UPSC Prelims 2011 Q70: Modern History – Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909 - 1947)
With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were
recommended by the Nehru report?
1. Complete Independence for India.
2. Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities.
3. Provision of fundamental rights for the people of India in the Constitution.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
What the Nehru Report (1928) actually recommended
The Nehru Report, drafted under Motilal Nehru, was India's first major attempt at a constitutional blueprint.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Complete Independence for India | Incorrect | The Nehru Report recommended Dominion Status within the British Commonwealth, not complete independence |
| 2. Joint electorates for minority seat reservation | Correct | The report rejected separate electorates (introduced earlier) and instead proposed joint electorates with reserved seats for minorities |
| 3. Fundamental rights for the people in the Constitution | Correct | The report included a detailed list of proposed fundamental rights for citizens |
Nehru Report, 1928:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drafted by | Committee under Motilal Nehru |
| Status sought | Dominion Status, not full independence |
| Electorate stance | Joint electorates, rejecting separate ones |
| Rights | Proposed a Bill of Fundamental Rights |
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 3 (fundamental rights) is also correct, so '1 only' is both wrong on content and incomplete.
- (b) CORRECT. The report proposed joint electorates and fundamental rights; it sought Dominion Status, not complete independence, making statement 1 false.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1's claim of 'complete independence' is false — the report sought Dominion Status — so this combination is wrong.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is factually wrong, so 'all three' cannot be correct.
Key point
The Nehru Report (1928) recommended Dominion Status (NOT complete independence), joint electorates for minorities, and fundamental rights for citizens.
Remember
Nehru Report, 1928: Dominion Status (not full independence), joint electorates, and proposed fundamental rights.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the Nehru Report demanded full independence, which came only later (1929 Lahore session, 'Purna Swaraj').
- Confusing joint electorates (Nehru Report's stance) with the earlier separate electorates system.
- Missing the report's inclusion of a proposed Bill of Fundamental Rights.
Exam tip
Nehru Report (1928) = Dominion Status + joint electorates + fundamental rights. Full independence came only with the 1929 Lahore 'Purna Swaraj' resolution.
Sources
- All Parties Conference — Report of the Committee appointed to determine the principles of the Constitution for India (the Nehru Report), 1928
- Bipan Chandra — Modern India (NCERT textbook for Class XII)