UPSC Prelims 2014 GS Paper I · Q15 of 100 History easy

The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to

  1. (a) solve the problem of minorities in India
  2. (b) give effect to the Independence Bill
  3. (c) delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan ✓ UPSC's answer
  4. (d) enquire into the riots in East Bengal

Why the answer is (c)

• The Boundary Commissions for Punjab and Bengal, chaired by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, were set up in July 1947 to demarcate the boundary between India and Pakistan; the 'Radcliffe Line' was announced on 17 August 1947 — option (c).

• Minority problems (a), the Independence Act (b) and riot enquiries (d) were not its brief.

• Hence option (c).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) solve the problem of minorities in India
Radcliffe did not deal with minority problems.
(b) give effect to the Independence Bill
The Independence Act was enacted by the British Parliament.
(d) enquire into the riots in East Bengal
Radcliffe did not enquire into riots.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2014, held on 24 August 2014. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

Reading the answer is not the same as getting it right under a clock. Practise this question with UPSC's negative marking, and anything you miss goes into an error notebook until you get it right twice.

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