UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies

Question 47: Polity and Governance

Which one of the following statements is correct?

aThe National Song Vande Mataram was composed by Bankimchandra Chatterji originally in Bengali

bThe National Calendar of India based on Saka era has its 1st Chaitra on 22nd March normally and 21st March in a leap year

cThe design of the National Flag of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22nd July 1947

dThe song ‘Jana-gana-mana’, composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore was adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly on 24th January 1950 as the National Anthem of India

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Bankim Chandra Chatterji wrote Vande Mataram in Bengali (in a Sanskritised style); it appeared in his novel Anandamath in 1882, and the Constituent Assembly accepted it as the national song on 24 January 1950, with status equal to the national anthem. That is the statement the key accepts. Remember: Vande Mataram is the national song, Jana Gana Mana the national anthem, and both were accepted on the same day.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) The key's pick: Bankim Chandra's Bengali composition, from Anandamath.
(b) The Saka calendar does begin on 22 March (21 March in a leap year), so this also looks accurate.
(c) The Constituent Assembly did adopt the flag on 22 July 1947, so this also looks accurate.
(d) Jana Gana Mana was adopted on 24 January 1950, so this also looks accurate in the usual account.

Worth knowing: Options (b), (c) and (d) also look accurate, so the question is arguably flawed; the key's (a) rests on Vande Mataram being Bankim's Bengali composition.

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.