← All questionsGS1 · 2026 · History & Culture ·Linguistic Reorganisation
QUESTION 12
GS1
15 marks

Linguistic reorganization of Indian States was driven by popular pressure from below. Comment.

WRITE IN
11 min
250 words

What the examiner wants

Assess how mass linguistic movements forced political accommodation while administrative and national-integration concerns shaped final boundaries.

CommentGive your own view on the statement and back it with facts and examples.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Evidence that popular mobilisation made linguistic demands politically unavoidable≈65 words
  2. 2Institutional response through commissions, legislation and phased reorganisation≈65 words
  3. 3Qualification: language mattered greatly, but administrative viability, security and elite negotiation also shaped outcomes≈65 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Popular-pressure thesisMovement evidenceState responseQualificationsJudgment

Where marks usually go

  • Treating reorganisation as purely top-down
  • Assuming language alone determined every state boundary

Value addition

  • Timeline from movements to reorganisation
    → Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.

Verified value additions

These are verified official-source additions selected for this exact PYQ. Use only the point that strengthens your argument.