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Q44 (IAS/2022) History & Culture › National Movement (1857–1947) › Constitutional plans and missions Official Key

With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements: 1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States. 2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 2. The Cripps Mission (1942) introduced several provisions that were ultimately rejected by Indian leaders but are crucial for historical analysis.

  • Statement 1 is incorrect: The Mission proposed a Constituent Assembly where members from Provincial Assemblies would be elected (through proportional representation), while members from the Princely States would be nominated by their rulers. The statement wrongly suggests nomination for both.
  • Statement 2 is correct: A novel and controversial feature of the proposals was the "non-accession clause." It stated that any province unwilling to accept the new Constitution could retain its existing constitutional position and had the right to negotiate a separate agreement with the British government, effectively granting them the same status as the Indian Union.

This provision was a major reason for the Congress's rejection, as it was perceived as a blueprint for the partition of India and the creation of "Pakistan" through the back door.

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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements: 1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nom…
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 · 0/10

This is a classic 'Accuracy Check' question from standard sources (Spectrum/Laxmikanth). The trap lies in a single word—'nominated' vs 'elected'. If you read history like a novel, you missed it; if you read it like a lawyer, you scored.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
According to the Cripps Mission proposals (1942), did the Constituent Assembly include members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies and by the Princely States?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 22: Nationalist Response in the Wake of World War II > Main Proposals > p. 442
Presence: 5/5
“The main proposals of the mission were as follows. 1. An Indian Union with a dominion status would be set up; it would be free to decide its relations with the Commonwealth and free to participate in the United Nations and other international bodies. 2. After the end of the war, a constituent assembly would be convened to frame a new constitution. Members of this assembly would be partly elected by the provincial assemblies through proportional representation and partly nominated by the princes. 3. The British government would accept the new”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the assembly would be partly elected by provincial assemblies and partly nominated by princes.
  • Presented as the mission's main proposal about Constituent Assembly composition.
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > The features of the scheme were: > p. 12
Presence: 5/5
“method of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote. 5. The representatives of the princely states were to be nominated by the heads of the princely states. It is, thus, clear that the Constituent Assembly was to be a partly elected and partly nominated body. Moreover, the members were to be indirectly elected by the members of the provincial assemblies, who themselves were elected on a limited franchise. The elections to the Constituent Assembly (for 296 seats allotted to the British Indian Provinces) were held in July-August 1946. The Indian National Congress won 208 seats, the Muslim League 73 seats and the small groups and independents got the remaining 15 seats.”
Why this source?
  • Specifies representatives of princely states were to be nominated by the heads of those states.
  • Specifies members were to be indirectly elected by provincial assemblies (proportional representation).
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 24: Post-War National Scenario > p. 473
Presence: 4/5
“This constituent assembly would be a 389-member body with provincial assemblies sending 292, chief commissioner's provinces sending 4, and princely states sending 93 members. (This was a good, democratic method not based on weightage.) ● In the constituent assembly, members from groups A, B and C were to sit separately to decide the constitution for provinces and if possible, for the groups also. Then, the whole constituent assembly (all three sections A, B and C combined) would sit together to formulate the union constitution.”
Why this source?
  • Gives numeric allocation showing provincial assemblies and princely states as distinct sources of members (provincial 292; princely 93).
  • Demonstrates both provincial assemblies and princely states supplied members to the Constituent Assembly.
Statement 2
According to the Cripps Mission proposals (1942), did any province that refused to accept the proposed new constitution have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain concerning its future status?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 2: THE MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION > THE MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION > p. 16
Presence: 5/5
“(d) that any province (or Indian State) which was not prepared to accept the Constitution would be free to retain its constitutional position existing at that time and with such non-acceding Provinces, the British Government could enter into separate constitutional arrangements. But the two parties failed to come to an agreement to accept the proposals. And the Muslim League urged-- (a) "that India should be divided into two autonomous States on communal lines, and that some of the Provinces, earmarked by Mr Jinnah, should form an independent Muslim State, to be known as Pakistan"; (b) "that instead of one Constituent Assembly, there should be two Constituent Assemblies, ie, a separate Constituent Assembly for building Pakistan"; After the rejection of the Cripps proposals (followed by the dynamic "Quit India" campaign launched by the Congress), various attempts to reconcile the”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly says a province or Indian State not prepared to accept the Constitution would be free to retain its existing constitutional position.
  • States that the British Government could enter into separate constitutional arrangements with such non-acceding provinces.
Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 4: OUTSTANDING FEATURES OF OUR CONSTITUTION > Incidents of Paramountey. > p. 51
Presence: 4/5
“When Sir Stafford Cripps came to India with his Plan, it was definitely understood that the Plan proposed by him would be confined 10 settling the political destinies of British India and that the Indian States would be left free to retain their separate status. Proposal of the Cabinet Mission. But the Cabinet Mission supposed that the Indian States would be ready to cooperate with the new development in India. So, they recommended that there should be a Union of India, embracing both British India and the States, which would deal only with Foreign Affairs, Defence and Communications, while the State would retain all powers other than these.”
Why this source?
  • Notes Cripps Plan confined to British India while Indian States were left free to retain separate status.
  • Supports the idea of provinces/states having freedom to remain outside the proposed constitutional settlement.
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 22: Nationalist Response in the Wake of World War II > Why Cripps Mission Failed > p. 443
Presence: 3/5
“The Cripps Mission proposals failed to satisfy Indian nationalists and turned out to be merely a propaganda device for the consumption of the US and the Chinese. Various parties and groups had objections to the proposals on different points— The Congress objected to: • (i) the offer of dominion status instead of a provision for complete independence;• (ii) representation of the princely states by nominees and not by elected representatives;• (iii) right to provinces to secede as this went against the principle of national unity; and• (iv) absence of any plan for immediate transfer of power and absence of any real share in defence; the governor-general's supremacy had been retained, and the demand that the governor-general be only the constitutional head had not been accepted.”
Why this source?
  • Records that Congress objected to the proposals' grant of a right for provinces to secede, implying the proposals did allow provincial withdrawal.
  • Corroborates that the proposals included a provincial option contrary to national unity concerns.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC loves the 'Evolution of the Constitution'. The pattern is to take a specific feature of the Cabinet Mission Plan and attribute it to the Cripps Mission, or vice versa. Always focus on the *mechanism* of selection (Elected vs Nominated) and the *nature* of the Union (Loose vs Tight).
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter (for careful readers) / Trap (for skimmers). Source: Spectrum Ch 22 (Nationalist Response) or Laxmikanth Ch 2.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The 'Transfer of Power' timeline (1940–1947). Specifically, the incremental concessions made by the British regarding the Constituent Assembly's structure.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Compare the 'Constituent Assembly' proposals: August Offer (Mainly Indians) → Cripps (Solely Indians, partly elected/nominated, right to secede) → Cabinet Mission (Rejected Pakistan, Grouping system A/B/C, Indirect election). Memorize the specific objections: Congress (Dominion status, Secession right), League (Single Union), Sikhs (Punjab partition fears).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When studying constitutional proposals, create a matrix of 3 columns: 'Status of India' (Dominion vs Independent), 'Structure of Body' (Elected vs Nominated), and 'Partition Clause' (Yes/No/Implicit). UPSC swaps these columns to create trap statements.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Partly elected, partly nominated Constituent Assembly
💡 The insight

The Constituent Assembly composition combined members chosen by provincial assemblies and members nominated by princely rulers.

High-yield for polity questions on the framing of the Constitution; links to topics on transitional governance, legitimacy of representative bodies, and negotiations with princely states. Understanding this helps answer questions on methods of member selection and the political compromises during 1940s constitutional arrangements.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 22: Nationalist Response in the Wake of World War II > Main Proposals > p. 442
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > The features of the scheme were: > p. 12
🔗 Anchor: "According to the Cripps Mission proposals (1942), did the Constituent Assembly i..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Indirect election by Provincial Legislative Assemblies (proportional representation)
💡 The insight

Members from British Indian provinces were to be selected indirectly by provincial legislatures using proportional representation.

Important for questions on electoral mechanisms, representative legitimacy, and the role of provincial bodies in constitutional processes. Connects to broader themes of franchise limits, electoral systems, and centre-province relations in the independence-era polity.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: CONSTITUTION: WHY AND HOW? > Chapter 1: Constitution: Why and How? > p. 15
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > The features of the scheme were: > p. 12
🔗 Anchor: "According to the Cripps Mission proposals (1942), did the Constituent Assembly i..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Princely states' representation via nomination by rulers
💡 The insight

Princely states' representatives were to be nominated by their rulers rather than elected by popular vote.

Crucial for understanding negotiations between British India and princely states, the nature of their integration, and the differentiated political status of princely states. Useful for questions on accession, negotiated settlements, and the composition of constituent bodies.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 2: Making of the Constitution > The features of the scheme were: > p. 12
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 24: Post-War National Scenario > p. 473
🔗 Anchor: "According to the Cripps Mission proposals (1942), did the Constituent Assembly i..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Provincial option to retain existing constitutional status
💡 The insight

The Cripps proposals allowed provinces or states not accepting the new constitution to keep their current constitutional position and enabled separate arrangements with Britain.

High-yield for questions on pre-Independence constitutional proposals and the politics of partition; links to the causes of Congress opposition and later negotiations. Mastering this helps answer questions on autonomy, secession clauses, and how constitutional proposals affected Centre–province relations.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 2: THE MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION > THE MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION > p. 16
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 4: OUTSTANDING FEATURES OF OUR CONSTITUTION > Incidents of Paramountey. > p. 51
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 22: Nationalist Response in the Wake of World War II > Why Cripps Mission Failed > p. 443
🔗 Anchor: "According to the Cripps Mission proposals (1942), did any province that refused ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Constituent Assembly proposal under Cripps Mission
💡 The insight

The mission proposed a Constituent Assembly to frame a new constitution while simultaneously providing provinces an opt-out, creating tensions between constitution-making and provincial autonomy.

Essential for understanding the evolution of India's constitution-making process and competing political demands (national unity vs. provincial rights). Useful for essay and polity questions on the origins of the Constituent Assembly and why earlier plans were rejected.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 22: Nationalist Response in the Wake of World War II > Main Proposals > p. 442
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 35: Making of the Constitution for India > Background > p. 613
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 2: THE MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION > THE MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION > p. 16
🔗 Anchor: "According to the Cripps Mission proposals (1942), did any province that refused ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Autonomy of Muslim-majority provinces as a political concession
💡 The insight

Proposals recognised autonomy/self-determination options for provinces, a factor that shaped Muslim League demands and later partition negotiations.

Crucial for questions on communal politics, the rationale behind Pakistan demand, and the sequence of concessions leading to partition. Helps connect constitutional proposals to communal separatism and subsequent plans (Cabinet Mission, Mountbatten).

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 25: Independence with Partition > Why Congress Accepted Partition > p. 499
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 22: Nationalist Response in the Wake of World War II > Why Cripps Mission Failed > p. 443
🔗 Anchor: "According to the Cripps Mission proposals (1942), did any province that refused ..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The specific objections of minor parties to the Cripps Mission are overdue. Hindu Mahasabha objected to the 'Right to Secede' (anti-unity). The Depressed Classes (Ambedkar) objected because they feared domination by upper-caste Hindus in the Assembly without specific safeguards. Sikhs objected to the potential loss of Punjab.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Apply 'Institutional Nature' Logic. Provincial Assemblies are *elected* democratic bodies; Princely States were *monarchies*. Democratic bodies usually 'elect' (even indirectly), while Monarchs 'nominate'. Statement 1 says Provincial Assemblies would 'nominate'. This mismatch between the institution (Assembly) and the action (Nominate) is a structural red flag.

🔗 Mains Connection

Link this to GS2 (Federalism & Union of States). The Cripps proposal's 'Right to Secede' is exactly what the Indian Constitution (Article 1) explicitly rejected to create an 'Indestructible Union'. Use this contrast in Mains answers about the challenges to National Integration.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-II · 2021 · Q90 Relevance score: 3.62

Which one of the following statements about the Cripps Mission is not correct ?

NDA-I · 2012 · Q47 Relevance score: 2.98

Consider the following statements about Cripps Proposals of 1942 : 1. Provision was to be made for participation of Indian States in the Constitution-making body. 2. British Government undertook to accept and implement the Constitution. 3. All provinces of British India were to give an undertaking about the acceptance of the Constitution. 4. In the ongoing World War, no resources of British India would be used. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

CDS-II · 2015 · Q95 Relevance score: 2.80

Which of the following statements about the formation of the Constituent Assembly is/are correct? 1. The members of the Constituent Assembly were chosen on the basis of the provincial elections of 1946. 2. The Constituent Assembly did not include representatives of the Princely States. 3. The discussions within the Constituent Assembly were not influenced by opinions expressed by the public. 4. In order to create a sense of collective participation, submissions were solicited from the public. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

CDS-I · 2006 · Q64 Relevance score: 2.54

Consider the following statements 1. Both Congress and Musl im League refused the offer of the Cripps Mission. 2. The interim government formed in 1946 had nominees of the Congress only and. not those of the Muslim League. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct ?

IAS · 2009 · Q17 Relevance score: 1.98

Consider the following statements : The Cripps Proposals include the provision for 1. Full independence for India. 2. Creation of Constitution-making body. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?