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UPSC CSE Prelims 2016 · GS Paper I · Question 92 · Rise of nationalism, 1885–1917

वर्ष 1907 में सूरत में भारतीय राष्ट्रीय काँग्रेस के विभाजन का मुख्य कारण क्या था?

UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper I, Question 92 — Rise of nationalism, 1885–1917.

Prelims 2016 · Q92

Rise of nationalism, 1885–1917 Easy

वर्ष 1907 में सूरत में भारतीय राष्ट्रीय काँग्रेस के विभाजन का मुख्य कारण क्या था?

Read this question in English

What was the main reason for the split in the Indian National Congress at Surat in 1907?

(a) Introduction of communalism into Indian politics by Lord Minto · (b) Extremists' lack of faith in the capacity of the moderates to negotiate with the British Government · (c) Foundation of Muslim League · (d) Aurobindo Ghosh's inability to be elected as the President of the Indian National Congress

उत्तर और व्याख्या · explanation in English

Answer: (b) अंग्रेजी सरकार के साथ नरमपंथियों की वार्ता करने की क्षमता के बारे में चरमपंथियों में विश्वास का अभाव

The Congress split at Surat because the Nationalists (called Extremists by their opponents) no longer trusted the Moderates to press the British. At Surat the Moderates tried to back away from the Calcutta resolutions on Swaraj, Swadeshi and Boycott and return to asking for minor administrative concessions.

  • ✓ (b) NCERT says the Moderates at Surat tried to step back from the Calcutta resolutions and return to the old requests for minor concessions. The Nationalists led by Tilak, Lajpat Rai and Aurobindo Ghose refused, chaos followed when Tilak was prevented from speaking, and they held a separate session.
  • ✗ (a) Lord Minto's separate electorates came with the Indian Councils Act of 1909, two years after Surat. NCERT's account of the split gives Minto no part in it.
  • ✗ (c) The All-India Muslim League was founded at Dhaka in December 1906. The Surat quarrel was between Moderates and Nationalists inside the Congress, not a reaction to the League.
  • ✗ (d) NCERT names Aurobindo Ghose only as one of the Nationalist leaders who walked out and presided over their separate session; it mentions no defeat of his in an election for president.

Remember · Surat 1907: the Congress split into Moderates and Nationalists over Swaraj, Swadeshi and Boycott, after the Moderates tried to retreat from the Calcutta resolutions.

📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 8 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 2 (practise this chapter) · Class 8 Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part 2), Ch 2 (practise this chapter)

Sources

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2016, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

Cite this question: UPSC CSE Prelims 2016, Q92 — minimalistias.com/pyqs/prelims/2016/q92

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