Q220. Which Act introduced the principle of elections in India for the first time?
[OSSC CGLRE 2025 Mains Paper II (8 July 2026)]
(A) Indian Councils Act, 1861
(B) Indian Councils Act, 1892
(C) Indian Councils Act, 1909
(D) Government of India Act, 1919
Answer: (B) Indian Councils Act, 1892
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act of 1892 introduced an indirect elective element by providing nominations on recommendations from selected bodies. Although the word election was absent and participation remained severely limited, it marked an early stage in representative colonial legislation.
Q219. Which British concern directly shaped the reorganization of the Indian Army following the Revolt of 1857?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (20 June 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Preventing a unified rebellion by Indian soldiers
(B) Restricting military literacy alone
(C) Avoiding costs of overseas postings
(D) Reducing cavalry influence in military policy
Answer: (A) Preventing a unified rebellion by Indian soldiers
Explanation: The British reorganized army recruitment and deployment to prevent another coordinated uprising. They increased the relative European military presence and sought to separate Indian regiments by region and community, weakening possibilities of common action against colonial authority.
Q218. Which demand of the Muslim League was accepted by the British in 1909?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (19 June 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Partition of India
(B) Universal adult franchise
(C) Separate electorates for Muslims
(D) Complete independence
Answer: (C) Separate electorates for Muslims
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act of 1909 accepted the Muslim League demand for separate electorates. Muslim voters elected Muslim representatives in designated constituencies. This expanded communal representation within colonial legislatures without providing universal suffrage or responsible government.
Q217. Which outcome resulted from the Indian Councils Act of 1909?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (18 June 2026, Shift 3)]
(A) Provincial autonomy and autonomous ministries
(B) Reduction in the size of legislative councils
(C) Expanded councils, Indian executive representation and deliberative powers
(D) Abolition of nominated seats and official majorities
Answer: (C) Expanded councils, Indian executive representation and deliberative powers
Explanation: The Morley–Minto reforms enlarged central and provincial legislative councils, widened their limited deliberative powers and enabled an Indian member to join the Viceroy’s Executive Council. They did not establish provincial autonomy or remove British executive supremacy.
Q216. Which provision was introduced through the Indian Councils Act of 1909?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (16 June 2026, Shift 3)]
(A) Separate electorates for Muslims
(B) Establishment of the Supreme Court
(C) Universal adult voting rights
(D) Abolition of the Viceroy
Answer: (A) Separate electorates for Muslims
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act of 1909 introduced separate electorates for Muslims. This meant Muslim voters elected their own representatives to designated constituencies. The reform increased political participation in a restricted form while preserving colonial executive control.
Q215. In which year did the British introduce the Morley–Minto Reforms?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (16 June 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) 1909
(B) 1905
(C) 1919
(D) 1935
Answer: (A) 1909
Explanation: The reforms were enacted through the Indian Councils Act of 1909, named for Secretary of State John Morley and Viceroy Lord Minto. They enlarged legislative councils and established separate electorates for Muslims, but did not create responsible government.
Q214. Which Act targeted newspapers critical of the colonial government?
[SSC GD Constable (31 May 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Vernacular Press Act, 1878
(B) Vernacular Press Act, 1858
(C) Charter Act, 1833
(D) Charter Act, 1813
Answer: (A) Vernacular Press Act, 1878
Explanation: The Vernacular Press Act was passed under Lord Lytton in 1878. It restricted Indian-language publications considered hostile to colonial authority. By distinguishing between English-language and vernacular journalism, it became an emblem of racial discrimination in press regulation.
Q213. Which Act provided for provincial autonomy in British India?
[SSC GD Constable (30 May 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Government of India Act, 1935
(B) Government of India Act, 1919
(C) Indian Councils Act, 1909
(D) Indian Councils Act, 1861
Answer: (A) Government of India Act, 1935
Explanation: The Government of India Act of 1935 ended dyarchy in the provinces and introduced provincial autonomy. Elected ministries received wider responsibilities, but governors retained important discretionary powers. The proposed all-India federation never came fully into operation.
Q212. Which Act first permitted discussion of budgets in Indian legislative councils?
[SSC GD Constable (22 May 2026, Shift 3)]
(A) Indian Councils Act, 1892
(B) Indian Councils Act, 1861
(C) Indian Councils Act, 1909
(D) Government of India Act, 1919
Answer: (A) Indian Councils Act, 1892
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act of 1892 permitted members of legislative councils to discuss the annual financial statement and ask certain questions. Members still could not vote on the budget. The limited concession responded partly to early nationalist demands.
Q211. Which Act formally ended East India Company rule in India?
[SSC GD Constable (22 May 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Regulating Act, 1773
(B) Government of India Act, 1858
(C) Indian Councils Act, 1861
(D) Charter Act, 1833
Answer: (B) Government of India Act, 1858
Explanation: After the Revolt of 1857, Parliament enacted the Government of India Act, 1858. Authority passed from the Company to the British Crown. A Secretary of State for India replaced the earlier system of Company–government dual control.