CUET UG History Booster Test 2 - Powers and Language
📌 Answers are locked once submitted — results and explanations appear at the end.
QUESTION 1 OF 20
How did the historical context of the Partition influence the nature of the Union system adopted in the Constitution?
QUESTION 2 OF 20
Statement 1: Under the Government of India Act of 1935, the executive was almost entirely responsible to the provincial legislature.
Statement 2: The legislatures elected under the 1935 Act operated independently and outside the framework of colonial rule.
QUESTION 3 OF 20
Match the following items to their respective jurisdictions based on the fiscal federalism of the Draft Constitution:
| List 1 | List 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. Minerals and key industries | a. Exclusively under Union control |
| 2. Land and property taxes | b. Levied and collected by the states |
| 3. Customs duties | c. Retained wholly by the Centre |
| 4. Estate duties | d. Assigned wholly to the states |
QUESTION 4 OF 20
Which of the following is an INCORRECT statement regarding the powers of the states?
QUESTION 5 OF 20
Arrange the following lists based on the level of autonomy provinces had over them, from most exclusive provincial control to the least:
1. Union List
2. State List
3. Concurrent List
QUESTION 6 OF 20
The Draft Constitution placed ______ items on the Concurrent list than desired by the provinces, demonstrating a shift towards centralized power.
QUESTION 7 OF 20
Assertion (A): B.R. Ambedkar wanted a much stronger Centre than the one created under the Government of India Act of 1935.
Reason (R): He believed a weak centre was necessary to satisfy the autonomy demands of the princely states.
QUESTION 8 OF 20
According to Balakrishna Sharma, what were the practical applications of having a strong centre?
QUESTION 9 OF 20
Why had the Congress agreed to grant considerable autonomy to the provinces before Partition?
QUESTION 10 OF 20
What was K. Santhanam's warning if the proposed distribution of financial powers was adopted without further scrutiny?
QUESTION 11 OF 20
How did the Constitution mandate the handling of income tax and excise duties?
QUESTION 12 OF 20
Which of the following taxes was levied and collected independently by the states?
QUESTION 13 OF 20
Assertion (A): Article 356 was a constitutional provision that strengthened the federal structure by permanently guaranteeing state autonomy.
Reason (R): It allowed the Centre to take over a state administration on the recommendation of the Governor.
QUESTION 14 OF 20
Which argument did Sir A. Ramaswamy Mudaliar make regarding those who advocated a more vigorous examination of state resources?
QUESTION 15 OF 20
How did K. Santhanam conceptually believe the Centre could actually be made stronger?
QUESTION 16 OF 20
Which of the following members warned that "the Centre is likely to break" because powers had been excessively centralised?
QUESTION 17 OF 20
QUESTION 18 OF 20
QUESTION 19 OF 20
As communal conflicts deepened in India from the end of the nineteenth century, how did this impact the Hindustani language?
QUESTION 20 OF 20
To resolve the language deadlock, what compromise did the Language Committee of the Constituent Assembly propose?
Test Complete!
Answer Review
1 How did the historical context of the Partition influence the nature of the Union system adopted in the Constitution?
�� Partition created instability and insecurity. �� Leaders wanted national unity and order. �� A stronger Centre was seen as necessary.
- The violence and uncertainty following Partition convinced many nationalists that India required a strong central government. A powerful Centre could maintain unity, prevent disorder, coordinate economic planning, and defend the country. → Therefore, Option B is correct.
- �� Option A → Partition encouraged centralization, not complete decentralization.
- �� Option C → The Concurrent List was retained.
- �� Option D → Provinces were not granted absolute autonomy.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching
Application:
- �� Connect Partition with the demand for stronger national authority.
Final Logic:
- �� Partition strengthened the case for centralization.
"Partition → Powerful Centre"
2 Statement 1: Under the Government of India Act of 1935, the executive was almost entirely responsible to the provincial legislature.
Statement 2: The legislatures elected under the 1935 Act operated independently and outside the framework of colonial rule.
�� Provincial autonomy increased under the 1935 Act. �� Colonial authority still remained. �� Legislatures were not fully independent.
- Statement 1 is correct because the Government of India Act, 1935 introduced provincial autonomy and made provincial executives largely responsible to elected legislatures. → Statement 2 is incorrect because these legislatures still functioned within the colonial framework and under British authority. → Hence Option C is correct.
- �� Option A → Statement 2 is incorrect.
- �� Option B → Statement 1 is correct.
- �� Option D → Statement 1 is not incorrect.
Used: Elimination
Application:
- �� Evaluate each statement separately.
Final Logic:
- �� One statement true, one statement false.
"1935 = Autonomy, Not Independence"
3 Match the following items to their respective jurisdictions based on the fiscal federalism of the Draft Constitution:
| List 1 | List 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. Minerals and key industries | a. Exclusively under Union control |
| 2. Land and property taxes | b. Levied and collected by the states |
| 3. Customs duties | c. Retained wholly by the Centre |
| 4. Estate duties | d. Assigned wholly to the states |
�� Strategic sectors belonged to the Union. �� Property taxes belonged to states. �� Customs revenue remained with the Centre.
- Correct matching: • Minerals and key industries → Exclusively under Union control (a) • Land and property taxes → Levied and collected by states (b) • Customs duties → Retained wholly by Centre (c) • Estate duties → Assigned wholly to states (d) → Therefore, Option D is correct.
- �� Option A → Multiple incorrect pairings.
- �� Option B → Land taxes were not under Union control.
- �� Option C → Minerals were not assigned wholly to states.
Used: Option Grouping
Application:
- �� Match each item with its constitutional jurisdiction.
Final Logic:
- �� Only Option D correctly matches all four.
"Minerals-Union, Land-State, Customs-Centre"
4 Which of the following is an INCORRECT statement regarding the powers of the states?
�� Customs duties belonged to the Centre. �� States controlled certain local taxes. �� Revenue distribution was debated.
- Customs duties were exclusively controlled by the Centre and their proceeds were retained by the Union Government. → States could levy land taxes and taxes on bottled liquor. → Hence Option A is the incorrect statement.
- �� Option B → Correctly describes a state taxation power.
- �� Option C → Property and land taxes belonged to states.
- �� Option D → Reflects Santhanam's criticism accurately.
Used: Odd One Out
Application:
- �� Identify the option inconsistent with fiscal federalism.
Final Logic:
- �� Customs duties were not a state power.
"Customs = Centre Only"
5 Arrange the following lists based on the level of autonomy provinces had over them, from most exclusive provincial control to the least:
1. Union List
2. State List
3. Concurrent List
�� State List gave maximum provincial control. �� Concurrent List involved sharing. �� Union List gave least provincial authority.
- State List subjects were exclusively controlled by states. → Concurrent List subjects were shared between Centre and states. → Union List subjects were controlled by the Centre. → Therefore, the correct sequence is 2 → 3 → 1.
- �� Option B → Places Union List first incorrectly.
- �� Option C → Concurrent List is not more autonomous than State List.
- �� Option D → Union List provides less autonomy than Concurrent List.
Used: Option Grouping
Application:
- �� Rank the lists by degree of state control.
Final Logic:
- �� State > Concurrent > Union.
"State First, Shared Next, Union Last"
6 The Draft Constitution placed ______ items on the Concurrent list than desired by the provinces, demonstrating a shift towards centralized power.
�� Provinces wanted greater autonomy. �� More subjects were shared with the Centre. �� Central influence increased.
- Provincial leaders believed that too many subjects had been included in the Concurrent List. This expanded the Centre's role and reduced provincial autonomy. → Hence Option C is correct.
- �� Option A → The Constitution increased, not reduced, Concurrent subjects.
- �� Option B → The number was not identical to provincial expectations.
- �� Option D → "Marginal" does not fit the sentence.
Used: Substitution
Application:
- �� Insert each option and evaluate historical accuracy.
Final Logic:
- �� More items strengthened central authority.
"More Concurrent = More Centre"
7 Assertion (A): B.R. Ambedkar wanted a much stronger Centre than the one created under the Government of India Act of 1935.
Reason (R): He believed a weak centre was necessary to satisfy the autonomy demands of the princely states.
�� Ambedkar supported a strong Centre. �� He opposed excessive fragmentation. �� The Reason contradicts his position.
- Ambedkar argued for a stronger Centre than existed under the 1935 Act. → However, he did not advocate a weak Centre to satisfy princely states. Instead, he favored a powerful Union for national unity and stability. → Therefore, Option C is correct.
- �� Option A → Reason is false.
- �� Option B → Reason is false.
- �� Option D → Assertion is true.
Used: Elimination
Application:
- �� Verify Assertion and Reason separately.
Final Logic:
- �� Assertion true, Reason false.
"Ambedkar = Strong Union"
8 According to Balakrishna Sharma, what were the practical applications of having a strong centre?
�� Strong Centre aided development. �� National resources could be coordinated. �� Defence required central authority.
- Balakrishna Sharma argued that a strong Centre could effectively plan economic development, mobilize resources, and protect India from external threats. → Thus Option D is correct.
- �� Option A → Strong Centre does not imply separate constitutions.
- �� Option B → Separate electorates were unrelated.
- �� Option C → Defence still required a national army.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching
Application:
- �� Link strong central authority with national planning and defence.
Final Logic:
- �� Development and security require a strong Centre.
"Strong Centre = Plan + Protect"
9 Why had the Congress agreed to grant considerable autonomy to the provinces before Partition?
�� Congress sought political compromise. �� Muslim League concerns influenced policy. �� Provincial autonomy was a reassurance measure.
- Before Partition, Congress accepted significant provincial autonomy partly to reassure the Muslim League that provinces under its influence would not face excessive central interference. → Therefore, Option B is correct.
- �� Option A → The decision was not solely because of British demands.
- �� Option C → Gandhi's views were not the main reason here.
- �� Option D → Princely states were not the central factor.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching
Application:
- �� Connect autonomy debates with pre-Partition politics.
Final Logic:
- �� Provincial autonomy helped reassure the Muslim League.
"Autonomy to Reassure League"
10 What was K. Santhanam's warning if the proposed distribution of financial powers was adopted without further scrutiny?
�� Santhanam criticized fiscal centralization. �� States needed adequate resources. �� Excessive concentration could create unrest.
- K. Santhanam warned that if the Centre retained excessive financial powers and states remained weak, provincial dissatisfaction would increase and could eventually lead to revolt against the Centre. → Hence Option C is correct.
- �� Option A → Bankruptcy was not his warning.
- �� Option B → Foreign invasion was unrelated.
- �� Option D → He did not advocate abolishing the Concurrent List.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching
Application:
- �� Recall Santhanam's concerns regarding fiscal imbalance.
Final Logic:
- �� Financial weakness of states could provoke resistance.
"Weak States = Revolt Warning"
11 How did the Constitution mandate the handling of income tax and excise duties?
�� Fiscal federalism required revenue sharing. �� States needed financial support. �� Income tax and excise duties were shared taxes.
- The Constitution adopted a system where certain major taxes, including income tax and excise duties, were collected by the Centre and a share of the proceeds was distributed to the states. → This arrangement balanced national financial strength with state requirements. → Therefore, Option D is correct.
- �� Option A → These taxes were not assigned wholly to states.
- �� Option B → The Centre did not retain all proceeds.
- �� Option C → These taxes were not directly levied and collected by states.
Used: Elimination
Application:
- �� Remove options that contradict revenue-sharing provisions.
Final Logic:
- �� Income tax and excise duties were shared between Centre and states.
"Income + Excise = Shared Revenue"
12 Which of the following taxes was levied and collected independently by the states?
�� States retained certain revenue sources. �� Sales tax and liquor tax were important state taxes. �� These strengthened state finances.
- The Constitution allowed states to levy and collect taxes such as sales tax and taxes on bottled liquor. → These sources helped provide financial independence to state governments. → Therefore, Option A is correct.
- �� Option B → Estate duties were not independently collected by states in this context.
- �� Option C → Income tax was collected by the Centre and shared.
- �� Option D → Company taxes were retained by the Centre.
Used: Recall-Based Elimination
Application:
- �� Identify taxes specifically assigned to states.
Final Logic:
- �� Sales tax and liquor tax were state-controlled revenues.
"Sales + Liquor = State Treasury"
13 Assertion (A): Article 356 was a constitutional provision that strengthened the federal structure by permanently guaranteeing state autonomy.
Reason (R): It allowed the Centre to take over a state administration on the recommendation of the Governor.
�� Article 356 increased Central power. �� It did not permanently guarantee autonomy. �� Governor's recommendation could trigger intervention.
- Assertion is false because Article 356 empowered the Centre to intervene in state administration during constitutional breakdown. → Reason is true because the Centre could take over a state's administration on the recommendation of the Governor. → Hence Option C is correct.
- �� Option A → Assertion is false.
- �� Option B → Assertion is false.
- �� Option D → Reason is true.
Used: Elimination
Application:
- �� Verify the truth of both Assertion and Reason separately.
Final Logic:
- �� Assertion false, Reason true.
"356 = Central Intervention"
14 Which argument did Sir A. Ramaswamy Mudaliar make regarding those who advocated a more vigorous examination of state resources?
�� Debate existed over Centre-State powers. �� Differences did not imply disloyalty. �� Diverse views were accepted in the Assembly.
- Sir A. Ramaswamy Mudaliar argued that members demanding a careful examination of state resources were not lacking in patriotism. → He believed legitimate constitutional disagreements should not be equated with weak national commitment. → Therefore, Option D is correct.
- �� Option A → He did not accuse them of breaking the nation.
- �� Option B → He did not connect them with imperialism.
- �� Option C → He did not claim they were superior patriots.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching
Application:
- �� Understand the moderate and conciliatory tone of the debate.
Final Logic:
- �� Constitutional criticism was not anti-national.
"Debate ≠ Disloyalty"
15 How did K. Santhanam conceptually believe the Centre could actually be made stronger?
�� Santhanam favored efficient federalism. �� States should handle local matters. �� A focused Centre would become stronger.
- Santhanam argued that overburdening the Centre with too many functions could weaken it. → He believed transferring suitable responsibilities to states would allow the Centre to concentrate on national priorities and become stronger. → Hence Option A is correct.
- �� Option B → This was the opposite of Santhanam's argument.
- �� Option C → He did not advocate abolishing the State List.
- �� Option D → He did not support a completely unitary system.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching
Application:
- �� Identify Santhanam's federalist perspective.
Final Logic:
- �� Strong states can contribute to a stronger Centre.
"Less Burden, Stronger Centre"
16 Which of the following members warned that "the Centre is likely to break" because powers had been excessively centralised?
�� Some members feared over-centralisation. �� Excessive concentration could weaken governance. �� An Orissa member voiced this concern.
- During debates, a member from Orissa warned that excessive centralization could overburden the Centre and eventually cause it to weaken or "break." → This reflected concerns about maintaining a balance between national and provincial powers. → Therefore, Option B is correct.
- �� Option A → Nehru generally favored a stronger Centre.
- �� Option C → Pant supported national integration through a strong Centre.
- �� Option D → Begum Aizaas Rasul is not associated with this statement.
Used: Elimination
Application:
- �� Remove leaders known for supporting strong central authority.
Final Logic:
- �� The quotation belongs to a member from Orissa.
"Orissa Warning: Centre May Break"
17
�� Durgabai represented non-Hindi concerns. �� She highlighted linguistic anxieties. �� She supported cultural inclusiveness.
- Shrimati G. Durgabai expressed concerns that non-Hindi-speaking regions felt marginalized by aggressive promotion of Hindi. → The passage reflects her warning about protecting India's composite culture. → Therefore, Option C is correct.
- �� Option A → Dhulekar strongly promoted Hindi.
- �� Option B → This statement is not attributed to Shankarrao Deo.
- �� Option D → Although concerned about language issues, this quotation belongs to Durgabai.
Used: Recall-Based Elimination
Application:
- �� Associate the quotation with a leader from a non-Hindi-speaking region.
Final Logic:
- �� The speech is identified with G. Durgabai.
"Durgabai = Non-Hindi Concerns"
18
�� The passage discusses linguistic fears. �� Non-Hindi speakers felt excluded. �� Composite culture was a key concern.
- The speaker directly states that non-Hindi-speaking people feared efforts were being made to prevent the influence of other major Indian languages on the country's composite culture. → Therefore, Option D is correct.
- �� Option A → English is not mentioned in the passage.
- �� Option B → The passage does not discuss replacement of mother tongues.
- �� Option C → Sanskrit education is not discussed.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching
Application:
- �� Focus on the exact concern expressed in the passage.
Final Logic:
- �� The fear centered on suppression of linguistic influence.
"Composite Culture Concern"
19 As communal conflicts deepened in India from the end of the nineteenth century, how did this impact the Hindustani language?
�� Communal politics affected language. �� Hindi and Urdu developed separate identities. �� Linguistic polarization increased.
- As religious identities became more politically significant, Hindi adopted more Sanskrit vocabulary while Urdu adopted more Persian and Arabic vocabulary. → This process widened the gap between the two languages. → Hence Option B is correct.
- �� Option A → Hindustani did not become universally accepted.
- �� Option C → Hindi and Urdu did not merge.
- �� Option D → The language issue remained controversial.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching
Application:
- �� Connect communal politics with linguistic divergence.
Final Logic:
- �� Communal tensions pushed Hindi and Urdu apart.
"Politics Split Hindustani"
20 To resolve the language deadlock, what compromise did the Language Committee of the Constituent Assembly propose?
�� Language debates were highly contentious. �� A compromise was necessary. �� Hindi and English were both accommodated.
- The Language Committee proposed a compromise whereby Hindi in the Devanagari script would become the official language of the Union, while English would continue for official purposes for a transitional period of 15 years. → This helped bridge differences between Hindi and non-Hindi-speaking regions. → Therefore, Option A is correct.
- �� Option B → Hindi was not imposed immediately without transition.
- �� Option C → Hindustani was not adopted as the sole official language.
- �� Option D → Provinces were not compelled to conduct all work only in Hindi.
Used: Elimination
Application:
- �� Remove extreme options that ignore the constitutional compromise.
Final Logic:
- �� The accepted solution combined Hindi with temporary use of English.
"Hindi + English (15 Years)"
