How did the Partition of India influence the debate on the powers of the Centre in the Constituent Assembly? 1. It led most nationalists to change their earlier position favoring decentralization. 2. The violence convinced leaders that a weak Centre was necessary to prevent authoritarianism. 3. It reinforced the argument for a strong Centre within a federal framework. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 1 and 3 only. Explanation The debate on the nature of the Indian federation in the Constituent Assembly was heavily influenced by the political reality of the time. Initially, under the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946), the Congress had accepted a federal structure with a weak Centre and autonomous provinces to accommodate the Muslim League and prevent the partition of India. However, the announcement of the Partition (Mountbatten Plan, June 1947) fundamentally altered this perspective. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct. Prior to the Partition, the Congress leadership had reluctantly agreed to a decentralized structure with limited powers for the Centre (Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Communications) to preserve the unity of India. Once Partition became a reality, the political compulsion to appease the Muslim League disappeared. Consequently, most nationalists shifted their stance, arguing that a centralized system was now feasible and necessary for national consolidation. - Statement 2 is Incorrect. The communal violence and chaos accompanying the Partition did not advocate for a weak Centre; rather, it had the opposite effect. The breakdown of law and order convinced the leaders that a weak central authority would be incapable of maintaining peace or preventing anarchy. They concluded that only a strong Centre could effectively curb communal violence and administrative disorder. - Statement 3 is Correct. The trauma of Partition, combined with the challenge of integrating princely states, reinforced the argument for a strong Centre. Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and B.R. Ambedkar argued that a strong Centre was essential to prevent fissiparous tendencies, ensure economic planning, and maintain the unity and integrity of the newly independent nation. This led to a federal structure with a strong unitary bias. Key Takeaway The Partition of India removed the political necessity of a weak Centre (intended to keep the Muslim League in a united India) and highlighted the dangers of instability, leading the Constituent Assembly to opt for a strong Centre within the federal framework.

NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 4: Framing the Constitution - The Beginning of a New Era

mcqmedium

How did the Partition of India influence the debate on the powers of the Centre in the Constituent Assembly?

It led most nationalists to change their earlier position favoring decentralization.
The violence convinced leaders that a weak Centre was necessary to prevent authoritarianism.
It reinforced the argument for a strong Centre within a federal framework.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B1 and 3 only
C2 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

The debate on the nature of the Indian federation in the Constituent Assembly was heavily influenced by the political reality of the time. Initially, under the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946), the Congress had accepted a federal structure with a weak Centre and autonomous provinces to accommodate the Muslim League and prevent the partition of India. However, the announcement of the Partition (Mountbatten Plan, June 1947) fundamentally altered this perspective.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct. Prior to the Partition, the Congress leadership had reluctantly agreed to a decentralized structure with limited powers for the Centre (Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Communications) to preserve the unity of India. Once Partition became a reality, the political compulsion to appease the Muslim League disappeared. Consequently, most nationalists shifted their stance, arguing that a centralized system was now feasible and necessary for national consolidation.
Statement 2 is Incorrect. The communal violence and chaos accompanying the Partition did not advocate for a weak Centre; rather, it had the opposite effect. The breakdown of law and order convinced the leaders that a weak central authority would be incapable of maintaining peace or preventing anarchy. They concluded that only a strong Centre could effectively curb communal violence and administrative disorder.
Statement 3 is Correct. The trauma of Partition, combined with the challenge of integrating princely states, reinforced the argument for a strong Centre. Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and B.R. Ambedkar argued that a strong Centre was essential to prevent fissiparous tendencies, ensure economic planning, and maintain the unity and integrity of the newly independent nation. This led to a federal structure with a strong unitary bias.

Key Takeaway

The Partition of India removed the political necessity of a weak Centre (intended to keep the Muslim League in a united India) and highlighted the dangers of instability, leading the Constituent Assembly to opt for a strong Centre within the federal framework.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: Framing the Constitution - The Beginning of a New Era

With reference to the "Objectives Resolution" introduced in the Constituent Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. It was moved by Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 December 1946. 2. It proclaimed India to be an "Independent Sovereign Republic". 3. It promised adequate safeguards for minorities, backward and tribal areas, and depressed classes. 4. It explicitly declared that India would follow the American model of democracy. How many of the statements given above are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the composition and nature of the Constituent Assembly of India: 1. The members were elected on the basis of universal adult franchise. 2. The Muslim League chose to boycott the Assembly to press for a separate Pakistan. 3. Initially, the Socialists kept away from the Assembly, believing it was a British creation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the debates on separate electorates in the Constituent Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. B. Pocker Bahadur argued that separate electorates were necessary to ensure Muslims had a meaningful voice. 2. Govind Ballabh Pant supported separate electorates as a mechanism to integrate minorities into the nation. 3. Sardar Patel argued that separate electorates were the only way to ensure minority representation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the language controversy in the Constituent Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. Mahatma Gandhi advocated for Hindustani as the national language. 2. R.V. Dhulekar argued that English should be the sole language of constitution-making. 3. The Language Committee decided that English would continue to be used for official purposes for fifteen years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which of the following events occurred during the years immediately preceding the making of the Constitution 1945-1947? 1. The Rising of the ratings of the Royal Indian Navy occurred in 1942. 2. The Great Calcutta Killings. 3. The Workers' movements and strikes in various cities. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

medium

Keep practising Chapter 4: Framing the Constitution - The Beginning of a New Era

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 12 History chapters

The correct option is 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct. Prior to the Partition, the Congress leadership had reluctantly agreed to a decentralized structure with limited powers for the Centre (Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Communications) to preserve the unity of India. Once Partition became a reality, the political compulsion to appease the Muslim League disappeared. Consequently, most nationalists shifted their stance, arguing that a centralized system was now feasible and necessary for national consolidation.
Statement 2 is Incorrect. The communal violence and chaos accompanying the Partition did not advocate for a weak Centre; rather, it had the opposite effect. The breakdown of law and order convinced the leaders that a weak central authority would be incapable of maintaining peace or preventing anarchy. They concluded that only a strong Centre could effectively curb communal violence and administrative disorder.
Statement 3 is Correct. The trauma of Partition, combined with the challenge of integrating princely states, reinforced the argument for a strong Centre. Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and B.R. Ambedkar argued that a strong Centre was essential to prevent fissiparous tendencies, ensure economic planning, and maintain the unity and integrity of the newly independent nation. This led to a federal structure with a strong unitary bias.