Consider the following statements about the "Constituent Assembly": 1. It was elected directly by the people of India. 2. It ensured a fair geographical share of members from all regions. 3. It was a sovereign body representing the sovereign people of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only. Explanation The Constituent Assembly of India was constituted in November 1946 under the scheme formulated by the Cabinet Mission Plan. Its status and powers were significantly altered by the Indian Independence Act, 1947, which transformed it into a fully sovereign body. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Constituent Assembly was not directly elected by the people of India on the basis of adult franchise. Its members were elected indirectly by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies, who themselves were elected on a limited franchise. - Statement 2 is Correct. The allocation of seats in the Constituent Assembly was designed to ensure fair geographical representation. Seats were allotted to the British Indian Provinces and Princely States in proportion to their respective populations, roughly in the ratio of one seat for every million people. This ensured that all regions were represented according to their demographic weight. - Statement 3 is Correct. While the Assembly was initially constituted under the limitations of the Cabinet Mission Plan, the Indian Independence Act, 1947 made it a fully sovereign body. It was empowered to frame any Constitution it pleased and to abrogate or alter any law made by the British Parliament in relation to India. Key Takeaway: The Constituent Assembly was a partly elected (indirectly) and partly nominated body that became fully sovereign only after the enactment of the Indian Independence Act, 1947.

NCERT Class 9 Political Science — Chapter 2: Constitutional design

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Consider the following statements about the "Constituent Assembly":

It was elected directly by the people of India.
It ensured a fair geographical share of members from all regions.
It was a sovereign body representing the sovereign people of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

The Constituent Assembly of India was constituted in November 1946 under the scheme formulated by the Cabinet Mission Plan. Its status and powers were significantly altered by the Indian Independence Act, 1947, which transformed it into a fully sovereign body.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Constituent Assembly was not directly elected by the people of India on the basis of adult franchise. Its members were elected indirectly by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies, who themselves were elected on a limited franchise.
Statement 2 is Correct. The allocation of seats in the Constituent Assembly was designed to ensure fair geographical representation. Seats were allotted to the British Indian Provinces and Princely States in proportion to their respective populations, roughly in the ratio of one seat for every million people. This ensured that all regions were represented according to their demographic weight.
Statement 3 is Correct. While the Assembly was initially constituted under the limitations of the Cabinet Mission Plan, the Indian Independence Act, 1947 made it a fully sovereign body. It was empowered to frame any Constitution it pleased and to abrogate or alter any law made by the British Parliament in relation to India.

Key Takeaway:
The Constituent Assembly was a partly elected (indirectly) and partly nominated body that became fully sovereign only after the enactment of the Indian Independence Act, 1947.

Your note

More from Chapter 2: Constitutional design

Consider the following statements regarding the relationship between democracy and constitutions: 1. All countries that have a constitution are necessarily democratic. 2. All countries that are democratic will have a constitution. 3. The practice of having a written constitution became common only after the Russian Revolution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The "supreme law" of a country that determines the relationship among people living in a territory and also the relationship between the people and government is known as:

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What was the total membership of the Constituent Assembly of India immediately following the partition?

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Consider the following statements about the working of the Constituent Assembly: 1. The Drafting Committee was chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad. 2. The members deliberated for 114 days spread over three years. 3. More than two thousand amendments were considered during the drafting process. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements about the preamble of the US Constitution: 1. It begins with the phrase "We, the States of the United States". 2. It aims to form a "more perfect union". 3. It explicitly mentions "Justice" and "Liberty" as core values. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Keep practising Chapter 2: Constitutional design

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The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The Constituent Assembly was not directly elected by the people of India on the basis of adult franchise. Its members were elected indirectly by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies, who themselves were elected on a limited franchise.
Statement 2 is Correct. The allocation of seats in the Constituent Assembly was designed to ensure fair geographical representation. Seats were allotted to the British Indian Provinces and Princely States in proportion to their respective populations, roughly in the ratio of one seat for every million people. This ensured that all regions were represented according to their demographic weight.
Statement 3 is Correct. While the Assembly was initially constituted under the limitations of the Cabinet Mission Plan, the Indian Independence Act, 1947 made it a fully sovereign body. It was empowered to frame any Constitution it pleased and to abrogate or alter any law made by the British Parliament in relation to India.

Key Takeaway:
The Constituent Assembly was a partly elected (indirectly) and partly nominated body that became fully sovereign only after the enactment of the Indian Independence Act, 1947.