UPSC Prelims 2015— Question 48

Correct answer: Option B. Sarojini Naidu became the first Indian woman to preside over the Indian National Congress in 1925, but Annie Besant was the first woman president of the Congress in 1917. Badruddin Tyabji was the first Muslim president of the Congress in 1887. Therefore statement 2 is correct and statement 1 is incorrect. Option-wise analysis: Option A: “1 only” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option B: “2 only” is correct. It directly matches the factual or conceptual requirement tested by the question and is supported by the principle explained above. Option C: “Both 1 and 2” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option D: “Neither 1 nor 2” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Prelims takeaway: Focus on the precise institutional role, constitutional provision, geographical association, or technical definition being tested. UPSC questions often place a broadly familiar fact beside a narrowly incorrect qualifier; identifying that qualifier is essential for elimination.