UPSC CSE 2026 Essay Paper Discussion
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Modern Indian History

7 UPSC Prelims MCQs tagged "Modern Indian History". Free practice with answer keys, explanations, and timed mock tests on Anantam IAS.

Agriculture and Allied Activities 56 Money, Banking and Monetary Policy 43 Environmental Pollution 43 Biotechnology 37 Parliament 33 Climate Change 32 Finance and Financial Markets 29 Emerging Technologies 28 Trade and External Sector 26 Life Sciences 26 Core Concepts and Foundational Science 20 Public Finance in India 19 International Environmental Framework 18 Continents 18 Religions in India 18 Fundamental Rights 18 Concept and Salient Features of the Constitution 17 Indian Biodiversity - Fauna 17 Renewable Energy 16 Major Physical Divisions of India 16 Multilateral Groupings 16 International Institutions 15 Art and Architecture 15 Drainage System 15 Institutional Measures for Environment Conservation 14 Regional Groupings 14 Rivers and Drainage 14 Infrastructure and Investment Models in India 14 Atmosphere 13 Space Technology 13

  1. Consider the following UN organisations/agencies:

    Consider the following UN organisations/agencies:

    1. World Food Programme


    2. United Nations Children's Fund


    3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees


    4. International Labour Organisation

    How many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice?

    1. A1
    2. B2
    3. C3
    4. D4
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Of the four organisations listed, only UNHCR has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice (1954 and 1981). UNICEF received it once (1965), ILO once (1969), and the World Food Programme once (2020). UNHCR is, in fact, the only UN agency to have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice. Therefore exactly one organisation in the list has been awarded the Nobel Prize twice, making (a) the correct answer.

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    History UPSC 2026 Hard

  2. Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included?

    Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included?

    1. ADeva (gods)
    2. BYaksha (demi-gods)
    3. CManushya (humans)
    4. DTiryancha (animals and plants)
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Jain cosmology recognises four gatis (forms of existence) in which the soul transmigrates: Deva (gods), Manushya (humans), Tiryancha (animals and plants), and Naraki (hell-beings). Yaksha (demi-gods) is not a separate gati; yakshas are sub-classes of devas. The trap is plausibility — yakshas figure prominently in Jain (and Buddhist) iconography as attendant deities of Tirthankaras, so unprepared candidates assume they form a separate category. Reference: A.L. Basham, The Wonder That Was India, chapter on Jainism.

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    History UPSC 2026 Easy

  3. Consider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India:

    Consider the following statements relating to the use of the place-value system in India:

    1. The earliest epigraphic use of the place-value system in India is found in the Mankani plates from Gujarat (AD 595 – 596).


    2. In the ninth century, place-values become general in inscriptions all over India.


    3. The place-values have been found in Sanskrit inscriptions in South-east Asia as early as the seventh century.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B1 and 3 only
    3. C2 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    All three statements are historically established. The Mankani copper plates of Taralasvamin (Gujarat, AD 595–596) contain the earliest unambiguous epigraphic use of the decimal place-value system in India. By the 9th century, place-value notation had become general across Indian inscriptions. Independently, Sanskrit inscriptions in South-East Asia (notably the Sambor inscription of Cambodia, 683 CE, and the Old Malay inscriptions of Sumatra) show place-value numerals in the 7th century — even slightly earlier than its generalisation in India. Source: Bibhutibhushan Datta and A.N. Singh, History of Hindu Mathematics. Read more: Place-Value System in India: From the Mankani Plates to the Decimal World.

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    History UPSC 2026 Medium

  4. Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched?

    Which of the following pairs of the king and his dynasty in early historical Tamilakam is/are not correctly matched?

    1. Senguttuvan : Chera


    2. Udiyanjeral : Chola


    3. Nedunjeliyan : Pandya

    Select the answer using the code given below:

    1. A1 and 2
    2. B2 only
    3. C1 and 3
    4. D3 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    In Sangam-age Tamilakam, Senguttuvan (the hero of Silappadikaram, who installed the Pattini cult) belonged to the Cheras; Udiyanjeral was also a famous Chera king (not Chola) celebrated for feeding both armies at Kurukshetra in Purananuru; Nedunjeliyan (victor of Talaiyalanganam) was a Pandya. Therefore only pair 2 is incorrectly matched. The Chola line of this era includes Karikala (Battle of Venni). The trap is the similar-sounding 'Udiyanjeral' — the 'jeral/cheral' suffix itself signals Chera lineage.

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    History UPSC 2026 Medium

  5. Which of the following factors contributed to the formation of the Forward Bloc by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939?

    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:

    1. A1, 2 and 3
    2. B1, 2 and 4
    3. C1, 3 and 4
    4. D2 and 4 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Bipan Chandra's India's Struggle for Independence (Ch. 22) explains the 1939 Tripuri crisis: after Bose's re-election as Congress President, Gandhi withdrew confidence; the Communists, M.N. Roy's followers, and socialists like JP and Narendra Dev preferred Congress unity over backing Bose against Gandhi, leaving Bose isolated and forcing him to resign and float the Forward Bloc. Statement 2 is wrong because the Congress Left as a whole was actually disunited but the specific reason listed is the non-support of Communists and Roy/JP — not 'Left disunity' per se. Hence 1, 3 and 4. (early consensus; verify with official UPSC key when released)

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    History UPSC 2026 Hard

  6. Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856:

    Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856:

    1. The taluqdars were dispossessed of their estates but allowed to retain their arms and forts.


    2. A Summary Revenue Settlement was made in 1856 assuming that the taluqdars were outsiders.


    3. The British believed in taking revenue directly from the peasants by removing the taluqdars.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A2 and 3 only
    2. B1 and 3 only
    3. C1, 2 and 3
    4. D2 only
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    After Dalhousie's annexation of Awadh (Feb 1856) on grounds of misgovernance, the British launched a Summary Settlement of 1856 assuming taluqdars were 'interlopers' with no roots — and proceeded to settle revenue directly with village zamindars/peasants, dispossessing taluqdars of more than half their villages. Crucially, the taluqdars were also disarmed and their forts demolished, which is why statement 1 is wrong (arms and forts were NOT retained — this fuelled the 1857 revolt in Awadh). Hence 2 and 3 only. Source: Bipan Chandra, India's Struggle for Independence, chapter on 1857.

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    History UPSC 2026 Medium

  7. What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography?

    What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography?

    1. AThe meditation of the Buddha
    2. BThe Buddha's First Sermon
    3. CThe Buddha's Mahaparinibbana
    4. DThe Buddha's Mahabhinishkramana
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    In early aniconic Buddhist art (Bharhut, Sanchi, Amaravati, c. 2nd century BCE–1st century CE), the Buddha was never depicted in human form. Specific symbols stood for episodes: the empty seat / vajrasana represented his meditation and enlightenment, the Dharmachakra the First Sermon at Sarnath, the stupa the Mahaparinibbana, and a horse without a rider the Mahabhinishkramana (Great Renunciation). NCERT Class XI An Introduction to Indian Art Chapter 4 lists these symbols. The trap is confusing the empty seat with Mahaparinibbana; the seat denotes meditation under the Bodhi tree.

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    History UPSC 2026 Easy