UPSC Prelims 2015— Question 46

Correct answer: Option B. C. Rajagopalachari led the Salt March in the Madras Presidency in 1930, marching toward the coastal area near Vedaranyam to challenge the salt laws. V. O. Chidambaram Pillai belonged to an earlier phase of the swadeshi movement, while Kamaraj and Annie Besant were not the organiser of this particular salt march. Option-wise analysis: Option A: “V. O. Chidambaram Pillai” 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: “C. Rajagopalachari” is correct. It directly matches the factual or conceptual requirement tested by the question and is supported by the principle explained above. Option C: “K. Kamaraj” 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: “Annie Besant” 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.