Skip to main content

C. Rajagopalachari: India’s Only Governor-General | Complete UPSC Prelims Notes

 

UPSC PRELIMS CURRENT AFFAIRS NOTES

Topic: C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji)

1. Why in News (2026)

2. Basic Facts

  • Full Name: Chakravarti Rajagopalachari

  • Popular Names: Rajaji, C.R.

  • Born: 10 December 1878, Thorapalli village, Salem district, Tamil Nadu

  • Died: 25 December 1972

  • Profession: Lawyer, freedom fighter, administrator, writer, politician

  • Close associate of Mahatma Gandhi

  • Called the “Keeper of Gandhi’s Conscience”

3. Education and Early Career

  • Studied at Presidency College, Madras.

  • Completed law degree in 1899.

  • Began legal practice in Salem district.

  • Became a successful lawyer before entering politics.

  • Family background in administration influenced his career.

4. Entry into Freedom Movement

  • Joined Indian National Congress in 1906.

  • Influenced by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant.

  • Promoted Swadeshi movement.

  • Served as Chairman of Salem Municipal Council.

  • Encouraged representation of Dalits in local administration.

  • Supported social reform along with nationalism.

5. Role in Gandhian Movements

  • Close ideological associate of Mahatma Gandhi.

  • Participated in:

    • Non-Cooperation Movement

    • Civil Disobedience Movement

    • Temple Entry Movement

  • Advocated removal of untouchability.

  • Supported decentralisation and village-based economy.

6. Vedaranyam Salt March (1930)

  • Led salt march in Tamil Nadu parallel to Gandhi’s Dandi March.

  • Route: Tiruchirappalli to Vedaranyam on Tanjore coast.

  • Aim: Break British salt law.

  • Significance:

    • Spread national movement in South India.

    • Increased mass participation.

  • Important Prelims fact.

7. Rajaji Formula (1944)

  • Proposed compromise between Congress and Muslim League.

  • Suggested plebiscite in Muslim-majority districts.

  • If majority voted, separate dominion could be formed.

  • Intended to prevent communal violence.

  • Rejected by both Congress and Muslim League.

  • Shows Rajaji’s pragmatic political thinking.

8. Role in Provincial Government

  • Became Premier (Prime Minister) of Madras Presidency in 1937.

  • Introduced:

    • Prohibition policy

    • Temple entry reforms

    • Educational reforms

  • Worked for social equality and rural development.

9. Role After Independence

Governor of West Bengal

  • Managed refugee crisis after Partition.

  • Controlled law and order during difficult transition.

Governor-General of India (1948–1950)

  • Succeeded Lord Mountbatten.

  • First and only Indian Governor-General.

  • Oversaw transition from Dominion of India to Republic.

  • Office ended on 26 January 1950 when Constitution came into force.

Important Prelims fact.

10. Role in Union Government

  • Became Union Home Minister after death of Sardar Patel.

  • Worked on administrative consolidation.

  • Focused on internal security and governance.

11. Chief Minister of Madras State (1952–1954)

  • Introduced education reforms.

  • Promoted Hindi teaching policy.

  • Faced protests in Tamil Nadu.

  • Resigned due to anti-Hindi agitation.

Important context for language politics.

12. Swatantra Party (1959)

  • Founded by Rajagopalachari.

  • Opposed socialist economic policies of Congress.

  • Supported:

    • Free market economy

    • Limited government

    • Strong federalism

  • Became major opposition party in 1960s.

  • Represented farmers, traders, and business groups.

Important Prelims keyword: Swatantra Party founder.

13. Economic and Political Views

  • Critic of state socialism.

  • Opposed excessive government control.

  • Warned against License-Permit Raj.

  • Supported private enterprise and entrepreneurship.

  • Advocated decentralised governance.

Seen as early advocate of economic liberalism in India.

14. Literary Contributions

  • Renowned writer and thinker.

  • Translated Ramayana and Mahabharata into English.

  • Tamil Ramayana titled Chakravarti Thirumagan.

  • Wrote commentary on Thirukkural.

  • Authored essays on democracy, ethics, civilization.

  • Helped popularise Indian philosophy.

15. Awards and Recognition

  • Awarded Bharat Ratna in 1954.

  • Among first recipients of Bharat Ratna.

  • Recognised for national service.

16. Edwin Lutyens (Context)

  • British architect.

  • Designed central administrative area of New Delhi.

  • Area known as Lutyens’ Delhi.

  • Designed Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate.

17. Important Associated Personalities

  • Mahatma Gandhi

  • Jawaharlal Nehru

  • Sardar Patel

  • Annie Besant

  • Bal Gangadhar Tilak

18. Important Prelims Keywords

  • First Indian Governor-General

  • Vedaranyam Salt March

  • Rajaji Formula

  • Swatantra Party founder

  • Bharat Ratna 1954

  • Chief Minister of Madras

19. Possible Prelims Questions

  1. Who was the only Indian Governor-General of India?
    Answer: C. Rajagopalachari

  2. Who led the Vedaranyam Salt March?
    Answer: C. Rajagopalachari

  3. Swatantra Party was founded by whom?
    Answer: C. Rajagopalachari

  4. Rajaji Formula was related to which issue?
    Answer: Congress-Muslim League compromise.

20. Quick Revision Summary

  • Freedom fighter from Tamil Nadu.

  • Close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.

  • Led Vedaranyam Salt March.

  • Only Indian Governor-General.

  • Founder of Swatantra Party.

  • Bharat Ratna awardee.

  • Writer and translator of epics.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Current Affairs from The Hindu – 18 March 2026 PDF: LPG Crisis, NMDC, Iron Ore & HSV (UPSC Prelims Notes)

 The Hindu – 18 March 2026  1. Electrification of Cooking (LPG Crisis & Energy Security) 4 Background India is heavily dependent on energy imports: Crude oil → ~88% import dependent LPG → ~60% import dependent LPG imports largely come from West Asia (Persian Gulf region). Geopolitical tensions (e.g., Strait of Hormuz disruptions) threaten supply chains. Importance for UPSC Links with: Energy security Climate change commitments Fiscal burden (subsidies) Current geopolitical developments Key Facts Annual LPG import cost → ~$26.4 billion LPG connections → ~332 million ~37% households still rely on biomass fuels LPG vs Electric Cooking Efficiency: LPG → 40–55% Electric (Induction) → 85–90% Monthly Cost: LPG → ₹900–1100 Electric → ₹620–640 Advantages of Electric Cooking Reduces import dependency Enhances energy security Supports renewable energy use Eliminates indoor air pollution Safer (no open flame) Challenges Peak electricity demand (morning/evening) Grid stress (India peak...
Post a Comment
Read more

Daily Current Affairs – 7 March 2026 | The Hindu Analysis for UPSC: Minuteman III Missile, Gravity Bombs, Mark-48 Torpedo & Finland

  UPSC Current Affairs Notes The Hindu Analysis – 7 March 2026 1. Minuteman III Missile (USA) Background The Minuteman III (LGM-30G) is an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) developed and operated by the United States Air Force . It forms a crucial component of the United States' nuclear deterrence strategy . First deployed in 1970 during the Cold War as part of the strategic competition between the USA and the Soviet Union . It is a land-based nuclear missile system , stored in underground silos across several US states. Key Features of Minuteman III Type: Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Launch Platform: Underground silo-based launch system Developer: Douglas Aircraft Company (later part of Boeing) Range: Approximately 9,600 km – 13,000 km Speed: Around Mach 23 (about 23 times the speed of sound) Payload: Capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads Guidance: Inertial guidance system Why is it called a “Doo...
Post a Comment
Read more

UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Notes – 23 February 2026 The Hindu news paper

 UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Notes – 23 February 2026 The Hindu news paper  1. India–Brazil Relations – Key Developments India and Brazil are strengthening bilateral relations through trade, minerals cooperation, and renewable energy partnerships. Basic Facts Diplomatic relations established in 1948 . Brazil is India’s largest trading partner in Latin America . Current bilateral trade: around $12–13 billion . Target set by both countries: $20–30 billion trade by 2030 . Why Brazil is Important for India Both are major democracies of the Global South . Both support multilateralism and reform of global institutions. Important partners in: BRICS G20 IBSA Dialogue Forum WTO negotiations. Recent Agreements Signed Critical Minerals Cooperation Brazil has rich deposits of iron ore, rare earth elements , nickel, and bauxite. These minerals are essential for EV batteries, semiconductors, solar panels, electronics, and defence equipme...
Post a Comment
Read more