Part of the General Studies-I question bank for OPSC (OAS) Mains.
A comprehensive, topic-wise practice set of 30 questions on Gandhi & Mass Movements for OPSC (OAS) Mains General Studies-I. 17 of them have been set in an actual paper — the years and exams are printed against each (2026, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2006). The rest are practice questions on the same syllabus points.
Previous year questions
| No. | Question | Asked in |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The significance of the Gandhian movements lay in the masses they mobilized. Elucidate. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2026 10 marks |
| 2 | What were the major changes that Mahatma Gandhi brought in public life in India? | OPSC OAS Mains 2022 15 marks |
| 3 | What were the major changes that Mahatma Gandhi brought in public life in India? Discuss his contributions to the Indian freedom movement. | OPSC OAS Mains 2022 15 marks |
| 4 | "Extremism in politics seldom achieves positive results." Discuss in the context of the Indian National Movement. | OPSC OAS Mains 2022 15 marks |
| 5 | Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2022 15 marks |
| 6 | Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elaborate. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2021 15 marks |
| 7 | Trace the circumstances leading to the Quit India Movement. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 10 marks |
| 8 | Role of Gopabandhu Das in the Non-Cooperation Movement in Odisha. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 GS Paper-I Q.2(d) · 5 marks Also asked: OPSC OAS Mains 2015 · GS Paper-I Q.2(b) · 5 marks |
| 9 | What is the Khilafat Movement? What impact did it have on Gandhian Politics? | OPSC OAS Mains 2017 10 marks |
| 10 | Utkalmani Gopabandhu Dash and the Non-Cooperation Movement. | OPSC OAS Mains 2017 GS Paper-I Q.2(c) · 5 marks |
| 11 | Assess the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the Non-Cooperation Movement. | OPSC OAS Mains 2016 10 marks |
| 12 | Assess the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the Non-Cooperation Movement and its impact on the freedom struggle. | OPSC OAS Mains 2016 10 marks |
| 13 | Bhoodan Movement in Odisha. | OPSC OAS Mains 2016 GS Paper-I Q.2(d) · 5 marks |
| 14 | Assess the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the Civil Disobedience Movement. | OPSC OAS Mains 2015 10 marks |
| 15 | Assess the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the Civil Disobedience Movement and its significance in the Indian freedom struggle. | OPSC OAS Mains 2015 10 marks |
| 16 | Sarvodaya Movement. | OPSC OAS Mains 2015 GS Paper-I Q.2(e) · 5 marks |
| 17 | Write about (not exceeding 20 words): Bhudan Movement. | OPSC OAS Mains 2006 GS Paper-I Q.3(j) · 2 marks |
Practice questions
| No. | Question | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | How did Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence shape the course of the freedom movement? | — |
| 19 | Describe the emergence of Mahatma Gandhi as a prominent leader in South Africa and summarise the impact of his leadership on the Indian community in South Africa. | — |
| 20 | Throw light upon the mass mobilisation strategies of Mahatma Gandhi that gave an impetus to the freedom struggle movement of India. | — |
| 21 | Elaborate on the role of the Non-Cooperation Movement in advancing mass nationalism and promoting civil disobedience. Specifically, highlight the Gandhian principles that guided the movement and their influence on its outcomes. | — |
| 22 | Analyse the legacy of the Non-Cooperation Movement in shaping the future trajectory of the Indian struggle for self-dependence. | — |
| 23 | The Khilafat and Non-cooperation battle led to a wave of riots that severely undermined the idea of Hindu-Muslim unity. Comment. Also examine the Non-Cooperation movement's success in this perspective. | — |
| 24 | 'Non-Cooperation Movement gave new direction and energy to the National Movement'. Explain. | — |
| 25 | How did Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence shape the course of the freedom movement? What were the core principles of Gandhian non-violence? | — |
| 26 | Analyse how Mahatma Gandhi's ideologies were shaped by global thinkers of his time. Discuss the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi's principle of 'Sarvodaya' in today's socio-economic frameworks, especially in the context of the global North-South divide. | — |
| 27 | Describe the emergence of Mahatma Gandhi as a prominent leader in South Africa and summarise the impact of his leadership on the Indian community in South Africa. | — |
| 28 | Elaborate on the role of the Non-Cooperation Movement in advancing mass nationalism and promoting civil disobedience. | — |
| 29 | "The Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement both are significant events in India's modern history, yet they bear differences that set them apart." Comment. | — |
| 30 | Analyse the legacy of the Non-Cooperation Movement in shaping the future trajectory of the Indian struggle for self-dependence. Discuss some setbacks of the Non-Cooperation Movement. | — |