UPSC Prelims 2018 Q91: Modern History – Post - Independence India
- (a) 4 - 1 - 2 - 3
- (b) 3 - 2 - 1 - 4
- (c) 4 - 2 - 1 - 3
- (d) 3 - 1 - 2 - 4
Answer: (b) 3 - 2 - 1 - 4
Explanation
Chronological Sequence - Post-Independence Events
| Event | Year |
|---|---|
| 3. Air India nationalised, became national carrier | 1953 (Air Corporations Act 1953 created Indian Airlines + Air India International) |
| 2. Imperial Bank of India renamed State Bank of India | 1955 (State Bank of India Act 1955) |
| 1. First democratically elected communist government | 1957 (E.M.S. Namboodiripad-led CPI government in Kerala) |
| 4. Goa became part of India | 1961 (Operation Vijay, December 1961) |
Chronological sequence: 3 -> 2 -> 1 -> 4 (i.e., 1953 -> 1955 -> 1957 -> 1961).
Answer: (b) 3-2-1-4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. This sequence starts with Goa (1961), which is actually the last event, not the first.
- (b) CORRECT. 3 (Air India 1953) -> 2 (SBI 1955) -> 1 (Kerala 1957) -> 4 (Goa 1961) is the correct chronological order.
- (c) Incorrect. This sequence places Goa (1961) before the Kerala communist government (1957) - reversed.
- (d) Incorrect. This sequence places the Kerala communist government (1957) before SBI (1955), which is wrong.
Key point
Post-independence timeline: Air India nationalisation (1953), SBI (1955, replaces Imperial Bank), Kerala EMS Ministry (1957, world's first democratically elected communist govt), Goa liberation (Dec 1961, Op Vijay).
Remember
Air India was nationalised in 1953 (Air Corporations Act), Imperial Bank of India was renamed State Bank of India in 1955 (SBI Act), the first democratically elected communist government came to power in Kerala under E.M.S. Namboodiripad in 1957, and Goa became part of India in December 1961 through Operation Vijay. So the chronological order is 3-2-1-4.
Common mistakes
- Getting the Kerala government year wrong - EMS Namboodiripad-led CPI Ministry took office April 1957, world's first democratically elected communist govt.
- Assuming SBI existed before Imperial Bank - Imperial Bank was renamed SBI in 1955 following RBI's recommendation.
- Confusing Goa liberation year - it was December 1961 (Op Vijay), not 1950s.
Exam tip
Nehru-era milestones: Planning Commission 1950, LIC nationalisation 1956, Air India 1953, SBI 1955, Kerala Communist Ministry 1957, Goa liberation 1961, China war 1962, Nehru death 1964.
Sources
- NCERT Class 12 - Politics in India Since Independence
- Bipan Chandra et al. - India After Independence