UPSC Prelims 2000 · General Studies

Question 93: History and Culture

Assertion (A): The basic weakness of the early nationalist movement lay in its narrow social base. Reason (R): It fought for the narrow interests of the social groups which joined it.

aBoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

bBoth A and R are true, but R is not a correct explanation of A

cA is true, but R is false

dA is false, but R is true

AnswerThe answer is (c).

The early nationalists, the Moderates, drew their support from the educated middle class, lawyers, journalists and the like, and had little mass base among peasants and workers. This was their basic weakness, so A is true. But R is false: they did not fight for the narrow interests of the groups that joined them; they raised broad national demands such as Indianisation of services and an end to the drain.

A. The early nationalist movement had a narrow social base.
R. It fought for broad national demands, not the narrow interests of the groups in it.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes. Then judge the second statement; if it is correct too, decide whether it explains the first.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) R is false, so it cannot be a true explanation.
(b) R is false, so this option, which calls it true, is wrong.
(c) Right: A is true and R is false.
(d) A is true, so it cannot be called false.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2000, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.