UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 12

This question tests rakhmabai case and social reform. The key concept is: The Rakhmabai case concerned the legal controversy over restitution of conjugal rights and the age of consent in colonial India. It became an important episode in debates over women's autonomy, marriage and social reform. It was not primarily a case about women's right to education. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option B. Option A — 1 and 2 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: The Rakhmabai case concerned the legal controversy over restitution of conjugal rights and the age of consent in colonial India. It became an important episode in debates over women's autonomy, marriage and social reform. It was not primarily a case about women's right to education. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option B — 2 and 3 only: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because The Rakhmabai case concerned the legal controversy over restitution of conjugal rights and the age of consent in colonial India. It became an important episode in debates over women's autonomy, marriage and social reform. It was not primarily a case about women's right to education. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option C — 1 and 3 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: The Rakhmabai case concerned the legal controversy over restitution of conjugal rights and the age of consent in colonial India. It became an important episode in debates over women's autonomy, marriage and social reform. It was not primarily a case about women's right to education. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — 1, 2 and 3: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: The Rakhmabai case concerned the legal controversy over restitution of conjugal rights and the age of consent in colonial India. It became an important episode in debates over women's autonomy, marriage and social reform. It was not primarily a case about women's right to education. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option B is the verified answer.