M.C. Setalvad, B.N. Rao and Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer were distinguished members of the

1. The Moderate Phase and Gopal Krishna Gokhale (basic)

To understand the foundation of Indian nationalism, we must start with the Moderate Phase (1885-1905). This era was led by stalwarts like Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozshah Mehta, and W.C. Bonnerjea, who were deeply influenced by Western liberal thought. They didn't seek an immediate end to British rule; instead, they believed that British rule was beneficial for India's modernization at that stage Rajiv Ahir, Indian National Congress: Foundation and the Moderate Phase, p.250. Their approach is often summarized as the '3 Ps' — Petition, Prayer, and Protest. They used constitutional means to demand reforms, such as the expansion of legislative councils and greater Indian participation in the civil services Rajiv Ahir, Indian National Congress: Foundation and the Moderate Phase, p.251.

Among these leaders, Gopal Krishna Gokhale stood out as a bridge between political reform and social service. In 1905, with the guidance of M.G. Ranade, he founded the Servants of India Society Rajiv Ahir, A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements, p.216. This wasn't a political party like the Congress, but a dedicated cadre of 'national missionaries'. These individuals took vows of poverty and selfless service, aiming to promote the social and economic welfare of the marginalized through education and relief work. The society even published a newspaper called The Hitavada from 1911 to disseminate its liberal views.

While the Moderates were later criticized by the 'Extremists' for being too cautious, their work was vital. They created a sense of national unity and provided the first economic critique of British rule. The Servants of India Society, in particular, attracted brilliant legal and constitutional minds—such as M.C. Setalvad, B.N. Rao, and Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer—who would later become the architects of independent India's legal and constitutional framework.

Feature	Moderate Phase (1885-1905)	Extremist Phase (Post-1905)
Goal	Constitutional reforms within the British Empire.	Swaraj (Self-rule) as a primary goal Rajiv Ahir, Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909), p.280.
Methods	Petitions, speeches, and constitutional agitation.	Boycott, Swadeshi, and mass mobilization.
Belief	Faith in British sense of justice and fair play.	Hatred for foreign rule and belief in the capacity of masses.

Sources: A Brief History of Modern India (Rajiv Ahir), Indian National Congress: Foundation and the Moderate Phase, p.249-251; A Brief History of Modern India (Rajiv Ahir), A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements, p.216; A Brief History of Modern India (Rajiv Ahir), Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909), p.280

2. Servants of India Society (1905): Origins and Vision (basic)

In 1905, as the Indian national movement was gaining momentum, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a stalwart of the 'Moderate' faction of the Congress, felt that India needed more than just political speeches. He believed that the country required a dedicated group of individuals who would treat national service not as a part-time hobby, but as a sacred, lifelong mission. With the guidance of his mentor, M.G. Ranade, Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society to fulfill this need Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India, A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements, p.216.

The vision of the Society was to train "national missionaries" — selfless workers who would take a vow of poverty and devote their lives to the service of the country in a religious spirit, though the work itself was secular and social. Unlike many revolutionary groups of the time, the Society was committed to constitutional means and sought to promote the true interests of the Indian people, especially the marginalized, through education and social reform History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board), Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation, p.58. To spread its ideas, the Society began publishing a periodical called The Hitavada in 1911.

One of the most striking features of the Society was its non-political stance. It deliberately remained aloof from active political organizations like the Indian National Congress, focusing instead on character building and social welfare. This rigorous training ground produced some of India’s most brilliant legal and constitutional minds. For instance, the Society was a home for luminaries like M.C. Setalvad (who became India’s first Attorney General), B.N. Rao (the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly), and Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer (a key architect of our Constitution). Their participation highlights how Gokhale's vision of 'service' eventually shaped the very legal foundations of independent India.

Sources: Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM., A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements, p.216; History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation, p.58

3. Socio-Political Organizations of the Madras Presidency (intermediate)

In our journey to understand the nationalist movement, the Madras Presidency stands out as a crucial laboratory for both political organizing and social reform. Before the Indian National Congress was even a thought, early leaders in South India were already experimenting with ways to challenge British administrative policies and social hierarchies.

The first significant attempt was the Madras Native Association (MNA), founded in 1852 by Gajula Lakshminarasu Chetty. While it focused on localized grievances like the Ryotwari land revenue system and the activities of Christian missionaries, it eventually became defunct. This created a vacuum that led to the birth of the Madras Mahajana Sabha (MMS) in May 1884 History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Rise of Nationalism in India, p.8. The MMS was far more ambitious; it wasn't just about local complaints but about building a broader political consciousness. In its inaugural meeting on May 16, 1884, leaders like P. Rangiah Naidu (its first President), P. Anandacharlu, and G. Subramaniam set the stage for what would soon become the regional backbone of the Indian National Congress.

By the early 20th century, the focus shifted from purely political demands to radical social reform. This was the era of the Justice Party and the Self-Respect Movement. Founded in the mid-1920s by E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker (Periyar), the Self-Respect Movement aimed to dismantle what Periyar viewed as the exploitative nature of Brahminical religion and culture Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements, p.226. Unlike the earlier moderate political groups, this movement was deeply social, advocating for weddings without priests and equality for lower castes, which fundamentally reshaped the political landscape of Southern India Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas, Revolutionary Activities and Other New Forces, p.348.

Sources: History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Rise of Nationalism in India, p.8, 14; Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Beginning of Modern Nationalism in India, p.245; Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements, p.226; Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas, Revolutionary Activities and Other New Forces, p.348

4. The Indian Liberal Tradition & National Liberal Federation (intermediate)

To understand the Indian Liberal Tradition, we must look at it as a bridge between early 19th-century constitutionalism and the modern Indian Republic. While the Indian National Congress (INC) moved toward mass mobilization and non-cooperation under Mahatma Gandhi, a group of seasoned leaders remained committed to constitutional agitation, dialogue with the British, and gradual reform. This tradition was anchored by two major pillars: the Servants of India Society (founded in 1905 by Gopal Krishna Gokhale) and later, the National Liberal Federation (formed in 1919).

The formal institutional split occurred following the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1918. While the INC termed the reforms 'disappointing and unsatisfactory,' the Moderate faction, led by Surendranath Banerjee, believed in working the reforms to gain administrative experience. They broke away from the Congress to form the Indian Liberal Federation History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation, p.44. These Liberals were not just politicians; they were often top-tier legal minds—men like Tej Bahadur Sapru and M.R. Jayakar—who served as crucial mediators between the British Raj and the Congress during the Round Table Conferences Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences, p.378.

The intellectual depth of this tradition is best seen in the Servants of India Society. Its members were trained as 'national missionaries' to promote social and economic welfare through peaceful means. This ethos produced some of India's greatest legal architects. For instance, B.N. Rao (Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly) and Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer (Drafting Committee member) carried the Liberal focus on law and constitutional procedure into the heart of the Indian Constitution. Their philosophy prioritized the 'Rule of Law' and institutional stability over radical disruption.

Feature	National Liberal Federation (NLF)	Indian National Congress (Post-1920)
Method	Constitutional dialogue & participation in councils.	Mass movements (Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience).
Key Turning Point	Accepted the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1918).	Rejected the 1918 reforms as inadequate.
Role at RTCs	Very active (Sapru, Jayakar, Sethna) Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), p.383.	Participated only in the Second RTC.

Sources: History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation, p.44; Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences, p.378; Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences, p.383

5. Architects of the Constitution: B.N. Rao and Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer (exam-level)

To understand how the Indian Constitution took shape, we must look beyond the well-known political leaders and focus on the legal giants who provided the framework. Two such figures were Sir B.N. Rau and Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer. While Dr. Ambedkar is rightly celebrated as the 'Father of the Constitution,' the initial 'blueprint' was actually the work of B.N. Rau, who served as the Constitutional Adviser to the Constituent Assembly Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, p.617. Rau was a distinguished jurist who traveled extensively to study the constitutions of the UK, USA, Canada, and Ireland. In October 1947, he submitted a draft containing 240 Clauses and 13 Schedules, which served as the primary working document for the Drafting Committee. Once Rau’s draft was ready, it was handed over to the Drafting Committee, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. One of the most influential members of this seven-man committee was Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer D. D. Basu, Introduction to the Constitution of India, p.20. A former Advocate General of Madras, Iyer was known for his razor-sharp legal mind and played a pivotal role in shaping the provisions related to Fundamental Rights and the federal structure. Interestingly, these men were not just legal professionals; they were deeply rooted in the nationalist tradition. Both Rau and Iyer (along with M.C. Setalvad) were distinguished members of the Servants of India Society. Founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale in 1905, this society aimed to train 'national missionaries' to serve the country through peaceful and constitutional means.

Feature	Sir B.N. Rau	Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer
Primary Role	Constitutional Adviser (Not a member of the Assembly)	Member of the Drafting Committee
Key Contribution	Prepared the Initial Draft (Oct 1947) Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, p.617	Legal scrutiny and drafting of Articles/Schedules

Beyond their legal expertise, their work was a reflection of the liberal constitutionalism promoted by the Servants of India Society — a belief that social change should be achieved through the rule of law and institutional building rather than just political agitation.

Sources: A Brief History of Modern India, Making of the Constitution for India, p.617; Introduction to the Constitution of India, THE MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION, p.20; Democratic Politics-I (NCERT Class IX), CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN, p.24

6. Legal Pillars: M.C. Setalvad and India's Early Jurisprudence (exam-level)

In the formative years of the Republic, the transition from a colonial legal system to a sovereign democratic one required the expertise of legal giants who were deeply rooted in nationalist ideals. M.C. Setalvad stands out as the foremost 'Legal Pillar' of this era. As India’s first and longest-serving Attorney General (1950–1963), he provided the legal bedrock for the new government's policies Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, World Constitutions, p.742. Under Article 76, the Attorney General serves as the chief legal advisor to the government, a role so vital that during Jawaharlal Nehru's tenure, a proposal was even considered to merge this office with that of the Law Minister, though it was eventually dropped to preserve the office's distinct character Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Attorney General of India, p.451. Beyond his duties as Attorney General, Setalvad chaired the First Law Commission of Independent India (1955–1958). While the tradition of Law Commissions began in the colonial era under Lord Macaulay in 1834, the post-independence commissions were tasked with a new mandate: reforming laws to align with the Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles enshrined in the Constitution Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Law Commission of India, p.525. This era also saw the contributions of B.N. Rau, who served as the Constitutional Advisor, and Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, a pillar of the Drafting Committee. These luminaries shared a common intellectual lineage through their association with the Servants of India Society. Founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale in 1905, the society aimed to train 'national missionaries' to serve India through constitutional means. This background in disciplined, legalistic, and social-welfare-oriented nationalism allowed these men to craft a jurisprudence that was both deeply Indian and rigorously professional.

Figure	Primary Contribution	Key Detail
M.C. Setalvad	1st Attorney General & 1st Law Commission Chair	Served as AG for 13 years; shaped early constitutional litigation.
B.N. Rau	Constitutional Advisor	Prepared the initial draft of the Constitution; served in the ICJ.
Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer	Drafting Committee Member	Expert in advocacy and constitutional law.

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), World Constitutions, p.742; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Attorney General of India, p.451; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Law Commission of India, p.525-526

7. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

Now that you have mastered the roles of constitutional luminaries like B.N. Rao (the Constitutional Advisor) and Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer (a key Drafting Committee member), this question asks you to connect these personalities back to their organizational roots. This is a classic UPSC move: linking the pre-independence social organizations with the legal minds who eventually shaped the Constitution of India. While these men are often studied in the context of post-1946 developments, their ideological foundation was laid within the moderate, service-oriented framework of the Servants of India Society, founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale in 1905.

To arrive at the correct answer (D), use the process of ideological alignment. M.C. Setalvad, B.N. Rao, and Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer were all known for their legal brilliance and commitment to constitutional methods. The Servants of India Society was the premier organization that trained "national missionaries" to serve the country through peaceful, social, and economic welfare. If you recall their later roles—Setalvad as India’s first Attorney General and Rao as a world-renowned jurist—the common thread of professional service to the state points directly toward Gokhale’s vision of selfless, educated service rather than the agitational politics of other groups.

Beware of the distractor traps UPSC frequently sets in such questions. The Swaraj Party is a common wrong choice because it involved many lawyers, but its primary tactic was council entry and obstructionism, which was more confrontational than the approach of these three jurists. The All-India National Liberal Federation is a sophisticated trap; while these men held liberal views, the question asks for their specific membership in a foundational society. Finally, the Madras Labour Union is too niche, focusing on industrial labor rights, whereas these figures operated at a national constitutional level. As highlighted in A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum, understanding the specific membership and objectives of social-reform societies is key to distinguishing between the various legal-political factions of the era.