2012 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I
Question 36: History and Culture
Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because
aRound Table Conference failed to satisfy Indian political aspirations
bCongress and Muslim League had differences of opinion
cRamsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award
dNone of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
In August 1932 Ramsay MacDonald announced the Communal Award, which gave separate electorates to the Depressed Classes among others. Gandhi opposed splitting Hindu society and began a fast unto death in Yerwada jail in September 1932. It ended with the Poona Pact, which replaced separate electorates for the Depressed Classes with reserved seats in the general electorate.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: the failure of the Round Table Conference was not the reason for the fast.
- (b) Wrong: Congress-League differences did not cause the fast.
- (c) Correct: he fasted against the Communal Award announced by Ramsay MacDonald.
- (d) Wrong: statement (c) gives the reason.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.