Which portfolio was held by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in the Interim Government formed in the year 1946?

1. The Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 (basic)

In the aftermath of World War II, the British government was under immense pressure, both domestically and internationally, to resolve the Indian constitutional deadlock. In March 1946, a high-powered delegation known as the Cabinet Mission arrived in Delhi. It consisted of three British cabinet members: Lord Pethick-Lawrence (the Secretary of State), Sir Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Last Phase of Indian National Movement, p.93. Their primary objective was to negotiate the peaceful transfer of power and determine how a new constitution would be framed for a free India Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Post-War National Scenario, p.472.

The Mission faced a massive challenge: the Congress wanted a united India, while the Muslim League insisted on a separate Pakistan. To bridge this gap, the Mission proposed a middle path—a Three-Tier Federation. Under this plan, the Central Union would be weak, handling only three subjects: Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Communications. All other powers (residuary powers) would stay with the provinces. To address the League's concerns, the provinces were divided into three groups based on their religious majority History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Communalism in Nationalist Politics, p.80:

Group	Composition	Nature
Group A	Madras, Bombay, United Provinces, Bihar, Central Provinces, and Orissa.	Hindu-majority Provinces
Group B	Punjab, North-West Frontier Province, and Sind.	Muslim-majority (North-West)
Group C	Bengal and Assam.	Muslim-majority (North-East)

While the long-term goal was the creation of a Constituent Assembly, the Mission also recommended the immediate formation of an Interim Government to run the country during the transition. In this government, key nationalist leaders took up vital portfolios to demonstrate India's readiness for self-rule. For instance, Jawaharlal Nehru served as the Vice-President of the Executive Council, Sardar Patel handled Home Affairs, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was appointed the Minister of Food and Agriculture M. Laxmikanth, Indian Polity (7th ed.), Historical Background, p.10.

Sources: History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Last Phase of Indian National Movement, p.93; Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Post-War National Scenario, p.472; History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Communalism in Nationalist Politics, p.80; M. Laxmikanth, Indian Polity (7th ed.), Historical Background, p.10

2. Formation of the Interim Government (1946) (intermediate)

The Interim Government of India, formed on September 2, 1946, served as a crucial bridge between British colonial rule and Indian independence. It wasn't a sovereign parliament yet; rather, it was a transitionary body designed to help the country pivot toward self-rule while a permanent Constitution was being drafted. Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity, Historical Background, p.9. Effectively, the members of this government were part of the Viceroy’s Executive Council. While the Viceroy remained the formal head of the Council, Jawaharlal Nehru was designated as the Vice-President, making him the de facto leader of the administration. Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity, Historical Background, p.10.

The formation of this government was the result of the Cabinet Mission Plan and followed the failure of the 1945 Shimla Conference. Initially, the Muslim League boycotted the government, but they eventually joined on October 26, 1946, not to cooperate, but to ensure they could protect their interests from within. History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board), Last Phase of Indian National Movement, p.94. This led to significant friction, as the League and Congress often found themselves at odds over administrative decisions. Despite these internal tensions, the Interim Government was the first time Indian leaders took charge of critical national portfolios like Home, Food, and External Affairs.

The distribution of portfolios (ministries) was a strategic move to place seasoned nationalist leaders in charge of nation-building sectors. For instance, while Nehru managed foreign relations, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was tasked with maintaining internal stability and communication, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was given the vital responsibility of ensuring the nation was fed during a period of post-war scarcity. Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity, Historical Background, p.10.

Member	Portfolio (Department)
Jawaharlal Nehru	Vice-President of the Council; External Affairs & Commonwealth Relations
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	Home, Information and Broadcasting
Dr. Rajendra Prasad	Food and Agriculture
Jagjivan Ram	Labour
Dr. John Mathai	Industries and Supplies

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Historical Background, p.9-10; History, class XII (Tamilnadu state board), Last Phase of Indian National Movement, p.94; A Brief History of Modern India, Spectrum, Post-War National Scenario, p.476

3. The Constituent Assembly and its Leadership (intermediate)

To understand how India’s Constitution was born, we must look at the Constituent Assembly (CA) not just as a committee, but as a bridge between colonial rule and independence. Established in 1946 under the Cabinet Mission Plan, the Assembly was a unique body: it was partly elected and partly nominated. Interestingly, the members were not elected directly by the people of India through universal suffrage. Instead, they were indirectly elected by the members of Provincial Legislative Assemblies, who themselves had been elected on a very limited franchise based on property and tax Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Making of the Constitution, p.12. While the Muslim League initially participated in the elections, they later boycotted the Assembly's proceedings to demand a separate state, leaving the Congress as the dominant force in the 207-member opening session History, Class XII (Tamilnadu State Board), Reconstruction of Post-colonial India, p.104.

The leadership of the Assembly followed a deliberate, democratic evolution. In its very first meeting on December 9, 1946, the Assembly followed the French practice of electing the oldest member, Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, as the temporary Chairman. However, by December 11, the body transitioned to a permanent structure by electing Dr. Rajendra Prasad as its President. To ensure diverse representation in leadership, the Assembly eventually appointed two Vice-Presidents: H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Making of the Constitution, p.12. Guiding the legal technicalities from the wings was Dr. B.N. Rau, the Constitutional Adviser, who prepared the initial drafts that the members would later debate A Brief History of Modern India, Spectrum, Making of the Constitution for India, p.617.

A crucial point for any student is the dual responsibility held by these leaders. Many served simultaneously in the Interim Government (formed in September 1946) and the Constituent Assembly. For instance, while Dr. Rajendra Prasad presided over the Assembly, he also shouldered the critical Food and Agriculture portfolio in the Interim Cabinet, addressing the nation's hunger while drafting its laws. Similarly, Jawaharlal Nehru, serving as the Vice-President of the Executive Council, provided the Assembly its ideological compass by moving the 'Objectives Resolution' on December 13, 1946, which famously declared India’s resolve to be an "Independent Sovereign Republic" Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Making of the Constitution, p.12.

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Making of the Constitution, p.12; History, Class XII (Tamilnadu State Board), Reconstruction of Post-colonial India, p.104; A Brief History of Modern India, Spectrum, Making of the Constitution for India, p.617; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Historical Background, p.10

4. Constitutional Landmarks: August Offer to Independence Act (exam-level)

Between the Government of India Act of 1935 and the final Independence Act of 1947, India’s constitutional journey was a series of high-stakes negotiations and incremental concessions by the British, often triggered by the pressures of World War II. This period shifted the conversation from "how much power to share" to "how to transfer power completely."

The sequence began with the August Offer (1940), where for the first time, the British explicitly recognized the right of Indians to frame their own Constitution after the war. However, it was the Cripps Mission (1942) that marked a real turning point. Driven by the Japanese advance towards India, the British sent Sir Stafford Cripps with a proposal for Dominion Status and a Constituent Assembly. Though it was famously rejected by Gandhi as a "post-dated cheque on a crashing bank," it established the blueprint for a future sovereign body Modern India, Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.), Struggle for Swaraj, p.298.

In 1945, the Wavell Plan attempted to break the political deadlock by reconstructing the Viceroy’s Executive Council. The plan suggested that all members except the Governor-General and the Commander-in-Chief would be Indians, with equal representation for "Caste Hindus" and Muslims Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Quit India Movement, Demand for Pakistan, and the INA, p.455. This eventually paved the way for the Interim Government formed in 1946. In this transitional administration, nationalist leaders took up governance roles for the first time at the center. Jawaharlal Nehru served as the Vice-President of the Council, while Dr. Rajendra Prasad was appointed as the Minister of Food and Agriculture—a critical role given the post-war economic challenges Laxmikanth, M., Indian Polity, 7th ed., Chapter 1: Historical Background, p.10.

Sources: Modern India, Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.), Struggle for Swaraj, p.298; Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Quit India Movement, Demand for Pakistan, and the INA, p.455; Laxmikanth, M., Indian Polity, 7th ed., Chapter 1: Historical Background, p.10

5. First Cabinet of Free India (1947) (exam-level)

The formation of the First Cabinet of Independent India on August 15, 1947, was a landmark moment that transitioned the nation from a colonial administrative setup to a sovereign democratic executive. While an Interim Government had been functioning since September 1946 to bridge the gap, the 1947 Cabinet was distinct because it no longer included members of the Muslim League (following Partition) and was headed by Jawaharlal Nehru as the first Prime Minister. This cabinet was carefully constructed to represent various political shades and social groups, ensuring a sense of national unity during the turbulent days of independence Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, Challenges Before the New-born Nation, p.591. In this executive council, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a dual role as the first Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Home Affairs, Information & Broadcasting, and States. His leadership was crucial in the administrative integration of princely states. Another pivotal figure was Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who was entrusted with the Food and Agriculture portfolio. Dr. Prasad had previously held this same responsibility in the Interim Government of 1946, providing much-needed continuity as the nation faced severe food shortages and the logistical nightmare of Partition M. Laxmikanth, Indian Polity, Historical Background, p.10. The diversity of the cabinet is best illustrated by the inclusion of leaders from outside the Congress party. For instance, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (from the Scheduled Castes Federation) was appointed as the Law Minister, and Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (from the Hindu Mahasabha) took charge of Industries and Supplies. This 'Cabinet of Talents' also featured Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, the first woman to hold a cabinet rank in India, as the Health Minister Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India, Challenges Before the New-born Nation, p.592.

To help you master the key portfolios, here is a quick reference table of the First Cabinet (1947):

Minister	Portfolio
Jawaharlal Nehru	Prime Minister; External Affairs & Scientific Research
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	Home; Information & Broadcasting; States
Dr. Rajendra Prasad	Food & Agriculture
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad	Education
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar	Law
R.K. Shanmukham Chetty	Finance
Sardar Baldev Singh	Defence

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Historical Background, p.10; A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), Challenges Before the New-born Nation, p.591-592

6. Key Portfolios in the 1946 Interim Government (exam-level)

The Interim Government of 1946 was a crucial bridge between British colonial rule and Indian independence. Sworn in on September 2, 1946, it functioned as a transitional executive body, essentially a continuation of the Viceroy’s Executive Council, with Indian leaders taking charge of administration for the first time NCERT Class XII, Framing the Constitution, p.341. While the Viceroy remained the President of the Council, Jawaharlal Nehru served as the Vice-President, also managing the critical portfolios of External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations Laxmikanth, Historical Background, p.10.

The allocation of portfolios reflected the most pressing challenges of a nation on the brink of freedom. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was entrusted with Home, Information and Broadcasting, a role vital for maintaining internal order during a period of communal tension. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who would later become India’s first President, was appointed the Minister of Food and Agriculture. This was an immensely significant role at the time, as the country was grappling with severe food shortages and the aftermath of wartime rationing Spectrum, Post-War National Scenario, p.477.

Initially, the Muslim League boycotted the government, but they eventually joined on October 26, 1946. Their entry led to a reshuffling of responsibilities, with Liaquat Ali Khan taking over the Finance portfolio. This created a complex dynamic where the Congress and the League often clashed over policy, making the Interim Government a site of intense political negotiation as much as administrative governance.

Leader	Portfolio in Interim Government (1946)
Jawaharlal Nehru	External Affairs & Commonwealth Relations
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	Home, Information & Broadcasting
Dr. Rajendra Prasad	Food & Agriculture
Baldev Singh	Defence
Liaquat Ali Khan	Finance
Jagjivan Ram	Labour

Sources: THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), FRAMING THE CONSTITUTION, p.341; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), Historical Background, p.10; A Brief History of Modern India, Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum), Post-War National Scenario, p.477

7. The Role of Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1946-1950) (intermediate)

During the high-stakes transition period of 1946 to 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad—affectionately known as Desh Ratna—served as one of the most vital anchors of the emerging Indian state. His contribution during these years was two-fold: he was both a hands-on administrator and the steady hand guiding the drafting of the world’s longest constitution. In the **Interim Government** formed in September 1946, Dr. Prasad was entrusted with the portfolio of **Food and Agriculture** Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Chapter 1, p.10. This was an incredibly challenging assignment, as India was struggling with severe food scarcities and the systemic neglect of the colonial era. In this role, he advocated for the "Grow More Food" campaign, emphasizing that India's political freedom would be hollow without food security for its masses. However, his most enduring legacy from this period is his role as the **President of the Constituent Assembly**. While Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha served as the temporary chairman initially, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the **permanent President** on December 11, 1946 Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Chapter 2, p.12. As the presiding officer, he was known for his immense patience and impartiality, ensuring that even the most dissenting voices were given a fair hearing during the intense debates. He also chaired several crucial internal committees, including the **Rules of Procedure Committee** and the **Steering Committee**, which were essential for the assembly's smooth functioning A Brief History of Modern India, SPECTRUM, Chapter 31, p.617.

Sources: Indian Polity, Historical Background, p.10; Indian Polity, Making of the Constitution, p.12; A Brief History of Modern India, Making of the Constitution for India, p.617

8. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

Now that you have mastered the Historical Background of the Indian Constitution, this question serves as a perfect application of your knowledge regarding the transition to independence. The formation of the Interim Government in 1946 was a critical step where Indian leaders took charge of the Viceroy’s Executive Council. When approaching such factual questions, your mental framework should immediately recall the specific distribution of power among the key architects of our nation. As noted in Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, these appointments were not merely administrative but were deeply symbolic of the leadership roles these figures would play in the future Republic.

To arrive at the correct answer, think logically about the heavyweights of the Congress party. While Jawaharlal Nehru took the lead in External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel managed the internal stability through Home, Information and Broadcasting, the vital responsibility of feeding a nation in transition fell to Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Therefore, the correct answer is (C) Food and Agriculture. Remembering Dr. Prasad's later role as the first President of India helps anchor his importance in the 1946 cabinet, where he managed one of the most essential domestic portfolios during a period of post-war food scarcity.

UPSC often uses the other options as common traps by swapping the roles of prominent leaders to test the precision of your memory. For instance, Defence was actually held by Sardar Baldev Singh—a common mnemonic used by aspirants is to associate "Bal" (strength) with Defence. Similarly, External Affairs was the domain of Nehru, not Prasad. By systematically eliminating these high-profile assignments, you can avoid the confusion that typically arises when multiple famous names are associated with a single historical event. Developing this habit of comparative study between the 1946 Interim Government and the first Cabinet of Free India (1947) is essential for accuracy in the Prelims.