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Cabinet Mission, Mountbatten Plan, Independence Act ICSE

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History & CivicsICSE Class 10 · Independence and Partition of India

Cabinet Mission Plan, Mountbatten Plan and the Indian Independence Act, 1947 (ICSE Class 10 History)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The Cabinet Mission Plan (16 May 1946) proposed a united India as a Union with groups of provinces and a Constituent Assembly. The Mountbatten Plan (3 June 1947) proposed partition into two dominions, India and Pakistan, with transfer of power on 15 August 1947. The Indian Independence Act (18 July 1947) gave the plan legal form.

Keep the three documents separate: the two Plans proposed, and the Act of 18 July 1947 enacted the partition, leading to transfer of power on 15 August.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Cabinet Mission Plan, Mountbatten Plan and the Indian Independence Act

The three documents must be kept as three separate lists. The Plan proposed; the Act enacted.

1. Background. After the Second World War, Britain was weakened and the INA trials and the naval mutiny of 1946 showed that Indian forces could not be relied on. The Labour government under Attlee decided to transfer power. The main obstacle was the Muslim League's demand for Pakistan, made since the Lahore Resolution of 1940, against the Congress aim of a united India. The Cabinet Mission arrived in March 1946; after it broke down, Direct Action Day (16 August 1946) led to terrible riots. In February 1947 Attlee announced withdrawal by June 1948 and Lord Mountbatten became Viceroy.

2. Cabinet Mission Plan (16 May 1946). Members: Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps, A. V. Alexander.
1. A separate Pakistan was rejected; India would be a Union of British provinces and princely states.
2. The Union would control defence, foreign affairs and communications and raise money for them.
3. All other subjects and residuary powers rest with provinces and states.
4. Provinces grouped in three sections: Group A (Hindu-majority provinces), Group B (Punjab, North-West Frontier Province, Sind) and Group C (Bengal and Assam).
5. A Constituent Assembly of 389 members: 292 from provinces, 4 from Chief Commissioners' provinces, 93 from princely states.
6. An interim government of Indians.
7. Paramountcy would not pass to the new government.
8. A province could leave its group after the first general election.

3. Mountbatten Plan (3 June 1947).
1. India to be partitioned into two dominions, India and Pakistan.
2. The Punjab and Bengal assemblies to meet in two parts (Muslim-majority districts and the rest); if either part voted for partition, the province would be divided.
3. A referendum in the North-West Frontier Province and the Sylhet district of Assam.
4. The Sind assembly to decide.
5. A Boundary Commission to mark the boundaries.
6. Princely states free to join either dominion, or remain independent; paramountcy to end.
7. Date of transfer advanced to 15 August 1947.
8. Each dominion to have its own Constituent Assembly.

4. Why the plan was accepted. *Congress:* communal riots after Direct Action Day; the interim government's failure; Jinnah's firm demand for Pakistan; a smaller but strong India preferred to a weak federation; early transfer of power to avoid breakup into many states. *Muslim League:* it obtained Pakistan, though smaller than it had demanded since Punjab and Bengal were divided.

5. Indian Independence Act (royal assent 18 July 1947).
1. Two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, from 15 August 1947.
2. Their territories defined; Punjab and Bengal divided as per the Boundary Commission.
3. A Governor-General for each dominion appointed by the Crown on the dominion government's advice.
4. Each Constituent Assembly to frame the constitution and act as legislature meanwhile, able to repeal British Acts applying to it.
5. No British responsibility after 15 August; the office of Secretary of State for India abolished.
6. Paramountcy lapsed with all treaties.
7. Until new constitutions, the Government of India Act, 1935 applies with changes.
8. The Crown gave up the title Emperor of India.

6. Plan versus Act. The Plan laid down the procedures for deciding partition; only the Act contains the legal arrangements for the new states.

Cabinet Mission Plan, Mountbatten Plan and the Indian Independence Act: key facts

Cabinet Mission
  • 16 May 1946
  • Pethick-Lawrence, Cripps, Alexander
  • Groups A, B, C
  • 389-member Constituent Assembly
Key facts.
Constituent Assembly seats
  • 292 provinces
  • 4 Chief Commissioners' provinces
  • 93 princely states
  • Total 389
Sum: 292 + 4 + 93 = 389.
Mountbatten Plan
  • 3 June 1947
  • Two dominions
  • Punjab and Bengal assemblies
  • NWFP and Sylhet referendum
  • 15 August 1947
Key facts.
Independence Act
  • Assent 18 July 1947
  • Governor-General for each
  • Secretary of State abolished
  • 1935 Act as interim
  • Emperor title dropped
Key facts.

How to answer Cabinet Mission Plan, Mountbatten Plan and the Indian Independence Act questions

The chapter is about clauses: expect 4-6 marks for the clauses of the Cabinet Mission, Mountbatten Plan or Independence Act, and 3-4 marks for reasons for acceptance.

  1. 1Write the document name and date first.
  2. 2Number the clauses, with seats and groups exactly.
  3. 3For acceptance, separate Congress reasons from League reasons.
  4. 4Use neutral language about communities and avoid blame.

Cabinet Mission Plan, Mountbatten Plan and the Indian Independence Act in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

One house, two flats

Suppose a joint family agrees, after years of disputes, to divide a house into two flats with a boundary line drawn by an independent committee, and a legal document records the agreement.

Which two historical items do the agreement and the legal document resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The agreement to divide resembles the Mountbatten Plan.
  2. The committee resembles the Boundary Commission.
  3. The legal document resembles the Independence Act.

Answer: The agreement resembles the Mountbatten Plan, and the legal document that records it resembles the Indian Independence Act.

Memory hook: Plan proposes, Act enacts.

Groups of units

Imagine a federation of school clubs in which clubs are placed into three sections, each allowed to plan matters of its own, while the central body handles only a few common subjects.

Which plan does this resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Three sections resemble Groups A, B and C.
  2. A central body with few subjects.
  3. That is the Cabinet Mission Plan.

Answer: It resembles the Cabinet Mission Plan, which proposed three groups of provinces under a Union with limited subjects.

Memory hook: Three groups, few Union subjects.

Tricks to remember Cabinet Mission Plan, Mountbatten Plan and the Indian Independence Act

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • D-F-C

    Union controls Defence, Foreign affairs, Communications.

    Use it when: Cabinet Mission.

  • P-B-N-S-B-D

    Punjab, Bengal, NWFP, Sind, Boundary, Date.

    Use it when: Mountbatten Plan clauses.

  • G-C-S-P-E

    Governor-General, Constituent assemblies, Secretary of State abolished, Paramountcy lapsed, Emperor title.

    Use it when: Independence Act.

Cabinet Mission Plan, Mountbatten Plan and the Indian Independence Act: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Cabinet Mission · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Name the three members of the Cabinet Mission and state the subjects given to the Union. [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Pethick-Lawrence, Cripps, Alexander (1 mark).
  2. Defence, foreign affairs, communications (2 marks).

Answer: The members were Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps and A. V. Alexander. The Union would control defence, foreign affairs and communications.

Example 2: Constituent Assembly · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

What was the composition of the Constituent Assembly proposed by the Cabinet Mission? [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. 292 from provinces (1 mark).
  2. 4 from Chief Commissioners' provinces (1 mark).
  3. 93 from princely states (1 mark).

Answer: It would have 389 members: 292 from the provinces, elected by the provincial legislative assemblies, 4 from the Chief Commissioners' provinces and 93 from the princely states.

Example 3: Mountbatten Plan · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

State any four clauses of the Mountbatten Plan of 3 June 1947. [4]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Four clauses, 1 mark each.

Answer: India would be partitioned into two dominions, India and Pakistan. The assemblies of Punjab and Bengal would each meet in two parts to vote on partition. A referendum would be held in the North-West Frontier Province and Sylhet. The princely states would be free to join either dominion or remain independent, and the date of transfer was advanced to 15 August 1947.

Example 4: Acceptance · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Explain four circumstances in 1947 that persuaded Congress leaders to accept the partition proposal. [4]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Four reasons, 1 mark each.

Answer: Communal riots after Direct Action Day made leaders feel that partition was the only way to end bloodshed. The interim government had failed to work because of obstruction. Jinnah's firm demand for Pakistan left no option for a united India, and a smaller, strong India was preferable to a weak federation. Early transfer of power would avoid the princely states breaking India into many pieces.

Example 5: Case: Plan or Act · 6 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Case. A student says: The Secretary of State for India was abolished under the Mountbatten Plan. (i) Is this correct? [1] (ii) Name the document that did it. [1] (iii) State one other clause of that document. [2] (iv) State the difference in nature between the Plan and the Act. [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (i) No (1 mark).
  2. (ii) Indian Independence Act, 1947 (1 mark).
  3. (iii) Any one: Governor-General for each dominion; paramountcy lapsed (2 marks).
  4. (iv) Plan was a proposal; Act was a law of the British Parliament (2 marks).

Answer: (i) No. (ii) The Indian Independence Act of 1947. (iii) For example, each dominion would have a Governor-General appointed by the Crown on the advice of its government. (iv) The Mountbatten Plan was a proposal announced by the Viceroy, whereas the Indian Independence Act was a law passed by the British Parliament to put it into effect.

Where students lose marks in Cabinet Mission Plan, Mountbatten Plan and the Indian Independence Act

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Mixing the Plan and the Act

    Writing Act clauses under the Plan.

    Wrong working

    Plan: Secretary of State abolished.

    Right working

    That is an Independence Act clause.

    Do this: Separate lists.

    Usually costs: 2 marks.

  • Mistake: Wrong Constituent Assembly numbers

    Mis-sum.

    Wrong working

    392 members.

    Right working

    292 + 4 + 93 = 389.

    Do this: Add the three.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Forgetting the NWFP and Sylhet

    Missing the referendum.

    Wrong working

    Only Punjab and Bengal are mentioned.

    Right working

    NWFP and Sylhet referendum; Sind assembly.

    Do this: Add them.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Blaming a community

    Loaded wording.

    Wrong working

    One community caused partition.

    Right working

    Describe the demand, riots and political deadlock factually.

    Do this: Neutral tone.

    Usually costs: Tone.

Exam tips

  • Keep three separate lists for the three documents.
  • Recompute 292 + 4 + 93 = 389 before writing the total.
  • Use neutral wording about communities and attribute positions to the parties.

Practice questions on Cabinet Mission Plan, Mountbatten Plan and the Indian Independence Act

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    When was the Cabinet Mission Plan announced and what did it say about Pakistan? [2]

    Hint

    16 May 1946.

    Answer

    It was announced on 16 May 1946; the demand for a separate Pakistan was rejected, and India would be a Union of provinces and princely states.

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    What did the Mountbatten Plan say about the princely states? [2]

    Hint

    Free to join or remain independent.

    Answer

    The princely states would be free to join either India or Pakistan or remain independent, and British paramountcy would end.

  3. Q3 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Explain the grouping of provinces under the Cabinet Mission Plan. [4]

    Hint

    A, B, C.

    Answer

    Provinces were to be grouped into three sections: Group A of the Hindu-majority provinces, Group B of Punjab, North-West Frontier Province and Sind, and Group C of Bengal and Assam. Each group could frame a constitution for its provinces on common subjects, and a province could leave its group after the first general election.

  4. Q4 · 5 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    State any five clauses of the Indian Independence Act, 1947. [5]

    Hint

    Five from eight.

    Answer

    Two independent dominions were created from 15 August 1947; Punjab and Bengal were divided according to the Boundary Commission; each dominion had a Governor-General; each Constituent Assembly framed the constitution and acted as the legislature meanwhile; the office of Secretary of State for India was abolished; paramountcy lapsed; and the Government of India Act, 1935 applied in the interim.

  5. Q5 · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    "The Mountbatten Plan was accepted because the alternatives were worse." Discuss from the Congress viewpoint. [6]

    Hint

    Riots, interim government, weak Centre, delay.

    Answer

    From the Congress viewpoint the alternatives were continued riots, a deadlocked interim government and a weak federation with a weak Centre under the Cabinet Mission Plan. Jinnah would accept nothing less than Pakistan, and delay might encourage princely states to stay independent. A smaller but strong and united India with early transfer of power seemed better, and so the plan was accepted reluctantly.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Who headed the Cabinet Mission?Show answer

    Lord Pethick-Lawrence (with Cripps and Alexander).

  2. 2.What do 292, 4 and 93 add up to in the Cabinet Mission scheme?Show answer

    389, the strength of the proposed Constituent Assembly.

  3. 3.Date of the Mountbatten Plan?Show answer

    3 June 1947.

  4. 4.Date of transfer of power?Show answer

    15 August 1947.

  5. 5.Which Act continued as interim constitution?Show answer

    Government of India Act, 1935.

  6. 6.Which office was abolished by the Act?Show answer

    Secretary of State for India.

Cabinet Mission Plan, Mountbatten Plan and the Indian Independence Act: frequently asked questions

What was Direct Action Day?

The Muslim League's day of action on 16 August 1946, followed by serious riots.

What did the Plan say about Sind?

The Sind assembly would decide which dominion to join.

Did the Act end paramountcy?

Yes, British paramountcy lapsed along with all treaties.

When did the Indian Independence Act receive assent?

18 July 1947.