Q10. Which Act created the office of Governor-General of India in place of Governor-General of Bengal?
[Delhi Police Constable (2020)]
A. Charter Act, 1833
B. Government of India Act, 1858
C. Charter Act, 1813
D. Charter Act, 1853
Answer: A. Charter Act, 1833
Explanation: The Charter Act of 1833 ended the Company’s remaining trading privileges, centralised legislative authority and created the office of Governor-General of India. The measure centralised lawmaking and made William Bentinck the first Governor-General of India.
Q9. The Government of India Act, 1919, is also known by which name?
[SSC JE Civil (2020)]
A. Nehru Report
B. Morley-Minto Reforms
C. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
D. Ramsay MacDonald Reforms
Answer: C. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919, known as Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced provincial dyarchy and a two-chamber central legislature. The reforms were associated with Edwin Montagu and Lord Chelmsford and began the provincial dyarchy experiment.
Q8. Which law first provided reserved legislative seats for women under British rule in India?
[UPSC CDS I, General Knowledge (2020)]
A. Government of India Act, 1858
B. Indian Councils Act, 1909
C. Government of India Act, 1919
D. Government of India Act, 1935
Answer: D. Government of India Act, 1935
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1935, replaced provincial dyarchy with provincial autonomy, envisaged an all-India federation and established the framework for a Federal Court. Women’s representation was specifically accommodated in the later legislative arrangements, contrasting with the earlier restricted suffrage reforms.
Q7. Which Act first earmarked one lakh rupees annually for education in India?
[WBPSC WBCS Preliminary Examination (2020 Paper) (2020)]
A. Charter Act, 1813
B. Regulating Act, 1773
C. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
D. Charter Act, 1833
Answer: A. Charter Act, 1813
Explanation: The Charter Act of 1813 reduced the Company’s commercial monopoly and made an annual educational allocation, while preserving specified tea and China trading privileges. The educational provision signalled public expenditure on learning under Company rule, preceding later controversies about instruction in English and Indian languages.
Q6. Which British statute did the Constitution of independent India replace as the main administrative framework?
[SSC GD Constable (2019)]
A. Government of India Act, 1858
B. Government of India Act, 1935
C. Indian Councils Act, 1892
D. Regulating Act, 1773
Answer: B. Government of India Act, 1935
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1935, replaced provincial dyarchy with provincial autonomy, envisaged an all-India federation and established the framework for a Federal Court. The Constitution commenced on 26 January 1950, replacing the modified 1935 statute that had underpinned much interim government.
Q5. Which assertion about the central legislature created by the Government of India Act, 1919, is incorrect?
[RPSC Senior Teacher Grade II (2019)]
A. The central legislature became bicameral
B. The Council of State served as upper house
C. The Legislative Assembly served as lower house
D. The Legislative Assembly had a five-year normal tenure
Answer: D. The Legislative Assembly had a five-year normal tenure
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919, known as Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced provincial dyarchy and a two-chamber central legislature. The lower Central Legislative Assembly initially had a three-year term; the five-year claim confuses its tenure with the upper chamber’s term.
Q4. Under the Government of India Act, 1935, residuary legislative powers were assigned to whom?
[UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination (2018)]
A. Federal Legislature
B. Governor-General
C. Provincial Legislature
D. Provincial Governors
Answer: B. Governor-General
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1935, replaced provincial dyarchy with provincial autonomy, envisaged an all-India federation and established the framework for a Federal Court. Residuary powers under the Act rested with the Governor-General, unlike the later Indian Constitution’s distribution favouring Parliament.
Q3. Which Act is often described as establishing constitutional autocracy in British India?
[MPPSC State Service Examination (2017 Paper) (2017)]
A. Indian Councils Act, 1909
B. Government of India Act, 1919
C. Government of India Act, 1935
D. Indian Independence Act, 1947
Answer: C. Government of India Act, 1935
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1935, replaced provincial dyarchy with provincial autonomy, envisaged an all-India federation and established the framework for a Federal Court. Despite allowing provincial ministries and envisaging federation, the statute preserved extensive discretionary and overriding authority for British governors and the Governor-General.
Q2. Which was NOT a feature of the Government of India Act, 1935?
[RPSC RAS Preliminary Examination (2016)]
A. Provincial autonomy
B. A proposed federation
C. Ending provincial dyarchy and proposing it at the Centre
D. Residuary powers vested in provincial legislatures
Answer: D. Residuary powers vested in provincial legislatures
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1935, replaced provincial dyarchy with provincial autonomy, envisaged an all-India federation and established the framework for a Federal Court. The Governor-General held residuary powers under the 1935 scheme; they were not vested in provincial legislatures.
Q1. Which Act first allowed Indian participation in legislative councils under Crown rule?
[UPPSC PCS Examination (2012 Paper) (2012)]
A. Charter Act, 1833
B. Charter Act, 1853
C. Government of India Act, 1858
D. Indian Councils Act, 1861
Answer: D. Indian Councils Act, 1861
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1861, restored legislative functions and expanded councils by allowing nominated additional members, including Indians. The measure allowed Indians to be nominated as additional legislative members, marking an early, limited association with lawmaking after Crown rule began.
