With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements: 1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States. 2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: B. Only Statement 2 is correct. The CRIPPS MISSION came to India in March 1942 with proposals from the British War Cabinet (during WWII) seeking Indian support for the war effort. Statement 1 is WRONG. The Cripps proposals envisaged a CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY whose members would be ELECTED by the provincial legislatures (after the war) using proportional representation. Princely States were to be represented by NOMINEES of the rulers, not by direct selection of their assemblies. The framing in statement 1 incorrectly says provincial assemblies AND Princely States nominate; the Princely States nomination route was different (ruler-appointed, not assembly-elected). Statement 2 is CORRECT. A key Cripps proposal was the 'NON-ACCESSION' clause: any province NOT willing to accept the new constitution could SIGN A SEPARATE AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN regarding its constitutional position, effectively allowing provinces (and indirectly Muslim-majority provinces) to opt out of a future Union. This raised the spectre of Pakistan and was a major reason for Congress rejection. Cripps Mission failed; Quit India Movement followed in August 1942. Source: NCERT Class 12 Themes in Indian History Part III / Cripps Mission report.