The history of UPSC Chairmen is an important topic for UPSC, State PSC, SSC, Railway, Banking, and other competitive examinations in India. This MCQ quiz on UPSC Chairmen covers the leadership of the Union Public Service Commission from 1926 to 1991, including British-era chairmen, the first Indian Chairman, post-independence reforms, recruitment modernization, and administrative developments. The quiz includes important personalities such as Sir Ross Barker, Sir David Petrie, H.K. Kripalani, R.N. Banerjee, V.S. Hejmadi, B.N. Jha, K.R. Damle, and Dr. S.K. Mitra. Aspirants preparing for Indian Polity, Modern History, Governance, and Current Affairs sections should thoroughly practice these objective questions. This UPSC Chairmen MCQ set is specially designed to improve factual accuracy, chronological understanding, and competitive exam preparation. Practice these 25 highly important multiple choice questions with detailed explanations to strengthen your knowledge of UPSC history and leadership evolution in India.
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Q1. Who was the first Chairman of the Public Service Commission of India?
A Sir Ross Barker
B Sir David Petrie
C H.K. Kripalani
D R.N. Banerjee
Explanation
Correct Answer: A Sir Ross Barker became the first Chairman of the Public Service Commission in 1926 after its establishment in British India.
Q2. Which UPSC Chairman served from 1932 to 1937?
A Sir Eyre Gordon
B Sir F.W. Robertson
C Sir David Petrie
D H.K. Kripalani
Explanation
Correct Answer: C Sir David Petrie served as Chairman of the Public Service Commission from 1932 to 1937 and expanded its advisory role.
Q3. Which Chairman is associated with pre-independence reforms in UPSC history?
A B.N. Jha
B Sir Eyre Gordon
C Mata Prasad
D V.S. Hejmadi
Explanation
Correct Answer: B Sir Eyre Gordon served from 1937 to 1942 and is known for important pre-independence administrative reforms.
Q4. Who was the last British-era Chairman of the Public Service Commission?
A Sir Ross Barker
B Sir David Petrie
C Sir Eyre Gordon
D Sir F.W. Robertson
Explanation
Correct Answer: D Sir F.W. Robertson served from 1942 to 1947 and was the last British-era Chairman before independence.
Q5. Who became the first Indian Chairman of UPSC-related administration?
A H.K. Kripalani
B R.N. Banerjee
C B.N. Jha
D K.R. Damle
Explanation
Correct Answer: A H.K. Kripalani served from 1947 to 1949 and became the first Indian Chairman after independence.
Q6. Which Chairman oversaw the transition to constitutional UPSC?
A Sir Ross Barker
B H.K. Kripalani
C R.N. Banerjee
D V.S. Hejmadi
Explanation
Correct Answer: C R.N. Banerjee served from 1949 to 1955 and played a key role during the transition to constitutional UPSC after 1950.
Q7. Which Chairman is associated with recruitment reforms?
A Dr. M.L. Shahare
B V.S. Hejmadi
C J.M. Qureshi
D Mata Prasad
Explanation
Correct Answer: B V.S. Hejmadi served from 1955 to 1961 and introduced important recruitment reforms.
Q8. Administrative modernization in UPSC history is associated with:
A H.K. Kripalani
B K.R. Damle
C R.C.S. Sarkar
D B.N. Jha
Explanation
Correct Answer: D B.N. Jha served from 1961 to 1967 and is known for administrative modernization in UPSC functioning.
Q9. Which Chairman is known for exam reforms?
A K.R. Damle
B Dr. A.R. Kidwai
C Dr. S.K. Mitra
D Sir Eyre Gordon
Explanation
Correct Answer: A K.R. Damle served from 1967 to 1971 and introduced important examination reforms in UPSC.
Q10. Which Chairman expanded recruitment processes in UPSC?
A Sir David Petrie
B V.S. Hejmadi
C R.C.S. Sarkar
D B.N. Jha
Explanation
Correct Answer: C R.C.S. Sarkar served from 1971 to 1973 and expanded recruitment processes in UPSC.
Q11. Which Chairman served during 1973–1979?
A Dr. M.L. Shahare
B Dr. S.K. Mitra
C J.M. Qureshi
D Dr. A.R. Kidwai
Explanation
Correct Answer: D Dr. A.R. Kidwai served as UPSC Chairman from 1973 to 1979.
Q12. Who served as UPSC Chairman from 1979 to 1985?
A Dr. A.R. Kidwai
B Dr. M.L. Shahare
C B.N. Jha
D Mata Prasad
Explanation
Correct Answer: B Dr. M.L. Shahare served as UPSC Chairman from 1979 to 1985.
Q13. Which Chairman served between 1985 and 1991?
A Dr. S.K. Mitra
B J.M. Qureshi
C Subir Dutta
D Prof. D.P. Agrawal
Explanation
Correct Answer: A Dr. S.K. Mitra served as UPSC Chairman from 1985 to 1991.
Q14. Which UPSC Chairman was associated with advisory role expansion?
A Sir Ross Barker
B Sir Eyre Gordon
C Sir David Petrie
D K.R. Damle
Explanation
Correct Answer: C Sir David Petrie expanded the advisory role of the Public Service Commission during his tenure.
Q15. UPSC modernization after independence mainly focused on:
A Military rule
B Royal administration
C Political appointments
D Recruitment reforms and transparency
Explanation
Correct Answer: D Post-independence UPSC leadership focused on reforms, transparency, and modernization of recruitment systems.
Q16. Which Chairman served immediately after H.K. Kripalani?
A V.S. Hejmadi
B R.N. Banerjee
C B.N. Jha
D Sir Eyre Gordon
Explanation
Correct Answer: B R.N. Banerjee succeeded H.K. Kripalani and served from 1949 to 1955.
Q17. Which Chairman served during the period 1961–1967?
A B.N. Jha
B K.R. Damle
C V.S. Hejmadi
D R.C.S. Sarkar
Explanation
Correct Answer: A B.N. Jha served from 1961 to 1967 and contributed to administrative modernization.
Q18. The Chairman associated with examination reforms was:
A Sir Ross Barker
B Sir David Petrie
C K.R. Damle
D H.K. Kripalani
Explanation
Correct Answer: C K.R. Damle introduced significant examination reforms during his tenure from 1967 to 1971.
Q19. Which Chairman’s tenure covered 1971–1973?
A Dr. A.R. Kidwai
B B.N. Jha
C K.R. Damle
D R.C.S. Sarkar
Explanation
Correct Answer: D R.C.S. Sarkar served from 1971 to 1973 and expanded recruitment systems.
Q20. Which Chairman served before Dr. S.K. Mitra?
A K.R. Damle
B Dr. M.L. Shahare
C Sir F.W. Robertson
D Mata Prasad
Explanation
Correct Answer: B Dr. M.L. Shahare served from 1979 to 1985 before Dr. S.K. Mitra took charge in 1985.
Q21. Which Chairman served during the transition period around India’s independence?
A H.K. Kripalani
B B.N. Jha
C V.S. Hejmadi
D Dr. S.K. Mitra
Explanation
Correct Answer: A H.K. Kripalani became the first Indian Chairman during the independence transition phase.
Q22. Which Chairman introduced modernization in administration?
A Sir F.W. Robertson
B Dr. A.R. Kidwai
C B.N. Jha
D Mata Prasad
Explanation
Correct Answer: C B.N. Jha modernized administrative systems during his tenure as UPSC Chairman.
Q23. Which UPSC Chairman served from 1955 to 1961?
A R.N. Banerjee
B B.N. Jha
C K.R. Damle
D V.S. Hejmadi
Explanation
Correct Answer: D V.S. Hejmadi served from 1955 to 1961 and worked on recruitment reforms.
Q24. Which Chairman served after K.R. Damle?
A R.C.S. Sarkar
B B.N. Jha
C Dr. M.L. Shahare
D Dr. A.R. Kidwai
Explanation
Correct Answer: A R.C.S. Sarkar succeeded K.R. Damle and served from 1971 to 1973.
Q25. Which statement best describes the evolution of UPSC leadership from 1926 to 1991?
A It focused only on military administration
B It abolished examinations
C It reduced recruitment transparency
D It strengthened merit-based and modern recruitment systems
Explanation
Correct Answer: D The evolution of UPSC leadership from 1926 to 1991 helped strengthen merit-based recruitment, modernization, transparency, and administrative reforms in India.
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