What is the Mountbatten Plan?

The Mountbatten Plan (also known as the 3 June Plan) was the final blueprint for India's independence and partition, announced on 3 June 1947 by the last Viceroy of India, Lord Louis Mountbatten. It proposed the partition of British India into two independent dominions — India and Pakistan — and outlined the mechanisms by which provinces would decide their allegiance.

Under the plan, the provincial legislative assemblies of Punjab and Bengal would vote on whether to partition their provinces, with separate votes by Hindu-majority and Muslim-majority members. Sindh's legislative assembly would independently decide to join India or Pakistan. A referendum would be held in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the Sylhet district of Assam. Princely states were given the option to accede to either dominion based on geographical contiguity and the wishes of their people. The transfer of power, originally scheduled for June 1948, was advanced to 15 August 1947. The plan was given legal effect through the Indian Independence Act, 1947, passed by the British Parliament on 18 July 1947.

Key Features / Provisions

# Feature Details
1 Announced 3 June 1947
2 Viceroy Lord Louis Mountbatten
3 Core proposal Partition of British India into two dominions — India and Pakistan
4 Punjab & Bengal Legislative assemblies to vote on partition (separate Hindu/Muslim votes)
5 Sindh Legislative assembly to choose India or Pakistan independently
6 NWFP Referendum to decide accession
7 Sylhet Referendum in Sylhet district of Assam
8 Princely states Free to accede to either dominion based on contiguity and people's wishes
9 Transfer of power Advanced from June 1948 to 15 August 1947
10 Legal basis Indian Independence Act, 1947 (passed 18 July 1947)

Historical Background

  • March 1946 — Cabinet Mission arrived in India; proposed a united India with a three-tier structure
  • August 1946 — Direct Action Day (16 August) — communal riots in Calcutta; thousands killed
  • September 1946 — Interim Government formed under Nehru; Muslim League joined later
  • February 1947 — Attlee announced British would leave India by June 1948
  • March 1947 — Lord Mountbatten arrived as last Viceroy
  • April–May 1947 — Mountbatten held extensive talks with Congress, Muslim League, and Sikh leaders
  • 3 June 1947 — Mountbatten Plan announced — partition of India into two dominions
  • June–July 1947 — Referendums in NWFP (chose Pakistan) and Sylhet (chose Pakistan)
  • 18 July 1947 — Indian Independence Act passed by British Parliament
  • August 1947 — Boundary Commission (Sir Cyril Radcliffe) drew the Radcliffe Line dividing Punjab and Bengal
  • 14 August 1947 — Pakistan became independent
  • 15 August 1947 — India became independent

UPSC Exam Corner

Prelims: Key Facts

  • Date: 3 June 1947; Viceroy: Lord Mountbatten
  • Two dominions: India and Pakistan
  • Punjab & Bengal: Voted on partition
  • NWFP & Sylhet: Referendum held
  • Sindh: Legislative assembly chose Pakistan
  • Transfer of power: 15 August 1947 (advanced from June 1948)
  • Boundary Commission: Headed by Sir Cyril Radcliffe (Radcliffe Line)
  • Indian Independence Act: 18 July 1947

Mains: Probable Themes

  1. "The Mountbatten Plan made the Partition of India inevitable." — Analyse the political compulsions behind the plan
  2. "Compare the Mountbatten Plan with the Cabinet Mission Plan." — United India vs Partition; federal structure vs dominion status
  3. "Examine the role of Lord Mountbatten in accelerating the transfer of power." — Why was the date advanced?

Sources: Next IAS | Vajiram & Ravi | PWOnlyIAS | Wikipedia — Indian Independence Act 1947