2003 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies

Question 131: International Relations and Current Affairs

Which among the following countries was the earliest to give women the right to vote?

aIceland
bIndia
cNew Zealand
dUSA

AnswerThe answer is (c).

New Zealand was the first self-governing country to give women the right to vote in national elections, in 1893. Iceland followed in 1915 (for women over 40), the USA in 1920 through the 19th Amendment, and India gave women the vote on equal terms in 1950, with a limited franchise earlier under the Act of 1935. Remember: New Zealand 1893, Australia 1902, Finland 1906.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Iceland followed in 1915.
  • (b) India gave universal adult franchise in 1950.
  • (c) Correct: New Zealand, in 1893.
  • (d) The USA followed in 1920.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.