UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 74: History and Culture
His ‘principal forte was social and religious reform. He relied upon legislation to do away with social ills and worked unceasingly for the eradication of child marriage, the purdah system …… To encourage consideration of social problems on a national scale, he inaugurated the Indian National Social Conference, which for many years met for its annual sessions alongside the Indian National Congress.’ The reference in this passage is to
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Mahadev Govind Ranade, a Bombay judge and reformer, set up the Indian National Social Conference (1887), which met alongside the annual Congress sessions; he campaigned, through legislation and persuasion, against child marriage and the purdah system and for widow remarriage. Vidyasagar worked mainly in Bengal, Malabari campaigned against child marriage but did not found the Conference, and Ambedkar belongs to a later period.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Vidyasagar worked mainly in Bengal and did not found the Social Conference.
- (b) Malabari campaigned against child marriage, but the Social Conference was Ranade's.
- (c) Right: Ranade inaugurated the Indian National Social Conference.
- (d) Ambedkar belongs to a later period.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.