Consider the following subjects with regard to Non-Cooperation Programme : I. Boycott of law-courts and foreign cloth II. Observance of strict non-violence III. Retention of titles and honours without using them in public IV. Establishment of Panchayats for settling disputes How many of the above were parts of Non-Cooperation Programme?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) Only three ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) All the four
Why the answer is (c)
• The Non-Cooperation programme adopted at the Calcutta (September 1920) and Nagpur (December 1920) sessions had a negative side (withdrawal of cooperation) and a positive side (constructive work).
• Boycott of government law-courts, schools, legislatures and foreign cloth was central — item I was part of the programme.
• Gandhi made strict non-violence a precondition; its breach at Chauri Chaura in February 1922 led him to withdraw the movement — item II was part of the programme.
• Setting up panchayats to settle disputes outside British courts, along with national schools and khadi, formed the constructive programme — item IV was part of it.
• Item III is wrong: the programme called for the surrender of titles and honorary offices, not their retention; hence only three items, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Only one
- Three items (I, II, IV) belonged to the programme, not one.
- (b) Only two
- Boycott, non-violence and panchayats were all part of it; the count is three.
- (d) All the four
- Item III is wrong: titles were to be surrendered, not retained.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.