CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
Was the proposed Executive Council fully responsible to the Central Legislative Assembly?
A. Yes, without qualification
B. No
C. Yes, after the conference opened
D. Only on defence matters
Correct Answer: B
It remained constitutionally the Viceroy's Executive Council under the 1935 Act.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The Wavell Plan sought to make the council resemble an:
A. Interim national government
B. Independent sovereign parliament
C. Judicial tribunal
D. Provincial election commission
Correct Answer: A
Although not responsible to the Central Assembly, it would include major Indian political leaders.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
Which communities were also to receive representation besides Muslims and Caste Hindus?
A. Only Europeans
B. Only princes
C. No other communities
D. Other minorities such as Sikhs and Scheduled Castes
Correct Answer: D
The plan sought balanced representation of the main communities, not merely two groups.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The principle of equal Muslim and Caste Hindu representation is called:
A. Dyarchy
B. Paramountcy
C. Parity
D. Provincial autonomy
Correct Answer: C
Parity meant equal proportions for the two largest communal categories in the council.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The plan proposed equal proportions of Muslims and:
A. Sikhs
B. Caste Hindus
C. Scheduled Castes
D. Indian Christians
Correct Answer: B
Parity between Muslims and Caste Hindus became one of the best-known features of the plan.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The proposed council aimed at balanced representation of:
A. The main communities
B. Only princely states
C. Only provincial premiers
D. Only British civil servants
Correct Answer: A
The official statement emphasised communal balance in the executive.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The Commander-in-Chief would retain the portfolio of:
A. External Affairs
B. Finance
C. Education
D. War Member
Correct Answer: D
Defence remained a British responsibility during the war against Japan.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
Which two offices were to remain in British hands?
A. Finance and Home members
B. Congress president and League president
C. Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief
D. Governor of Punjab and Governor of Bengal
Correct Answer: C
All other executive members were expected to be Indians.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
With two exceptions, members of the reconstituted council were to be:
A. British military officers
B. Indians
C. Princely rulers only
D. Provincial governors
Correct Answer: B
The Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief were the two non-Indian exceptions.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The central feature of the Wavell Plan was the reconstitution of the:
A. Viceroy's Executive Council
B. Federal Court
C. Council of State
D. Provincial governors' conference
Correct Answer: A
The plan aimed to create a broadly Indian executive at the centre.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The interim plan was not intended to prejudge the form of the future:
A. British monarchy
B. Punjab ministry
C. Provincial election system only
D. Permanent constitution or constitutions
Correct Answer: D
The statement deliberately left India's final constitutional form open.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The plan was presented as the maximum progress practicable within the:
A. Lahore Resolution
B. Cabinet Mission Plan
C. Existing constitution
D. Indian Independence Act
Correct Answer: C
Britain described it as the furthest interim advance possible under the 1935 framework.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
If Indian leaders failed to accept the scheme, the British stated that:
A. India would become independent immediately
B. Existing arrangements would continue
C. The 1935 Act would be repealed
D. The League would form the government
Correct Answer: B
The proposed changes depended on sufficient general acceptance.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The Viceroy's freedom of choice among nominees was officially described as:
A. Unrestricted
B. Subject to a Congress veto
C. Subject to a League veto
D. Transferred to Parliament in India
Correct Answer: A
The statement stressed that the final recommendations remained the Viceroy's responsibility.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The plan left the Viceroy's legal responsibility for nominations:
A. Transferred to Congress
B. Transferred to Jinnah
C. Abolished entirely
D. Unchanged
Correct Answer: D
Conference members could submit names, but formal responsibility remained with the Viceroy.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
Why was the Ninth Schedule amendment necessary?
A. To abolish the Viceroy
B. To create Pakistan immediately
C. To select political leaders instead of relying on career officials
D. To end provincial legislatures
Correct Answer: C
The proposal sought a politically representative council rather than one restricted by service qualifications.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The Ninth Schedule requirement concerned at least three members with:
A. Twenty years of military service
B. Ten years of Crown service in India
C. Five years in Congress
D. Ten years in the Muslim League
Correct Answer: B
The rule had to be relaxed to permit broader selection from Indian political leaders.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The proposed reconstitution required an amendment to the:
A. Ninth Schedule of the 1935 Act
B. First Schedule of the 1909 Act
C. Lahore Resolution
D. Communal Award
Correct Answer: A
The schedule required a minimum number of experienced Crown servants on the council.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The main constitutional offer of March 1942 was declared to:
A. Be withdrawn
B. Be replaced by partition
C. Apply only to princely states
D. Remain unchanged
Correct Answer: D
The British Government stated that the Cripps offer still stood without change or qualification.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1945 - Constitutional Proposals - Simla Conference
The plan did not attempt to produce:
A. An Indian-majority executive
B. A political conference
C. A complete new constitution
D. An interim arrangement
Correct Answer: C
The House of Lords debate stressed that it was not an outline of a permanent constitution.