Making of the Constitution MCQ: Cripps Mission, Cabinet Mission & Objectives Resolution

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

1. Q1.Who was the first person to put forward the idea of a Constituent Assembly for India in 1934?

   • A.M.N. Roy✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Jawaharlal Nehru
   • C.Mahatma Gandhi
   • D.B.R. Ambedkar

   Explanation: The idea of a Constituent Assembly for India was put forward for the first time by M.N. Roy, a pioneer of the communist movement in India, in 1934.

2. Q2.In which year did the Indian National Congress (INC) officially demand a Constituent Assembly to frame the Constitution of India?

   • A.1934
   • B.1935✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1938
   • D.1940

   Explanation: In 1935, the Indian National Congress (INC), for the first time, officially demanded a Constituent Assembly to frame the Constitution of India.

3. Q3.The demand for the Constituent Assembly was accepted in principle by the British Government in which offer?

   • A.Cripps Proposal
   • B.Cabinet Mission Plan
   • C.August Offer✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Mountbatten Plan

   Explanation: The demand was finally accepted in principle by the British Government in what is known as the 'August Offer' of 1940.

4. Q4.Who came to India in 1942 with a draft proposal of the British Government on the framing of an independent constitution?

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

   Explanation: Sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the cabinet, came to India in 1942 with a draft proposal of the British Government on the framing of an independent constitution to be adopted after World War II.

5. Q5.Why did the Muslim League reject the Cripps Proposals?

   • A.It did not provide for adult franchise
   • B.It wanted India to be divided into two autonomous states✓ Correct Answer
   • C.It did not grant complete independence
   • D.It gave too much power to the princely states

   Explanation: The Muslim League rejected the Cripps Proposals as it wanted India to be divided into two autonomous states with two separate Constituent Assemblies.

6. Q6.Under which plan was the Constituent Assembly constituted in November 1946?

   • A.August Offer
   • B.Cripps Proposal
   • C.Cabinet Mission Plan✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Indian Independence Act

   Explanation: The Constituent Assembly was constituted in November 1946 under the scheme formulated by the Cabinet Mission Plan.

7. Q7.What was the total strength of the Constituent Assembly as per the Cabinet Mission Plan?

   • A.296
   • B.389✓ Correct Answer
   • C.412
   • D.208

   Explanation: The total strength of the Constituent Assembly was to be 389. Of these, 296 seats were to be allotted to British India and 93 seats to the Princely States.

8. Q8.How were the seats allocated to British Indian Provinces in the Constituent Assembly decided?

   • A.Equal representation
   • B.In proportion to their population✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Based on land area
   • D.Based on tax revenue

   Explanation: Seats were allotted to every province and princely state in proportion to their respective population (roughly one seat for every million people).

9. Q9.The seats allocated to each British province were to be divided among which three principal communities?

   • A.Hindus, Muslims, Christians
   • B.Muslims, Sikhs, General✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs
   • D.General, Scheduled Castes, Muslims

   Explanation: The seats were to be divided among the three principal communities—Muslims, Sikhs and General (all except Muslims and Sikhs), in proportion to their population.

10. Q10.How were the representatives of the princely states to be selected?

    • A.Elected by the people directly
    • B.Elected by the legislative assemblies
    • C.Nominated by the heads of the princely states✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Selected by the British Viceroy

    Explanation: The representatives of the princely states were to be nominated by the heads of the princely states.

11. Q11.The Constituent Assembly was:

    • A.Fully elected body
    • B.Fully nominated body
    • C.Partly elected and partly nominated body✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Selected purely by the British Parliament

    Explanation: The Constituent Assembly was to be a partly elected and partly nominated body.

12. Q12.When were the elections to the Constituent Assembly (for 296 seats allotted to the British Indian Provinces) held?

    • A.January-February 1946
    • B.July-August 1946✓ Correct Answer
    • C.October-November 1946
    • D.December 1946

    Explanation: The elections to the Constituent Assembly (for 296 seats) were held in July–August 1946.

13. Q13.How many seats did the Indian National Congress win in the Constituent Assembly elections of 1946?

    • A.73
    • B.93
    • C.208✓ Correct Answer
    • D.296

    Explanation: The Indian National Congress won 208 seats, the Muslim League 73 seats, and the small groups and independents got the remaining 15 seats.

14. Q14.Who among the following was NOT a member of the Constituent Assembly?

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

    Explanation: Although the Assembly included all important personalities of India at that time, Mahatma Gandhi was not a member.

15. Q15.When did the Constituent Assembly hold its first meeting?

    • A.December 9, 1946✓ Correct Answer
    • B.December 11, 1946
    • C.December 13, 1946
    • D.August 15, 1947

    Explanation: The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946.

16. Q16.Who was elected as the temporary President of the Assembly, following the French practice?

    • A.Dr. Rajendra Prasad
    • B.H.C. Mukherjee
    • C.Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha✓ Correct Answer
    • D.B.R. Ambedkar

    Explanation: Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha, the oldest member, was elected as the temporary President of the Assembly, following the French practice.

17. Q17.Who was elected as the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly on December 11, 1946?

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

    Explanation: On December 11, 1946, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of the Assembly.

18. Q18.Who were elected as the two Vice-Presidents of the Constituent Assembly?

    • A.H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari✓ Correct Answer
    • B.B.R. Ambedkar and K.M. Munshi
    • C.Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel
    • D.B.N. Rau and S.N. Mukherjee

    Explanation: H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari were elected as the Vice-Presidents of the Assembly.

19. Q19.Who moved the historic 'Objectives Resolution' in the Assembly on December 13, 1946?

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

    Explanation: On December 13, 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru moved the historic 'Objectives Resolution' in the Assembly.

20. Q20.When was the 'Objectives Resolution' unanimously adopted by the Assembly?

    • A.December 13, 1946
    • B.January 22, 1947✓ Correct Answer
    • C.June 3, 1947
    • D.August 15, 1947

    Explanation: The Resolution was unanimously adopted by the Assembly on January 22, 1947.