2013 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2013 · GS Paper I
Question 39: History and Culture
The people of India agitated against the arrival of Simon Commission because
aIndians never wanted the review of the working of the Act of 1919
bSimon Commission recommended the abolition of Dyarchy (Diarchy) in the Provinces
cthere was no Indian member in the Simon Commission
dthe Simon Commission suggested the partition of the country
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The Simon Commission (1927), appointed to review the working of the Government of India Act, 1919, had seven members, all British, and no Indian. Indians saw this as an insult to their right to frame their own constitution, so the Congress and a section of the Muslim League boycotted it, with 'Simon Go Back' protests in 1928. Its report came only in 1930, so its recommendations cannot have caused the agitation.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. Indians did not oppose the review as such; they objected to its all-British membership.
- (b) Wrong. The report came after the protests, so it could not be the reason.
- (c) Correct. The Commission had no Indian member.
- (d) Wrong. The Commission did not suggest partition.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.