Modern Indian History and the Freedom Struggle PYQ | UPSC GS I

2026

1. · Paper Q2 · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the impact of Macaulay's Minute on colonial administration and education in India.

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2. · Paper Q3 · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

The significance of the Gandhian movements lay in the masses they mobilized. Elucidate.

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3. · Paper Q12 · 2026 · 15 marks · Solution

Linguistic reorganization of Indian States was driven by popular pressure from below. Comment.

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4. · Paper Q13 · 2026 · 15 marks · Solution

The model of planned economy was adopted in India to address the regional imbalances left behind by colonial rule. Comment.

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2025

5. · Paper Q12 · 2025 · 15 marks · Solution

Trace India's consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations.

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2024

6. · Paper Q3 · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement? Point out its results.

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2023

7. · Paper Q2 · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism?

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2022

8. · Paper Q2 · 2022 · 10 marks · Solution

Why did the armies of the British East India Company - mostly comprising of Indian soldiers - win consistently against the more numerous and better equipped armies of the Indian rulers? Give reasons.

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9. · Paper Q3 · 2022 · 10 marks · Solution

Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons.

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2021

10. · Paper Q3 · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

Assess the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian Princely States.

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11. · Paper Q11 · 2021 · 15 marks · Solution

To what extent did the role of the moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement? Comment.

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12. · Paper Q12 · 2021 · 15 marks · Solution

Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement.

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2020

13. · Paper Q3 · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movements.

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14. · Paper Q13 · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss.

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2019

15. · Paper Q2 · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

The 1857 uprising was the culmination of the recurrent, big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate.

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16. · Paper Q11 · 2019 · 15 marks · Solution

Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elaborate.

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17. · Paper Q12 · 2019 · 15 marks · Solution

Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process of transfer of power during the 1940s.

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2018

18. · Paper Q3 · 2018 · 10 marks · Solution

Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times.

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19. · Paper Q13 · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to their colonies? have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there?

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2017

20. · Paper Q3 · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Why did the 'Moderates' failed to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century?

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21. · Paper Q10 · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes(STs)? (250 words).

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22. · Paper Q13 · 2017 · 15 marks · Solution

Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian Independence since the twenties of the last century. (250 words).

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2016

23. · Paper Q3 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

Explain how the upraising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.

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24. · Paper Q4 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.

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25. · Paper Q5 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.

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26. · Paper Q6 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

Has the formation of linguistic states strengthened the cause of Indian unity?

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2015

27. · Paper Q3 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

How difficult would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi?

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28. · Paper Q4 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B R Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate.

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