Theme T15 · Modern India & Freedom Struggle

Gandhi: mass movements, constructive programme, ideas & contemporaries

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What UPSC asks

Gandhi is UPSC's favourite personality: mass mobilisation, constructive programmes, his relevance today, comparison with Tagore, Ambedkar and Bose, and whether independence would differ without him.

Prepare these

• Gandhian movements: Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India — who was mobilised
• Constructive programme: khadi, Hindu-Muslim unity, untouchability removal, basic education
• Gandhi vs Tagore (education, nationalism), vs Ambedkar (caste, strategy), vs Bose (methods)
• Relevance today: non-violence, sustainable living, decentralisation, conflict resolution

Answer writing

• For comparisons, a clear 'common goal, different method' frame scores well
• For 'relevance today', link each Gandhian idea to a current issue

Directive words in these PYQs: Elucidate (2), Bring out (1), Highlight (1), Discuss (1).

Linked themes

Builds on: study these first

These come earlier in the roadmap. Questions in this theme use them.

Comes back later in

Later themes that take this one further.

On the map

Syllabus lines covered

• GS1-L3 — The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.

All 7 PYQs, newest first

1. GS1202610 marks · 150 wordsGS1-HIS-06-M2026-S01

   The significance of the Gandhian movements lay in the masses they mobilized. Elucidate

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2. GS1202310 marks · 150 wordsGS1-HIS-06-M2023-Q02

   What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism?

   Also needs: T111 Education policy: NEP, RTE, higher education, examsCopyReport a typo
3. GS12021GS1-HIS-06-M2021-S01

   Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement.

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4. GS12018GS1-HIS-06-M2018-S01

   Throw light on the significance of thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times.

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5. GS12016GS1-HIS-07-M2016-S01

   Highlight the difference in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.

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6. GS12015GS1-HIS-06-M2015-S01

   How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss.

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7. GS12015GS1-HIS-06-M2015-S02

   Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate.

   Also needs: T50 Caste: continuity, change, mobility & Dalit assertionAlso needs: T70 Affirmative action & welfare schemes for vulnerable sectionsCopyReport a typo