Q1. Which of the following bodies was established under the chairmanship of Lord Mountbatten to oversee the division of assets and liabilities between India and Pakistan?
Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions: RAS Prelims MCQs
22 RAS Prelims MCQs on post-independence nation-building cover the Partition Council, the Objectives Resolution, the adoption of the Constitution, Article 370, the mixed economy and the reorganisation of states. The Dhar and JVP committees, Potti Sriramulu’s fast and the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 are asked as facts and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 22 questions
Q2. Match the princely states in List I with their corresponding key issues during integration in
List II:
List I: (Princely State)
A. Travancore
B. Jodhpur
C. Bhopal
D. Junagadh
List II: (Key Issue during Integration)
i. Nawab wanted to join Pakistan despite having a Hindu majority population
ii. Dewan Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar declared intention to remain independent
iii. Maharaja Hanwant Singh considered joining Pakistan for better border terms
iv. Nawab Hamidullah Khan wanted to remain independent and delayed accession
List II:
List I: (Princely State)
A. Travancore
B. Jodhpur
C. Bhopal
D. Junagadh
List II: (Key Issue during Integration)
i. Nawab wanted to join Pakistan despite having a Hindu majority population
ii. Dewan Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar declared intention to remain independent
iii. Maharaja Hanwant Singh considered joining Pakistan for better border terms
iv. Nawab Hamidullah Khan wanted to remain independent and delayed accession
Explanation
The integration of princely states involved unique challenges for each region. Travancore’s Dewan declared an intention for independence, while Jodhpur’s Maharaja considered joining Pakistan for better border terms. Bhopal’s Nawab delayed accession due to independence aspirations, and Junagadh’s ruler attempted to join Pakistan against the wishes of the state’s Hindu majority. These negotiations were vital for national unity.
Q3. What was the primary mandate of the Boundary Commissions chaired by Sir Cyril Radcliffe in 1947?
Explanation
The Boundary Commissions, led by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, were tasked with demarcating the international borders between India and Pakistan in the provinces of Punjab and Bengal. This process involved dividing territories based on religious demographics while considering factors like irrigation systems and communication lines. The resulting borders defined the geographic limits of the two newly formed independent nations in 1947.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the integration of princely states:
I. The Instrument of Accession restricted the Government of India’s jurisdiction strictly to Defense, External Affairs, and Communications.
II. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel established the States Department in July 1947 to handle matters relating to princely states.
III. VP Menon was appointed as the Minister of the States Department to assist Sardar Patel.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Instrument of Accession restricted the Government of India’s jurisdiction strictly to Defense, External Affairs, and Communications.
II. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel established the States Department in July 1947 to handle matters relating to princely states.
III. VP Menon was appointed as the Minister of the States Department to assist Sardar Patel.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel headed the States Department established in July 1947 to manage the integration of various princely states. The Instrument of Accession was the legal mechanism used, where states surrendered jurisdiction over defense, external affairs, and communications. While VP Menon served as the Secretary of the department, Patel led the political negotiations necessary to unify the Indian dominion.
Q5. Which of the following princely states did not initially sign the Instrument of Accession by 15 August 1947?
Explanation
By the time India gained independence on 15 August 1947, most princely states had signed the Instrument of Accession. However, Junagadh, Hyderabad, and Jammu and Kashmir remained holdouts, each presenting unique political and geographical complications. These states required further diplomatic and military efforts over the following years to ensure their full integration into the sovereign territory of the Indian Union.
Q6. Match the personalities in List I with their corresponding roles during the Kashmir integration in List II:
| Personality | Role during Kashmir Integration |
|---|---|
| A. Hari Singh | i. Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir during the time of accession |
| B. Mehr Chand Mahajan | ii. Leader of the National Conference who led the popular movement |
| C. Sheikh Abdullah | iii. Governor-General who accepted the Instrument of Accession |
| D. Lord Mountbatten | iv. The Dogra ruler of Jammu and Kashmir |
Explanation
Several key figures played pivotal roles during the integration of Jammu and Kashmir. Maharaja Hari Singh was the state’s ruler, while Mehr Chand Mahajan served as the Prime Minister during the accession process. Sheikh Abdullah led the popular National Conference movement, supporting ties with India. Lord Mountbatten, as the Governor-General of India, officially accepted the Instrument of Accession in 1947.
Q7. The temporary provisions with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir were incorporated into the Indian Constitution under which Article?
Explanation
Article 370 was incorporated into the Indian Constitution as a temporary provision to grant a special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It allowed the state to have its own constitution and limited the legislative powers of the Indian Parliament over the region. This provision was intended to manage the unique circumstances under which the state had acceded.
Q8. Consider the following statements about the Constituent Assembly of India:
I. It was constituted in November 1946 under the scheme formulated by the Cabinet Mission Plan.
II. Members of the Constituent Assembly were directly elected by the people on the basis of universal adult franchise.
III. The representatives of the princely states were to be nominated by the heads of the princely states.
IV. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was elected as the temporary President of the Assembly.
V. After partition, the membership of the Constituent Assembly was reduced to 299.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It was constituted in November 1946 under the scheme formulated by the Cabinet Mission Plan.
II. Members of the Constituent Assembly were directly elected by the people on the basis of universal adult franchise.
III. The representatives of the princely states were to be nominated by the heads of the princely states.
IV. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was elected as the temporary President of the Assembly.
V. After partition, the membership of the Constituent Assembly was reduced to 299.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Constituent Assembly was established in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan. Its members were indirectly elected by provincial assemblies, while princely states nominated their own representatives. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha served as the initial temporary president. Following the partition of India, the total membership was adjusted to 299. These members were responsible for drafting the sovereign nation’s foundational legal framework.
Q9. The ‘Objectives Resolution’ adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 January 1947 essentially provided for:
Explanation
The Objectives Resolution, moved by Jawaharlal Nehru and adopted by the Constituent Assembly in January 1947, defined the guiding principles of the new nation. It outlined the commitment to sovereignty, democracy, and social justice, serving as the philosophical foundation for the Constitution. This resolution later evolved into the Preamble, reflecting the collective aspirations of the Indian people for their future.
Q10. On which date was the Constitution of India formally adopted and enacted by the Constituent Assembly?
Explanation
The Constitution of India was formally adopted and enacted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. This significant date is now celebrated annually as Constitution Day in India. While the full document came into force on 26 January 1950 to mark Republic Day, many provisions regarding citizenship and elections were implemented immediately upon its adoption in late 1949.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Partition Council |
| 2 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i |
| 3 | (c) To demarcate the boundaries of the two parts of Bengal and Punjab |
| 4 | (d) I and II only |
| 5 | (c) Junagadh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir |
| 6 | (d) A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii |
| 7 | (a) Article 370 |
| 8 | (b) I, III, IV, and V only |
| 9 | (b) The philosophical foundation and guiding principles of the Indian Constitution |
| 10 | (b) 26 November 1949 |
Key facts from Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions
- The Partition Council was set up under Lord Mountbatten to oversee the division of assets.
- The Objectives Resolution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22 January 1947; the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949.
- Article 370 contained the temporary provisions for Jammu and Kashmir.
- Nehru’s economic framework was a mixed economy with public and private sectors.
- Potti Sriramulu’s 56-day fast and death led to the creation of Andhra, the first linguistic state; the JVP Committee rejected language as the basis for states.
- The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 created 14 States and 6 Union Territories; the 42nd Amendment added the word Secular to the Preamble.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions?
This page has 22 practice MCQs on Post-Independence: State Reorganisation and Nehruvian Institutions (Modern Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
How many states were created by the States Reorganisation Act 1956?
14 States and 6 Union Territories. The Seventh Amendment of 1956 ended the earlier Part A, B and C classification of states and gave the states a more uniform status.
What led to the creation of Andhra state?
The death of Potti Sriramulu after a 56-day hunger strike in 1952. The public outrage forced the government to create Andhra as the first linguistic state in 1953, which opened the way for a general reorganisation.
When was the Constitution of India adopted?
On 26 November 1949, by the Constituent Assembly. It came into force on 26 January 1950, which is why that day is celebrated every year as Republic Day, and the Constituent Assembly took nearly three years to frame it.