UPSC Prelims 2002 Q2: Modern History – Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909 - 1947)
The last opportunity to avoid the partition of India was lost with the rejection of
- (a) Cripps Mission
- (b) Rajagopalachari Formula
- (c) Cabinet Mission
- (d) Wavell Plan
Answer: (c) Cabinet Mission
Explanation
Last opportunity to avoid the partition of India
| Proposal | Year and fate |
|---|---|
| Cripps Mission | 1942 — rejected by the Congress and the Muslim League, but it came long before the final stage |
| Rajagopalachari Formula | 1944 — accepted tacitly Pakistan; rejected by Jinnah |
| Cabinet Mission | 1946 — a three-tier federal plan, the last attempt to keep India united; its collapse made partition inevitable |
| Wavell Plan | 1945 — Simla Conference failed over League's claim to name all Muslim members |
The Cabinet Mission Plan (May 1946) offered a loose federation with groupings of provinces. Its breakdown, over the League's withdrawal of acceptance and the Congress reading of grouping, led to Direct Action Day and the Mountbatten Plan of June 1947. It was therefore the last opportunity to avoid partition.
Answer: (c) Cabinet Mission.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Cripps Mission of 1942 offered dominion status after the war; it was not the last chance.
- (b) Incorrect. The Rajagopalachari Formula of 1944 was a Gandhi-Jinnah talks proposal, not the last chance.
- (c) CORRECT. The Cabinet Mission of 1946 was the last attempt at a united India.
- (d) Incorrect. The Wavell Plan of 1945 dealt with executive council composition.
Key point
Order of plans: Cripps (1942), C. R. Formula (1944), Wavell (1945), Cabinet Mission (1946), Mountbatten (1947).
Remember
Cabinet Mission (1946) = the last chance to keep India united.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Cripps Mission because it is the best-known failed proposal.
- Mixing the 1945 Wavell Plan with the 1946 Cabinet Mission.
- Forgetting that Mountbatten's plan itself accepted partition.
Exam tip
Rank the plans by date; the last one before the 1947 partition plan is the answer.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra — India's Struggle for Independence
- Spectrum — A Brief History of Modern India