UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies
Question 26: History and Culture
The Poona Pact which was signed between the British Government and Mahatma Gandhi in 1932 provided for
AnswerThe answer is (d).
The Poona Pact (September 1932) was reached between Gandhi, who was fasting in Yerwada jail against separate electorates for the Depressed Classes, and B.R. Ambedkar, and the British Government accepted it afterwards. It dropped separate electorates and gave the Depressed Classes a joint (general) electorate with more reserved seats than the Communal Award had offered. Remember: joint electorate with reservation.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Dominion status was not part of the Pact, which dealt with the representation of the Depressed Classes.
- (b) The Pact did not deal with Muslim electorates; the Communal Award had already settled those.
- (c) Separate electorates for the Depressed Classes were what the Communal Award offered and the Pact replaced.
- (d) Right: joint electorate, with seats reserved for the Depressed Classes.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.