UPSC Indian Society – Chapter 1: Salient Features of Indian Society (20 MCQs)

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UPSC Indian Society – Chapter 1: Salient Features of Indian Society (20 MCQs) – 20 questions, subject: Indian Society. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The book Homo Hierarchicus (1966), which explained caste through purity and pollution, was written by:

Correct Answer: A [Louis Dumont]

Explanation:

Louis Dumont's Homo Hierarchicus (1966) explained caste through the opposition of purity and pollution (Section 1.4).

2.  

The concepts of "great tradition" and "little tradition" were given by:

Correct Answer: B [Robert Redfield]

Explanation:

Robert Redfield distinguished the classical, textual great tradition of the elite from the local, oral little tradition of villagers.

3.  

According to Census 2011, the share of India's population living in urban areas was about:

Correct Answer: C [31 per cent]

Explanation:

31.16 per cent.

4.  

Which Article of the Constitution abolishes untouchability?

Correct Answer: A [Article 17]

Explanation:

Article 17 abolishes untouchability, forbids its practice in any form and makes enforcing any disability arising from it an offence.

5.  

The process by which a local deity or custom becomes part of the wider classical tradition is called:

Correct Answer: C [universalisation]

Explanation:

McKim Marriott called the upward movement of local deities and customs into the great tradition universalisation.

6.  

Which of the following communities is matrilineal?

Correct Answer: D [Khasis]

Explanation:

Meghalaya.

7.  

Article 46 of the Constitution deals with:

Correct Answer: C [the educational and economic interests of weaker sections]

Explanation:

a Directive Principle.

8.  

The first Backward Classes Commission (1953) was headed by:

Correct Answer: C [Kaka Kalelkar]

Explanation:

Kaka Kalelkar chaired the First Backward Classes Commission, appointed in 1953, which submitted its report in 1955.

9.  

Consider the following statements:

1. The Untouchability (Offences) Act was passed in 1955.
2. It was renamed the Protection of Civil Rights Act in 1976.
3. Universal adult franchise was introduced in India only after 1989.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

The Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955 was renamed the Protection of Civil Rights Act in 1976; statement 3 is false.

10.  

Assertion (A): Caste associations take part in elections and lobby for their members.

Reason (R): Traditional institutions in India often adapt to modern conditions rather than disappear.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Caste associations contesting elections show a traditional institution adapting to democracy, so R correctly explains A.

11.  

Religion and Society among the Coorgs of South India (1952) was written by:

Correct Answer: A [M.N. Srinivas]

Explanation:

M.N. Srinivas introduced the concept of Sanskritisation in this 1952 study of the Coorgs of Karnataka.

12.  

Who wrote Annihilation of Caste (1936)?

Correct Answer: C [B.R. Ambedkar]

Explanation:

B.R. Ambedkar wrote Annihilation of Caste in 1936 as a speech for a Lahore conference that was cancelled, and published it himself.

13.  

Which of the following is a feature of the "modern" rather than the "traditional" basis of status?

Correct Answer: D [Educational achievement]

Explanation:

achieved status.

14.  

The book Modernization of Indian Tradition (1973) is by:

Correct Answer: B [Yogendra Singh]

Explanation:

Yogendra Singh's Modernization of Indian Tradition (1973) analysed how tradition and modernity interact in Indian society.

15.  

The village of Kishan Garhi is associated with the study of:

Correct Answer: D [universalisation and parochialisation]

Explanation:

McKim Marriott.

16.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Hindu Succession Act
2. Annihilation of Caste
3. Constitution comes into force
4. 73rd Constitutional Amendment

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-3-1-4]

Explanation:

1936, 1950, 1956, 1992.

17.  

The National Integration Council was first set up in:

Correct Answer: D [1961]

Explanation:

The National Integration Council was constituted in 1961 as a forum against communalism, casteism and regionalism.

18.  

The Sachar Committee (2006) studied the social, economic and educational status of:

Correct Answer: B [Muslims]

Explanation:

The Sachar Committee, appointed in 2005, reported in 2006 on the social, economic and educational status of Muslims.

19.  

Under the 73rd and 74th Amendments (1992), seats in local bodies were reserved for:

Correct Answer: B [women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes]

Explanation:

Articles 243D and 243T reserve seats for SCs and STs in proportion to population and at least one-third for women.

20.  

Andre Beteille's Caste, Class and Power is based on fieldwork in a village of:

Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]

Explanation:

Sripuram, Thanjavur district.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U07 · Indian Society (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-indian-society

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