Most Important MCQs on Simon Commission for 2025 Exams
1. The Simon Commission arrived in India on ____.
The Simon Commission arrived in India on 3 February 1928 to review constitutional reforms, but it was boycotted by Indians as it had no Indian members.
2. Who was the Viceroy of India in 1927?
The Viceroy of India in 1927 was Lord Irwin (1926–1931).
Lord Reading (1921–1926)
Lord Willingdon (1931–1936)
3. The Simon Commission was appointed in ____.
The British Government under PM Stanley Baldwin appointed the Simon Commission in November 1927 to review the working of the Government of India Act 1919 and suggest reforms.
4. The Simon Commission was appointed under the Government of _____.
Stanley Baldwin’s government (1924–1929) appointed the Simon Commission to review the Government of India Act 1919 before the promised 10-year mark.
By 1927, pressure was high from Indians demanding more self-rule, so Stanley Baldwin’s government formed the Simon Commission early (before 1929)
5. The purpose of the Simon Commission was ______.
The Simon Commission was formed to study how the Government of India Act 1919 was working and propose new reforms for India’s governance.
6. The Simon Commission was dispatched to India in:
Formed: November 1927 Arrived in India: February 1928 Report published: 1930
7. The Simon Commission consisted of ___ members.
The Simon Commission had 7 British members, all from the UK Parliament, with Sir John Simon as chairman. They were:
1. Sir John Simon (Chairman)
2. Clement Attlee
3. Vernon Hartshorn
4. Edward Cadogan
5. George Lane-Fox
6. Donald Howard
7. William Wedgwood Benn
8. Which of the following combinations was part of the Simon Commission?
Four Conservatives: Sir John Simon, George Lane-Fox, Edward Cadogan, Donald Howard. Two Labour: Clement Attlee, Vernon Hartshorn. One Liberal: William Wedgwood Benn.
9. Who was the Chairman of Simon Commission?
Sir John Simon was a senior British lawyer, politician, and experienced statesman with expertise in constitutional law. Hence, he was chosen chairman for his legal knowledge and strong political reputation.
10. Who was the future Prime Minister among the Simon Commission members?
Clement Attlee (Labour Party) was a member of the Simon Commission. He later became Prime Minister of Britain (1945–1951) and passed the Indian Independence Act 1947.
11. What was the Indian reaction to the Simon Commission?
Indians boycotted the Simon Commission because it had no Indian members. Protests erupted across India with the slogan “Simon Go Back”.
12. What was the main reason for boycotting the Simon Commission?
The Commission had no Indian members, which led to widespread protests and boycotts across India.
The report of Simon Commission (1930) denied Dominion Status, continued British control, and upheld communal representation (separate electorates).
13. The Simon Commission published its report in the year of ____.
It had to travel across India, collect evidence, and examine administration at many levels. Continuous boycotts, strikes, and protests slowed its work. The report required long debates in Britain to finalize recommendations on constitutional reforms. As a result, although it was appointed in 1927 and arrived in 1928, the report was published only in 1930.
14. The most important recommendation of the Simon Commission was _____.
India was under the dyarchy system introduced by the Government of India Act 1919, where some provincial subjects were given to Indian ministers but key powers (finance, police, revenue) stayed with the British. The federal system was introduced to unite British Indian provinces and princely states under one framework, to give provinces more autonomy, to reduce pressure from rising Indian demands for self-rule, and to balance diversity of languages, regions, and religions with a central authority.
15. Who unanimously condemned the Simon Report?
All political parties of India, such as the Indian National Congress (INC), Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, Liberals, Justice Party, and other regional groups and leaders, condemned the Simon Report.
16. The Muslim League demanded constitutional reforms in India in the year of ____.
In 1927, under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Muslim League demanded constitutional reforms. The Government of India Act 1919 with its dyarchy system was unsatisfactory, and Indians wanted greater self-rule. To secure Hindu–Muslim unity and press for reforms, Jinnah put forward the Delhi Proposals (1927).
17. On the arrival of the Simon Commission, who were the two Muslim League leaders leading the split?
On the arrival of the Simon Commission (1928), the Muslim League split into two groups: Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s group :- opposed the Commission, joined Congress in protest. Sir Muhammad Shafi’s group :- supported cooperation with the Commission.
18. Which of the following introduced the provision for sending the Simon Commission to India?
The Government of India Act 1919 introduced the provision for sending the Commission after ten years. It was in Section 84A (also called the Statutory Commission clause) that said, after 10 years, a royal commission would be sent to India to review the working of the 1919 reforms and suggest further constitutional changes.
19. Which of the following statements about Simon Commission recommendations is correct?
The Commission recommended provincial autonomy and abolition of dyarchy, which were later included in the Government of India Act 1935.
20. Which Act adopted many recommendations of Simon Commission?
The Government of India Act 1935 implemented many Simon Commission recommendations, including provincial autonomy and federal structure (though federation never came into force).
21. In which city was the Simon Commission greeted with black flags and slogans “Simon Go Back”?
In Lahore (1928), the Commission faced major protests led by Lala Lajpat Rai, who was later injured in police action and died.
22. Lala Lajpat Rai was injured during protest against the Simon Commission and later died. Who ordered the lathi charge?
Police officer James A. Scott ordered the lathi charge in Lahore where Lala Lajpat Rai was injured, leading to his death. His death stirred nationalist movements.
The Simon Commission remains a pivotal event in Pakistan history, making Simon Commission MCQs a crucial topic in competitive exams, especially for aspirants of Pakistan Studies. These MCQs are commonly asked to test candidates' understanding of the commission's formation, objectives, and the significant political repercussions it had on the subcontinent.
The Simon Commission, set up in 1927 by the British government, was met with strong opposition in India, as it included no Indian members. This led to widespread protests and further intensified the demand for self-rule. Its impact on Indian politics was profound, as it highlighted the British government's disregard for Indian representation, thus fueling the nationalist movement.
Additionally, the Simon Commission's role in the political landscape of Pakistan cannot be overlooked, as it contributed to the growing discontent among Muslims, which ultimately laid the groundwork for the demand for a separate state—leading to the creation of Pakistan. As a key topic in the Pakistan Studies section of competitive exams, understanding the Simon Commission's significance is essential for aspirants. To assist with this, our team has prepared a list of MCQs covering all key aspects of the Simon Commission, ensuring aspirants are well-equipped to tackle this topic in their exams.