UPSC Prelims 2007 · General Studies

Question 55: History and Culture

Assertion (A): According to the Wavell Plan, the number of Hindu and Muslim members in the Executive Council were to be equal. Reason (R): Wavell thought that this arrangement would have avoided the partition of India.

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

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

cA is true but R is false

dA is false but R is true

AnswerThe answer is (c).

The Wavell Plan of 1945 proposed an Executive Council in which caste Hindus and Muslims had equal numbers, so the Assertion is true. The Reason is false: the plan aimed to break the political deadlock and give Indians a greater role in government, not to prevent partition. The Simla Conference failed in July 1945 when Jinnah insisted that the League alone name all Muslim members.

A. Caste Hindus and Muslims were to have equal numbers on the Executive Council.
R. The plan aimed to end the deadlock, not to avert partition.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes. Then judge the second statement; if it is correct too, decide whether it explains the first.

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) R is false, so it cannot explain A.
(b) R is false, so it cannot be a true reason.
(c) Correct: A is true and R is false.
(d) A is true, so this fails.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2007, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.