PART A – RISE OF INDIAN NATIONALISM (1885–1947)
1. The Indian National Congress was founded in:
A) 1880
B) 1885
C) 1890
D) 1900
Answer: B
Explanation: The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 by A.O. Hume with W.C. Bonnerjee as its first president.
2. The first session of the Indian National Congress was held at:
A) Calcutta
B) Bombay
C) Madras
D) Allahabad
Answer: B
Explanation: The first INC session was held in Bombay (Mumbai) in December 1885.
3. The main aim of early nationalists was:
A) Complete independence
B) Swaraj through armed struggle
C) Constitutional and political reforms
D) Social equality
Answer: C
Explanation: Moderates demanded constitutional reforms and believed in petitions and discussions with the British.
4. Who is known as the “Grand Old Man of India”?
A) Dadabhai Naoroji
B) G.K. Gokhale
C) B.G. Tilak
D) Lala Lajpat Rai
Answer: A
Explanation: Dadabhai Naoroji is called the “Grand Old Man of India” for his leadership and economic analysis of colonial exploitation.
5. Dadabhai Naoroji’s book “Poverty and Un-British Rule in India” explained:
A) Drain of Wealth Theory
B) Swaraj Concept
C) Civil Disobedience
D) Industrialization
Answer: A
Explanation: He argued that British rule drained India’s wealth through trade imbalance and salaries to British officials.
6. The period 1885–1905 in Indian National Congress history is called:
A) Extremist phase
B) Revolutionary phase
C) Moderate phase
D) Socialist phase
Answer: C
Explanation: The first phase of Congress was dominated by Moderates (1885–1905).
7. The slogan “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it” was given by:
A) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
B) Lala Lajpat Rai
C) Bipin Chandra Pal
D) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Answer: A
Explanation: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the leader of Extremists, gave this slogan to inspire mass participation.
8. The Partition of Bengal was carried out in:
A) 1903
B) 1905
C) 1907
D) 1909
Answer: B
Explanation: Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal in 1905 on administrative grounds, which provoked the Swadeshi Movement.
9. The Swadeshi and Boycott Movements were launched to protest:
A) Rowlatt Act
B) Partition of Bengal
C) Simon Commission
D) Jallianwala Bagh
Answer: B
Explanation: Partition of Bengal in 1905 led to Swadeshi and Boycott of British goods.
10. The trio of Lal-Bal-Pal represents:
A) Social reformers
B) Moderate leaders
C) Extremist nationalists
D) Revolutionaries
Answer: C
Explanation: Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal were leaders of the Extremist faction.
11. The revolutionary organization Anushilan Samiti was founded in:
A) Bengal
B) Punjab
C) Bombay
D) Madras
Answer: A
Explanation: Founded in Bengal, Anushilan Samiti inspired youth to take up armed resistance.
12. The Home Rule Movement was started by:
A) Gandhi
B) Annie Besant and B.G. Tilak
C) C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru
D) Lajpat Rai and Bhagat Singh
Answer: B
Explanation: Both Annie Besant and Tilak started Home Rule Movements in 1916 demanding self-government.
13. The Lucknow Pact (1916) was signed between:
A) Congress and British
B) Congress and Muslim League
C) British and League
D) Gandhi and Jinnah
Answer: B
Explanation: The Lucknow Pact united Congress and Muslim League for joint political action against British rule.
14. The Rowlatt Act (1919) authorized:
A) Right to vote
B) Detention without trial
C) Free press
D) Abolition of taxes
Answer: B
Explanation: The Rowlatt Act allowed imprisonment without trial, leading to widespread protests.
15. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in:
A) 1918
B) 1919
C) 1920
D) 1921
Answer: B
Explanation: On 13 April 1919, General Dyer fired on peaceful protesters in Amritsar, killing hundreds.
16. The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in:
A) 1917
B) 1920
C) 1925
D) 1930
Answer: B
Explanation: Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920 after the Jallianwala tragedy and Khilafat issue.
17. The Non-Cooperation Movement was called off due to:
A) British concessions
B) Chauri Chaura incident
C) Simon Commission
D) Salt Satyagraha
Answer: B
Explanation: In 1922, Gandhi suspended the movement after violence at Chauri Chaura (UP).
18. The Civil Disobedience Movement began with:
A) Champaran Satyagraha
B) Quit India Movement
C) Dandi March
D) Jallianwala Bagh protest
Answer: C
Explanation: Gandhi’s Salt March (Dandi, 1930) launched the Civil Disobedience Movement.
19. The slogan “Do or Die” was associated with:
A) Non-Cooperation
B) Civil Disobedience
C) Quit India Movement
D) Swadeshi Movement
Answer: C
Explanation: The slogan was given by Gandhi in Quit India Movement (1942).
20. The Forward Bloc was formed by:
A) Subhas Chandra Bose
B) Jawaharlal Nehru
C) Bhagat Singh
D) S.C. Bose and Jinnah
Answer: A
Explanation: Subhas Chandra Bose founded the Forward Bloc in 1939 after leaving Congress.
21. The Indian National Army (INA) was formed by:
A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Jawaharlal Nehru
C) Subhas Chandra Bose
D) C.R. Das
Answer: C
Explanation: INA was formed under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1943 to fight the British with Japanese help.
22. “Give me blood and I will give you freedom” was said by:
A) Jawaharlal Nehru
B) Mahatma Gandhi
C) Subhas Chandra Bose
D) Bhagat Singh
Answer: C
Explanation: This famous quote reflects Bose’s militant call for independence.
23. The Poona Pact (1932) was signed between:
A) Gandhi and Ambedkar
B) Nehru and Jinnah
C) Tilak and Gokhale
D) Patel and Rajaji
Answer: A
Explanation: The pact provided reserved seats for depressed classes in joint electorates, replacing separate electorates.
24. The Muslim League was founded in:
A) 1905
B) 1906
C) 1910
D) 1916
Answer: B
Explanation: The All India Muslim League was founded in 1906 in Dhaka to represent Muslim interests.
25. The demand for Pakistan was first formally made in:
A) 1930
B) 1935
C) 1940
D) 1945
Answer: C
Explanation: Lahore Resolution (1940) by Muslim League formally demanded separate states for Muslims.
26. The Indian Independence Act came into effect on:
A) 26 January 1950
B) 15 August 1947
C) 2 October 1947
D) 14 August 1947
Answer: B
Explanation: The Act granted independence to India and Pakistan on 15 August 1947.
27. The Mountbatten Plan proposed:
A) End of British rule
B) Partition of India
C) Transfer of power
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Mountbatten Plan (1947) proposed partition, independence, and transfer of power.
🇮🇳 PART B – INDIA AFTER INDEPENDENCE (1947–Present)
28. The first Governor-General of Independent India was:
A) C. Rajagopalachari
B) Lord Mountbatten
C) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
D) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: B
Explanation: Lord Mountbatten was the first Governor-General (1947–48); later, Rajagopalachari became the first Indian Governor-General.
29. The integration of princely states was led by:
A) Nehru
B) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
C) Rajendra Prasad
D) Ambedkar
Answer: B
Explanation: Patel and V.P. Menon successfully integrated over 560 princely states into India.
30. The princely states of Kashmir, Hyderabad, and Junagarh were integrated through:
A) Referendums and military action
B) Peace treaties
C) British intervention
D) United Nations mediation
Answer: A
Explanation: India used diplomacy and military force (e.g., Operation Polo in Hyderabad) for integration.
31. B.R. Ambedkar was the chairman of:
A) Constitution Drafting Committee
B) Planning Commission
C) Constituent Assembly
D) Election Commission
Answer: A
Explanation: Dr. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee, ensuring social justice and equality.
32. The Indian Constitution came into force on:
A) 26 November 1949
B) 15 August 1947
C) 26 January 1950
D) 2 October 1950
Answer: C
Explanation: Constitution adopted in 1949, came into effect on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day.
33. The first Five-Year Plan was launched in:
A) 1947
B) 1950
C) 1951
D) 1952
Answer: C
Explanation: The First Five-Year Plan (1951–56) focused on agriculture and rural development.
34. The Planning Commission was established in:
A) 1949
B) 1950
C) 1951
D) 1952
Answer: B
Explanation: Set up in 1950 by a Cabinet Resolution to plan India’s economic development.
35. The first linguistic state formed in India was:
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Maharashtra
C) Andhra Pradesh
D) Kerala
Answer: C
Explanation: Andhra Pradesh was created in 1953 after Potti Sriramulu’s fast for Telugu-speaking areas.
36. The States Reorganization Act was passed in:
A) 1953
B) 1956
C) 1960
D) 1962
Answer: B
Explanation: The Act (1956) reorganized Indian states on linguistic basis.
37. India’s first general elections were held in:
A) 1949–50
B) 1951–52
C) 1954–55
D) 1956–57
Answer: B
Explanation: India’s first general elections were held in 1951–52, making it the world’s largest democracy.
38. The first Prime Minister of India was:
A) Sardar Patel
B) Rajendra Prasad
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) B.R. Ambedkar
Answer: C
Explanation: Jawaharlal Nehru was India’s first and longest-serving Prime Minister (1947–64).
39. Panchsheel Agreement was signed between:
A) India and USA
B) India and Pakistan
C) India and China
D) India and Russia
Answer: C
Explanation: Signed between India and China (1954) — five principles of peaceful coexistence.
40. The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was founded under leadership of:
A) Gandhi
B) Nehru, Tito, Nasser
C) Indira Gandhi
D) Rajiv Gandhi
Answer: B
Explanation: NAM founded by Nehru (India), Tito (Yugoslavia), and Nasser (Egypt) to stay neutral during the Cold War.
41. The Green Revolution in India began in:
A) 1950s
B) 1960s
C) 1970s
D) 1980s
Answer: B
Explanation: Green Revolution (1960s) introduced high-yield crops and irrigation, improving food security.
42. The Emergency was declared in India in:
A) 1971
B) 1973
C) 1975
D) 1977
Answer: C
Explanation: Emergency (1975–77) declared by Indira Gandhi, suspending Fundamental Rights.
43. The slogan “Garibi Hatao” was given by:
A) Nehru
B) Indira Gandhi
C) Rajiv Gandhi
D) Lal Bahadur Shastri
Answer: B
Explanation: Indira Gandhi’s slogan during the 1971 elections emphasized poverty removal.
44. The Janata Party government came to power in:
A) 1975
B) 1977
C) 1980
D) 1984
Answer: B
Explanation: After the Emergency, Janata Party led by Morarji Desai formed government in 1977.
45. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment relates to:
A) Fundamental Rights
B) Panchayati Raj
C) Directive Principles
D) Federal Structure
Answer: B
Explanation: The 73rd Amendment (1992) gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
46. Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Globalisation (LPG) policy was introduced in:
A) 1985
B) 1989
C) 1991
D) 1995
Answer: C
Explanation: The 1991 Economic Reforms under P.V. Narasimha Rao and Dr. Manmohan Singh opened India’s economy.
47. The New Education Policy 1986 focused on:
A) Religious studies
B) Science and technical education
C) British model of education
D) Arts and literature
Answer: B
Explanation: NEP 1986 emphasized science, vocational training, and equal access to education.
48. The NEP 2020 introduced a:
A) 3+2+2 model
B) 10+2 system
C) 5+3+3+4 model
D) 4+4+4 model
Answer: C
Explanation: The NEP 2020 replaced 10+2 with 5+3+3+4 structure focusing on holistic learning.
49. The Right to Education (RTE) Act was enacted in:
A) 2002
B) 2005
C) 2009
D) 2012
Answer: C
Explanation: RTE Act (2009) made education a fundamental right for children aged 6–14.
50. The “Look East Policy” was introduced by:
A) Indira Gandhi
B) Rajiv Gandhi
C) Narasimha Rao
D) Vajpayee
Answer: C
Explanation: Initiated by P.V. Narasimha Rao (1991) to strengthen relations with Southeast Asia.
51. The Right to Information (RTI) Act was passed in:
A) 2000
B) 2002
C) 2005
D) 2010
Answer: C
Explanation: RTI Act (2005) ensures citizen’s access to government information, enhancing transparency.
52. India’s economic planning model is:
A) Socialist
B) Capitalist
C) Mixed economy
D) Communist
Answer: C
Explanation: India follows a mixed economy — public and private sectors coexist.
53. The “Chipko Movement” was related to:
A) Labour rights
B) Women empowerment
C) Forest conservation
D) Rural employment
Answer: C
Explanation: The Chipko Movement (1973) in Uttarakhand promoted forest protection by hugging trees.
54. The Narmada Bachao Andolan protested against:
A) Urban pollution
B) Industrial privatization
C) Dam construction and displacement
D) Deforestation
Answer: C
Explanation: Led by Medha Patkar, it opposed displacement due to large dam projects.
55. The first woman Prime Minister of India was:
A) Vijayalakshmi Pandit
B) Indira Gandhi
C) Sarojini Naidu
D) Sucheta Kriplani
Answer: B
Explanation: Indira Gandhi became India’s first woman Prime Minister in 1966 and served (with interruptions) until 1984.
56. The Mandal Commission (report implemented in 1990s) was related to:
A) Land reforms
B) Reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
C) Privatisation policies
D) Foreign policy
Answer: B
Explanation: The Mandal Commission (1979) recommended 27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs; its implementation (1990s) sparked wide debate.
57. The Pokhran-I nuclear test (India’s first) was conducted in:
A) 1974
B) 1984
C) 1998
D) 2004
Answer: A
Explanation: Smiling Buddha was India’s first successful nuclear test at Pokhran in 1974.
58. The Right to Information (RTI) Act aims primarily to:
A) Provide free legal aid
B) Ensure transparency and accountability of government
C) Expand reservation benefits
D) Regulate political parties
Answer: B
Explanation: RTI (2005) empowers citizens to access government records to promote transparency.
59. The term ‘Emergency’ (1975–77) in Indian politics primarily involved:
A) Economic liberalisation
B) Suspension of civil liberties and press censorship
C) Reorganisation of states
D) Expansion of Panchayati Raj
Answer: B
Explanation: During the Emergency, Fundamental Rights were curtailed, political opponents arrested, and press censored.
60. Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation (LPG) reforms of 1991 primarily aimed to:
A) Strengthen state-owned monopolies
B) Open the Indian economy to global markets and private investment
C) Abolish provincial governments
D) Nationalise major industries
Answer: B
Explanation: The 1991 reforms reduced controls, promoted foreign investment, and shifted India toward a market-oriented economy.