UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies
Question 71: History and Culture
'Federal Union composed of British provinces.' The above quotation is related to
AnswerThe answer is (d).
The given answer is the Cabinet Mission (1946). Its plan rejected a separate Pakistan and proposed a Union of India with a limited centre (foreign affairs, defence and communications), with provinces grouped into sections A, B and C. The Simon Commission (1927-30) was an all-British body that Indians boycotted; the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) was a truce; Cripps (1942) offered post-war dominion status with a right for provinces to opt out. Remember: Cabinet Mission means a Union plus three groups.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. The Simon Commission reviewed the working of the 1919 Act and was boycotted.
- (b) Wrong. The Gandhi-Irwin Pact was a 1931 truce that ended civil disobedience.
- (c) Wrong. The Cripps proposals offered post-war dominion status, with a right for provinces to opt out.
- (d) Right. The Cabinet Mission plan built the Union from groups of provinces.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.