The Cabinet Mission Plan was sent to India in March 1946 by the British government to resolve the constitutional deadlock between the Indian National Congress and the All-India Muslim League. The mission included Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps, and A.V. Alexander. Its objective was to devise a strategy for transfer of power while maintaining Indian unity.

The plan rejected the idea of Pakistan but proposed a united India with a federal structure. Key proposals included:

• Formation of a Constituent Assembly

• Grouping of provinces into three sections (A, B, and C)

• Autonomy to provinces and princely states

• Interim Government to run day-to-day affairs until constitution was framed

While the Congress accepted the plan conditionally, the Muslim League initially accepted, but later rejected it when Jinnah’s demand for parity and Pakistan was denied. This led to Direct Action Day in August 1946 and widespread communal violence.

The Cabinet Mission Plan is seen as the last British attempt to keep India united. Its failure led to the eventual partition of India in 1947 and the creation of Pakistan, proving that a united federal India was no longer possible due to deep-rooted communal differences.