Daily subject-wise quiz: History and Culture MCQs on civil services in colonial era and Urdu (Week 107)

Indian Express

21-04-2025

1. This national observance of the day was first marked on April 21, 1951.
2. The day's history can be traced back to the time when Jawaharlal Nehru, addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers in 1947.
Which of the above given statements is/are true?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Every year on April 21, the Government of India commemorates National Civil Services Day to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional efforts of our civil servants engaged in public service, the backbone of the nation's administration, as they devote themselves to the cause of citizens. On this day, the Prime Minister of India honours civil service officers with the PM Awards for Excellence in Public Administration in recognition of their outstanding service and contributions.
This national observance was first marked on April 21, 2006. The day's history can be traced back to the time when the first Home Minister of Independent India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers at Metcalf House in Delhi, referring to the civil servants as the 'steel frame of India' on April 21, 1947.
Therefore, d is the correct answer.
QUESTION 2
In his evidence before the select committee of the British Parliament before the grant of Charter in 1832 he asserted that many of the Indians were fully qualified to discharge the duties assigned to them.
Who is referred to in the above lines?
(a) Satyendranath Tagore
(b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
(c) Dadabhai Naoroji
(d) Surendranath Banerji
Explanation
Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the father of Indian nationalism was the first Indian to have placed the demand for reform of the civil service in India in a formal manner. In his evidence before the select committee of the British Parliament before the grant of Charter in 1832 he asserted that many of the Indians were fully qualified to discharge the duties assigned to them.
Therefore, b is the correct answer.
Which Commission recommended the division of main services into three classes while considering the ethnic composition of the superior Indian public services of the Government of India?
(a) Sapru Commission
(b) Sadler Commission
(c) Islington Commission
Explanation
In 1923, a Royal Commission on Superior Civil Service in India under the chairmanship of Lord Lee was appointed. The purpose was to consider the ethnic composition of the superior Indian public services of the government of India. The Commission recommended the division of main services into three classes.
All India Services
Central Services
Provincial Services
Therefore, d is the correct answer.
(Refer: Knowledge Nugget | National Civil Services Day 2025: Key historical moments in the evolution of India's Civil Services that UPSC aspirants must know)
With reference to 'Akhbar-us-Zafar', consider the following statements:
1. It was the first Urdu newspaper of India launched by Harihar Dutta.
2. Its original name was ' Delhi Urdu Akhbar', dedicated to the nationalist cause in the wake of the revolt of 1857.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
The first Urdu newspaper, Jam-i-Jahan-Numa, was published on March 27, 1822. The weekly was launched by Harihar Dutta from Kolkata.
📍Maulvi Muhammad Baqir (1780-1857), a Urdu journalist, was the first to lay down his life for the nation. He started a Urdu newspaper, ' Delhi Urdu Akhbar ', dedicated to the nationalist cause in the wake of the revolt of 1857. After the revolt broke out on 10 May 1857, Baqir renamed the paper as ' Akhbar-us-Zafar ' (Paper of Zafar) to pay tribute to the leader of the revolt.
Therefore, b is the correct answer.
QUESTION 5
'Ghurrat-ul- Kamal' was written by:
(a) Masood Lahori
(b) Mirza Ghalib
(d) None of the above
Explanation
Ameer Khusro, in his book 'Ghurrat-ul- Kamal' had written that Masood Lahori (Masood Saad Salman), a renowned poet who was born in Lahore in the 11th century, had composed poetry in Hindvi (Urdu), which is also called Dehlavi. This shows that it originated very much from Punjab, as Lahore was the part of greater Punjab only before partition, according to Prof. Ali Abbas of Punjab University. He said that before it was called Urdu, it was familiar with other names, including Hindustani, Hindavi, Dehlavi, and Rekhta.
Therefore, c is the correct answer.