Every year Civil Service Preliminary Exam (Civil Service Aptitude Test - CSAT) comes with surprises. Over the years the question pattern has changed in a big way. So aspirants are confused about how to start preparing for the exam. We are trying to help our online readers to understand the pattern of questions asked in various subjects. Through is post we bring you the previous year questions on History. Out of 100 questions in CSAT paper 1, you can expect around 12 to 15 questions based on history. Majority of the questions will be asked from modern Indian history, covering Indian freedom struggle. Please go through is questions and get and idea about how UPSC prepares questions based on history syllabus.

1. Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919? 

1. Introduction of dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces 

2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims 

3. Devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces Select the correct answer using the codes given below : 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

C is the right answer. Government of India Act, 1919 is popularly known as Montegue-Chelmsford Reforms.

2. Under which Act, a Federal Court was established to interpret the constitution and to settle disputes arising between the Federation and its constituent units? 

a) Charter Act of 1833 

b) Charter Act of 1853 

c) Govt of India act 1919 

d) Govt of India act 1935

D is the right answer.

3. During Indian freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed. What was the reason for its formation? 

(a) Different social reform groups or organizations of Bengal region united to form a single body to discuss the issues of larger interest and to prepare appropriate petitions/representations to the government. 

(b) Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose 

(c) Behramji Malabari and M. G. Ranade decided to bring together all the social reform groups of the country under one organization 

(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context

C is the right answer.

4. Which of the following parties were established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar? 

1. The Peasants and Workers Party of India 

2. All India Scheduled Castes Federation

 3. The Independent Labour Party Select the correct answer using the codes given below : 

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

B is the right answer.

5. Mahatma Gandhi undertook fast unto death in 1932, mainly because 

(a) Round Table Conference failed to satisfy Indian political aspirations 

(b) Congress and Muslim League had differences of opinion 

(c) Ramsay Macdonald announced the Communal Award 

(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context

C is the right answer.

6. With reference to Ryotwari Settlement, consider the following statements : 

1. The rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Government. 

2. The Government gave Pattas to the Ryots. 

3. The lands were surveyed and assessed before being taxed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 1 and 2 only 

(c) 1, 2 and 3 

(d) None

C is the right answer. Ryotwari system resulted in large profit for British as there was no intermediaries.

7. The Rowlatt Act aimed at 

(a) compulsory economic support to war efforts 

(b) imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial 

(c) suppression of the Khilafat Movement 

(d) imposition of restrictions on freedom of the press

B is the right answer.

8.The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because 

1. the Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence 

2. the rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session 

3. a resolution was passed rejecting the two-nation theory in that Session Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) I only 

(b) 2 and 3 

(c) 1 and 3 

(d) None of the above

A is the right answer.

9. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Brahmo Samaj? 

1. It opposed idolatry. 

2. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting the religious texts. 

3. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible. Select the correct answer using the codes given below : 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 1 and 2 only 

(c) 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

D is the right answer.

10. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of 

(a) Bhakti 

(b) image worship and Yajnas 

(c) worship of nature and Yajnas 

(d) worship of nature and Bhakti

C is the right answer.

11. With reference to the history. of ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism? 

1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment 

2. Indifference to the authority of the Vedas 

3. Denial of efficacy of rituals Select the correct answer using the codes given below : 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

B is the right answer.

12. The Congress ministries resigned in the seven provinces in 1939, because 

(a) the Congress could not form ministries in the other four provinces 

(b) emergence of a left wing' in the Congress made the working of the ministries impossible 

(c) there were widespread communal disturbances in their provinces 

(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct

D is the right answer.