Question map
Consider the following statements in respect of the Non-Cooperation Movement : I. The Congress declared the attainment of 'Swaraj' by all legitimate and peaceful means to be its objective. II. It was to be implemented in stages with civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes for the next stage only if 'Swaraj' did not come within a year and the Government resorted to repression. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
**Statement I is correct.** At the Nagpur session in December 1920, an important change was made in the Congress creed: instead of having the attainment of self-government through constitutional means as its goal, the Congress decided to have the attainment of swaraj through peaceful and legitimate means.[1] This matches the statement perfectly.
**Statement II is incorrect.** Gandhiji proposed that the movement should unfold in stages. It should begin with the surrender of titles that the government awarded, and a boycott of civil services, army, police, courts and legislative councils, schools, and foreign goods. Then, in case the government used repression, a full civil disobedience campaign would be launched.[2] The progression to civil disobedience was conditioned **only on government repression**, not on whether Swaraj was achieved within a year. While Gandhi did express optimism about achieving Swaraj within a year, this was not a formal condition for moving to the next stage of the movement.
Therefore, only Statement I is correct, making option A the right answer.
Sources- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 16: Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Aandolan > p. 332
- [2] India and the Contemporary World â II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > 1.3 Why Non-cooperation? > p. 33
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a textbook 'Standard Source' question derived directly from the narrative in NCERT Class X and Spectrum. It tests the specific 'Rules of Engagement' adopted at the Nagpur Session (1920), moving beyond simple dates to the conditional logic of the movement's strategy.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Did the Indian National Congress declare during the Non-Cooperation Movement that the attainment of "Swaraj" by all legitimate and peaceful means was its objective?
- Statement 2: Was the Non-Cooperation Movement planned to be implemented in stages?
- Statement 3: Was the next stage of the Non-Cooperation Movement intended to include civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes?
- Statement 4: Was progression to the next stage of the Non-Cooperation Movement conditioned on Swaraj not being achieved within a year?
- Statement 5: Was progression to the next stage of the Non-Cooperation Movement conditioned on the Government resorting to repression?
- Explicitly records the Nagpur (Dec 1920) decision changing Congress goal to 'attainment of swaraj through peaceful and legitimate means'.
- Contrasts previous objective (self-government via constitutional means) with the new peaceful/legitimate extraconstitutional aim.
- Summarises Nagpur session outcome: Congress goal changed to attainment of swaraj through peaceful and legitimate means.
- Links the change directly with the KhilafatâNon-Cooperation context and methods of boycott/non-cooperation.
- States Congress supported Gandhi's non-cooperation plan 'till ... Swaraj established', showing Congress endorsement of Swaraj as an objective.
- Connects the non-cooperation programme with the aim of establishing Swaraj.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements.
This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.
Login with Google to unlock study guidance.
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.
Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.
Login with Google to unlock The Vault.