Part of the General Studies-I question bank for OPSC (OAS) Mains.
A comprehensive, topic-wise practice set of 26 questions on Socio-Religious Reform Movements for OPSC (OAS) Mains General Studies-I. 19 of them have been set in an actual paper — the years and exams are printed against each (2025, 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2006). The rest are practice questions on the same syllabus points.
Previous year questions
| No. | Question | Asked in |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mahatma Joti Rao Phule's writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2025 15 marks |
| 2 | Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2023 10 marks |
| 3 | Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century's 'Indian Renaissance' and the emergence of national identity. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2021 10 marks |
| 4 | How and why did the 'women question' occupy the center stage of social reforms in India during the nineteenth century? | OPSC OAS Mains 2020 10 marks |
| 5 | Ram Mohan Roy turned the Brahma Samaj into a leading social organisation of India. Explain. | OPSC OAS Mains 2019 5 marks |
| 6 | Societies were created for socio-cultural awakening. Discuss about Cuttack Debate Club (1868) or Utkala Brahmo Samaj (Cuttack, 1869). | OPSC OAS Mains 2019 5 marks |
| 7 | Brahmo Movement in Odisha | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 5 marks |
| 8 | Evaluate the works of Christian Missionaries in Odisha. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 10 marks |
| 9 | Popularisation of Widow Remarriage and Prohibition of Child Marriage | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 5 marks |
| 10 | Examine the impact of the West on India's social system, religious reformation, scientific outlook and economic life. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 GS Paper-I Q.3(c) · 10 marks |
| 11 | Ramkrishna Mission | OPSC OAS Mains 2017 5 marks |
| 12 | Brahmo Samaj in Odisha | OPSC OAS Mains 2017 5 marks |
| 13 | Role of Christian Missionaries in India. | OPSC OAS Mains 2017 GS Paper-I Q.3(c) · 10 marks |
| 14 | Arya Samaj | OPSC OAS Mains 2016 5 marks |
| 15 | Mahima Dharma. | OPSC OAS Mains 2016 GS Paper-I Q.2(f) · 5 marks |
| 16 | Prarthana Samaj | OPSC OAS Mains 2015 5 marks |
| 17 | Focus light on the contributions of Swami Dayananda Saraswati as a social reformer. | OPSC OAS Mains 2015 20 marks |
| 18 | Evaluate the role of Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule as a forerunner of Social Change. | OPSC OAS Mains 2006 GS Paper-I Q.2(c) · 10 marks |
| 19 | Write about (not exceeding 20 words): Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan. | OPSC OAS Mains 2006 GS Paper-I Q.3(h) · 2 marks |
Practice questions
| No. | Question | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Examine the ideological underpinnings of the Brahmo Samaj and the Arya Samaj as social reform movements. How did they attempt to modernise Indian thought? | — |
| 21 | In what ways did the Arya Samaj movement, under the guidance of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, contribute to the transformative process of societal and religious changes in India? | — |
| 22 | Women had semblance in terms of paramountcy when it comes to Indian Renaissance of 19th century. Comment. How did female reformers like Pandita Ramabai and Savitribai Phule were the benefactors towards social transformation and women empowerment. | — |
| 23 | Discuss Sri Aurobindo's thoughts on the synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophies in the pursuit of a higher consciousness. | — |
| 24 | Enumerate the ground behind the emergence of socio-cultural reform movements in British India. Also emphasize, how these movements were benefactor for independence? | — |
| 25 | Expound on the ground behind the emergence of socio-cultural reform movements in British India, highlighting their contributions towards achieving independence. | — |
| 26 | In the nineteenth century, it was claimed that the status of a nation could be gauged by the status of its women. In light of this statement discuss the issues faced by the women during this time and also mention the various steps taken to address such issues. | — |