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Indian PolityHardAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2021, Paper I

Who among the following warned his colleagues that the Constituent Assembly was British made and was "working the British plan as the British should like it to be worked out"?

  1. A.Somnath Lahiri
  2. B.B. R. Ambedkar
  3. C.Shyama Prasad Mukherjee
  4. D.B. N. Rau

Correct answer

A. Somnath Lahiri

Explanation

The correct answer is A, Somnath Lahiri. The Communist member from Bengal attacked the Constituent Assembly as a body created under the British Cabinet Mission Plan.

The Constituent Assembly was set up in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan, and its members were elected indirectly by the provincial assemblies, not by universal adult franchise. Somnath Lahiri, the lone Communist Party member in the Assembly, argued that it was a British-made body working within limits drawn by the British. Historians quote his remark when discussing the criticism that the Assembly was not truly sovereign or representative. The Assembly met first on 9 December 1946 and became sovereign after the Indian Independence Act of 1947.

B is wrong: B. R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee and defended the Assembly's work.

C is wrong: Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was a member from Bengal for the Hindu Mahasabha, but the remark is not his.

D is wrong: B. N. Rau was the Constitutional Adviser who prepared the first draft; he was not even a member.

Exam tip: Constituent Assembly critics: Somnath Lahiri ("British made"), Winston Churchill ("one community"); Adviser B. N. Rau, Drafting chairman Ambedkar.

Practice Questions

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Q2.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2020, Paper IMedium

Which of the following is/are correct in relation to the Panchayats?

1. Only the Parliament may endow Panchayats with powers and authority.

2. A State may devolve powers to Panchayats in preparation of plans for economic development and social justice.

3. A State may devolve powers to Panchayats in implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.1 and 3
  3. C.2 and 3
  4. D.3 only
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 2 and 3

Under Article 243G, it is the Legislature of a State, not Parliament, that may by law give Panchayats powers to prepare plans and to carry out schemes for economic development and social justice.

Q3.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2018, Paper IMedium

Which one of the following Committees of the Parliament has no Members from the Rajya Sabha?

  1. A.Public Accounts Committee
  2. B.Committee on Public Undertakings
  3. C.Estimates Committee
  4. D.Departmentally Related Standing Committee (DRSC) on Finance
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Estimates Committee

All 30 members of the Estimates Committee are elected by the Lok Sabha from among its own members; the Rajya Sabha has no place on it.

Q4.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in India :

1. Provisions regarding the administration of the Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are given in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

2. Some tribes of India are entitled to exemption from paying Income Tax on certain incomes.

3. The Constitution of India provides for reservation of seats in Panchayats for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct ?

  1. A.There are two correct statements, that include statement 2.
  2. B.There are two correct statements, that are statements 1 and 3.
  3. C.There is only one correct statement.
  4. D.All three statements are correct.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. There are two correct statements, that include statement 2.

Statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 confuses the Fifth Schedule with the Sixth. The tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are governed under the Sixth Schedule (Articles 244(2) and 275(1)), which sets up autonomous district councils.

Q5.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

Democracy's superior virtue lies in the fact that it calls into activity

  1. A.the intelligence and character of ordinary men and women.
  2. B.the methods for strengthening executive leadership.
  3. C.a superior individual with dynamism and vision.
  4. D.a band of dedicated party workers.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. the intelligence and character of ordinary men and women.

Democracy rests on the idea that ordinary citizens are capable of judging public matters and taking part in their own government.