Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
The princely states would retain powers:
A. Only over ceremonial matters
B. Not ceded by them to the Union
C. Transferred to provincial assemblies
D. Granted by Congress
Correct Answer: B
The States were to retain all subjects and powers except those they voluntarily ceded to the Union.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
Under the Plan, all residuary powers were to vest in:
A. The British Parliament
B. The Union executive
C. The provinces
D. The Federal Court
Correct Answer: C
All subjects other than Union subjects, together with residuary powers, were assigned to the provinces.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
The Union was also to possess powers necessary to:
A. Abolish all provincial taxation
B. Raise finances for Union subjects
C. Control all provincial police forces
D. Nationalize all land
Correct Answer: B
The centre could raise the finances required for defence, foreign affairs and communications.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
Which subjects were assigned to the proposed Union?
A. Defence, foreign affairs and communications
B. Education, agriculture and police
C. Land revenue, justice and health
D. Irrigation, local government and forests
Correct Answer: A
The Union's compulsory sphere was limited to foreign affairs, defence and communications.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
The Cabinet Mission proposed a Union of India embracing:
A. Only British Indian provinces
B. Only princely states
C. British India and the princely states
D. Only Muslim-majority provinces
Correct Answer: C
The proposed Union was to include both British India and the Indian States.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
The proposed eastern and western wings of Pakistan were said to be separated by approximately:
A. 200 miles
B. 400 miles
C. 700 miles
D. 1,500 miles
Correct Answer: C
The Mission noted that the two proposed wings were separated by roughly seven hundred miles.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
Which integrated systems did the Mission cite as arguments against partition?
A. Transport, post and telegraph
B. Education, forests and irrigation only
C. Courts and municipal boards only
D. Universities and hospitals only
Correct Answer: A
The Plan stressed that transport, postal and telegraph systems had developed on an all-India basis.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
The Mission considered which factor a strong argument for maintaining Indian unity?
A. Abolition of railways
B. A united defence system
C. Separate currencies for every province
D. Provincial control of foreign affairs
Correct Answer: B
The armed forces had been organized for the defence of India as a whole.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
Which community's position was specifically highlighted in the Mission's objections to partitioning Punjab?
A. Parsis
B. Sikhs
C. Anglo-Indians
D. Christians
Correct Answer: B
Partition of Punjab would divide the Sikh population and affect its major interests.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
A smaller Pakistan based strictly on Muslim-majority areas would have required the partition of:
A. Madras and Bombay
B. Punjab and Bengal
C. Sindh and NWFP
D. Bihar and Orissa
Correct Answer: B
A smaller Pakistan would require radical division of Punjab and Bengal.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
Why did the Mission argue that a larger Pakistan would not solve the minority problem?
A. It contained no Muslim-majority province
B. Large non-Muslim minorities would remain inside Pakistan and Muslims would remain in the rest of India
C. The princely states opposed it unanimously
D. Britain had already recognized Pakistan
Correct Answer: B
Partition along whole-province lines would leave substantial minorities on both sides.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
The Muslim League's proposed north-eastern Pakistan included:
A. Bengal and Assam
B. Bihar and Orissa
C. Bengal and Madras
D. Assam and the United Provinces
Correct Answer: A
The north-eastern zone was envisaged as Bengal and Assam.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
The Muslim League's proposed north-western Pakistan included Punjab, Sindh, NWFP and:
A. Assam
B. British Baluchistan
C. Bihar
D. Orissa
Correct Answer: B
The proposed north-western zone included Punjab, Sindh, NWFP and British Baluchistan.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
Which demand was expressly rejected by the Cabinet Mission?
A. A Constituent Assembly
B. An interim government
C. A fully sovereign Pakistan of six provinces
D. Provincial autonomy
Correct Answer: C
The Mission refused to recommend transfer of power to two completely separate sovereign states.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
The fundamental dispute the Mission tried to resolve concerned:
A. India's membership of the United Nations
B. Unity or division of India
C. Abolition of provincial legislatures
D. The status of Burma
Correct Answer: B
Congress generally favoured a united India, while the Muslim League demanded Pakistan.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
Before issuing its own plan, the Cabinet Mission tried to secure agreement between Congress and the Muslim League at:
A. Delhi Durbar
B. Simla Conference
C. Round Table Conference
D. Lucknow Conference
Correct Answer: B
The Mission brought Congress and League representatives together at Simla, but no final agreement emerged.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
The Cabinet Mission Plan was formally announced through the statement of:
A. 16 May 1946
B. 3 June 1947
C. 8 August 1940
D. 22 March 1942
Correct Answer: A
The principal constitutional statement was issued on 16 May 1946.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
The immediate constitutional objective of the Cabinet Mission was to:
A. Extend the Government of India Act 1935 permanently
B. Create machinery for Indians to frame a constitution
C. Restore separate electorates only
D. Transfer power directly to provincial governors
Correct Answer: B
It aimed to establish constitution-making machinery and an interim government for the transition.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
Which person was associated with the Mission's negotiations but was not one of its three formal members?
A. A. V. Alexander
B. Lord Wavell
C. Sir Stafford Cripps
D. Lord Pethick-Lawrence
Correct Answer: B
Viceroy Lord Wavell participated in negotiations and the joint statement but was not a formal Mission member.
Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1946 - Constitutional Proposals - Cabinet Mission Plan
Who was the Viceroy of India during the Cabinet Mission negotiations?
A. Lord Linlithgow
B. Lord Mountbatten
C. Lord Wavell
D. Lord Irwin
Correct Answer: C
Lord Wavell was Viceroy and worked with the Mission, but he was not one of its three Cabinet members.