UPSC IAS Archives

41. Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female

Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?

Annie Besant

Debendranath Tagore

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Sarojini Naidu

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The Hindu Female School, founded in Calcutta in 1849 by J.E.D. Bethune, was a pioneering institution for women’s education in India. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was deeply involved with Bethune in the establishment of this school and became its first Indian secretary. After Bethune’s death in 1851, Vidyasagar took on the responsibility of running the school, often funding it from his own pocket, demonstrating his strong commitment to the cause of female education. The school was renamed Bethune Female School in honour of its founder and later evolved into Bethune College.

– Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a key associate and the first Indian secretary of the Hindu Female School (later Bethune Female School).
– He played a crucial role in its management and sustenance after Bethune’s demise.
– The school was founded by J.E.D. Bethune in 1849.

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a renowned Bengali polymath and a key figure of the Bengal Renaissance. He was a social reformer who championed widow remarriage, opposed child marriage, and advocated for women’s education. His efforts were instrumental in opening up educational opportunities for girls in India during the 19th century. Annie Besant was associated with later educational movements, Debendranath Tagore was a prominent figure in the Brahmo Samaj and Indian philosophy, and Sarojini Naidu was a nationalist leader and poet in the 20th century.

42. With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the co

With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct ascending order in terms of size?

Paragana-Sarkar-Suba

Sarkar-Paragana-Suba

Suba-Sarkar-Paragana

Paragana-Suba-Sarkar

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The correct ascending order of administrative divisions in medieval India in terms of size is Paragana – Sarkar – Suba.

During the Mughal administration, the empire was divided into several provinces, known as Subas. Each Suba was headed by a Subedar. Subas were further divided into divisions called Sarkars. A Sarkar was administered by a Faujdar. Below the Sarkar were smaller units called Paraganas (or Mahals), consisting of a number of villages. A Paragana was overseen by officials like the Shiqdar, Amin, Qanungo, etc. The smallest unit of administration was the village. Thus, the hierarchy from smallest to largest was Village < Paragana < Sarkar < Suba < Empire. The ascending order of the given options is Paragana (smallest) < Sarkar < Suba (largest).

This administrative structure evolved over time, with roots in the administrative systems of the Delhi Sultanate. The Mughals, particularly Akbar, refined and standardized this system across their vast empire. Understanding these administrative divisions is crucial for studying the political and economic history of medieval India.

43. Who among the following is associated with ‘Songs from Prison’, a tran

Who among the following is associated with ‘Songs from Prison’, a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English?

Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Jawaharlal Nehru

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Sarojini Naidu

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Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is associated with ‘Songs from Prison’, which is a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics into English.

‘Songs from Prison: Translations of Indian Lyrics made in Jail’ is a book containing English translations of devotional poems and hymns by Mahatma Gandhi. These translations were made while he was imprisoned in Yerwada Jail, Poona (now Pune), primarily in 1930 and 1932. The collection includes translations of verses from various Indian languages and religious traditions.

The book was compiled and published after Gandhi’s release from prison. It reflects Gandhi’s deep religious and spiritual inclinations and his practice of translating texts as a form of meditation and study during his incarceration. The other options, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sarojini Naidu, were also prominent figures involved in the freedom struggle, with significant literary contributions or interests, but ‘Songs from Prison’ is specifically linked to Gandhi.

44. With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the

With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?

The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC.

The Viceroy's Executive Council was expanded to include more Indians.

The Congress ministries resigned in seven provinces.

Cripps proposed an Indian Union with full Dominion Status once the Second World War was over.

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On 8th August, 1942, the Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC.

The historic Quit India Resolution, also known as the ‘Bharat Chhodo Andolan’, was passed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) at its meeting in Bombay on August 8, 1942. The resolution called for an end to British rule in India. Following the adoption of the resolution, Mahatma Gandhi gave his famous ‘Do or Die’ speech. The leadership of the Congress was arrested the next day, triggering spontaneous mass protests across the country.

The expansion of the Viceroy’s Executive Council occurred earlier in the context of the August Offer (1940). The resignation of Congress ministries in seven provinces took place in October/November 1939 after the Viceroy declared India a belligerent in World War II without consulting Indian leaders. The Cripps Mission, which proposed Dominion Status, visited India in March 1942, several months before the Quit India Movement was launched.

45. Consider the following statements: 1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms

Consider the following statements:

1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age of 21.
2. The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in legislature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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Only statement 2 is correct.

1. **Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919:** These reforms extended the franchise but did not grant voting rights to *all* women above 21. Franchise was limited based on property, income, and education. The Act *allowed* provincial legislatures to enfranchise women on these limited criteria, and Madras was the first province to do so in 1921. Universal adult suffrage, let alone for all women above 21, was not a feature of these reforms. Thus, statement 1 is incorrect.
2. **Government of India Act of 1935:** This Act further expanded the electorate and made provisions for women voters. It not only increased the number of women voters but also provided for *reserved seats* for women in some provincial legislatures and the federal legislature. Thus, statement 2 is correct.

The grant of voting rights to women in British India was a gradual process, starting with limited franchise in some municipalities and then provincially under the 1919 Act, extended significantly under the 1935 Act, but still based on qualifications, not universal adult suffrage, which was introduced with the Constitution of independent India. The system of reserved seats for women under the 1935 Act was distinct from general seats and was intended to ensure their representation.

46. With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla

With reference to the history of ancient India, Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla and Kshemeshvara were famous

Jain monks

playwrights

temple architects

philosophers

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Bhavabhuti, Hastimalla, and Kshemeshvara were famous playwrights.

Bhavabhuti was a celebrated Sanskrit playwright of the 8th century, known for works like ‘Malatimadhava’, ‘Mahaviracharita’, and ‘Uttararamacarita’. Hastimalla was a prolific Jain playwright of the 13th century, authoring several Kannada plays. Kshemeshvara was another notable Sanskrit playwright, likely active between the 10th and 11th centuries, known for his play ‘Chandakaushika’. All three are historically recognized for their contributions to drama.

While individuals might have had multiple roles (e.g., philosophers who were also playwrights), the primary fame and historical identification of these three figures are as playwrights. They are significant figures in the history of Indian theatre and Sanskrit literature.

47. Consider the following pairs : International agreement/set-up Sub

Consider the following pairs :

International agreement/set-up	Subject
1. Alma-Ata Declaration	— Healthcare of the people
2. Hague Convention	— Biological and chemical weapons
3. Talanoa Dialogue	— Global climate change
4. Under2 Coalition	— Child rights

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

1 and 2 only

4 only

1 and 3 only

2, 3 and 4 only

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The Alma-Ata Declaration is correctly matched with ‘Healthcare of the people’, and the Talanoa Dialogue is correctly matched with ‘Global climate change’.

1. **Alma-Ata Declaration (1978):** This was a major international conference held in Alma-Ata (now Almaty, Kazakhstan) which produced the Declaration of Alma-Ata, defining and advocating for primary health care as the key to achieving the goal of “Health For All”. So, pair 1 is correctly matched.
2. **Hague Convention:** This term refers to a series of international treaties concluded at The Hague, Netherlands. These include conventions on international private law, laws of war (1899, 1907), cultural property protection, etc. While conventions related to chemical/biological weapons exist (like the Chemical Weapons Convention implemented by OPCW in The Hague), the term “Hague Convention” is not typically used to *specifically* refer to biological and chemical weapons conventions in general. Pair 2 is incorrectly matched.
3. **Talanoa Dialogue:** This was a process under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), launched at COP23 in 2017. It was a facilitative dialogue for countries to assess their progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and inform the preparation of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It is directly related to global climate change. Pair 3 is correctly matched.
4. **Under2 Coalition:** This is a coalition of subnational governments (states, regions, provinces) committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to below 2 tonnes per capita by 2050. It is focused on climate action at the subnational level, not child rights. Pair 4 is incorrectly matched.

The Hague Conventions are a diverse set of international agreements. The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC, 1993) and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC, 1972) are the key treaties related to these weapons. The Under2 Coalition is an important initiative demonstrating climate leadership by subnational actors. Child rights are primarily addressed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

48. In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to wh

In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens ?

Person with an annual income of less than ₹ 1,00,000
Transgender with an annual income of less than ₹ 2,00,000
Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than ₹ 3,00,000
All Senior Citizens

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 2 only

3 and 4 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 4 only

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Legal Services Authorities in India provide free legal services to persons with an annual income of less than ₹1,00,000 and transgender persons with an annual income of less than ₹2,00,000, among other eligible categories.

The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 aims to provide free and competent legal services to eligible persons. Eligible categories specified under the Act and subsequent rules/amendments include persons belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, victims of trafficking or begar, women and children, persons with disabilities, persons in custody, industrial workmen, victims of mass disaster, violence, etc., senior citizens, transgender persons, and persons with an annual income below a prescribed limit. The income limit varies from state to state and is revised periodically; ₹1,00,000 per annum is a plausible limit for the general category in some states. Transgender persons are a specific category, and eligibility often includes an income threshold; ₹2,00,000 is a plausible limit in some states. OBC status alone is not a criterion for free legal aid, although an OBC person could be eligible based on income or other criteria (woman, senior citizen, etc.). While Senior Citizens are an eligible category, the statement “All Senior Citizens” is incorrect as income limits may apply in some states, although often set higher than the general category or exempted for very elderly citizens. Based on the specific statements and typical eligibility criteria, statements 1 and 2 describe plausible eligible categories, while 3 (OBC based) and 4 (“All Senior Citizens” implying no income test) are generally incorrect as presented.

The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) implement the provisions of the Act. The specific income limits are determined by the State Governments, except for the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, which sets its own limit. The categories listed under Section 12 of the Act ensure that vulnerable sections of society have access to justice. The inclusion of transgender persons as a specific category for legal aid reflects evolving social awareness and policy.

49. Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the

Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)?

1. Preamble
2. Directive Principles of State Policy
3. Fundamental Duties

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 2 only

2 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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The Preamble, Directive Principles of State Policy, and Fundamental Duties of the Constitution of India all reflect principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) proclaims universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Preamble to the Indian Constitution, with its ideals of justice (social, economic, and political), liberty, equality, and fraternity, aligns with the spirit and specific provisions of the UDHR. The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) cover socio-economic rights and welfare measures (e.g., right to work, education, social security, adequate standard of living, public health), which are extensively covered in Articles 22-27 of the UDHR. Fundamental Duties (FDs) outline the responsibilities of citizens towards the nation and community (e.g., promote harmony, value composite culture, protect environment). Article 29(1) of the UDHR states, “Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible,” acknowledging the connection between duties and rights. While Fundamental Rights are the most direct reflection and legally enforceable counterpart of many civil and political rights in UDHR, the principles of human dignity, equality, social justice, and the necessary environment for realizing rights are reflected across the Preamble, DPSPs, and FDs.

India was a signatory to the UDHR. When formulating the Constitution, the framers were influenced by international developments in human rights. While the Fundamental Rights directly incorporate many civil and political rights from the UDHR, the DPSPs were intended to guide the state towards achieving socio-economic justice, aligning with the economic, social, and cultural rights mentioned in the Declaration. Fundamental Duties, added later, also promote values conducive to a rights-respecting society. Therefore, all three parts reflect the principles of the UDHR in different ways.

50. A constitutional government by definition is a

A constitutional government by definition is a

government by legislature

popular government

multi-party government

limited government

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A constitutional government by definition is a limited government.

A constitutional government is one whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution. The constitution sets out the framework of government, specifies the powers and duties of its different branches, and often includes provisions that protect individual rights and freedoms, thereby placing limits on governmental authority.

Options A, B, and C describe potential characteristics of certain types of democratic governments but do not define the fundamental nature of a constitutional government. A government by legislature is specific to parliamentary systems. A popular government implies governance based on the will of the people, which is a characteristic of democracy, but not the defining feature of a constitutional government. A multi-party government is a characteristic of many democratic systems but is not essential for a government to be constitutional. The core concept of a constitutional government is that it is bound and limited by the law embodied in the constitution.