Post-Independence India Practice Questions
19 free Post-Independence India practice questions for the Static GK. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
The States Reorganisation Act, which created states on linguistic lines, was passed in which year?
- A 1950
- B 1952
- C 1954
- D 1956
Correct answer: 1956
The Act was passed following the recommendations of the Fazal Ali Commission. It led to the creation of 14 states and 6 union territories, fundamentally redrawing India's internal boundaries based on language.
Who was the first Chairperson of the Planning Commission of India?
- A Gulzarilal Nanda
- B C.D. Deshmukh
- C K.C. Neogy
- D Jawaharlal Nehru
Correct answer: Jawaharlal Nehru
The Planning Commission was established in March 1950 with the Prime Minister as the ex-officio Chairman. It was tasked with formulating India's Five-Year Plans until it was replaced by NITI Aayog in 2015.
The first general elections in independent India were held between which years?
- A 1947–1948
- B 1949–1950
- C 1951–1952
- D 1955–1956
Correct answer: 1951–1952
The elections were held from October 1951 to February 1952. It was a landmark event in world history as it was the first time universal adult franchise was exercised on such a massive scale.
Which princely state was integrated into the Indian Union through 'Operation Polo'?
- A Junagadh
- B Kashmir
- C Hyderabad
- D Travancore
Correct answer: Hyderabad
Operation Polo was the code name for the police action in September 1948 to terminate the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The state was subsequently annexed and integrated into the Indian Union.
Who is known as the 'Architect of the Green Revolution' in India?
- A Verghese Kurien
- B Homi J. Bhabha
- C Vikram A. Sarabhai
- D M.S. Swaminathan
Correct answer: M.S. Swaminathan
M.S. Swaminathan introduced high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice to Indian agriculture in the 1960s. His efforts helped India move from a food-deficit nation to a food-surplus nation.
The Panchsheel Agreement (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence) was signed in 1954 between India and which country?
- A Pakistan
- B Soviet Union
- C China
- D USA
Correct answer: China
The agreement was signed between Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. It outlined a framework for bilateral relations based on mutual respect and non-interference.
In which year was the 'Nationalization of 14 Major Banks' carried out by the Indira Gandhi government?
- A 1969
- B 1967
- C 1971
- D 1975
Correct answer: 1969
The government issued an ordinance on July 19, 1969, to nationalize 14 large commercial banks. The move aimed to align the banking sector with the socialist goals of the government and expand credit to rural areas.
The 'Shimla Agreement' of 1972 was signed between Indira Gandhi and whom?
- A Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
- B Yahya Khan
- C Ayub Khan
- D Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Correct answer: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Following the 1971 Indo-Pak war and the creation of Bangladesh, this treaty was signed to establish a framework for bilateral relations. It committed both nations to settle their differences through peaceful means and bilateral negotiations.
The first nuclear test by India, code-named 'Smiling Buddha', was conducted in which year?
- A 1974
- B 1971
- C 1998
- D 1968
Correct answer: 1974
The test was conducted on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran in Rajasthan. This made India the first nation outside the permanent members of the UN Security Council to conduct a nuclear test.
The 'Bhoodan Movement' (Land Gift Movement) was started by whom in 1951?
- A Vinoba Bhave
- B Jayaprakash Narayan
- C Baba Amte
- D Medha Patkar
Correct answer: Vinoba Bhave
Vinoba Bhave started the movement at Pochampally village (now in Telangana). It was a voluntary land reform movement that encouraged wealthy landowners to give a portion of their land to landless farmers.
In 1961, which territory was liberated from Portuguese rule by the Indian Armed Forces?
- A Goa
- B Pondicherry
- C Sikkim
- D Chandannagar
Correct answer: Goa
Operation Vijay was launched in December 1961 to liberate Goa, Daman, and Diu. This ended 450 years of Portuguese colonial presence on the Indian subcontinent.
Who was the first non-Congress Prime Minister of India?
- A Morarji Desai
- B Charan Singh
- C V.P. Singh
- D Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Correct answer: Morarji Desai
Morarji Desai led the Janata Party government that came to power in 1977 after the Emergency. He served as Prime Minister until 1979.
The 'White Revolution' (Operation Flood) is associated with the production of which commodity?
- A Rice
- B Cotton
- C Milk
- D Fertilizers
Correct answer: Milk
Launched in 1970, Operation Flood aimed to make India self-sufficient in milk production. Verghese Kurien is credited as the mastermind behind this co-operative dairy movement.
Which Indian state was the first to implement the Panchayati Raj system in 1959?
- A Rajasthan
- B Andhra Pradesh
- C Gujarat
- D Maharashtra
Correct answer: Rajasthan
The system was first inaugurated by Prime Minister Nehru at Nagaur, Rajasthan, on October 2, 1959. It followed the recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee.
Sikkim became a full-fledged state of the Indian Union in which year?
- A 1971
- B 1973
- C 1975
- D 1980
Correct answer: 1975
Following a referendum where the majority voted to join India, the 36th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1975 made Sikkim the 22nd state of the Indian Union.
The 'Mandal Commission', which dealt with reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), was established during the tenure of which PM?
- A Indira Gandhi
- B Morarji Desai
- C Rajiv Gandhi
- D V.P. Singh
Correct answer: Morarji Desai
The commission was appointed in 1979 by the Morarji Desai government under the chairmanship of B.P. Mandal. Its recommendations were later implemented by the V.P. Singh government in 1990.
Who was the Prime Minister of India during the 1991 Economic Reforms (LPG Policy)?
- A Manmohan Singh
- B P.V. Narasimha Rao
- C Chandra Shekhar
- D Inder Kumar Gujral
Correct answer: P.V. Narasimha Rao
While Manmohan Singh was the Finance Minister who designed the reforms, P.V. Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister. The Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization (LPG) policies saved India from a balance of payments crisis.
The first space satellite launched by India in 1975 was named after whom?
- A Bhaskara
- B Aryabhata
- C Rohini
- D Varahamihira
Correct answer: Aryabhata
Aryabhata was India's first satellite, launched on April 19, 1975, using a Soviet rocket. It was named after the famous 5th-century Indian astronomer and mathematician.
In post-independence history, the 'JP Movement' (1974-75) led by Jayaprakash Narayan was primarily directed against:
- A Caste discrimination
- B Corruption in Indira Gandhi's rule
- C Rising communal and religious tensions
- D Foreign investment policies
Correct answer: Corruption in Indira Gandhi's rule
Jayaprakash Narayan called for a 'Total Revolution' against perceived corruption and authoritarianism. This movement eventually led to the imposition of a national emergency in June 1975.