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General Studies 2021 GS Paper I 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Bring out

GS Paper I — Q12

Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. (Answer…

Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. (Answer in 250 words) 15 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

असहयोग आंदोलन एवं सविनय अवज्ञा आंदोलन के दौरान महात्मा गांधी के रचनात्मक कार्यक्रमों को स्पष्ट कीजिए । (250 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

Q12 of the 2021 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper I, as printed
The question as printed in the 2021 General Studies paper
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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 250-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

Gandhi’s constructive programmes were nation-building activities meant to make the freedom struggle self-reliant, not merely protest. They sought to transform villages, education, industry and social life while the political movements were underway, building a parallel social and economic order.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22): Here the emphasis was on swadeshi, khadi and national education. Gandhi urged spinning, wearing khadi and boycotting foreign cloth, linking self-reliance to political resistance. Gandhi made khadi a symbol of self-respect and national economic independence in daily life. National education was advanced through Gujarat Vidyapith and Kashi Vidyapith, which promoted vernacular languages and indigenous learning. Constructive work also stressed village upliftment through sanitation, hygiene and local economic self-sufficiency, while prohibition was attacked as a social evil. Hindu-Muslim unity was encouraged through joint participation in khadi and village work, and removal of untouchability was pursued through temple-entry advocacy and Harijan welfare.

Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34): The constructive base broadened. Swadeshi and khadi were consolidated by the All India Spinners Association (1925), established between the movements, and the All India Village Industries Association (1934) expanded village industries. The Spinners Association coordinated khadi production and distribution; the Village Industries Association promoted cottage industries. Labour welfare, informed by the 1918 Ahmedabad Mill Strike settlement model, was reinforced through better wages, working conditions and arbitration. Harijan Sevak Sangh (1932) gave institutional shape to anti-untouchability work. Village upliftment, prohibition and communal harmony remained central.

Thus, NCM laid the foundation in swadeshi and education, while CDM institutionalised village industries and Harijan welfare. Together they made constructive work a practical school of nation-building.

What "Bring out" is asking you to do

Make the specific content emerge in its own right — the programmes, effects or implications the stem names — set down concretely rather than left for the reader to infer from general discussion.

Structure that answers it

The subject placed in one line → each particular brought out, with the evidence that establishes it → what the particulars show when taken together

Where marks are lost

Circling the topic in general terms. Bring out is marked on the particulars actually produced, not on the framing around them.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS1 History: Movements (causes, social base, methods, limits, legacy). highlight: name the salient points > one line of substance each > close Full marks: Detailed, specific programmes linked to movement goals with clear objectives.

Key points expected

  • Distinguish constructive work from negative boycotts
  • List specific programmes (e.g., Khadi, Swadeshi, education)
  • Link programmes to the specific movement context
  • Explain the social or political objective of the work

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Identify and explain the constructive programmes of Gandhi during Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience movements. 15 marks · 250 words

    highlight— name the salient points → one line of substance each → close

    Must cover

    • Distinguish constructive work from negative boycotts
    • List specific programmes (e.g., Khadi, Swadeshi, education)
    • Link programmes to the specific movement context
    • Explain the social or political objective of the work

    Loses marks

    • Narrating general history of the movements
    • Focusing only on negative aspects (boycotts)
    • Vague generalities without naming specific programmes

    Earns more

    • Mention specific institutions (e.g., Gujarat Vidyapeeth)
    • Reference specific campaigns (e.g., Harijan, Temple Entry)
    • Connect constructive work to the goal of Swaraj
    • Mention the role of the masses in these programmes

    Extra mark

    • Cite a specific date or resolution (e.g., 1920 Congress session)
    • Mention a specific leader associated with a programme

Practice this exact question

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