Constitutional Development MCQ: Mountbatten Plan, Poona Pact & Cabinet Mission

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.The 'Mountbatten Plan' of June 3, 1947, is largely associated with:

   • A.Establishment of Federal Court
   • B.Partition of India and Pakistan✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Integration of Princely States
   • D.Separate Electorate for Depressed Classes

   Explanation: The Mountbatten Plan outlined the procedure for the transfer of power and the partition of India into two dominions.

2. Q2.Which Act provided for the 'Lapse of Paramountcy' over the Indian Princely States?

   • A.Government of India Act, 1935
   • B.Indian Independence Act, 1947✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Cabinet Mission Plan
   • D.Government of India Act, 1858

   Explanation: The Indian Independence Act, 1947 provided that the suzerainty (paramountcy) of His Majesty over the Indian States would lapse on 15 August 1947.

3. Q3.In the Interim Government (1946), who held the portfolio of Finance?

   • A.Liaquat Ali Khan✓ Correct Answer
   • B.John Mathai
   • C.C. Rajagopalachari
   • D.Sardar Patel

   Explanation: Liaquat Ali Khan (Muslim League) held the Finance portfolio in the Interim Government formed in 1946.

4. Q4.The 'Poona Pact' (1932) was an agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and:

   • A.Lord Irwin
   • B.Dr. B.R. Ambedkar✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Jawaharlal Nehru
   • D.Subhash Chandra Bose

   Explanation: The Poona Pact was signed between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi to secure reserved seats for the depressed classes instead of separate electorates.

5. Q5.Who described the Government of India Act, 1935 as a 'Charter of Slavery'?

   • A.Mahatma Gandhi
   • B.Jawaharlal Nehru✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Sardar Patel
   • D.Subhash Chandra Bose

   Explanation: Jawaharlal Nehru criticized the Act of 1935, calling it a 'Charter of Slavery' and 'a machine with all brakes, no engine'.

6. Q6.Which Act asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company for the first time?

   • A.Charter Act, 1813✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Charter Act, 1833
   • C.Pitt's India Act, 1784
   • D.Regulating Act, 1773

   Explanation: The Charter Act of 1813 asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.

7. Q7.The 'Desai-Liaquat Pact' was related to:

   • A.Drafting of the Constitution
   • B.Formation of Interim Government✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Distribution of legislative seats
   • D.Partition of Bengal

   Explanation: The Desai-Liaquat Pact (1945) was an attempt by Bhulabhai Desai and Liaquat Ali Khan to form an Interim Government at the Centre.

8. Q8.Which Act introduced the concept of 'Transferred' and 'Reserved' subjects?

   • A.Government of India Act, 1919✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Government of India Act, 1935
   • C.Indian Councils Act, 1909
   • D.Regulating Act, 1773

   Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919 divided provincial subjects into two parts: Transferred (administered by Governor with ministers) and Reserved (administered by Governor with executive council).

9. Q9.The C.R. Formula (1944) was intended to:

   • A.Resolve the political deadlock between Congress and Muslim League✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Propose a new Constitution
   • C.Abolish the Princely States
   • D.Introduce Dyarchy at the Centre

   Explanation: C. Rajagopalachari proposed a formula to resolve the deadlock between the Congress and the Muslim League regarding cooperation for independence.

10. Q10.Who termed the Cripps Mission proposals as 'a post-dated cheque on a crashing bank'?

    • A.Jawaharlal Nehru
    • B.Mahatma Gandhi✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Sardar Patel
    • D.Maulana Azad

    Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi described the Cripps Mission proposals as 'a post-dated cheque on a crashing bank'.

11. Q11.The Wavell Plan (1945) proposed that:

    • A.All members of the Executive Council, except the Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief, would be Indians✓ Correct Answer
    • B.India would be partitioned immediately
    • C.Dyarchy would be reintroduced in provinces
    • D.A Constituent Assembly would be elected by adult franchise

    Explanation: The Wavell Plan proposed the Indianization of the Executive Council, with all members being Indian except the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief.

12. Q12.Which Act first provided for the representation of Indians in the Viceroy's Legislative Council (Non-official members)?

    • A.Indian Councils Act, 1861✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Charter Act, 1853
    • C.Government of India Act, 1858
    • D.Indian Councils Act, 1892

    Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1861 provided for the nomination of some non-official members to the legislative council, and Lord Canning nominated three Indians (Raja of Benaras, Maharaja of Patiala, and Sir Dinkar Rao).

13. Q13.By which Act was the title of 'Viceroy' introduced for the Governor-General of India?

    • A.Government of India Act, 1858✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Charter Act, 1853
    • C.Indian Councils Act, 1861
    • D.Royal Titles Act, 1876

    Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858 bestowed the title of Viceroy (representative of the Crown) upon the Governor-General. Lord Canning was the first Viceroy.

14. Q14.Which one of the following was NOT a member of the Cabinet Mission (1946)?

    • A.Lord Pethick-Lawrence
    • B.Sir Stafford Cripps
    • C.A.V. Alexander
    • D.Lord Wavell✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The three members were Pethick-Lawrence, Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander. Lord Wavell was the Viceroy but not a member of the mission.

15. Q15.The first Law Commission was established under the chairmanship of Lord Macaulay by the provisions of:

    • A.Charter Act, 1833✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Charter Act, 1853
    • C.Indian Councils Act, 1861
    • D.Regulating Act, 1773

    Explanation: The first Law Commission was established in 1834 under the Charter Act of 1833 to codify Indian laws.

16. Q16.Which Act was passed to rectify the defects of the Regulating Act of 1773, also known as the 'Act of Settlement'?

    • A.Pitt's India Act, 1784
    • B.Amending Act of 1781✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Charter Act of 1793
    • D.Charter Act of 1813

    Explanation: The Amending Act of 1781 was passed to correct the defects of the Regulating Act. It exempted the Governor-General and Council from the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court for their official acts.

17. Q17.Which Act explicitly called the Company's territories in India the 'British Possessions in India' for the first time?

    • A.Regulating Act, 1773
    • B.Pitt's India Act, 1784✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Charter Act, 1813
    • D.Government of India Act, 1858

    Explanation: Pitt's India Act of 1784 was significant because the Company's territories in India were for the first time called the 'British Possessions in India'.

18. Q18.The 'Nehru Report' (1928) was prepared by a committee headed by Motilal Nehru. What was its primary objective?

    • A.To demand complete independence
    • B.To draft a constitutional framework for India as a response to the Simon Commission✓ Correct Answer
    • C.To support the partition of India
    • D.To demand separate electorates for Muslims

    Explanation: The Nehru Report was the first attempt by Indians to draft a constitutional framework for India, largely in response to the challenge by Lord Birkenhead (Secretary of State).

19. Q19.Which Act empowered the local governments in India to impose taxes on persons and punish them for non-payment?

    • A.Charter Act, 1813✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Charter Act, 1833
    • C.Indian Councils Act, 1861
    • D.Government of India Act, 1858

    Explanation: The Charter Act of 1813 empowered the local governments to impose taxes on persons and also authorized them to punish for non-payment.

20. Q20.Who is known as the 'Father of Communal Electorate' in India?

    • A.Lord Curzon
    • B.Lord Minto✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Lord Morley
    • D.Lord Chelmsford

    Explanation: Lord Minto is known as the Father of Communal Electorate because the Act of 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms) legalized communalism by introducing separate electorates for Muslims.