The Russian Revolution – NDA History PYQs

NDA 2026-I

Q. 1. Consider the following statements about the Russian Revolution:

1. The incident known as ‘Bloody Sunday’ started a series of events known as the 1905 Revolution

2. Lawyers, doctors, engineers and other middle-class workers established the Union of Unions and demanded a Constituent Assembly

(a) I only

(b) II only

(c) Both I and II

(d) Neither I nor II

Answer: (c) Both I and II

Explanation: Bloody Sunday did trigger the wider unrest of the 1905 Revolution. Middle-class professionals did form the Union of Unions during this period. This body did demand the creation of a Constituent Assembly. Both statements together are accurate here. Concept Tested: Origins and demands of the 1905 Revolution

NDA 2021-I

Q. 2. Who among the following was the head of the Government that was overthrown by the Bolsheviks in the 1917 Revolution?

(a) Alexander Kerensky

(b) Prince Lvov

(c) Grand Duke Sergei

(d) Tsar Nicholas II

Answer: (a) Alexander Kerensky

Explanation: Alexander Kerensky led the Provisional Government at the time of its overthrow. The Bolsheviks seized power from his government in October 1917. Prince Lvov, Grand Duke Sergei, and Tsar Nicholas II held other, earlier positions. So option (a) Alexander Kerensky is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Head of the government overthrown in 1917

NDA 2019-II

Q. 3. Consider the following statements concerning the Russian Revolution:

1. The Bolsheviks believed that in a repressive society like Tsarist Russia, the party should be disciplined and should control the number of its members.

2. The Mensheviks believed that the party should be opened to all (as in Germany).

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: The Bolsheviks did favour a small, disciplined, tightly controlled party. The Mensheviks did favour a broader, more open party membership model. Both statements together correctly describe this real ideological split. Concept Tested: Core organisational split between Bolsheviks and Mensheviks

NDA 2019-I

Q. 4. Who among the following presented ‘The April Theses’ to the Russian people in 1917?

(a) Stalin

(b) Trotsky

(c) Bukharin

(d) Lenin

Answer: (d) Lenin

Explanation: Lenin presented the April Theses upon his return to Russia in 1917. It set out his call for soviets to seize power from the Provisional Government. Stalin, Trotsky, and Bukharin played other, separate roles in this period. So option (d) Lenin is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Author of the April Theses

NDA 2016-II

Q. 5. Which of the following was/were the feature(s) of Lenin’s New Economic Policy (NEP) for the Soviet Union?

1. Private retail trading was strictly forbidden

2. Private enterprise was strictly forbidden

3. Peasants were not allowed to sell their surplus

4. To secure liquid capital, concessions were allowed to foreign capitalists, but the State retained the option of purchasing the products of such concerns

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 1, 2 and 4

(d) 4 only

Answer: (d) 4 only

Explanation: The NEP actually permitted private retail trading, reversing earlier bans. So statement 1 wrongly claims retail trade remained forbidden. Small-scale private enterprise was likewise allowed under the NEP. So statement 2 wrongly claims private enterprise stayed forbidden. Peasants were actually permitted to sell surplus after paying a fixed tax. So statement 3 wrongly denies them this right to sell surplus. Foreign capitalist concessions genuinely came with a state purchase option. Only statement 4 is correct among the four. Concept Tested: Real features that distinguished the NEP from War Communism

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: NDA often describes War Communism’s restrictions and labels them as NEP features. The NEP actually reversed these bans on trade, enterprise, and peasant sales.

NDA 2014-II

Q. 6. The Bolshevik Revolution started in Russia during the reign of

(a) Czar Alexander I

(b) Czar Alexander II

(c) Czar Alexander III

(d) Czar Nicholas II

Answer: (d) Czar Nicholas II

Explanation: Czar Nicholas II reigned during the events leading to the 1917 Revolution. His rule ended amid the collapse that opened the way for Bolshevik power. Alexander I, II, and III ruled during earlier, separate periods. So option (d) Czar Nicholas II is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Ruler during the Bolshevik Revolution’s outbreak

NDA 2013-II

Q. 7. Which of the following statements about Russia is/are correct?

1. Russia emerged as the first socialist state in the world.

2. Socialist state in Russia was established by Bolsheviks in 1917.

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: Russia did become the world’s first socialist state. The Bolsheviks did establish this socialist state in 1917. Both statements together are accurate here. Concept Tested: Russia’s status as the first socialist state

NDA 2011-II

Q. 8. The international body which was formed in Europe (in 1889) to coordinate the efforts of socialists all over Europe was called

(a) Social Democratic Party

(b) Commune

(c) Second International

(d) Labour Party

Answer: (c) Second International

Explanation: The Second International formed in 1889 to unite European socialist parties. It coordinated shared strategy and solidarity across national movements. The Social Democratic Party, Commune, and Labour Party name separate bodies. So option (c) Second International is the correct answer. Concept Tested: Body coordinating European socialists from 1889

---