Q11. Which of the following is the odd one out regarding the distribution of seats allocated to British Indian Provinces in the Constituent Assembly?
Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship: RAS Prelims MCQs
100 RAS Prelims MCQs on the framing of the Constitution, the Preamble and citizenship cover the Constituent Assembly, its members and committees, the sources from which features were borrowed, the Preamble’s words and the rules of citizenship. The explanations give dates, names and countries so that each fact can be placed quickly.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 100 questions
Q12. In the elections to the Constituent Assembly held in July-August 1946, the method of voting used by the members of the provincial legislative assemblies was:
Explanation
The representatives of each community in the provincial legislative assemblies elected their own members to the Constituent Assembly. This election was conducted through the method of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. This system allowed for a more diverse representation within each community’s allotted quota, ensuring that various political interests within the provincial assemblies were effectively reflected.
Q13. Consider the following statements regarding the Constituent Assembly under the Cabinet Mission Plan:
I. The total strength of the Constituent Assembly was fixed at 389.
II. 296 seats were allotted to British India and 93 seats to the Princely States.
III. Out of 296 seats allotted to British India, 292 members were to be drawn from the eleven governors’ provinces.
IV. Four members were to be drawn from the four chief commissioners’ provinces, one from each.
Which of the above combination of statements is correct?
I. The total strength of the Constituent Assembly was fixed at 389.
II. 296 seats were allotted to British India and 93 seats to the Princely States.
III. Out of 296 seats allotted to British India, 292 members were to be drawn from the eleven governors’ provinces.
IV. Four members were to be drawn from the four chief commissioners’ provinces, one from each.
Which of the above combination of statements is correct?
Explanation
The total strength of the Constituent Assembly was fixed at 389 members under the Cabinet Mission Plan. This total included 296 seats for British India and 93 seats for the princely states. Of the British Indian seats, 292 were drawn from the eleven governors’ provinces, while the remaining four were allocated to the four chief commissioners’ provinces, one from each.
Q14. When did the Constituent Assembly hold its first meeting?
Explanation
The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on December 9, 1946. This historic session took place in the Constitution Hall, which is now the Central Hall of Parliament House. The meeting was attended by 211 members, as the Muslim League boycotted the assembly to demand a separate state of Pakistan. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha served as the assembly’s temporary president.
Q15. Arrange the following events related to the working of the Constituent Assembly in chronological order:
I. Adoption of the National Flag
II. First meeting of the Constituent Assembly
III. Introduction of the Objective Resolution
IV. Adoption of the Objective Resolution
Select the correct order from the options below:
I. Adoption of the National Flag
II. First meeting of the Constituent Assembly
III. Introduction of the Objective Resolution
IV. Adoption of the Objective Resolution
Select the correct order from the options below:
Explanation
The Constituent Assembly first met on December 9, 1946. Jawaharlal Nehru moved the historic Objective Resolution on December 13, 1946, which was subsequently adopted by the assembly on January 22, 1947. Much later, the National Flag of India was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947, shortly before India attained independence from the British rule.
Q16. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer from the options given below:
| Committee of Constituent Assembly | Chairman |
|---|---|
| A. Union Powers Committee | i. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar |
| B. Provincial Constitution Committee | ii. Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
| C. Drafting Committee | iii. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel |
| D. Steering Committee | iv. Jawaharlal Nehru |
Explanation
Jawaharlal Nehru chaired the Union Powers Committee, which handled the division of authority. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led the Provincial Constitution Committee, focusing on the structures of state governments. The Drafting Committee, responsible for writing the actual text of the Constitution, was headed by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Finally, Dr. Rajendra Prasad presided over the Steering Committee to manage assembly business.
Q17. Identify the incorrect pair regarding the Minor Committees of the Constituent Assembly and their Chairmen:
Explanation
The Functions of the Constituent Assembly Committee was actually chaired by G. V. Mavalankar, who later became the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha. H. C. Mukherjee, on the other hand, served as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Constituent Assembly and was also the Chairman of the Advisory Committee’s Minorities Sub- Committee, rather than the committee dealing with assembly functions.
Q18. Consider the following statements regarding the members and working of the Constituent Assembly:
I. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was elected as the temporary President of the Assembly following the French practice.
II. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Assembly.
III. H. C. Mukherjee and V. T. Krishnamachari were elected as the Vice-Presidents of the Assembly.
IV. Sir B. N. Rau was appointed as the Constitutional Advisor to the Assembly.
V. Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent member of the Constituent Assembly.
Which of the above combination of statements is incorrect?
I. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was elected as the temporary President of the Assembly following the French practice.
II. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the permanent President of the Assembly.
III. H. C. Mukherjee and V. T. Krishnamachari were elected as the Vice-Presidents of the Assembly.
IV. Sir B. N. Rau was appointed as the Constitutional Advisor to the Assembly.
V. Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent member of the Constituent Assembly.
Which of the above combination of statements is incorrect?
Explanation
While the Constituent Assembly included almost all prominent personalities of India at that time, Mahatma Gandhi was a notable exception as he chose not to be a member of the body. In contrast, Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was the temporary president, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the permanent president, and H. C. Mukherjee alongside V. T. Krishnamachari served as vice-presidents throughout.
Q19. Which of the following best describes the significance of the Objective Resolution introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly?
Explanation
The Objective Resolution, moved by Jawaharlal Nehru, was a momentous document that defined the aims and core values of the new Indian state. It provided the ideological foundation for the drafting process, emphasizing justice, equality, and sovereignty. The resolution’s philosophy eventually evolved into the Preamble of the Constitution, guiding the framers in creating a democratic and inclusive constitutional framework.
Q20. Who among the following represented the Anglo-Indian community in the Constituent Assembly?
Explanation
Frank Anthony was a prominent leader of the Anglo-Indian community and represented them in the Constituent Assembly. He played a significant role in ensuring that the interests and rights of his community were protected within the new constitutional framework. Alongside others like Sir H. P. Modi representing Parsis, he helped make the assembly a truly representative body of India.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (d) Christians |
| 12 | (b) Single transferable vote proportional representation. |
| 13 | (d) I, II, III and IV |
| 14 | (a) 9 December 1946 |
| 15 | (a) II, III, IV, I |
| 16 | (a) A-iv, B-iii, C-i, D-ii |
| 17 | (b) Functions Committee -- H. C. Mukherjee. |
| 18 | (a) V only |
| 19 | (c) It laid down the fundamentals and philosophy of the constitutional structure. |
| 20 | (d) Frank Anthony |
Key facts from Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship
- M. N. Roy first put forward the idea of a Constituent Assembly; the Cabinet Mission Plan rejected two constituent assemblies.
- Members of the Constituent Assembly were chosen in 1946 by single transferable vote proportional representation; its first meeting was on 9 December 1946.
- The Drafting Committee was set up on 29 August 1947, and Dr B. R. Ambedkar introduced the final draft on 4 November 1948.
- Frank Anthony represented the Anglo-Indian community in the Assembly.
- The Concurrent List was borrowed from Australia; the federal structure with a strong centre follows Canada.
- Liberty of occupation is not named in the Preamble.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship?
This page has 100 practice MCQs on Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
When did the Constituent Assembly first meet?
On 9 December 1946. The Assembly had been elected in July-August 1946 by the members of the provincial legislatures through single transferable vote, and it later took nearly three years to complete the Constitution.
Who introduced the final draft of the Constitution?
Dr B. R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, introduced it in the Constituent Assembly on 4 November 1948. The Drafting Committee itself had been constituted on 29 August 1947.
From which country was the Concurrent List borrowed?
From Australia. The Constitution takes the idea of a list of subjects shared between the Union and the States from the Australian model, while the strong-centre federal scheme follows Canada.