UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies

Question 46: History and Culture

Assertion (A): The British sovereignty continued to exist in free India. Reason (R): The British sovereign appointed the last Governor-General of free India. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?

aBoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

bBoth A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A

cA is true but R is false

dA is false but R is true

AnswerThe answer is (d).

A is false: the Indian Independence Act 1947 ended British sovereignty over India, which became an independent dominion free to frame its own constitution. R is true: the last Governor-General, C. Rajagopalachari, was formally appointed in the Crown's name, but on the advice of India's ministers, so that does not show that British sovereignty continued. Remember: the Crown stayed as titular head only until 1950.

A. British sovereignty ended on independence in 1947; dominion status made India self-governing.
R. The Crown formally appointed the Governor-General, including the last one, on Indian advice.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, only (d) is left: every other option says it is correct.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) A is false, since British sovereignty ended in 1947, so R cannot explain it.
(b) A is false, so this fails at the first step.
(c) A is false, not true, and R is true, not false.
(d) Right: A is false and R is true.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.