Daily Static Quiz (Modern India) January 14 , 2026
Daily Static Quiz (Modern India) January 14 , 2026
1. Consider the following statements regarding the evolution of local self-government in British India:
The Mayo’s resolution of 1870 made it compulsory for provincial governments to allocate specific funds for local boards, marking the first statutory financial commitment to local governance.
The Ripon Resolution of 1882 introduced the principle of election in municipal governance but explicitly excluded district boards from its purview.
The Royal Commission on Decentralisation (1907) recommended reducing the financial dependence of local bodies on provincial governments by granting them independent taxation powers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
2. With reference to socio-religious reform movements in 19th century India, consider the following statements:
The Brahmo Samaj of India (Adi Brahmo Samaj) under Debendranath Tagore opposed the radical monotheism of Keshub Chandra Sen’s Brahmo Samaj of India, leading to a split in 1866.
The Prarthana Samaj in Maharashtra directly challenged the caste system by organizing inter-caste dining and marriages, unlike the Arya Samaj which focused on shuddhi ceremonies.
The Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam in Kerala demanded temple entry for lower castes but rejected the concept of Sanskritisation as a means of social mobility.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
3. Regarding the British land revenue policies and their economic impact, consider the following statements:
The Permanent Settlement created a class of hereditary zamindars with perpetual land rights, but the state retained the power to increase revenue demands after 1793.
The Ryotwari system, unlike the Mahalwari system, recognized individual peasant proprietorship but subjected them to periodic revenue settlements based on soil fertility assessments.
The British policy of deindustrialization was most severely felt in Bengal’s textile sector due to the simultaneous operation of both the Permanent Settlement and discriminatory tariff policies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
4. With reference to tribal and peasant movements in colonial India, consider the following statements:
The Munda Rebellion (Ulgulan) under Birsa Munda specifically demanded the restoration of the traditional Munda system of common land ownership known as Khuntkatti.
The Deccan Riots of 1875 were primarily directed against moneylenders but were triggered by the collapse of cotton prices following the American Civil War boom.
The Indigo disturbances in Bengal differed from the Pabna agrarian leagues in that the former involved direct European planter exploitation while the latter were protests against zamindari exactions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
5. Consider the following statements about constitutional developments between 1858 and 1919:
The Indian Councils Act of 1861 introduced the principle of legislative devolution by establishing legislative councils in provinces, but these councils had no control over financial matters.
The Morley-Minto reforms of 1909 introduced separate electorates for Muslims but did not extend this principle to any other community, maintaining a uniform electoral system otherwise.
The Government of India Act of 1919 introduced dyarchy at the provincial level, where ‘transferred subjects’ were administered by ministers responsible to the legislature, while ‘reserved subjects’ remained under the Governor’s control.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
6. Regarding the strategic shifts in the Indian National Movement between 1905-1920, consider the following statements:
The Surat Split of 1907 occurred primarily due to disagreements over the extent of swadeshi and boycott, with extremists demanding complete boycott including British institutions and moderates favoring limited swadeshi.
The Home Rule Movement marked a transition from mass agitation to elite constitutionalism, as it deliberately excluded peasants and workers from its membership to maintain respectability.
The Lucknow Pact of 1916 represented a tactical alliance where Congress accepted separate electorates for Muslims in exchange for Muslim League’s support for constitutional agitation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
7. With reference to Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and methods, consider the following statements:
Gandhi’s concept of trusteeship accepted private property but insisted that it should be held in trust for social benefit, making it fundamentally different from both capitalism and state socialism.
The constructive programme was designed as an alternative to non-cooperation, representing Gandhi’s belief that social reform could substitute for political agitation.
Gandhi’s support for the Khilafat movement contradicted his principle of non-interference in religious matters, revealing a pragmatic compromise for political unity.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
8. Consider the following statements about British administrative policies in the 19th century:
The policy of ‘subordinate isolation’ towards princely states after 1858 prohibited British interference in internal affairs but required states to maintain military forces for imperial defense.
The introduction of the Imperial Civil Service examination in 1855 theoretically opened Indian participation, but the maximum age limit and examination location in London effectively excluded most Indians.
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was specifically targeted at English-language newspapers publishing seditious content, while leaving Indian language presses unregulated.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
9. With reference to the development of modern education in India, consider the following statements:
The Wood’s Dispatch of 1854 recommended English as the medium of instruction for higher education but advocated vernacular languages for primary education to create a class of intermediaries.
The Hunter Commission of 1882 criticized the overemphasis on higher education and recommended greater state support for primary education, particularly in rural areas.
The Indian Universities Act of 1904 increased government control over universities by empowering the Governor-General to veto university decisions and appoint senate members.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
10. Regarding the post-1857 developments and the road to independence, consider the following statements:
The Quit India Movement of 1942 differed from the Non-Cooperation Movement in that it explicitly sanctioned the use of violence against British property and personnel.
The Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 proposed a three-tier constitutional structure with provinces, groups of provinces, and a central union, but failed due to Congress and Muslim League’s disagreement over the grouping mechanism.
The Royal Indian Navy mutiny of 1946 was significant because it represented the first instance of organized military defiance against British authority, prompting the Cabinet Mission’s dispatch to India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answers with Explanations
Answer 1: (d) 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Mayo’s resolution of 1870 was recommendatory, not compulsory. It suggested that provincial governments should allocate funds for local boards, but there was no statutory obligation.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Ripon Resolution of 1882 introduced elections for both municipal committees and district boards, though the franchise was extremely limited.
Statement 3 is correct: The Royal Commission on Decentralisation (1907) indeed recommended granting local bodies independent taxation powers to reduce their financial dependence on provincial governments, though these recommendations were only partially implemented.
Answer 2: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The split in Brahmo Samaj occurred in 1866 when Debendranath Tagore’s Adi Brahmo Samaj opposed Keshub Chandra Sen’s radical reforms, including abandonment of the caste system and introduction of inter-caste marriage.
Statement 2 is incorrect: While Prarthana Samaj opposed caste discrimination, it was more conservative than stated. The Arya Samaj, through its shuddhi movement, was actually more radical in challenging caste boundaries by reconverting lower castes.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam demanded temple entry and used Sanskritisation as a strategy for upward mobility, not rejecting it.
Answer 3: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: Under the Permanent Settlement (1793), the revenue demand was permanently fixed and could not be increased by the state. This was its defining feature, though zamindars could lose their lands for non-payment.
Statement 2 is correct: The Ryotwari system recognized individual peasant proprietorship and subjected them to periodic revenue settlements (typically 20-30 years) based on soil classification and fertility.
Statement 3 is correct: Bengal’s textile sector suffered most from deindustrialization due to the combination of Permanent Settlement’s revenue pressure on peasants, discriminatory tariffs protecting British manufactures, and the destruction of traditional handicrafts.
Answer 4: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The Munda Rebellion specifically demanded restoration of the Khuntkatti system where village lands were held communally by Munda lineages, which had been undermined by non-tribal landlords (dikus).
Statement 2 is correct: The Deccan Riots were indeed triggered by the collapse of cotton prices after the American Civil War boom ended, leaving peasants unable to repay moneylenders who had advanced them credit during the boom years.
Statement 3 is correct: The Indigo disturbances involved direct exploitation by European planters through the tinkathia system, while the Pabna leagues (1870s) were organized protests by peasants against zamindari exactions like illegal abwabs (cesses).
Answer 5: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The Indian Councils Act 1861 established legislative councils in provinces but these had no power over financial matters, which remained entirely under executive control.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Morley-Minto reforms introduced separate electorates for Muslims and also extended this principle to special representation for landholders, chambers of commerce, and universities.
Statement 3 is correct: The Government of India Act 1919 introduced dyarchy, dividing subjects into ‘transferred’ (administered by ministers responsible to legislature) and ‘reserved’ (controlled by Governor).
Answer 6: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The Surat Split occurred due to fundamental disagreements over the scope of swadeshi and boycott, with extremists led by Tilak demanding complete boycott including government schools/courts, while moderates wanted limited swadeshi.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Home Rule Movement, while led by elites, was not exclusive and actually marked a transition towards mass politics, mobilizing sections of the middle class and creating organizational structures for later mass movements.
Statement 3 is correct: The Lucknow Pact was indeed a tactical alliance where Congress accepted separate electorates for Muslims in exchange for Muslim League’s commitment to constitutional agitation and support for Congress demands.
Answer 7: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Gandhi’s trusteeship theory accepted private property but transformed it into a social trust, making it distinct from both capitalist accumulation and state socialism.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The constructive programme (khadi, village industries, sanitation, etc.) was designed to complement, not substitute for, political agitation. It was the essential foundation for sustaining non-cooperation.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Gandhi’s support for Khilafat did not contradict his principles. He viewed it as a humanitarian issue of protecting the Caliph’s temporal power, not interfering in religious doctrine, and as a strategic move for Hindu-Muslim unity.
Answer 8: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: The policy after 1858 was ‘subordinate alliance’ not ‘subordinate isolation’. British interference in princely states increased through Residents, and states were discouraged from maintaining independent military forces.
Statement 2 is correct: The ICS examination was opened to Indians in 1855, but the age limit (initially 21, later reduced to 19) and London location made it practically inaccessible for most Indians until the examination moved to India later.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Vernacular Press Act 1878 specifically targeted Indian language newspapers, not English press. It allowed magistrates to demand security deposits from vernacular papers publishing ‘seditious’ content.
Answer 9: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Wood’s Dispatch recommended English for higher education to create an intermediary class, but advocated vernaculars for primary education to reach the masses.
Statement 2 is correct: The Hunter Commission (1882) criticized the overemphasis on higher education and recommended increased state support for primary education, especially in rural areas where it was neglected.
Statement 3 is correct: The Indian Universities Act 1904 increased government control by empowering the Governor-General to approve or veto university decisions, appoint senate members, and regulate finances, reversing the liberal policy of 1857.
Answer 10: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Quit India Movement, despite its “Do or Die” spirit, remained largely non-violent in its official Congress leadership. Violence that occurred was spontaneous and not officially sanctioned, unlike what the statement suggests.
Statement 2 is correct: The Cabinet Mission Plan proposed a three-tier structure (provinces, groups, and centre) but failed because Congress opposed the compulsory grouping of provinces (which would have created Pakistan-by-grouping), while the League insisted on it.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The RIN mutiny was significant but not the first organized military defiance. Earlier instances include the 1857 Revolt and the Jallianwala Bagh incident involving troops. The Cabinet Mission was already being planned before the mutiny, though the mutiny highlighted the urgency.
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