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

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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