2010 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2010 · General Studies

Question 54: History and Culture

After Quit India Movement, C. Rajagopalachari issued a pamphlet entitled “The Way Out”. Which one of the following was a proposal in this pamphlet ?

aThe establishment of a “War Advisory Council” composed of representatives of British India and the Indian States
bReconstitution of the Central Executive Council in such a way that all its members, except the Governor General and the Commander-in-Chief should be Indian leaders
cFresh elections to the Central and Provincial Legislatures to be held at the end of 1945 and the Constitution making body to be convened as soon as possible
dA solution for the constitutional deadlock

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Rajagopalachari's pamphlet 'The Way Out', issued after Quit India, was his attempt to break the political deadlock between the Congress, the Muslim League and the British government by suggesting a way to a provisional national government and a constitution. Option (d) names that purpose, a solution for the constitutional deadlock. Option (a), a War Advisory Council with representatives of British India and the Indian States, belongs to the 1940 August Offer, not to Rajaji's pamphlet.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) A War Advisory Council with Indian States was part of the August Offer of 1940.
  • (b) A reshaped Executive Council is not what the key takes the pamphlet to propose.
  • (c) Fresh elections and a constitution-making body are not what the key takes the pamphlet to propose.
  • (d) Right (as keyed): the pamphlet sought a way out of the constitutional deadlock.

Worth knowing: Option (d) only names the pamphlet's purpose, while (b) and (c) are also linked to it in some accounts, so the question is open to dispute.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious questionNext question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010, General Studies, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.