Introduction
✔ Date Announced: March 1946
✔ Sent by: British Government
✔ Objective: To discuss and plan the transfer of power from British rule to Indian leadership.
✔ Members:
- Sir Pethick-Lawrence (Secretary of State for India)
- Sir Stafford Cripps (President of the Board of Trade)
- A.V. Alexander (First Lord of the Admiralty)
✔ Key Aim: To devise a framework for India’s independence while ensuring the unity of the country.
Background
✔ World War II Ended (1945): Britain was financially weak and wanted to exit India.
✔ Growing Political Tensions:
- Indian National Congress (INC) demanded a united India with a strong central government.
- Muslim League (ML), under Muhammad Ali Jinnah, insisted on a separate Pakistan.
✔ Failure of Cripps Mission (1942): Previous efforts to grant autonomy to India had failed.
✔ British Intent: The British wanted a smooth transfer of power without major violence or conflict.
Main Proposals of the Cabinet Mission Plan
1. Rejection of Pakistan Demand
✔ The British rejected Muslim League’s demand for a separate Pakistan.
✔ Instead, they proposed a federal structure to accommodate both Hindus and Muslims.
2. Three-Tier Government System
The future Indian government was to have three levels:
- Union of India: Responsible for foreign affairs, defense, and communication.
- Provincial Governments: Would have autonomy in internal matters.
- Groups of Provinces:
- Group A: Hindu-majority provinces (Madras, Bombay, United Provinces, Bihar, Central Provinces, Orissa).
- Group B: Muslim-majority provinces (Punjab, Sindh, NWFP, Baluchistan).
- Group C: Bengal and Assam.
✔ Provinces had the option to leave their groups after elections.
3. Formation of a Constituent Assembly
✔ 389-member Constituent Assembly to draft the Indian Constitution.
✔ Proportional Representation:
- 292 members from British Indian provinces.
- 93 members from princely states.
- 4 members from Chief Commissioners’ provinces.
✔ Election System: - Muslims, Sikhs, and General (Hindus & others) would elect their representatives separately.
4. Interim Government
✔ An interim government would be formed until the Constitution was framed.
✔ The Viceroy would still have veto power over major decisions.
Acceptance & Rejection of the Plan
✔ Indian National Congress (INC): Accepted only the idea of the Constituent Assembly but rejected grouping.
✔ Muslim League (ML): Initially accepted, but later rejected after the Congress refused the groupings.
✔ Hindu Mahasabha & Sikh Groups: Rejected due to concerns over division and minority rights.
Consequences of the Cabinet Mission Plan
✔ Direct Action Day (August 16, 1946):
- When Congress rejected groupings, Jinnah called for “Direct Action”, leading to communal riots.
- Worst violence in Calcutta, Noakhali, and Bihar.
✔ Interim Government (September 1946): - Congress joined and Jawaharlal Nehru became Vice-President.
- Muslim League initially boycotted but later joined.
✔ Failure of the Plan: - Hindu-Muslim tensions escalated.
- Britain realized a united India was impossible, leading to the Mountbatten Plan (1947) and the partition of India.
Significance of the Cabinet Mission Plan
✔ Last British Attempt to keep India united.
✔ Led to the Constituent Assembly, which drafted India’s Constitution.
✔ Exposed Deep Communal Divisions, leading to partition.
✔ Set the Stage for Independence, making the partition inevitable.
MCQs on Cabinet Mission Plan
- Which year was the Cabinet Mission Plan sent to India?
- (a) 1942
- (b) 1946
- (c) 1947
- (d) 1935
- Answer: (b) 1946
- Who among the following was NOT a member of the Cabinet Mission?
- (a) Stafford Cripps
- (b) A.V. Alexander
- (c) Pethick-Lawrence
- (d) Lord Mountbatten
- Answer: (d) Lord Mountbatten
- How many groups of provinces were proposed in the Cabinet Mission Plan?
- (a) 2
- (b) 3
- (c) 4
- (d) 5
- Answer: (b) 3
- Which political party demanded Pakistan during the Cabinet Mission discussions?
- (a) Indian National Congress
- (b) Muslim League
- (c) Hindu Mahasabha
- (d) Communist Party of India
- Answer: (b) Muslim League
- What was the primary reason for the failure of the Cabinet Mission Plan?
- (a) British unwillingness to leave India
- (b) Opposition from princely states
- (c) Hindu-Muslim differences over grouping of provinces
- (d) Lack of leadership in India
- Answer: (c) Hindu-Muslim differences over grouping of provinces
Subjective Questions on Cabinet Mission Plan
- Explain the reasons behind the Cabinet Mission’s visit to India.
- Describe the key proposals of the Cabinet Mission Plan.
- Why did the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League reject the Cabinet Mission Plan?
- What was the impact of the Cabinet Mission Plan on India’s independence movement?
- Critically analyze the reasons for the failure of the Cabinet Mission Plan.
The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) was a crucial event in India’s freedom struggle, attempting to keep India united while addressing communal demands. Its failure led to partition and the creation of India and Pakistan in 1947. This topic is highly important for UPSC, SSC, and state PSC exams. 🚀