📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I Q.12 | Classroom Explanation

(Modern History)

📌 Question

Q.12) Consider the following subjects with regard to the Non-Cooperation Programme:

I. Boycott of law-courts and foreign cloth
II. Observance of strict non-violence
III. Retention of titles and honours without using them in public
IV. Establishment of Panchayats for settling disputes

How many of the above were parts of the Non-Cooperation Programme?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four

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✅ Correct Answer: (c)

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This question examines the programme, methods, and ideology of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22), the first nationwide mass movement led by Mahatma Gandhi under the Indian National Congress.

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🔍 Key Concept: Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)

• Launched in 1920
• Immediate causes:

• Rowlatt Act (1919)
• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

• Approved at:

• Special Session of Congress, Calcutta (September 1920)
• Endorsed at Nagpur Session (December 1920)

• Based on:

• Non-violence (Ahimsa)
• Withdrawal of cooperation from British institutions

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🔍 Subject-wise Analysis

✅ I. Boycott of law-courts and foreign cloth — Correct

• Lawyers gave up legal practice
• British courts and institutions were boycotted
• Foreign cloth was burnt publicly
• Emphasis on Swadeshi and Khadi

➡️ Statement I was a core component of the programme.

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✅ II. Observance of strict non-violence — Correct

• Gandhiji insisted on absolute non-violence
• Non-violence was both:

• A moral principle
• A strategic necessity

➡️ Statement II was an essential part of the movement.

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❌ III. Retention of titles and honours without using them in public — Incorrect

• The programme required surrender of titles and honorary positions, not retention
• Example:

• Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood

➡️ Statement III was not part of the Non-Cooperation Programme.

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✅ IV. Establishment of Panchayats for settling disputes — Correct

• As British courts were boycotted:

• Private Panchayat courts were set up
  • National educational institutions were also established:
• Kashi Vidyapeeth
• Bihar Vidyapeeth
• Jamia Millia Islamia

➡️ Statement IV was part of the programme.

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🧮 Logical Counting (UPSC Style)

• Correct statements: I, II, IV
• Incorrect statement: III

➡️ Number of correct statements = 3

➡️ Correct option: (c) Only three

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🎯 Final Answer

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

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📦 Info Box — Extra Points (Prelims Value Add)

• First mass-based movement of the INC
• Congress constitution reorganised at Nagpur Session (1920):

• Linguistic reorganisation of PCCs
• Strengthened Working Committee
• Membership fee reduced (4 annas)

• Other features:

• Boycott of councils
• Liquor and toddy shop picketing
• Tilak Swaraj Fund (₹1 crore target)
• Stress on Hindu–Muslim unity

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📍 GS Mapping

GS Paper I
Subject: Modern Indian History
Theme: National Movement (1915–1947)
Nature: Factual + Conceptual

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