Q16 · UPSC Prelims 2026 · Set A · Current Affairs and GK

← Q15 Q17 →

Which of the following factors contributed to the formation of the Forward Bloc by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939?1.Bose failed to win the confidence of Mahatma Gandhi.2.The Congress Left was disunited and failed to support Bose.3.The Communists did not support Bose in his endeavours.4.The supporters of M.N. Roy and socialist leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan preferred Congress unity to supporting Bose. Select the answer using the code given below:

Page facts
Exam
Union Public Service Commission — Civil Services Examination (UPSC)
Board
UPSC
Stage
Prelims
Year
2026
Paper
UPSC Prelims — Prelims General Studies Paper I (General Studies)
Booklet
Set A
Question
Q16
Topic
Current Affairs and GK
Syllabus
Current events, government schemes, miscellaneous GK — Prelims GS Paper I.
A 1, 2 and 3
B 1, 2 and 4
C 1, 3 and 4
D 2 and 4 only

Correct answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4

Explanation

  1. A

    1, 2 and 3

    This option includes statements 1, 2, and 3, but statement 4 is also correct regarding the political stance of M.N. Roy's supporters and socialist leaders, making this choice incorrect.

  2. B

    1, 2 and 4

    This option includes statements 1, 2, and 4. Statement 2 claims the Congress Left was disunited and failed to support Bose, but the Congress Left (such as the Congress Socialist Party and Communists) had varying positions; specifically, the Communists did not support him after a certain shift, making this choice incorrect.

  3. C

    1, 3 and 4

    (x) Official key: 1, 3 and 4. This option is correct because Subhas Chandra Bose failed to secure Mahatma Gandhi's confidence after his re-election at Tripuri, the Communists shifted their stance and did not support him during this phase, and M.N. Roy's supporters along with socialists like Jayaprakash Narayan prioritized maintaining overall Congress unity over breaking away with Bose.

  4. D

    2 and 4 only

    This option leaves out statement 1, which is historically incorrect because Bose's rift with Gandhi and failure to win his confidence was a primary catalyst for his resignation and the formation of the Forward Bloc, making this choice incorrect.

Summary. Official key is (c). The formation of the Forward Bloc in 1939 was driven by Bose's alienation from the Gandhian leadership, the lack of support from the Communists, and the refusal of Royists and mainstream socialists to fracture the Congress organisation.

Same topic · past papers

UPSC has asked this before

These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.

  1. 2018 · Q36 · General Studies · 2 marks

    Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India? 1. Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did. 2. Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centers within our national geographical boundaries. 3. Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our schools, public places and major tourist centers. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    View answer →

PDF