Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) Archives

1. With reference to the Cabinet Mission, which of the following statemen

With reference to the Cabinet Mission, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It recommended a federal government.
2. It enlarged the powers of the Indian Courts.
3. It provided for more Indians in the ICS.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 and 3

1 and 3

None

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UPSC IAS – 2015

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Statement 1 is correct. The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) recommended a Union of India which should be federal, consisting of British Indian Provinces and the Indian States, with the Union controlling only foreign affairs, defence, and communications, and having the necessary powers to raise the finances required for these subjects. This proposed structure was federal in nature, with a weak centre and significant autonomy for provinces and groups of provinces.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Cabinet Mission Plan did not propose any measures to enlarge the powers of the Indian Courts. Its focus was on the political structure and the process of constitution-making.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Cabinet Mission Plan was concerned with the constitutional future of India and the transfer of power. It did not deal with administrative matters like the composition or recruitment of the Indian Civil Service (ICS).
Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.

– The Cabinet Mission proposed a federal Union with limited central powers.
– It did not address the powers of Indian courts or the composition of the ICS.
– The plan aimed to set up a Constituent Assembly and an Interim Government.

The Cabinet Mission Plan’s proposal for grouping of provinces (Sections A, B, and C) was a key feature, aiming to accommodate the concerns of the Muslim League, although the interpretation of its mandatory nature became a point of contention.

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2. The proposals of the Cabinet Mission did NOT include: 1. a three-tier

The proposals of the Cabinet Mission did NOT include:
1. a three-tier structure for the Union of India, with both the Provinces and the Princely States
2. formation of a Constituent Assembly
3. creation of a sovereign Pakistan with six Muslim-majority provinces

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1 and 3

3 only

2 only

1 and 2

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UPSC CAPF – 2015

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The Cabinet Mission proposals (1946) did NOT include the creation of a sovereign Pakistan with six Muslim-majority provinces. The Mission explicitly rejected the demand for a separate, fully sovereign Pakistan, considering it unfeasible.

The Cabinet Mission Plan proposed a united India with a three-tier structure: a Union dealing with Defence, External Affairs, and Communications, provinces, and groups of provinces (Sections A, B, C). It also proposed the formation of a Constituent Assembly to draft the Constitution of India.

The three sections of provinces proposed were: Section A (Hindu-majority provinces), Section B (Muslim-majority provinces in the North-West), and Section C (Muslim-majority provinces in the North-East). Provinces could opt out of groups after the first general election.

3. Which of the following statements about Cabinet Mission are correct ?

Which of the following statements about Cabinet Mission are correct ?

1. It was sent to India in 1946 to negotiate the transfer of power with the Indian leaders.
2. It proposed a two-tiered federal plan while conceding the largest measure of regional autonomy.
3. There was to be a federation of provinces and states, alongside a federal centre.
4. The individual provinces were allowed to form regional unions to which they could surrender some of their powers by mutual agreement.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 4 only

2, 3 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2024

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Let’s examine each statement regarding the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946):
1. It was sent to India in 1946 to negotiate with Indian leaders for the transfer of power. This is correct. The mission comprised Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander.
2. It proposed a three-tiered structure: A Union of India (weak centre), Groups of provinces (Sections A, B, C), and individual provinces. This can be seen as a two-tiered federal plan above the provinces, granting significant autonomy to groups and provinces compared to the centre. This statement is correct.
3. There was to be a federation of provinces and states, alongside a federal centre. The plan proposed a Union of India embracing both British Indian provinces and Princely States, with a centre having limited powers (defence, foreign affairs, communications, and powers necessary to raise finances for these subjects). This aligns with the concept of a federation of provinces and states with a federal centre. This statement is correct.
4. The individual provinces were allowed to form regional unions (Sections A, B, C) to which they could surrender some of their powers by mutual agreement. The plan proposed grouping provinces into three sections (A, B, C) with constitution-making powers for the group and individual provinces. While initially compulsory for constitution making, the plan allowed provinces to opt out of their assigned group after the first general election under the new constitution. This implied the possibility of regional unions (groups) having powers surrendered by provinces. This statement is correct.
All the statements accurately reflect key features of the Cabinet Mission Plan.

– Cabinet Mission came in 1946 for power transfer negotiations.
– Proposed a three-tiered structure (Union, Groups, Provinces).
– Envisaged a weak federal centre with limited powers.
– Allowed provinces to form groups (regional unions) and potentially surrender powers.
– Aimed to keep India united but failed to satisfy both Congress and the Muslim League fully.

The Cabinet Mission Plan rejected the demand for a full-fledged sovereign Pakistan but proposed the grouping of provinces based on Muslim majority (Sections B and C) and Hindu majority (Section A) areas, which the Muslim League initially accepted. The Congress also accepted the plan but with reservations regarding the grouping procedure, which eventually led to its breakdown and paved the way for partition.

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4. Which political party formally accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan on 6t

Which political party formally accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan on 6th June, 1946, which had rejected the demand for a sovereign Pakistan?

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The Hindu Mahasabha

The Congress

The Muslim League

The Unionist Party

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2018

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The Muslim League formally accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan on June 6, 1946.

The Cabinet Mission Plan, which proposed a complex federal structure and rejected the demand for a sovereign Pakistan, was accepted by the Muslim League on June 6, 1946, primarily because it included provisions for the grouping of provinces, which they hoped would lead to the formation of Pakistan.

The Congress Working Committee formally accepted the Cabinet Mission Plan later, on June 25, 1946, albeit with reservations regarding the interpretation of the grouping clauses. Despite initial acceptance by both parties, differences in interpretation and subsequent events led to the eventual breakdown of the plan and the partition of India. The question specifically asks about acceptance on June 6, 1946.