Q100. What did the Morley-Minto Reforms primarily introduce into colonial legislative councils?
[SSC JE Civil, Shift 1 (2025)]
A. Complete Indian self-rule
B. Separate Muslim electorates
C. Abolition of East India Company rule
D. A Federal Court
Answer: B. Separate Muslim electorates
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The reform allowed Muslim voters in specified constituencies to elect their own representatives, establishing communal representation within the electoral system.
Q99. Which enactment created a bicameral central legislature for the first time?
[DSSSB Trained Graduate Teacher Social Science, Shift 3 (2025)]
A. Indian Councils Act, 1861
B. Indian Councils Act, 1892
C. Indian Councils Act, 1909
D. Government of India Act, 1919
Answer: D. Government of India Act, 1919
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919, known as Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced provincial dyarchy and a two-chamber central legislature. The Upper Council of State and the Lower Legislative Assembly became the two chambers of the imperial legislature.
Q98. Which feature is chiefly associated with the Morley-Minto Reforms?
[OSSSC CRE Preliminary Examination, Shift 1 (2025)]
A. Voting rights for all women
B. Fully responsible central government
C. Reserved constituencies for depressed classes
D. Separate electorates for Muslims
Answer: D. Separate electorates for Muslims
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. Communal electorates were an electoral innovation of 1909; broader franchise rights and provincial self-government emerged, incompletely, through other reforms.
Q97. In which year did the Morley-Minto Reforms become law?
[OSSSC CRE Preliminary Examination, Shift 2 (2025)]
A. 1783
B. 1909
C. 1919
D. 1905
Answer: B. 1909
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The measure expanded colonial legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates, without establishing responsible government.
Q96. What was an important objective of the Government of India Act, 1935?
[SSC CGL, Shift 1 (2025)]
A. Immediate complete independence
B. Immediate dominion status
C. Federal arrangements and provincial autonomy
D. A universal adult franchise
Answer: C. Federal arrangements and provincial autonomy
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 proposed federation was conditional and never completely realised, whereas elected provincial governments obtained expanded responsibilities.
Q95. The Government of India Act, 1919, established the Council of State and which other chamber?
[SSC CGL, Shift 3 (2025)]
A. Central Legislative Assembly
B. Imperial Council of Nobles
C. Council of Princes
D. Chamber of Deputies
Answer: A. Central Legislative Assembly
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919, known as Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced provincial dyarchy and a two-chamber central legislature. This first central bicameral legislature replaced the previous unicameral legislative setup and provided distinct upper and lower houses.
Q94. Which Act established the Board of Control for Indian affairs?
[UPSC NDA II, General Ability Test (2025)]
A. Regulating Act, 1773
B. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
C. Charter Act, 1793
D. Charter Act, 1813
Answer: B. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
Explanation: Pitt’s India Act of 1784 strengthened British political oversight through a Board of Control, while the East India Company’s directors retained important corporate functions. The Board supervised Company political operations from Britain, creating the arrangement conventionally called dual control.
Q93. What was the constitutional impact of the Regulating Act, 1773, on Bengal’s governor?
[SSC CGL, Shift 1 (2025)]
A. He became Governor-General of Bengal with four councillors
B. He was directly elected by Indians
C. His office was abolished
D. He became Secretary of State for India
Answer: A. He became Governor-General of Bengal with four councillors
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. A central executive authority was created around Bengal’s governorship; the councils served as a check on unilateral exercise of power.
Q92. The Regulating Act, 1773, principally affected which part of the Company’s administration?
[SSC CGL, Shift 2 (2025)]
A. Only its army
B. Both Company management and Indian territorial government
C. Only land taxation
D. Only trade in Europe
Answer: B. Both Company management and Indian territorial government
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. Parliament regulated the Company’s political administration and its affairs at home, marking a departure from unchecked mercantile government.
Q91. What form of political control did Pitt’s India Act of 1784 establish?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, Shift 3 (2025)]
A. Complete independence for presidency governments
B. A new Company monopoly
C. Immediate Crown government
D. Dual control through Company directors and a British supervisory board
Answer: D. Dual control through Company directors and a British supervisory board
Explanation: Pitt’s India Act of 1784 strengthened British political oversight through a Board of Control, while the East India Company’s directors retained important corporate functions. The Court of Directors remained active, but the new Board of Control gained powers over civil and military government in India.
