Q1.With reference to the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, consider the following statements regarding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar:
- He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, which originally consisted of nine members.
- He is credited with the introduction of Article 32, which he described as the “Soul of the Constitution.”
- He successfully advocated for a “Rigid” amendment process to protect the rights of minorities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Correct Answer: B) 2 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect: While he was the Chairman, the Drafting Committee consisted of seven members, not nine.
- Statement 2 is correct: Ambedkar famously called Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies) the “Heart and Soul” of the Constitution because it makes fundamental rights enforceable.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: Ambedkar supported a flexible yet stable amendment process (a mix of rigidity and flexibility) to ensure the Constitution could evolve with the nation’s needs while protecting core values.
Q2.
Which of the following organizations/parties were founded by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar?
- Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha
- Independent Labour Party
- Scheduled Castes Federation
- All India Depressed Classes Association
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A) 1, 2, and 3 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4
Correct Answer: A) 1, 2, and 3 only
Explanation:
- Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha (1924): Formed to promote education and socio-economic improvement of Dalits.
- Independent Labour Party (1936): Formed to protect the interests of the working classes.
- Scheduled Castes Federation (1942): An all-India political party to campaign for the rights of the Dalit community.
- All India Depressed Classes Association: This was actually founded by M.C. Rajah. Ambedkar was associated with the All India Depressed Classes Congress.
Q3.
Consider the following events in the life of Dr. Ambedkar:
- Mahad Satyagraha
- Kalaram Temple Entry Movement
- Conversion to Buddhism at Deekshabhoomi
- Publication of the journal ‘Mooknayak’
What is the correct chronological order of these events?
A) 4-1-2-3
B) 1-4-2-3
C) 4-2-1-3
D) 1-2-4-3
Correct Answer: A) 4-1-2-3
Explanation:
- Mooknayak (1920): His first journal, started with the help of Maharaja of Kolhapur.
- Mahad Satyagraha (1927): To assert the rights of untouchables to use water from a public tank.
- Kalaram Temple Movement (1930): A major protest for temple entry rights in Nashik.
- Conversion to Buddhism (1956): Occurred in Nagpur shortly before his death.
Q4.Regarding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s contributions to Economics and Finance, which of the following statements is true?
A) His book ‘The Problem of the Rupee’ served as a conceptual blueprint for the establishment of the State Bank of India.
B) He advocated for the “Gold Standard” over the “Gold Exchange Standard” in his doctoral thesis.
C) He was the first Indian to receive a doctorate in Economics from an overseas university.
D) He opposed the nationalization of land and industries, favoring a laissez-faire economy.
Correct Answer: B) He advocated for the “Gold Standard” over the “Gold Exchange Standard” in his doctoral thesis.
Explanation:
- Statement A is incorrect: His work The Problem of the Rupee influenced the Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Finance (Hilton Young Commission), which led to the creation of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), not SBI.
- Statement B is correct: In his thesis, he argued that the Gold Exchange Standard was unstable for India.
- Statement C is incorrect: While he was a pioneer, other Indians had received doctorates abroad; however, he was the first Indian to receive a PhD from Columbia University and a D.Sc. from the London School of Economics.
- Statement D is incorrect: Ambedkar advocated for “State Socialism” in his memorandum ‘States and Minorities,’ which included state ownership of agriculture and key industries.
Q5.The Poona Pact (1932) was an agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. What was the primary outcome of this pact?
A) It provided for separate electorates for the Depressed Classes within provincial legislatures.
B) It resulted in the abandonment of the Communal Award by the British Government.
C) It provided reserved seats for the Depressed Classes within the general electorate.
D) It granted the Depressed Classes the right to form a separate state within the Indian Union.
Correct Answer: C) It provided reserved seats for the Depressed Classes within the general electorate.
Explanation: Following Gandhi’s fast unto death against the Communal Award (which gave separate electorates to Dalits), Ambedkar agreed to the Poona Pact. The “Separate Electorate” was replaced with “Reserved Seats” within the joint electorate, significantly increasing the number of seats allocated to the Depressed Classes from 71 to 148 in provincial legislatures.
