Chapter 2: Era of One-Party Dominance – PYQs

Era of One-Party Dominance Previous Year Questions

Previous year question of CUET UG

Question 1: Who was the founder of the Bhartiya Jana Sangh?

(1) Rafi Ahmed Kidwai

(2) Deen Dayal Upadhyaya

(3) Minoo Masani

(4) Shyama Prasad Mukharjee

Correct Answer: (4) Shyama Prasad Mukharjee

Explanation: Shyama Prasad Mookerjee was the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951,

Question 2: Who was the first Indian to be the Governor General of India between year 1948-1950?

(1) A. K. Gopalan

(2) Srikant Nair

(3) C. Rajagopalachari

(4) N. C. Chatterjee

Correct Answer: (3) C. Rajagopalachari

Explanation: C. Rajagopalachari was the last Governor-General of India, serving from 1948 to 1950, and the only Indian to hold the office.

Question 3: Name the person, who was the first Indian High Commissioner in U.K. and later head of India delegation to UN. He was active in the labour party in UK between 1934-1947.

(1) K, P. S. Menon

(2) V. K. Krishna Menon

(3) Jawahar Lal Nehru

(4) Krishan Mohan Pant

Correct Answer: (2) V. K. Krishna Menon

Explanation: V.K. Krishna Menon was India& first High Commissioner to the UK and later led India& delegation to the UN. He was also active in the Labour Party in the UK during the specified period.

Question 4: In Madras State (now Tamil Nadu) which of the followings regional party came to power by securing a clear majority in 1967 state assembly elections?

(1) DMK

(2) Communist Party of India (M-L)

(3) BJP

(4) Socialist Party

Correct Answer: (1) DMK

Explanation: The DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) secured a clear majority in the 1967 state assembly elections in Madras (now Tamil Nadu), marking a significant shift in regional politics.

Question 5: Who among the following was the symbol of opposition to emergency, a gandhian, Leader of Bihar movement and a moving force behind the formation of Janata Party.

(1) Charu Majumdar

(2) Morarji Desai

(3) George Fernandes

(4) Jayaprakash Narayan

Correct Answer: (4) Jayaprakash Narayan

Explanation: Jayaprakash Narayan, a Gandhian, led the Bihar movement and was a key figure in the opposition to the Emergency and the formation of the Janata Party.

Question 6: Who among the following led the Anti Brahmin movement, worked for the Justice Party and also founded Dravidar Kazhagam?

(1) A.K. Gopalan

(2) E.V. Ramasami Naicker

(3) K. Kamaraj

(4) Potti Sriramulu

Correct Answer: (2) E.V. Ramasami Naicker

Explanation: E.V. Ramasami Naicker, also known as Periyar, led the Anti-Brahmin movement and founded the Dravidar Kazhagam. His work is significant in understanding the challenges to the Congress system and the rise of regional parties during and immediately after the era of one-party dominance in certain regions.

Question 7: Match List-I with List-II:

Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

(1) (A) – (II), (B) – (III), (C) – (IV), (D) – (I)

(2) (A) – (I), (B) – (III), (C) – (II), (D) – (IV)

(3) (A) – (I), (B) – (II), (C) – (IV), (D) – (III)

(4) (А) – (III), (B) – (IV), (C) – (I), (D) – (II)

Correct Answer: (1) (A) – (II), (B) – (III), (C) – (IV), (D) – (I)

Explanation: This question tests knowledge of Prime Ministers and their tenures. While most tenures listed fall outside the strict “Era of One-Party Dominance” (ending around the late 1960s), understanding the political transitions that followed Congress dominance is often covered as an extension of this period. V.P. Singh’s tenure (1989-1990) marked a significant shift towards coalition politics, directly contrasting with the one-party dominance.

Question 8: When is ‘Ambedkar Jayanti’ observed in India ?

(1) January 14

(2) February 14

(3) March 14

(4) April 14

Correct Answer: (4) April 14

Explanation: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a pivotal figure in India’s independence movement and the architect of its Constitution. His contributions and birth anniversary are foundational knowledge related to the shaping of independent India’s political system, which began during the “Era of One-Party Dominance.”

Question 9: Match List-I with List-II:

Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

(1) (A) – (IV), (B) – (I), (C) – (II), (D) – (III)

(2) (A) – (I), (B) – (III), (C) – (II), (D) – (IV)

(3) (A) – (I), (B) – (II), (C) – (IV), (D) – (III)

(4) (A) – (III), (B) – (IV), (C) – (I), (D) – (II)

Correct Answer: (1) (A) – (IV), (B) – (I), (C) – (II), (D) – (III)

Explanation: This question directly assesses knowledge of the founders and key figures of various political parties that were prominent during the “Era of One-Party Dominance” and formed the early opposition.

Question 10: Who was the leader of the anti-caste movement and the founder of Independent Labour Party?

(1) Acharya Narendra Dev

(2) Rafi Ahmed Kidwai

(3) A.K. Gopalan

(4) Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar

Correct Answer: (4) Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar

Explanation: B.R. Ambedkar was a towering figure in India’s social and political landscape, leading the anti-caste movement and founding the Independent Labour Party. His work on social justice and constitutionalism is central to the early years of independent India.

Question 11: Who among the following was known as the ‘‘Milkman of India’’?

(1) Arun Krishna

(2) Muljibhai Patel

(3) Verghese Kurien

(4) M.S. Swaminathan

Correct Answer: (3) Verghese Kurien

Explanation: Verghese Kurien, known as the “Milkman of India,” was instrumental in India’s White Revolution, a significant developmental initiative in the post-independence era, often discussed in the context of India’s early economic planning and development.

Question 12 : Election Commission of India was setup in

1. January 1949
2. January 1950
3. November 1949
4. November 1950

Correct Answer: 2. January 1950

Explanation: The Election Commission of India was established on January 25, 1950, shortly before the first general elections, a key event in the early phase of independent India.

Question 13: Who was the first Election Commissioner of India.

1. S S Sen
2. Sukumar Sen
3. Kumar Sen
4. S Kumar Sen

Correct Answer: 2. Sukumar Sen

Explanation: Sukumar Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India, overseeing the first two general elections, which are central to the “Era of One-Party Dominance.”

Question 14: Who formed DMK as a political party in 1949

1. Ram Manohar Lohia
2. C Natrajan Annadurai
3. C Ragde
4. Karpoori Thakur

Correct Answer: 2. C Natrajan Annadurai

Explanation: C.N. Annadurai founded the DMK in 1949. The rise of regional parties like the DMK, and their eventual success, is a crucial counterpoint to the idea of one-party dominance, illustrating the evolving political landscape during this era

Question 15: Who was known as ‘Periyar’:-

1. E. V. Ramasami Naicker
2. Sheikh Abdullah
3. E V Ramasami
4. E S Naiyekan

Correct Answer: 1. E. V. Ramasami Naicker

Explanation: E.V. Ramasami Naicker, or Periyar, was a key figure in the anti-caste movement and Dravidian politics in South India, movements that influenced the political landscape during and after the Congress dominance.

Question 16: Who advocated the Charbua Rajniti

1. Ram Manohar Lohia
2. Ram Thakur
3. Lala Lajpat Rai
4. Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Correct Answer: 1. Ram Manohar Lohia

Explanation: Ram Manohar Lohia, a prominent socialist, advocated for ‘Chaukhamba Raj’ (Four-Pillar State), which emphasized decentralization and a strong local government. This concept is part of the ideological debates during the early years of independent India.

Question 17: Match List I with List II

Correct Answer: 2. A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III

Explanation: This question directly tests knowledge of key political figures and their roles/affiliations during the early years of independent India, which is covered in the “Era of One-Party Dominance” chapter. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was the first Education Minister, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur the first Health Minister, Acharya Narendra Dev was a leader of the Congress Socialist Party, and A.K. Gopalan was a prominent Communist leader from Kerala.

Question 18: Choose the wrong statement about Jagjivan Ram from the following options

1. Member of Parliament since 1952 till his death.
2. Freedom fighter and Congress leader from Bihar
3. Finance Minister in the first Ministry of free India
4. Deputy Prime-Minister of India (1977-1979)

Correct Answer: 3. Finance Minister in the first Ministry of free India

Explanation: Jagjivan Ram was a prominent freedom fighter and Congress leader, serving as an MP from 1952 until his death and as Deputy Prime Minister from 1977-1979. However, he was not the Finance Minister in the first cabinet of independent India; John Mathai held that position.

Question 19: Swatantra Party was not against

1. Land ceiling in agriculture
2. Cooperative farming
3. Free private sector
4. Progressive tax regime

Correct Answer: 3. Free private sector

Explanation: The Swatantra Party, founded in 1959, was explicitly against state control over the economy and advocated for a free private sector. This stance positioned it as a significant opposition to the Congress’s socialist-leaning policies during the era of one-party dominance.

Question 20: Nehru was our first Prime Minister as well as

A. Health Minister

B. Foreign Minister

C. Education Minister

D. Finance Minister

Choose the correct answer from the options given below

1. A only
2. A and D only
3. B only
4. A and C only

Correct Answer: 3. B only

Explanation: Jawaharlal Nehru served as India’s first Prime Minister and also held the portfolio of Foreign Minister, shaping India’s non-aligned foreign policy during the era of one-party dominance.