UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 48

This question tests dalit journalism and gopal baba walangkar. The key concept is: Gopal Baba Walangkar was a pioneering anti-caste activist who published Vital-Vidhvansak, an early journal aimed at the oppressed and untouchable community. The journal predates the major Dalit journalism associated with Ambedkar and is an important early example of self-representation. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option A. Option A — Gopal Baba Walangkar: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because Gopal Baba Walangkar was a pioneering anti-caste activist who published Vital-Vidhvansak, an early journal aimed at the oppressed and untouchable community. The journal predates the major Dalit journalism associated with Ambedkar and is an important early example of self-representation. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option B — Jyotiba Phule: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Gopal Baba Walangkar was a pioneering anti-caste activist who published Vital-Vidhvansak, an early journal aimed at the oppressed and untouchable community. The journal predates the major Dalit journalism associated with Ambedkar and is an important early example of self-representation. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option C — Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Gopal Baba Walangkar was a pioneering anti-caste activist who published Vital-Vidhvansak, an early journal aimed at the oppressed and untouchable community. The journal predates the major Dalit journalism associated with Ambedkar and is an important early example of self-representation. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Gopal Baba Walangkar was a pioneering anti-caste activist who published Vital-Vidhvansak, an early journal aimed at the oppressed and untouchable community. The journal predates the major Dalit journalism associated with Ambedkar and is an important early example of self-representation. 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 A is the verified answer.