Exp) Option d is the correct answer. A significant strand of the Indian freedom movement was centered around demands for universal adult franchise. the Constitution of India Bill 1895, the Nehru report 1928 and Sapru Report 1945 advocated for universal adult franchise in pre independence period in India.

Option 1 is correct. Earliest of effort which advocated for universal adult franchise was the Constitution of India Bill 1895 that gave every citizen ‘a right to give one vote for electing a member to the Parliament of India and one local Legislative Council.

Option 2 is correct. The Nehru Report 1928 stated that ‘Every person of either sex who has attained the age of 21, and is not disqualified by law, shall be entitled to vote’. In the years leading up to the setting up of the Constituent Assembly, more Indian historical constitutions like the Gandhian Constitution of Free India 1946, Ambedkar’s States and Minorities 1945, provided for universal adult franchise.

Option 3 is incorrect. Government of India act 1919, did not provide for adult suffrage. The voting right then was confined to certain eligibility criteria like property ownership, land ownership, payment of income and municipal tax. The Government of India Act of 1919 allowed the provincial council to decide whether women could vote provided they met stringent property, income of educational criteria.

Option 4 is incorrect. Lucknow Pact 1916, authored jointly by the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, called for ‘as broad a franchise as possible’. It did not call for universal adult franchise.