UPSC Prelims 2013 · Question 59 of 99
UPSC Prelims 2013 question on Constituent Assembly Members Election
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2013
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectModern History
- TopicConstitutional Development
- DifficultyEasy
- TypeDirect
With reference to Indian History, the Members of the Constituent Assembly from the Provinces were:
Show answer
Answer: C. Elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies
Verdict
Correct Answer: Elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies
Analysis
According to the official UPSC Answer Key for Prelims 2013 General Studies Paper, the correct option is “Elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies”.
The Constituent Assembly was not directly elected by the people. Its members from British Indian provinces were indirectly elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies.
1. Directly elected by the people — Incorrect
The Constituent Assembly was not elected through direct adult franchise.
There was no direct election by all citizens of India.
This is not the method used for forming the Constituent Assembly.
2. Nominated by INC and Muslim League — Incorrect
Members were not simply nominated by the Indian National Congress and Muslim League.
Although these parties had major representation, members had to be elected through Provincial Legislative Assemblies.
Party affiliation should not be confused with the method of selection.
3. Elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies — Correct
Under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946, members from British Indian provinces were indirectly elected.
They were elected by members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies.
The election was based on proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.
4. Selected by the Government for expertise — Incorrect
The Constituent Assembly was not primarily selected by the government on the basis of expertise.
Some eminent experts became members, but the main method was election from provinces and nomination from princely states.
This is not the defining feature.
Extra UPSC info
* The Constituent Assembly was formed under the Cabinet Mission Plan, 1946.
* It was a partly elected and partly nominated body.
* British Indian provinces had 292 seats.
* Princely States had 93 seats, whose representatives were to be nominated.
* Chief Commissioner’s Provinces had 4 seats.
* The first meeting was held on 9 December 1946, with Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha as temporary President.
How to crack it
The Constituent Assembly was mainly formed through indirect election by Provincial Legislative Assemblies, not by direct election or party nomination.