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Difficulty: HardConstitutional Developments, Transfer of Power, and Partition of India

With reference to the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946, consider the following statements:

1. It recommended a three-tier executive and legislative structure comprising the Union, Groups of Provinces, and Provinces.
2. It rejected the demand for a separate, fully sovereign state of Pakistan.
3. It proposed that members of the Constituent Assembly be elected directly by adult suffrage.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. C
    1 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.
The Cabinet Mission Plan of May 1946 envisioned a three-tier federal structure consisting of the Union, Sections/Groups of Provinces (A, B, and C), and Provinces. It rejected a fully independent Pakistan to preserve defense and economic cohesion. Crucially, members of the Constituent Assembly were chosen through indirect elections by provincial assemblies, not direct adult franchise.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze statement 1 regarding administrative structure.
The Cabinet Mission Plan proposed a federal structure with three tiers: Union at the top, Groups of Provinces (Section A, B, C) in the middle, and individual Provinces at the base.
To verify the territorial and constitutional framework proposed by the Mission.
2
Analyze statement 2 regarding the demand for Pakistan.
The Plan explicitly rejected the demand for a separate sovereign state of Pakistan, arguing it would not solve the minority problem and would disrupt administrative, defense, and economic unity.
To verify the Cabinet Mission's official stance on partition.
3
Analyze statement 3 regarding election mechanism for the Constituent Assembly.
The Plan determined that direct election based on adult franchise would cause unacceptable delay. Therefore, it proposed indirect election of Constituent Assembly members by the newly elected Provincial Legislative Assemblies.
To evaluate the mode of election prescribed for framing the Indian Constitution.

Key Concept

Provisions of the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Constitutional Developments, Transfer of Power, and Partition of India