Constitutional Development MCQ: Simon Commission Boycott, Nehru Report & Partition Plan

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

1. Q1.Which Act provided for the abolition of slavery in India?

   • A.Charter Act, 1813
   • B.Charter Act, 1833✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Charter Act, 1853
   • D.Indian Penal Code, 1860

   Explanation: The Charter Act of 1833 directed the Governor-General to take steps to abolish slavery. Slavery was abolished in 1843.

2. Q2.Why was the Simon Commission (1927) boycotted by Indians?

   • A.It proposed the partition of India
   • B.There was no Indian member in the Commission✓ Correct Answer
   • C.It recommended the abolition of the Indian National Congress
   • D.It was appointed before the scheduled time

   Explanation: The Simon Commission was an all-white commission (7 members). The exclusion of Indians was seen as an insult to their right to participate in the constitution-making process.

3. Q3.Which Act introduced the principle of election in India, though indirectly?

   • A.Indian Councils Act, 1861
   • B.Indian Councils Act, 1892✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Indian Councils Act, 1909
   • D.Government of India Act, 1919

   Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1892 introduced the principle of election indirectly. The word 'election' was not used; the process was described as nomination on the recommendation of certain bodies.

4. Q4.The 'Instrument of Instructions' contained in the Government of India Act, 1935 has been incorporated in the Constitution of India as:

   • A.Fundamental Rights
   • B.Directive Principles of State Policy✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Fundamental Duties
   • D.Emergency Provisions

   Explanation: The Instrument of Instructions were instructions to the Governor-General and Governors. They resemble the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Constitution.

5. Q5.Which Act provided for the establishment of a 'Chamber of Princes' (Narendra Mandal)?

   • A.Government of India Act, 1909
   • B.Government of India Act, 1919✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Government of India Act, 1935
   • D.Indian Independence Act, 1947

   Explanation: The Chamber of Princes was established in 1921 as a result of the Government of India Act, 1919, to provide a forum for the Indian princes.

6. Q6.Who made the historic announcement on February 20, 1947, declaring the British intention to leave India by June 30, 1948?

   • A.Lord Mountbatten
   • B.Winston Churchill
   • C.Clement Attlee✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Stafford Cripps

   Explanation: British Prime Minister Clement Attlee made the announcement to transfer power to responsible Indian hands by a specific deadline.

7. Q7.Who was appointed as the Chairman of the Boundary Commissions to demarcate the boundaries of Punjab and Bengal?

   • A.Lord Mountbatten
   • B.Sir Cyril Radcliffe✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Stafford Cripps
   • D.V.P. Menon

   Explanation: Sir Cyril Radcliffe was appointed to chair the two Boundary Commissions for the partition of Punjab and Bengal.

8. Q8.The 'Council of India' consisted of how many members under the Act of 1858?

   • A.10 members
   • B.12 members
   • C.15 members✓ Correct Answer
   • D.18 members

   Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858 established a 15-member Council of India to assist the Secretary of State.

9. Q9.Which Act granted women the right to vote for the first time in India?

   • A.Indian Councils Act, 1909
   • B.Government of India Act, 1919✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Government of India Act, 1935
   • D.Indian Independence Act, 1947

   Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919 extended the franchise and allowed provinces to grant women the right to vote (which Madras did first in 1921).

10. Q10.Mahatma Gandhi undertook a fast unto death in Yerwada Jail in 1932 against:

    • A.Rowlatt Act
    • B.Simon Commission
    • C.Communal Award of Ramsay MacDonald✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Failure of Round Table Conference

    Explanation: Gandhi fasted against the Communal Award which provided separate electorates for the depressed classes, viewing it as a move to divide Hindu society.

11. Q11.Who became the first Governor-General of the new dominion of Pakistan?

    • A.Liaquat Ali Khan
    • B.Lord Mountbatten
    • C.Muhammad Ali Jinnah✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Sir Cyril Radcliffe

    Explanation: Muhammad Ali Jinnah became the first Governor-General of Pakistan, while Mountbatten continued as Governor-General of India.

12. Q12.Which Act attempted to introduce a system of open competition for selection of civil servants but failed due to opposition from the Court of Directors?

    • A.Charter Act, 1833✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Charter Act, 1853
    • C.Regulating Act, 1773
    • D.Pitt's India Act, 1784

    Explanation: The Charter Act of 1833 attempted to introduce open competition, but the provision was negated after opposition from the Court of Directors. It was finally introduced in 1853.

13. Q13.Who was the first Indian to become the Governor-General of Independent India?

    • A.Jawaharlal Nehru
    • B.Dr. Rajendra Prasad
    • C.C. Rajagopalachari✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Sardar Patel

    Explanation: C. Rajagopalachari became the first and only Indian Governor-General of India after Lord Mountbatten left in 1948.

14. Q14.Which Act dropped the title of 'Emperor of India' from the royal titles of the King of England?

    • A.Government of India Act, 1935
    • B.Indian Independence Act, 1947✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Republic Act, 1950
    • D.None of the above

    Explanation: The Indian Independence Act, 1947 provided for the dropping of the title of 'Emperor of India' from the Royal Titles.

15. Q15.Which Act extended the term of the East India Company's trade monopoly for another 20 years for the first time?

    • A.Regulating Act, 1773
    • B.Charter Act, 1793✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Charter Act, 1813
    • D.Charter Act, 1833

    Explanation: The Charter Act of 1793 extended the trade monopoly of the Company in India for another period of 20 years.

16. Q16.Referendums were held in which districts to decide whether they would join India or Pakistan under the Mountbatten Plan?

    • A.Sylhet and North-West Frontier Province (NWFP)✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Lahore and Dhaka
    • C.Hyderabad and Junagadh
    • D.Kashmir and Mysore

    Explanation: Referendums were held in the North-West Frontier Province and the Sylhet district of Assam to ascertain the will of the people.

17. Q17.The 'Act of 1786' was enacted primarily to meet the demands of which Governor-General?

    • A.Warren Hastings
    • B.Lord Cornwallis✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Lord Wellesley
    • D.Lord Dalhousie

    Explanation: It was enacted to give Lord Cornwallis the power to override his council and to combine the offices of Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief.

18. Q18.Which Act created the office of the 'High Commissioner for India' in London?

    • A.Government of India Act, 1919✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Government of India Act, 1935
    • C.Indian Councils Act, 1909
    • D.Indian Independence Act, 1947

    Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919 created the office of the High Commissioner for India in London to look after Indian trade and other interests.

19. Q19.Match the following Events with their years: A. August Offer B. Cripps Mission C. Cabinet Mission D. Mountbatten Plan

    • A.A-1940, B-1942, C-1946, D-1947✓ Correct Answer
    • B.A-1942, B-1940, C-1945, D-1947
    • C.A-1940, B-1942, C-1945, D-1946
    • D.A-1939, B-1942, C-1946, D-1948

    Explanation: August Offer (1940), Cripps Mission (1942), Cabinet Mission (1946), Mountbatten Plan (June 1947).

20. Q20.Which of the following is NOT a feature of the Government of India Act, 1935?

    • A.All India Federation
    • B.Provincial Autonomy
    • C.Dyarchy at the Centre
    • D.Establishment of a Constituent Assembly✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Act of 1935 did not provide for a Constituent Assembly. This demand was conceded later (in principle by August Offer 1940 and practically by Cabinet Mission 1946).