UPSC Prelims 2000 · General Studies
Question 15: History and Culture
The Balkan Plan for fragmentation of India was the brain-child of
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Plan Balkan was Lord Mountbatten's plan of May 1947 under which power would be handed over to the provinces, and princely states, individually, leaving each free to join India or Pakistan or stay separate. The name pointed to the fragmentation of the Balkans. Nehru rejected it as it would break up India, and Mountbatten replaced it with the plan drafted with V. P. Menon's help, giving dominion status to India and Pakistan.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Churchill did not draw up the plan; it was Mountbatten's own scheme.
- (b) Jinnah wanted Pakistan, not a break-up into many units, and did not author this plan.
- (c) Right: Mountbatten's Plan Balkan proposed transfer of power to the provinces.
- (d) V. P. Menon drafted the revised plan that replaced Plan Balkan, not Plan Balkan itself.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2000, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.