concept-based explanations • Exam insights

NDA 2025-I

Q. 1. Which one of the following statements about the Bhoodan Movement is correct?

(a) The target was to get one-sixth of cultivable land in India as donation

(b) It was approved through a Central Government Act

(d) The first donation of land was in Bihar

Answer: (a) The target was to get one-sixth of cultivable land in India as donation

Explanation: Vinoba Bhave’s target was to secure one-sixth of India’s cultivable land. The movement remained entirely voluntary, with no Central Government Act. Much of the donated land actually faced ongoing litigation problems. The first donation took place in Pochampally, Telangana, not Bihar. So option (a) is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Actual target and real limitations of the Bhoodan Movement

NDA 2025-I

Q. 2. Which one among the following does NOT figure among the Five Principles of Panchsheel?

(a) Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty

(b) Equality and mutual benefit

(d) Nuclear non-proliferation

Answer: (d) Nuclear non-proliferation

Explanation: Panchsheel’s five principles focus on respect, equality, and coexistence. Nuclear non-proliferation is not among these original five principles. Territorial respect, equality, and peaceful coexistence are genuine principles. So option (d) Nuclear non-proliferation is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Principle excluded from the Five Principles of Panchsheel

NDA 2024-II

Q. 3. Who among the following was the last Governor-General of India before the office was permanently abolished?

(a) Lord Mountbatten

(b) Chakravarti Rajagopalachari

(d) Lord Linlithgow

Answer: (b) Chakravarti Rajagopalachari

Explanation: C. Rajagopalachari served as India’s last Governor-General. His term ended when India became a Republic in 1950. Mountbatten, Wavell, and Linlithgow held this office at earlier points. So option (b) Chakravarti Rajagopalachari is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Last Governor-General before the office ended

NDA 2024-II

Q. 4. Consider the following statements about the Linguistic Reorganization of the States:

1. Gandhiji, in 1948, had argued for the reorganization of provinces on a linguistic basis

2. The Constituent Assembly recommended it to be incorporated in the Constitution of India

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation: Gandhi did stress the linguistic distribution of provinces as an urgent issue. So statement 1 correctly reflects his stated position. The Assembly’s own Dhar Commission actually recommended against reorganisation then. So statement 2 wrongly claims the Assembly urged its inclusion in the Constitution. Only statement 1 is correct among the two. Concept Tested: Gandhi’s stance versus the Constituent Assembly’s actual recommendation

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: NDA often reverses which body actually supported linguistic reorganisation. Gandhi favoured it, but the Assembly’s own Dhar Commission (1948) recommended against it at that time.

NDA 2024-II

Q. 5. Acharya Vinoba Bhave received the first donation of land under the Bhoodan Movement at

(a) Ramgarh

(b) Garhwa

(d) Pochampally

Answer: (d) Pochampally

Explanation: Pochampally in Telangana was the site of the first Bhoodan land donation. This 1951 event marked the movement’s actual starting point. Ramgarh, Garhwa, and Hyderabad were not this first donation’s location. So option (d) Pochampally is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Site of the first Bhoodan land donation

NDA 2024-II

Q. 6. Which of the following is NOT a part of the five principles enshrined in the ‘Panchsheel’ agreement signed by India and China in 1954?

(a) Mutual non-aggression

(b) Mutual non-interference

(d) Cultural cooperation

Answer: (d) Cultural cooperation

Explanation: Panchsheel’s five principles cover respect, non-aggression, and coexistence. Cultural cooperation is not one of these five founding principles. Non-aggression, non-interference, and peaceful coexistence are genuine principles. So option (d) Cultural cooperation is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Principle excluded from the 1954 Panchsheel agreement

NDA 2023-II

Q. 7. Consider the following statements with reference to the Bhoodan Movement:

1. Vinoba Bhave organized ‘The Sarvodaya Samaj’ to take up the work of non-violent transformation in India

2. Jayaprakash Narayan withdrew from active politics to join the Bhoodan Movement in 1953

3. In the wake of the Bhoodan Movement the first donation of land was made in the village of Pochampalli in Telangana

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1

(b) 2

(d) None

Answer: (c) 3

Explanation: Vinoba Bhave did organise the Sarvodaya Samaj for non-violent transformation. Jayaprakash Narayan did leave active politics to join Bhoodan in 1953. The first land donation genuinely took place at Pochampalli in Telangana. All three statements together are correct here. Concept Tested: Verified facts about the Bhoodan Movement’s founding

NDA 2022-II

Q. 8. Who among the following initiated the Bhoodan Movement?

(a) Ram Prasad Bismil

(b) Vinoba Bhave

(d) Kanhu Murmu

Answer: (b) Vinoba Bhave

Explanation: Vinoba Bhave initiated the Bhoodan Movement in 1951. He walked from village to village persuading landowners to donate land. Bismil, Gandhi, and Kanhu Murmu are linked to separate historical moments. So option (b) Vinoba Bhave is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Founder of the Bhoodan Movement

NDA 2020 I&II

Q. 9. Which one among the following was NOT a Panch Sheel principle?

(a) Peaceful Co-existence

(b) Mutual respect for territorial integrity

(d) Non-interference in internal affairs

Answer: (c) Nuclear deterrence

Explanation: Panchsheel’s five principles centred on peaceful, respectful coexistence. Nuclear deterrence has no place among these founding principles. Peaceful coexistence, territorial respect, and non-interference are genuine principles. So option (c) Nuclear deterrence is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Principle excluded from the original Panchsheel

NDA 2019-II

Q. 10. Who was the Education Minister in the first Cabinet of independent India?

(a) Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

(b) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

(d) Acharya Narendra Dev

Answer: (c) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Explanation: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad served as India’s first Education Minister. He held this post continuously from 1947 for over a decade. Radhakrishnan, Patel, and Narendra Dev held other public roles instead. So option (c) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad is the correct answer. Concept Tested: First Education Minister of independent India

NDA 2015-I

Q. 11. Pochampally in Nalgonda district of Telangana became famous in April, 1951 because

(a) the Bhoodan movement was launched there by Vinoba Bhave

(b) the landless peasants rose up in arms against the landlords

(d) Silk weavers’ cooperative was formed for the first time in India

Answer: (a) the Bhoodan movement was launched there by Vinoba Bhave

Explanation: Vinoba Bhave launched the Bhoodan Movement at Pochampally in April 1951. This land-gift movement began after villagers asked him for land there. No armed uprising, anti-Hindi agitation, or weavers’ cooperative marks this event. So option (a) is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Significance of Pochampally in April 1951

NDA 2015-I

Q. 12. Who among the following was not associated with the Sarvodaya movement?

(a) Jaya Prakash Narayan

(b) Acharya Vinoba Bhave

(d) G V Apparao

Answer: (d) G V Apparao

Explanation: Jaya Prakash Narayan, Vinoba Bhave, and Dhirendra Mazumdar were all genuine Sarvodaya workers. G V Apparao is not recorded among this movement’s associated figures. So option (d) G V Apparao is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Figures genuinely linked to the Sarvodaya movement

NDA 2012-II

Q. 13. Navroze is a festival celebrated in India by the

(a) Hindus

(b) Muslims

(d) Christians

Answer: (c) Parsis

Explanation: Navroze marks the Parsi New Year in India. It is rooted in ancient Persian Zoroastrian tradition. Hindus, Muslims, and Christians mark separate festivals of their own. So option (c) Parsis is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Community that celebrates Navroze

NDA 2012-I

Q. 14. Karam is a festival celebrated to worship Karam Devta, the God of power. Which one among the following tribal communities in India traditionally celebrates this festival?

(a) Santhals

(b) Karbi

(d) Bhils

Answer: (a) Santhals

Explanation: The Santhal community traditionally celebrates the Karam festival. It honours Karam Devta, worshipped as a god of power and strength. The Karbi, Meenas, and Bhils observe their own separate festivals. So option (a) Santhals is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Community associated with the Karam festival

Quick Revision

The Karam festival honours Karam Devta and is traditionally celebrated by Santhals.
Navroze is the Parsi New Year festival.
The Bhoodan Movement began at Pochampally, Telangana, in April 1951, launched by Vinoba Bhave.
G V Apparao was NOT associated with the Sarvodaya movement, unlike JP Narayan, Vinoba Bhave, or Dhirendra Mazumdar.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was independent India’s first Education Minister.
Panchsheel’s five genuine principles never include nuclear deterrence, nuclear non-proliferation, or cultural cooperation.
Vinoba Bhave organised the Sarvodaya Samaj; Jayaprakash Narayan joined Bhoodan in 1953; the first donation was at Pochampalli.
C. Rajagopalachari was India’s last Governor-General, serving until the Republic began in 1950.
Gandhi favoured linguistic reorganisation of provinces, but the Constituent Assembly’s own Dhar Commission (1948) recommended against it at the time.
Bhoodan’s target was one-sixth of India’s cultivable land; it was voluntary (no Act), and much donated land faced litigation.