UPSC Prelims 2017 · GS Paper I
Question 24: History and Culture
Consider the following statements :
- 1.The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of industrial workers and to allow the workers to form trade unions.
- 2.N.M. Lokhande was a pioneer in organizing the labour movement in British India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The Factories Act of 1881 was mainly meant to regulate child labour (it barred employing children under seven and limited their hours) and to bring in basic safety such as fencing machinery. It did not fix wages and it did not allow workers to form trade unions, so Statement 1 is wrong. Narayan Meghaji Lokhande is regarded as a pioneer of the labour movement in British India; he founded the Bombay Millhands Association in 1890. Remember: 1881 Act = child labour and safety, Lokhande = first organised workers' body.
- 1. The Act dealt with child labour and safety, not wages or unions.
- 2. Lokhande pioneered organising workers and founded the Bombay Millhands Association.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: The Act dealt with child labour and safety, not wages or unions.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: Lokhande pioneered organising workers and founded the Bombay Millhands Association.
Only (b) is left. This one needs every statement.
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) Wrong: the 1881 Act did not fix wages or allow trade unions.
- (b) Right: only Statement 2, about N.M. Lokhande, is correct.
- (c) Wrong: statement 1 is false.
- (d) Wrong: statement 2 is correct.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.