UPSC Prelims 2010 · General Studies

Question 51: History and Culture

With reference to Simon Commission’s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct ?

aIt recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces

bIt proposed the setting up of inter-provincial council under the Home Department

cIt suggested the abolition of bicameral legislature at the Centre

dIt recommended the creation of Indian Police Service with a provision for increased pay and allowances for British recruits as compared to Indian recruits

AnswerThe answer is (a).

The Simon Commission (1927-30), which had no Indian member, recommended doing away with diarchy in the provinces and introducing responsible government there, with the Governor keeping certain special powers. It did not propose responsible government at the Centre. The pay and recruitment of the services had been the subject of the earlier Lee Commission (1923-24), and the Indian Police Service itself came only after independence. Remember: Simon Commission = all-white, boycotted ('Go back Simon'), recommended ending diarchy.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right: the commission's central proposal was to end diarchy and extend responsible government in the provinces.
(b) The answer rests on the end of diarchy, the commission's central proposal, not on this.
(c) Not one of the commission's headline proposals.
(d) Pay and allowances of the services were the subject of the Lee Commission, not Simon; the Indian Police Service came after independence.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010, General Studies, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.