GK99.org - General Knowledge and Current Affairs

1. At the time of India’s independence in 1947, the country was made up of which two categories of political units?

British provinces and Union Territories

British provinces and princely states

Princely states and Scheduled Areas

Provinces and Autonomous Councils

2. According to the Indian Independence Act of 1947, what options were given to the princely states?

Join India or Join Pakistan only

Join India, Join Pakistan, or Remain independent

Remain independent only

Join India or sign a treaty with Britain

3. Out of the 552 princely states within India’s geographical boundaries at independence, how many acceded to India, and which three initially refused?

550 joined; Hyderabad, Junagadh, and Kashmir refused

549 joined; Hyderabad, Junagadh, and Kashmir refused

552 joined; none refused

540 joined; Hyderabad, Bhopal, and Kashmir refused

4. How were the three princely states that initially refused to join India finally integrated?

Hyderabad – Referendum; Junagadh – Police Action; Kashmir – Instrument of Accession

Hyderabad – Police Action; Junagadh – Referendum; Kashmir – Instrument of Accession

Hyderabad – Instrument of Accession; Junagadh – Referendum; Kashmir – Police Action

Hyderabad – Treaty; Junagadh – Referendum; Kashmir – Plebiscite under UN

5. At the commencement of the Constitution (1950), how were the states and territories of India classified?

Part A, Part B, Part C states only

Part A, Part B, Part C states and Part D territories

Part A and Part B states only

States and Union Territories (as at present)

6. In 1950, when the Constitution came into force, how many states and territories were there in total (Parts A, B, C, D together)?

7. Under the original Constitution (1950), how were the states and territories classified?

Part A – 9 governor’s provinces, Part B – 9 princely states with legislatures, Part C – 10 centrally administered areas, Part D – 1 territory (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)

Part A – 10 governor’s provinces, Part B – 8 princely states, Part C – 9 centrally administered areas, Part D – 2 territories

Part A – 9 governor’s provinces, Part B – 10 princely states, Part C – 8 centrally administered areas, Part D – 2 territories

Part A – 8 governor’s provinces, Part B – 9 princely states, Part C – 10 centrally administered areas, Part D – 1 territory