Q110. Under which legislation was India’s Federal Court first provided for?
[Delhi Police Constable Executive, Shift 2 (2026)]
A. Cabinet Mission Plan
B. Government of India Act, 1935
C. Morley-Minto Reforms
D. Government of India Act, 1919
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 Federal Court was inaugurated in 1937, following the provision made in the 1935 statute; it preceded the modern Supreme Court of India.
Q109. Who became the first Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act, 1773?
[Delhi Police Constable Executive, Shift 1 (2026)]
A. Robert Clive
B. Warren Hastings
C. Lord Cornwallis
D. Lord Wellesley
Answer: B. Warren Hastings
Explanation: The Regulating Act of 1773 was the first major parliamentary step to supervise the East India Company, creating a Bengal Governor-General and providing for a Calcutta Supreme Court. Hastings already governed Bengal and became the inaugural holder of the reorganised Governor-Generalship created by the parliamentary measure.
Q108. In which year did the Charter Act important for the development of education and libraries appear?
[UGC NET Library and Information Science (2026)]
A. 1815
B. 1813
C. 1817
D. 1818
Answer: B. 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 grant and associated provisions make the 1813 Charter Act significant in the history of institutional learning and library development.
Q107. What change in colonial government followed the Regulating Act of 1773?
[Delhi Police Constable Executive, Shift 3 (2025)]
A. Bombay and Madras became independent
B. The Governor-General of Bengal and his council gained central authority
C. All powers of the Governor-General were removed
D. India was divided among multiple governors-general
Answer: B. The Governor-General of Bengal and his council gained central authority
Explanation: The Regulating Act of 1773 was the first major parliamentary step to supervise the East India Company, creating a Bengal Governor-General and providing for a Calcutta Supreme Court. Centralising authority at Bengal was intended to curb independent Company administration in other presidencies, especially in sensitive external matters.
Q106. What civil-service recruitment principle was adopted under the Charter Act, 1853?
[Delhi Police Constable Executive, Shift 1 (2025)]
A. Exclusive recruitment of British candidates
B. Open competition, potentially including Indians
C. Closure of the civil services
D. Selection exclusively by seniority
Answer: B. Open competition, potentially including Indians
Explanation: The Charter Act of 1853 separated legislative and executive functions within the Governor-General’s council and enabled competitive civil-service recruitment. The principle replaced patronage-based appointment, even though holding examinations in Britain imposed practical barriers for many Indian candidates.
Q105. Which Act was connected with the formation of the first Indian Law Commission?
[Delhi Development Authority MTS, Shift 2 (2025)]
A. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
B. Charter Act, 1833
C. Regulating Act, 1773
D. Charter Act, 1853
Answer: B. 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 First Law Commission, chaired by Thomas Babington Macaulay, was appointed in 1834 and worked on legal codification.
Q104. The Charter Act of 1833 converted the Governor-General of Bengal into Governor-General of what?
[SSC CPO, Shift 1 (2025)]
A. Madras
B. Bombay
C. India
D. Bengal alone
Answer: C. India
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 change reflected stronger legislative centralisation throughout British-controlled territories and William Bentinck became the first Governor-General of India.
Q103. What new privilege did legislative-council members obtain under the Indian Councils Act, 1892?
[SSC CPO, Shift 2 (2025)]
A. They could discuss the budget
B. They could independently enact criminal law
C. They could collect taxes
D. They could overrule the Viceroy
Answer: A. They could discuss the budget
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1892, increased legislative participation and permitted restricted budget discussions, questions and indirect modes of selecting some members. Budget discussion and limited questioning were permitted, but financial voting and ministerial responsibility were not granted.
Q102. By what other name is the Indian Councils Act, 1909, known?
[MP Police Constable, Shift 2 (2025)]
A. Simon Commission
B. Ilbert Bill
C. Morley-Minto Reforms
D. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
Answer: C. Morley-Minto Reforms
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The names refer to Secretary of State John Morley and Viceroy Lord Minto during the introduction of the reform legislation.
Q101. Which major trading change followed the Charter Act of 1813?
[SSC JE Mechanical, Shift 2 (2025)]
A. The Company received a permanent monopoly
B. Its Indian trade monopoly ended, barring tea and China commerce
C. The Company acquired full ownership of all Indian land
D. India’s first Supreme Court was founded
Answer: B. Its Indian trade monopoly ended, barring tea and China commerce
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 reform opened most Indian trade to private British participation while retaining exceptions that ended under subsequent charter legislation.
