by Q. Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement:
UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims) 2025 – General Studies Paper I
I. The Congress declared the attainment of ‘Swaraj’ by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective.
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
Answer: (c) Both I and II
Explanation:
- Statement I is correct: The Calcutta Session of Congress (1920) formally adopted Swaraj as its goal, to be attained through peaceful and constitutional means.
- Statement II is also correct: Gandhi proposed a phased strategy, where initial non-cooperation (boycott of schools, courts, foreign goods) could escalate to civil disobedience and tax refusal if the British failed to grant Swaraj or responded repressively.
Hence, both statements are correct.
