📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I Q.20 | Classroom Explanation

(Modern History)

📌 Question

Q.20) Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement:

Statement I: The Congress declared the attainment of ‘Swaraj’ by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective.

Statement II: It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if ‘Swaraj’ did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II

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✅ Correct Answer: (c)

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This question tests understanding of the objectives, strategy, and phased nature of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) as adopted by the Indian National Congress under Mahatma Gandhi.

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🔍 Key Concept: Non-Cooperation Movement — Objective and Strategy

• The Non-Cooperation Movement was formally adopted at the Nagpur Session of Congress (December 1920)
• It marked a decisive shift:

• From constitutional agitation
• To mass-based, non-violent struggle

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🔍 Statement-wise Analysis

✅ Statement I: Correct

• At the Nagpur Session (1920), the Congress:

• Declared Swaraj as its goal
• Emphasised achieving it by legitimate and peaceful means

• This marked the first time Swaraj became the explicit objective of the Congress

➡️ Hence, Statement I is correct.

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✅ Statement II: Correct

• Gandhiji clearly laid out a phased programme:

• First stage:
  • Non-cooperation (boycott of councils, courts, schools, foreign cloth, etc.)
• Next stage (conditional):
  • Civil Disobedience
  • Non-payment of taxes

• These advanced steps were to be launched only if:

• Swaraj was not achieved within one year, and/or
• The Government resorted to repression

➡️ Hence, Statement II is correct.

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🔗 Cause–Effect Understanding

• Gandhiji wanted:

• Gradual political awakening
• Discipline in mass movements
• Prevention of uncontrolled violence

• Therefore, civil disobedience was kept as a contingent escalation, not an immediate step.

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🧮 Logical Elimination (UPSC Style)

• Statement I → True
• Statement II → True

➡️ Correct option: (c)

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🎯 Final Answer

✅ Correct Answer: (c) Both I and II

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📦 Info Box — Extra Points (Prelims Value Add)

• Nagpur Session (1920):

• Congress constitution amended
• Linguistic reorganisation of PCCs
• Working Committee strengthened

• Other key demands linked to NCM:

• Repeal of Rowlatt Act
• Redressal of Punjab wrongs
• Just treatment to Turkey (Khilafat issue)

• Movement features:

• Hindu–Muslim unity
• Popularisation of Khadi and Charkha
• Participation of lawyers, students, women, and government servants

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📍 GS Mapping

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

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