Consider the following statements regarding the context in which the Indian Constitution was drawn up: 1. The country was born through a partition on the basis of religious differences. 2. The British mandated that all princely states must merge with the Dominion of India. 3. The makers of the constitution were anxious about the security and future of the country. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only. Explanation The Indian Constitution was drafted during a tumultuous period marked by the partition of the subcontinent and the transfer of power. The legal framework for this transition was provided by the Indian Independence Act, 1947, which addressed the partition and the status of Princely States. - Statement 1 is Correct: The partition of British India was executed primarily on the basis of religious demographics. The country was divided into two dominions, India and Pakistan, leading to widespread communal violence and one of the largest mass migrations in human history. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Indian Independence Act, 1947, declared the lapse of British paramountcy over the Princely States. It did not mandate that all states must merge with the Dominion of India. Instead, the Princely States were legally granted the freedom to accede to either the Dominion of India or the Dominion of Pakistan, or to remain independent. - Statement 3 is Correct: The makers of the Constitution faced immense challenges, including the integration of over 500 Princely States, communal riots, and the refugee crisis. Consequently, there was significant anxiety regarding the security, unity, and integrity of the nascent nation, which influenced the inclusion of strong centralizing features in the Constitution. Key Takeaway: The Indian Independence Act, 1947, gave Princely States the option to join India or Pakistan or remain independent; it did not make accession to India mandatory.

NCERT Class 9 Political Science — Chapter 2: Constitutional design

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements regarding the context in which the Indian Constitution was drawn up:

The country was born through a partition on the basis of religious differences.
The British mandated that all princely states must merge with the Dominion of India.
The makers of the constitution were anxious about the security and future of the country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

The Indian Constitution was drafted during a tumultuous period marked by the partition of the subcontinent and the transfer of power. The legal framework for this transition was provided by the Indian Independence Act, 1947, which addressed the partition and the status of Princely States.

Statement 1 is Correct: The partition of British India was executed primarily on the basis of religious demographics. The country was divided into two dominions, India and Pakistan, leading to widespread communal violence and one of the largest mass migrations in human history.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Indian Independence Act, 1947, declared the lapse of British paramountcy over the Princely States. It did not mandate that all states must merge with the Dominion of India. Instead, the Princely States were legally granted the freedom to accede to either the Dominion of India or the Dominion of Pakistan, or to remain independent.
Statement 3 is Correct: The makers of the Constitution faced immense challenges, including the integration of over 500 Princely States, communal riots, and the refugee crisis. Consequently, there was significant anxiety regarding the security, unity, and integrity of the nascent nation, which influenced the inclusion of strong centralizing features in the Constitution.

Key Takeaway: The Indian Independence Act, 1947, gave Princely States the option to join India or Pakistan or remain independent; it did not make accession to India mandatory.

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?

medium

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:

medium

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

medium

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?

medium

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?

medium

Keep practising Chapter 2: Constitutional design

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 9 Political Science chapters

The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

Statement 1 is Correct: The partition of British India was executed primarily on the basis of religious demographics. The country was divided into two dominions, India and Pakistan, leading to widespread communal violence and one of the largest mass migrations in human history.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Indian Independence Act, 1947, declared the lapse of British paramountcy over the Princely States. It did not mandate that all states must merge with the Dominion of India. Instead, the Princely States were legally granted the freedom to accede to either the Dominion of India or the Dominion of Pakistan, or to remain independent.
Statement 3 is Correct: The makers of the Constitution faced immense challenges, including the integration of over 500 Princely States, communal riots, and the refugee crisis. Consequently, there was significant anxiety regarding the security, unity, and integrity of the nascent nation, which influenced the inclusion of strong centralizing features in the Constitution.

Key Takeaway: The Indian Independence Act, 1947, gave Princely States the option to join India or Pakistan or remain independent; it did not make accession to India mandatory.