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Difficulty: MediumRise of Indian Nationalism and Early Phase of the Indian National Congress

During the early Moderate phase of the Indian National Congress (1885–1905), nationalist leaders articulated specific administrative and civil rights demands aimed at reforming colonial administration. Which of the following was a primary administrative demand advocated by the Moderates during this period?

  1. Simultaneous holding of the Indian Civil Services examination in India and England, along with raising the age limit for candidates.Answer
  2. B
    Immediate demand for complete sovereign independence (Purna Swaraj) and total severance of constitutional ties with the British Empire.
  3. C
    Introduction of separate communal electorates for religious minorities in provincial legislative councils under the Indian Councils Act of 1892.
  4. D
    Complete abolition of provincial legislative councils to prevent colonial centralisation of lawmaking powers.

Answer

Simultaneous holding of the Indian Civil Services examination in India and England, along with raising the age limit for candidates.
The early phase of the Indian National Congress (1885–1905) was characterised by Moderate leadership that prioritised administrative Indianisation. A major plank of their campaign was demanding simultaneous Civil Services examinations in India and England alongside raising the age limit, enabling educated Indians to enter senior administrative positions.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the core political and administrative demands of the Moderate phase of the Indian National Congress (1885–1905).
The Moderates focused on constitutional agitation, Indianisation of administrative services, expansion of legislative councils, reduction of military expenditure, and civil liberty protections.
Establishing the scope of Moderate methods differentiates their early administrative reforms from later extremist mass movement demands.
2
Evaluate the key administrative reform regarding the public services.
Early nationalists protested against the lowering of the age limit for the Civil Services (reduced to 19 by Lord Lytton) and demanded simultaneous examinations in India and England.
Holding exams exclusively in London placed a severe financial and socio-cultural barrier on Indian candidates.

Key Concept

Early Administrative Demands of the Moderate Phase of INC
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Rise of Indian Nationalism and Early Phase of the Indian National Congress

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