UPSC Modern Indian History – Chapter 7: Education, Press and Civil Services under British Rule (26 MCQs)

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UPSC Modern Indian History – Chapter 7: Education, Press and Civil Services under British Rule (26 MCQs) – 26 questions, subject: History. 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 Asiatic Society of Bengal was founded in 1784 by:

Correct Answer: B [William Jones]

Explanation:

William Jones, judge of the Supreme Court at Calcutta, founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal in January 1784.

2.  

Wood's Despatch (1854) is often called the:

Correct Answer: B [Magna Carta of English Education in India]

Explanation:

Its comprehensive plan of departments, universities and grants-in-aid earned Wood's Despatch the title Magna Carta of English Education in India.

3.  

The "downward filtration theory" is associated with:

Correct Answer: A [Macaulay's Minute and the policy of 1835]

Explanation:

The 1835 policy aimed to educate a small upper class in English, from whom learning would filter down to the masses.

4.  

The universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras were set up in:

Correct Answer: D [1857]

Explanation:

Following Wood's Despatch, the universities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras were set up in 1857 on the London University model.

5.  

The Hunter Commission (1882) mainly dealt with:

Correct Answer: C [primary and secondary education]

Explanation:

The Hunter Commission reviewed primary and secondary education and recommended transferring primary schools to district and municipal boards.

6.  

The first newspaper in India was published by:

Correct Answer: B [James Augustus Hicky]

Explanation:

James Augustus Hicky published India's first newspaper, the Bengal Gazette, from Calcutta in 1780.

7.  

The Governor-General known as the "liberator of the Indian press" was:

Correct Answer: D [Charles Metcalfe]

Explanation:

Charles Metcalfe, the 'liberator of the Indian press', removed the restrictions on the press in 1835.

8.  

The Vernacular Press Act (1878) was repealed by:

Correct Answer: A [Lord Ripon]

Explanation:

Lord Ripon repealed Lord Lytton's Vernacular Press Act of 1878 in 1882, removing its curbs on the Indian-language press.

9.  

The first Indian to qualify for the Indian Civil Service was:

Correct Answer: C [Satyendranath Tagore]

Explanation:

Satyendranath Tagore became the first Indian to qualify for the Indian Civil Service, in 1863.

10.  

Consider the following about the Vernacular Press Act:

1. It was passed under Lord Lytton.
2. It applied equally to English-language newspapers.
3. Amrita Bazar Patrika changed into an English paper to escape it.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Lytton passed the Act in 1878, and Amrita Bazar Patrika turned into an English paper overnight to escape it.

11.  

Assertion (A): The reduction of the maximum age for the ICS examination to 19 in 1876 caused discontent among educated Indians.

Reason (R): The examination was held only in England, and the lower age made it harder for Indians to compete.

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

Explanation:

Because the examination was held only in London, lowering the age to 19 shut out Indians, causing the discontent in A.

12.  

The Public Service Commission was set up in 1926 on the recommendation of the:

Correct Answer: D [Lee Commission]

Explanation:

The Lee Commission (1923-24) recommended a Public Service Commission, which was set up in 1926.

13.  

The Statutory Civil Service (1879) was introduced by:

Correct Answer: A [Lord Lytton]

Explanation:

Lord Lytton created the Statutory Civil Service in 1879 to nominate Indians of good family to some higher posts.

14.  

The Archaeological Survey of India was set up in 1861 with its first Archaeological Surveyor as:

Correct Answer: C [Alexander Cunningham]

Explanation:

Alexander Cunningham was appointed the first Archaeological Surveyor when the Archaeological Survey of India was set up in 1861.

15.  

The Indian Universities Act (1904) was passed under:

Correct Answer: D [Lord Curzon]

Explanation:

Curzon passed the Indian Universities Act in 1904 after the Raleigh Commission, increasing government control over universities.

16.  

The Wardha Scheme of Basic Education (1937) was based on the ideas of:

Correct Answer: C [Mahatma Gandhi]

Explanation:

The Wardha Scheme of 1937 embodied Gandhi's idea of basic education through a productive craft.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Wood's Despatch
2. Macaulay's Minute
3. Hunter Commission
4. Calcutta Madrasa

Select the correct answer:

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

Explanation:

Order: Calcutta Madrasa (1781) → Macaulay's Minute (1835) → Wood's Despatch (1854) → Hunter Commission (1882).

18.  

Which of the following were the work of Raja Ram Mohan Roy?

1. Sambad Kaumudi
2. Mirat-ul-Akhbar
3. Bengal Gazette

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: D [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy ran the Sambad Kaumudi and the Mirat-ul-Akhbar, but the Bengal Gazette was James Augustus Hicky's.

19.  

The Licensing Regulations of 1823, which required a licence to start a press, were issued by:

Correct Answer: A [John Adams]

Explanation:

The Licensing Regulations of 1823 were issued by John Adams while he was acting Governor-General.

20.  

The Aitchison Commission (1886) recommended:

Correct Answer: A [division of services into Imperial, Provincial and Subordinate]

Explanation:

The Aitchison Commission recommended reorganising the services into Imperial, Provincial and Subordinate services.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2023

With reference to Indian History, Alexander Rea, A.H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with

Correct Answer: A [archaeological excavations]

Explanation:

all worked on archaeological surveys and excavations.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School?

Correct Answer: C [Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar]

Explanation:

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was appointed Secretary of the Hindu Female School by J.E.D. Bethune; it later became Bethune Female School.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because

Correct Answer: D [He wanted to train British civilians for administrative purpose in India]

Explanation:

Wellesley founded the College in 1800 to train young British civilians in Indian languages and administration.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2018

Regarding Wood's Dispatch, which of the following statements are true?

1. Grants-in-Aid system was introduced.
2. Establishment of universities was recommended.
3. English as a medium of instruction at all levels of education was recommended.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

The Despatch introduced grants-in-aid and recommended universities, but prescribed English only for higher education, not at all levels.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2018

Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India?

1. Charter Act of 1813
2. General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823
3. Orientalist and Anglicist Controversy

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]

Explanation:

All three led to English education: the Charter Act of 1813, the General Committee of Public Instruction of 1823 and the Orientalist–Anglicist controversy.

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2018

With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs:

Institution – Founder

1. Sanskrit College at Benaras – William Jones
2. Calcutta Madrasa – Warren Hastings
3. Fort William College – Arthur Wellesley

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [2 only]

Explanation:

Warren Hastings founded the Calcutta Madrasa in 1781; Duncan founded the Benares Sanskrit College and Richard Wellesley the Fort William College.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U03 · Modern Indian History (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-modern-indian-history

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