2026 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Question 17: History and Culture

Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856 :

  1. 1.The taluqdars were dispossessed of their estates but allowed to retain their arms and forts.
  2. 2.A Summary Revenue Settlement was made in 1856 assuming that the taluqdars were outsiders.
  3. 3.The British believed in taking revenue directly from the peasants by removing the taluqdars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a2 and 3 only
b1 and 3 only
c1, 2 and 3
d2 only

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

After annexing Awadh in 1856, the British dealt harshly with the taluqdars. The Summary Settlement of 1856 treated them as outsiders and usurpers with no lasting interest in the land, and the British preferred to take revenue directly from the peasants. The taluqdars lost their estates, and their forts were demolished and arms taken away. So statement 1 is wrong, and statements 2 and 3 are right. The dispossessed taluqdars later joined the Revolt of 1857.

  • 1. Taluqdars lost estates and were disarmed, with their forts demolished.
  • 2. The 1856 Summary Settlement treated taluqdars as outsiders.
  • 3. The British wanted revenue directly from peasants, removing the taluqdars.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (b) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.

    What you needed to know: Taluqdars lost estates and were disarmed, with their forts demolished.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 3 out.

    What you needed to know: The British wanted revenue directly from peasants, removing the taluqdars.

Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statement 2.

This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.

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) Right: statements 2 and 3 are correct.
  • (b) Wrong: statement 1 is false, since taluqdars were disarmed and their forts pulled down.
  • (c) Wrong: statement 1 is false.
  • (d) Incomplete: statement 3 is also correct.

Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.