With reference to Indian History, the Members of the Constituent Assembly from the Provinces were

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Question

With reference to Indian History, the Members of the Constituent Assembly from the Provinces were

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: C — elected by the Provincial Legislative AssembliesStep-by-step Solution:The Constituent Assembly of India was constituted based on the Cabinet Mission Plan of May 1946. The election of members from the provinces followed a specific indirect method:Members from the British Indian Provinces were indirectly elected by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies (not directly by the people). The process: each Provincial Legislative Assembly elected its quota of Constituent Assembly members; the election was by proportional representation using the single transferable vote; seats were distributed in proportion to the provincial population — roughly one seat per million people; the elected members of each provincial legislature voted to choose who among themselves (or external nominees from their respective communities) would represent them in the Constituent Assembly.Different religious communities within each province (General, Muslims, Sikhs) had separate quotas — so Hindu majority MLAs voted for the 'general' seats, Muslim MLAs voted for Muslim seats, and Sikh MLAs (in Punjab) voted for Sikh seats. This community-wise distribution reflected the communal composition of the provincial legislature.Why other options are incorrect:Option A (Directly elected by people): The Constituent Assembly was not directly elected by the people — there was no general election for this purpose. The election was indirect through provincial assemblies. Universal adult franchise was only implemented later in the first general elections (1951-52).Option B (Nominated by INC and ML): While INC and ML candidates dominated due to the 1946 provincial election results, the formal process was election by provincial assemblies, not nomination by parties.Option D (Selected by Government for expertise): Some members (12 nominated by the President from the Princely States after independence) were selected — but provincial members were elected, not selected for expertise.Key Concept: Constituent Assembly of India: established under Cabinet Mission Plan (1946); total membership 389 (later reduced to 299 after partition); provincial members (292) — elected by provincial legislative assemblies; princely state members (93 — most joined after August 1947); 4 from Chief Commissioner's provinces (nominated by President); Constituent Assembly held 11 sessions spanning 3 years (Dec 1946 to Jan 1950); Constitution adopted November 26, 1949; came into effect January 26, 1950 (Constitution Day celebrated on Nov 26; Republic Day on Jan 26). Key figures: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairman of Drafting Committee); Dr. Rajendra Prasad (President of CA); Jawaharlal Nehru (moved Objectives Resolution); B.N. Rau (Constitutional Adviser). Provincial Assembly elections 1946 won overwhelmingly by INC (general seats) and Muslim League (Muslim seats) — so CA reflected this political reality.

With reference to Indian History, the Members of the Constituent Assembly from the Provinces were

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With reference to Indian History, the Members of the Constituent Assembly from the Provinces were

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