Modern History · Chapter 8 of 52

Development of Education in Modern India: BPSC Prelims PYQs

15 previous-year questions on Development of Education in Modern India, asked 2005–2024. Each one opens to its answer and explanation.

1. 1. 69th BPSC Prelims 2023

   Consider the following statements regarding Wood’s Dispatch of 1854:

   • 1. It recommended English as the medium of instruction for higher studies.
   • 2. It laid stress on female education and vocational training.

   Which of the above statements is/are correct?

   1. AOnly 1
   2. BOnly 2
   3. CBoth 1 and 2
   4. DNeither 1 nor 2
   Answer and explanation →

2. 2. 70th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2024

   When did Macaulay issue his famous minute on Indian Education?

   1. A12 February 1835
   2. B12 February 1836
   3. C02 February 1835
   4. D01 February 1835
   Answer and explanation →

3. 3. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2018

   Who said, "A single shelf of a good European library was worth the whole native literature of India and Arabia"?

   1. AT.B. Macaulay
   2. BDr. William Carey
   3. CLord Minto
   4. DCharles Grant
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

4. 4. BPSC Assistant 2019

   The foundation of the modern education system in India was laid in -

   1. ACharter Act of 1813
   2. BMacaulay's Minute of 1835
   3. CWood's Dispatch of 1854
   4. DHunter Commission of 1882
   Answer and explanation →

5. 5. BPSC TRE-3 (Jul 2024)

   To what was Wood's Dispatch of 1854 related?

   1. AModern education
   2. BEstablishment of universities in India
   3. CSocial reform
   4. DMore than one of the above
   5. ENone of the above
   Answer and explanation →

6. 6. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2005

   In which year was Banaras Hindu University established?

   1. A1910
   2. B1916
   3. C1920
   4. D1921
   Answer and explanation →

7. 7. 66th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2020

   In 1902, Lord Curzon appointed the University Commission including two Indian members. Who were they?

   1. ABal Gangadhar Tilak and Surendranath Banerjee
   2. BGopal Krishna Gokhale and Rashbehari Bose
   3. CSyed Hussain Bilgrami and Surendranath Banerjee
   4. DSyed Hussain Bilgrami & Justice Gurudas Banerjee
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

8. 8. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2005

   ________ passed the Indian Universities Act in 1904, implementing strict controls on Indian universities.

   1. ALord Dufferin
   2. BLord Curzon
   3. CLord Simon
   4. DLord Robertson
   Answer and explanation →

9. 9. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2018

   In which year was the Indian Universities Act passed by Lord Curzon?

   1. A1899
   2. B1901
   3. C1904
   4. D1906
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

10. 10. BPSC TRE-2 (Dec 2023)

    In 1817, who founded the Hindu College in Calcutta?

    1. AHenry Vivian Derozio
    2. BDavid Hare
    3. CJonathan Duncan
    4. DMore than one of the above
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

11. 11. 70th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2024

    Establishment of Fort William College in Calcutta

    1. AWas established in 1802 AD for historical research in Indian languages.
    2. BWas established in 1802 AD to understand Indian culture and tradition.
    3. CEstablished in 1800 AD solely to train Indian civil servants.
    4. DEstablished in 1800 AD to train civil servants in Indian languages.
    Answer and explanation →

12. 12. 53rd–55th BPSC Prelims 2011

    When was the National Council of Education established?

    1. A15th August, 1903
    2. B15th August, 1904
    3. C15th August, 1905
    4. D15th August, 1906
    Answer and explanation →

13. 13. 66th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2020

    Which of the following was not an objective of the Indian National Congress as pointed out by W.C. Banerjee in 1885?

    1. ATo promote contact and friendship among the protectors of the interests of the country.
    2. BTo promote the feeling of nationalism among fellow countrymen by removing the feeling of casteism, communalism and regional biases.
    3. CTo express the viewpoint on the necessary social issues with due consent of the educated class.
    4. DTo determine on which direction and on which basis the work has to be done in the coming years for the Indian public interest.
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

14. 14. 48th–52nd BPSC Prelims 2008

    When did the British Government appoint the Sadler University Commission for reforms in education:

    1. A1919
    2. B1917
    3. C1921
    4. D1896
    Answer and explanation →

15. 15. BPSC Assistant 2019

    By whom was the Asiatic Society established in Calcutta?

    1. AWarren Hastings
    2. BSir William Jones
    3. CRaja Ram Mohan Roy
    4. DT.B. Macaulay
    Answer and explanation →