UPSC Prelims 2005 · General Studies

Question 75: History and Culture

Consider the following statements :

1.In the First Round Table Conference Dr. Ambedkar demanded electorates for the depressed classes.
2.In the Poona Pact, special provisions for representation of the depressed people in the local bodies and civil services were made.
3.The Indian National Congress did not take part in the Third Round Table Conference.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a1 and 2

b2 and 3

c1 and 3

d1, 2 and 3

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Statements 1 and 3 are right: at the First Round Table Conference (1930-31) Ambedkar demanded separate electorates for the depressed classes, and the Congress did not attend the Third (1932), having attended only the Second. Statement 2 is not accepted: the Poona Pact (1932) fixed reserved seats in legislatures, while for local bodies and services it promised only an endeavour at fair representation.

1. Ambedkar demanded separate electorates for the depressed classes at the First Round Table Conference.
2. The key does not count it: the Pact promised only an endeavour for local bodies and services.
3. The Congress did not take part in the Third Round Table Conference.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a), (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: The key does not count it: the Pact promised only an endeavour for local bodies and services.

Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 3.

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) Includes statement 2, which the key rejects, and drops statement 3.
(b) Includes statement 2 and drops statement 1.
(c) Given answer: statements 1 and 3.
(d) Includes statement 2, which the key rejects (see doubt).

Worth knowing: Clause 8 of the Poona Pact promised no disabilities and 'fair representation' for the depressed classes in local bodies and public services, so statement 2 can be argued as true, which would make (d) correct; the key treats it as false.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2005, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.