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Poona Pact 1932: History, Significance & Date, UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Jun 06, 2025
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The Poona Pact, signed on September 24, 1932, between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was a significant agreement that altered the British government's proposal of separate electorates for the depressed classes. Instead, it provided for joint electorates with reserved seats, increasing the number of reserved seats in provincial legislatures from 71 to 148. It thus ensured political representation for the depressed classes while maintaining the unity of the Hindu community.

Poona Pact UPSC is a very important part of the History syllabus for the UPSC Exam General Studies. In order to understand the topic in detail, Testbook prepares the best quality notes for civil service aspirants. Study major topics of Modern History from the perspective of UPSC Exams.

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What is Poona Pact 1932?

The Poona Pact was an agreement signed on September 24, 1932. This was between the leaders of the Dalit community and representatives of the upper-caste Hindus. The pact was aimed at resolving the issue of separate electorates for Dalits in India. Under the agreement, the British government agreed to reserve a certain number of seats for Dalits in provincial legislatures. This was however without creating a separate electorate. The Poona Pact was a significant milestone in the struggle for Dalit rights. It represented a compromise between the demands of the Dalit community and the concerns of the upper-caste Hindus.

History of the Poona Pact

The Poona Pact was reached on September 24, 1932, between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Yerwada Central Jail in Pune. It emerged as a compromise to address the contentious issue of separate electorates for the depressed classes, proposed by the British government's Communal Award.

  • On September 19, 1932, in Bombay, dignitaries gathered on the front porch of the Indian Merchants Chamber Hall.
  • Ramsay Macdonald, the British Prime Minister, had announced the Communal Award, which offered Depressed Classes separate electorates for central and provincial legislatures, a little more than a month before.
  • This award was seen as a threat to the Hindu community by Gandhiji. He argued that it would separate untouchables from Hindus. Ambedkar and other leaders of the oppressed classes warmly received the prize.
  • Gandhi declared a fast unto death on September 20, 1932, while in prison, until separate electorates were removed from the Award.
  • The British had promised to adjust the Award if the revisions were the product of a mutual agreement between the communities involved.
  • The Indian political establishment realized that facilitating an agreement between Gandhi and Ambedkar was the best way to persuade Gandhi to end his fast. Ambedkar was first unconcerned with Gandhi’s fast. However, he then changed his mind and agreed to bargain.
  • Finally, Gandhi and Ambedkar reached an accord in 1932 known as the Poona Pact, which abolished separate electorates.

Also read: NCERT Notes on Charter Act of 1813 here

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Features of the Poona Pact 1932

The Poona Pact replaced the provision of separate electorates for the depressed classes with reserved seats within the general electorate. It increased the number of reserved seats for the depressed classes in provincial legislatures from 71 to 148, ensuring representation while maintaining joint electorates.

  • The Poona Pact was signed on September 24, 1932, between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi.
  • It aimed to address the issue of political representation for the depressed classes in India.
  • One of its key characteristics was the reservation of seats for the depressed classes in provincial legislatures.
  • The Poona Pact abandoned the "separate electorates" demand for the depressed classes, which was initially proposed by Dr. Ambedkar.
  • Instead, it introduced the concept of reserved seats within the general electorates.
  • The reserved seats were to be allocated based on the population of the depressed classes in each province.
  • The pact helped in preventing the division of Indian society along caste lines, fostering unity.
  • It marked a compromise between Ambedkar, representing the depressed classes, and Gandhi, who opposed separate electorates.
  • The Poona Pact aimed to provide political representation to the marginalized sections while maintaining the integrity of a united India.

Also, check the details on the Cabinet Mission Plan here.

Difference of Opinion Between Gandhi and Ambedkar

Mahatma Gandhi opposed separate electorates for the depressed classes, fearing it would fragment the Hindu community. In contrast, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar initially supported separate electorates to ensure political power and protection for the depressed classes. This led to a significant ideological clash between the two leaders.

  • Both leaders criticized the caste system and aimed to uplift depressed classes, but they had differing approaches.
  • Ambedkar advocated the destruction of the caste system, believing it couldn't be reformed.
  • Gandhi, in contrast, didn't support abolishing the caste system but focused on changing societal behavior regarding caste-related issues.
  • Ambedkar viewed the caste problem as political, seeking a political solution to ensure the equal participation of depressed classes in democracy.
  • Gandhi considered the caste issue a social matter, emphasizing the transformation of people's hearts and minds.
  • Ambedkar's approach was rights-based, while Gandhi was rooted in faith and spirituality.
  • Ambedkar coined the term "Dalits" to establish a political identity, while Gandhi referred to the depressed classes as "Harijan" to evoke spirituality and sensitize the upper caste to their plight.

Why did Mahatma Gandhi go on a fast?

  • The British introduced ‘The Communal Award’ in 1932, which was seen as one of the divide-and-rule tools in India.
  • Mahatma Gandhi recognized their action as a direct attack on Indian nationalism.
  • As a result, Mahatma Gandhi went on a hunger strike, protesting the establishment of separate electorates for Dalits.

Also read: Non Cooperation movement for UPSC here!

Significance of the Poona Pact 1932

The Poona Pact was significant as it marked a crucial agreement between leaders of the Indian independence movement. It balanced the need for social justice with national unity. It provided the depressed classes with political representation and set the stage for future affirmative action policies in India.

  • In India’s constitutional and political history, the Pact was a watershed point.
  • In a deal with Gandhi, Ambedkar agreed that a common electorate would elect candidates from the lower classes.
  • The Poona Pact allocated twice as many reserved seats (147) to the lower classes in the assembly as the Communal Award had allowed.
  • The Poona Pact was an unequivocal admission by upper-class Hindus that the poorest members of Hindu society were the most discriminated against.
  • It was also agreed that something substantial needed to be done to give them a political voice and a leg up on backwardness they couldn’t overcome on their own.
  • The concessions made in the Poona Pact were forerunners to India’s long later implementation of the world’s largest affirmative action program. Later, various policies were implemented to help Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  • The Pact, to a significant extent, strengthened and augmented the idea that India’s Depressed Classes were a political minority whose interests must not be overlooked while drafting the country’s constitutional destiny.
  • It brought to light the conflicts between the oppressed classes and Hindus, which would continue to plague the Indian independence movement and negotiations with the British.

Also read: World History for UPSC here.

Downsides of the Poona Pact 1932

The Poona Pact, signed in 1932, was a significant agreement that had both positive and negative implications. It addressed the concerns of the Depressed Classes (later known as Scheduled Castes) by ensuring their political representation. It also had several downsides that have been the subject of extensive debate and discussion.

One of the primary downsides of the Poona Pact was the dilution of the original provisions made for the Depressed Classes in the Communal Award proposed by the British government. The Communal Award had granted the Depressed Classes a separate electorate. This would have given them the autonomy to elect their own representatives to the legislative bodies. However, the Poona Pact replaced this with a system of reserved seats. This reduced the political autonomy and bargaining power of the Depressed Classes.

Additionally, the Poona Pact was seen by some as a compromise made by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the prominent leader of the Depressed Classes, under duress from Mahatma Gandhi, who had gone on a fast-unto-death to oppose the Communal Award. This raised concerns about the legitimacy and long-term consequences of the agreement. It was perceived by some as a concession forced upon the Depressed Classes.

Furthermore, the Poona Pact did not address the deep-rooted socio-economic inequalities and discrimination faced by the Depressed Classes. While it provided them with political representation, it failed to address the systemic barriers and social prejudices that they continued to encounter in their daily lives.

Check the Modern History NCERT Notes here.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

  • Background: The Poona Pact was an agreement reached on September 24, 1932, between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It was a result of negotiations to address the demands of the depressed classes (now known as Scheduled Castes) for separate electorates.
  • Communal Award: The Poona Pact was a response to the Communal Award announced by the British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald in August 1932. This provided separate electorates for different communities, including the depressed classes.
  • Gandhi's Opposition: Mahatma Gandhi opposed the idea of separate electorates for the depressed classes. He feared it would further divide the Hindu community. He began a fast unto death in Yerwada Jail to protest against the Communal Award.
  • Ambedkar's Role: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, representing the interests of the depressed classes, initially supported separate electorates. However, he later agreed to negotiate with Gandhi to find a compromise solution.
  • Terms of the Pact: The Poona Pact provided for reserved seats for the depressed classes within the general electorate instead of separate electorates. It increased the number of reserved seats for the depressed classes in provincial legislatures from 71 to 148.
  • Joint Electorates: Under the pact, the depressed classes would be part of the general electorate, but they would have reserved seats. This meant they would vote alongside the general population but still have guaranteed representation.
  • Educational Grants and Representation: The pact included provisions for increased educational grants and fair representation in public services for the depressed classes.
  • Significance: The Poona Pact was a significant milestone in the Indian freedom struggle. It marked a compromise between the demands for social justice and the need for unity in the fight against British colonial rule.
  • Impact on Dalit Movement: The Poona Pact had a lasting impact on the Dalit movement in India. While it increased political representation for Dalits, it also led to debates about the best strategies for achieving social justice and equality.
  • Legacy: The Poona Pact remains an important event in Indian history. It illustrated the complexities of negotiating social justice within the framework of the broader independence movement. It highlighted the need for inclusive political representation and the challenges of addressing deep-rooted social inequalities.

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Poona Pact 1932 UPSC FAQs

The main feature of the Poona Pact was the replacement of the separate electorate for the Depressed Classes proposed in the Communal Award with a system of reserved seats in the general electorate.

The Poona Pact was signed between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, representing the Depressed Classes, and Mahatma Gandhi, representing the Congress party.

The Poona Pact replaced the separate electorate for the Depressed Classes proposed in the Communal Award with a system of reserved seats in the general electorate.

The McDonald Award was the Communal Award proposed by the British government, which granted separate electorates for the Depressed Classes. The Poona Pact was the agreement that replaced the separate electorates with a system of reserved seats.

Ambedkar opposed the Poona Pact because it diluted the original provisions made for the Depressed Classes in the Communal Award, reducing their political autonomy and bargaining power.

The Poona Pact of 1932 was an agreement reached between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, representing the Depressed Classes, and Mahatma Gandhi, representing the Congress party, regarding the political representation of the Depressed Classes in the legislative bodies.
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