UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I
Question 20: History and Culture
Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement :
- IThe Congress declared the attainment of ‘Swaraj’ by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective.
- IIIt was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if ‘Swaraj’ did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
At Nagpur in December 1920, the Congress changed its aim from self-government by constitutional means to the attainment of Swaraj by all legitimate and peaceful means, so statement I is right. The Non-Cooperation plan was also staged: it began with boycott, resignation and surrender of titles, and with Gandhi promising Swaraj within a year. Mass civil disobedience, including refusal to pay taxes, was kept for a later stage if Swaraj did not come and the Government answered with repression. Both statements are correct.
- I. The Nagpur Congress adopted Swaraj by legitimate and peaceful means as its aim.
- II. Civil disobedience and tax refusal were kept for a later stage, if Swaraj did not come within a year.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement I is correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves I out.
What you needed to know: The Nagpur Congress adopted Swaraj by legitimate and peaceful means as its aim.
The red flag in statement I is “all”. In UPSC’s papers, statements with “all” were true 41% of the time (76 statements). A hint, not a rule.
- Then, if you were sure statement II is correct, (a) goes: it leaves II out.
What you needed to know: Civil disobedience and tax refusal were kept for a later stage, if Swaraj did not come within a year.
The red flag in statement II is “only”. In UPSC’s papers, statements with “only” were true 27% of the time (82 statements). A hint, not a rule.
Only (c) is left. This one needs every statement.
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) Wrong: statement II about a staged plan is also correct.
- (b) Wrong: statement I about the Nagpur objective is also correct.
- (c) Right: both the objective and the staged plan are accurately described.
- (d) Wrong: both statements are correct.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.