2014 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I
Question 15: History and Culture
The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to
asolve the problem of minorities in India
bgive effect to the Independence Bill
cdelimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan
denquire into the riots in East Bengal
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The Radcliffe Commission, headed by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, was appointed in 1947 to draw the boundary lines between India and Pakistan in Punjab and Bengal, as per the Mountbatten Plan. Its award was announced on 17 August 1947, soon after independence. It was not set up to address minority problems, to implement the Independence Bill, or to inquire into riots.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. The Radcliffe Committee was about boundaries, not minority safeguards.
- (b) Wrong. The Independence Act itself gave effect to partition; Radcliffe only drew boundaries.
- (c) Right. It delimited the India and Pakistan boundaries in Punjab and Bengal.
- (d) Wrong. It was not an inquiry into riots in East Bengal.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.