13 April 2024

Q1. With reference to the significance of Sabarmati Ashram in the modern history of India, consider the following statements:

1. It served as the last residence of Mahatma Gandhi.
2. Salt Satyagraha was started from this Ashram in 1930.
3. It has been declared as a national monument by the Indian government.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) None

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Harijan or Satyagraha Ashram) was home to Mahatma Gandhi from 1917 until 1930 and served as one of the main centres of the Indian freedom struggle.
• Sevagram cottage served as the last residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji left to Delhi from Sevargam Cottage in 1946 and then went to Noakhali. From there he did not return to Sewagram while engaged in his task of communal unity and peace making. He was martyred in Delhi in 1948.
• It was from Sabarmati Ashram that Gandhi led the Dandi march also known as the Salt Satyagraha on 12 March 1930. In recognition of the significant influence that this march had on the Indian independence movement, the Indian government has established the ashram as a national monument.

Q2. Consider the following statements about Champaran Satyagraha:

1. Gandhi was requested by Rajendra Prasad to look into the problems of the indigo planters of Champaran.
2. The Champaran Satyagraha Of 1917 was the first Satyagraha movement inspired by Gandhi.
3. Gandhi’s method of inquiry at Champaran was based on the newspaper reports.

How many of the statements given above are incorrect?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) None

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Gandhi was so thoroughly persuaded by Rajkumar Shukla, an indigo cultivator from Champaran that he decided to investigate the matter.
• Gandhi’s method of inquiry at Champaran was based on surveys by the volunteers. The respondents who willingly gave statements should sign the papers or give thumb impressions.
• For those unwilling to participate, the reasons must be recorded by the volunteers. The principal volunteers in this survey were mostly lawyers like Babu Rajendra Prasad, Dharnidhar Prasad, Gorakh Prasad, Ramnawami Prasad, Sambhusaran and Anugraha Narain Sinha.

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. Muslim league and the Hindu Mahasabha boycotted the First Round Table Conference and did not take part in it.
2. In the Second Round Table Conference, Mahatma Gandhi was the sole representative of the Indian National Congress.
3. The Indian National Congress did not take part in the Third Round Table Conference.

How many of the statements given above are incorrect?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) None

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The First Round Table Conference (Nov. 12, 1930–Jan. 19, 1931) had representatives from all Indian states and all parties except the Indian National Congress, which was waging a civil disobedience campaign against the government.
• The Second Round Table Conference (September–December 1931) was attended by Mahatma Gandhi as the Congress representative.
• The Third Round Table Conference (Nov. 17–Dec. 24, 1932) was shorter and less important, with neither the Congress nor the British Labour Party attending.

Q4. Consider the following statements:

1. Aadhaar is a verifiable 12-digit identification number issued by Unique Identification Authority of India on behalf of the Government of India.
2. The masked Aadhaar implies displaying only the first four digits of the Aadhaar number and replacing the last 8 digits of Aadhaar number with some characters.
3. The masked Aadhaar facility has been in place since the launch of Aadhaar facility.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Only statement 1 is correct.
• Aadhaar is a verifiable 12-digit identification number issued the Unique Identification Authority of India on behalf of the Government of India.
• The masked Aadhaar number facility — that can be downloaded from the UIDAI website — and which displays only the last four digits of the Aadhaar number. This was a sensible advisory. The masked Aadhaar facility has been in place since 2018 and this came about following a report by the Centre for Internet and Society.

Q5. Consider the following gatemen:

1. Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile.
2. Once issued, Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the Issuing Authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is wrong because as per Calcutta HC decision Aadhar Card is not a proof of citizenship.
• Statement 2 is wrong because UIDAI’s update policy version 2.3 (available on the official website uidai.gov.in) has provisions for deactivation of Aadhaar, which are given below:
• If within 2 years of attaining age 5, the child’s biometrics are not updated in Aadhaar database, his/her Aadhaar number will be deactivated (no authentication permissible). It will be reactivated once biometrics are updated in database.
• If within 2 years of attaining age 15, the child’s biometrics are not updated in Aadhaar database, his/her Aadhaar number will be deactivated (no authentication permissible). It will be reactivated once biometrics are updated in database.
• If Resident has not biometrically authenticated in 5 years, his/her One Time Password (OTP) based authentication services will be deactivated. They will be re-activated once the resident biometrically authenticates.