Q70. Which military operation led to the integration of Hyderabad into the Indian Union?
[DSSSB MTS, 1 May 2026, Shift 2]
(A) Operation Vijay
(B) Operation Polo
(C) Operation Meghdoot
(D) Operation Pawan
Answer: (B) Operation Polo
Explanation: Operation Polo was launched in September 1948 after negotiations with Hyderabad’s Nizam failed to resolve its political status. Indian military intervention ended the Nizam’s resistance, bringing Hyderabad under Indian control. The operation became an important milestone in the integration of princely states.
Q69. Which constitutional features can be most directly connected with the experiences of Partition?
1. Single citizenship
2. Freedom of religion under Articles 25–28
3. Indirect election of the President
4. Financial Emergency provisions
[MP Police SI, 21 January 2026, Shift 2]
(A) 2 and 4 only
(B) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(C) 1, 2 and 3 only
(D) 1 and 2 only
Answer: (D) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Partition highlighted the importance of national unity and religious protection. Single citizenship reinforced common political membership, while freedom of religion provided constitutional safeguards. The Presidential electoral system and Financial Emergency provisions were not principally designed as responses to Partition.
Q68. The Constituent Assembly of India was formed according to the proposals of which mission?
[MP Police SI, 17 January 2026, Shift 2]
(A) Mountbatten Plan
(B) Cripps Mission
(C) Cabinet Mission
(D) C. Rajagopalachari Formula
Answer: (C) Cabinet Mission
Explanation: The Cabinet Mission of 1946 recommended the establishment and composition of India’s Constituent Assembly. Its proposals provided for indirect elections from provincial legislatures and representation of princely states. The Assembly first met in December 1946, before the final decision to partition British India.
Q67. What was the primary purpose of the Cabinet Mission of 1946?
[MP Police SI, 16 January 2026, Shift 1]
(A) To formulate arrangements for transferring power to Indians
(B) To announce the final independence date
(C) To implement the Partition of India
(D) To partition Bengal administratively
Answer: (A) To formulate arrangements for transferring power to Indians
Explanation: The Cabinet Mission attempted to devise a constitutional settlement enabling British withdrawal while preserving Indian unity. It proposed a limited central government, provincial groupings and a Constituent Assembly. Disagreements between Congress and the Muslim League ultimately undermined its proposed arrangement.
Q66. Which of the following was a central feature of the Mountbatten Plan of 3 June 1947?
[Delhi Police Constable (Executive), 6 January 2026, Shift 2]
(A) Rejection of Partition
(B) Dominion status for India and Pakistan
(C) Immediate abolition of Indian Civil Services
(D) Complete rejection of provincial referendums
Answer: (B) Dominion status for India and Pakistan
Explanation: The Mountbatten Plan proposed the transfer of power to two separate dominions. It also provided procedures for determining the future of Punjab, Bengal, the North-West Frontier Province and Sylhet. The plan received acceptance from major political leadership groups and guided the Independence Act.
Q65. Who advocated the proposal for a United Sovereign Bengal in 1947?
[UGC NET Political Science, 6 January 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Chittaranjan Das
(B) Abul Hashim
(C) Bhulabhai Desai
(D) Sikandar Hayat Khan
Answer: (B) Abul Hashim
Explanation: Abul Hashim supported the proposal for an independent, undivided Bengal in 1947. H. S. Suhrawardy and Sarat Chandra Bose were also associated with proposals for a united Bengal. The initiative failed amid political opposition and disagreement over Bengal’s constitutional future.
Q64. Who played the leading role in integrating princely states into the Indian Union after 1947?
[Delhi Police Constable (Executive), 2 January 2026, Shift 3]
(A) Jawaharlal Nehru
(B) B. R. Ambedkar
(C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(D) C. Rajagopalachari
Answer: (C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Explanation: Sardar Patel, assisted particularly by V. P. Menon, led negotiations to integrate hundreds of princely states into India. Instruments of Accession helped secure their participation. Hyderabad, Junagadh and Jammu and Kashmir presented particularly complex political and security challenges during the transition.
Q63. Which provision of the Indian Independence Act, 1947, concerned the political future of princely states?
[SSC CPO, 11 December 2025, Shift 1]
(A) Mandatory accession to India or Pakistan based on geographical location
(B) Lapse of British paramountcy, leaving rulers to decide their states’ political future
(C) Continuation of British paramountcy indefinitely
(D) Automatic conversion of every princely state into a British province
Answer: (B) Lapse of British paramountcy, leaving rulers to decide their states’ political future
Explanation: Section 7 of the Act terminated British suzerainty and treaty obligations over princely states. Accession was not automatically compulsory under the Act. Indian leaders consequently undertook extensive negotiations to persuade rulers to join the new dominions and prevent political fragmentation.
Q62. Which statement provides the most balanced assessment of the political and social consequences of India’s Partition?
[SSC CPO, 10 December 2025, Shift 2]
(A) Partition was universally welcomed and immediately ended communal violence.
(B) Partition was supported as a political settlement by the Muslim League but resulted in extensive displacement, violence and lasting tensions.
(C) Partition occurred without consultation with Indian political leaders.
(D) Partition had no important economic or social consequences.
Answer: (B) Partition was supported as a political settlement by the Muslim League but resulted in extensive displacement, violence and lasting tensions.
Explanation: The Muslim League advocated Pakistan as a political safeguard for Muslim interests. Congress eventually accepted Partition despite longstanding opposition. The division produced immense humanitarian suffering, population movements, economic disruption and continuing disputes between the two successor states.
Q61. The passage of the Indian Independence Act, 1947, directly resulted in which development?
[SSC JE Civil Engineering, 5 December 2025, Shift 2]
(A) Immediate integration of all princely states
(B) Establishment of an undivided Indian republic
(C) Partition of British India into India and Pakistan
(D) Continuation of British colonial government
Answer: (C) Partition of British India into India and Pakistan
Explanation: The Act provided for two independent dominions from 15 August 1947. It established a legal basis for dividing British Indian territories and transferring legislative power. Integration of princely states remained a separate political challenge requiring further agreements and action.
