Q150. The Morley-Minto Reforms were introduced in which year?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-II, Shift 1 (2026)]
A. 1919
B. 1909
C. 1905
D. 1935
Answer: B. 1909
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The year identifies the Indian Councils Act associated with John Morley and Lord Minto, rather than the later Montagu-Chelmsford changes.
Q149. Which outcome resulted from the Indian Councils Act, 1909?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-II, Shift 1 (2026)]
A. Provincial autonomy was established
B. Legislative councils expanded and Indians gained greater participation
C. Legislative councils were reduced
D. Nominations were abolished completely
Answer: B. Legislative councils expanded and Indians gained greater participation
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The measure enlarged central and provincial legislatures and widened discussion rights, but it did not introduce responsible government or provincial autonomy.
Q148. Which provision was introduced by the Indian Councils Act of 1909?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-II, Shift 1 (2026)]
A. Abolition of the Viceroy’s office
B. Universal adult franchise
C. A Supreme Court of India
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. Members of the Muslim community elected representatives through distinct constituencies; this was not a grant of universal voting rights.
Q147. Which Charter Act removed the East India Company’s monopoly over trade with India?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-II, Shift 1 (2026)]
A. Charter Act, 1793
B. Charter Act, 1813
C. Charter Act, 1833
D. Charter Act, 1853
Answer: B. 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 exceptions were tea and commerce with China; the Company’s remaining commercial role was subsequently ended in 1833.
Q146. What was a principal provision of the Government of India Act, 1935?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-II, Shift 1 (2026)]
A. Dyarchy was introduced in the provinces
B. Separate electorates were limited to Hindus
C. Provincial autonomy and a proposed federal structure
D. Separate electorates were granted to every citizen
Answer: C. Provincial autonomy and a proposed federal structure
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. Provincial autonomy replaced the earlier system of provincial dyarchy, while the projected all-India federation never fully came into operation.
Q145. The Indian Councils Act introducing separate Muslim electorates was passed in which year?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-II, Shift 1 (2026)]
A. 1861
B. 1862
C. 1909
D. 1903
Answer: C. 1909
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. This was a major departure from common electoral representation and became a defining feature of the Morley-Minto constitutional reforms.
Q144. What was an outcome of the Indian Councils Act, 1909?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, Shift 3 (2026)]
A. Abolition of the British Viceroy
B. Creation of the Federal Court
C. Expansion of legislative councils and limited Indian representation
D. Complete adult suffrage
Answer: C. Expansion of legislative councils and limited Indian representation
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The councils gained additional members and discussion opportunities, although executive authority and ultimate political control remained with colonial officials.
Q143. In what year were the Morley-Minto Reforms introduced?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, Shift 2 (2026)]
A. 1909
B. 1905
C. 1919
D. 1935
Answer: A. 1909
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The reforms took their common name from the Secretary of State and Viceroy, and were enacted through the Indian Councils Act.
Q142. What important change did the Indian Councils Act, 1909, bring?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, Shift 3 (2026)]
A. Separate electorates for Muslim voters
B. A Supreme Court for India
C. Voting rights for every adult
D. Removal of the Governor-General
Answer: A. Separate electorates for Muslim voters
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. Communal electorates were a notable innovation; the reforms broadened council participation without replacing the Viceroy or introducing democracy based on adult suffrage.
Q141. In which year did the Indian Councils Act provide separate electorates for Muslims?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, Shift 1 (2026)]
A. 1862
B. 1903
C. 1861
D. 1909
Answer: D. 1909
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The 1861 and 1892 measures expanded councils in other ways; separate Muslim electorates originated with the 1909 legislation.
Q140. Which of these laws provided for provincial autonomy in British India?
[SSC GD Constable 2026, Shift 1 (2026)]
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, 1935, replaced provincial dyarchy with provincial autonomy, envisaged an all-India federation and established the framework for a Federal Court. Elected provincial ministries gained a wider sphere of responsibility under the new arrangements, although governors retained special powers.
Q139. Under which legislation were discussions of the budget first permitted in legislative councils?
[SSC GD Constable 2026, Shift 3 (2026)]
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, 1892, increased legislative participation and permitted restricted budget discussions, questions and indirect modes of selecting some members. Members could debate financial proposals and ask restricted questions, but they could not vote to approve or reject the budget.
Q138. Which law formally ended the East India Company’s rule over India?
[SSC GD Constable 2026, Shift 1 (2026)]
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: The Government of India Act, 1858, transferred governance from the East India Company to the British Crown, introducing a Secretary of State for India. The uprising of 1857 preceded Parliament’s decision to transfer governance from the Company to the British Crown.
Q137. Which British-era law is often described as a blueprint for the Indian Constitution?
[SSC GD Constable 2026, Shift 3 ]
A. Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
B. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, 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. Its institutional arrangements concerning federalism, provincial administration and the judiciary influenced the subsequent constitutional design, even though India’s Constitution established sovereign democracy.
Q136. The Charter Act of 1813 ended the Company’s monopoly over which trade?
[SSC GD Constable 2026, Shift 1]
A. Opium alone
B. Trade with China
C. Trade with Europe alone
D. Trade with India, except tea and China commerce
Answer: D. Trade with India, except 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. Private British traders received broader access to Indian commerce, while the Company’s privileged tea and China businesses continued temporarily.
Q135. Which law introduced the principle of open competition in recruitment to the civil services?
[SSC GD Constable 2026, Shift 2]
A. Charter Act, 1813
B. Charter Act, 1833
C. Charter Act, 1853
D. Indian Councils Act, 1861
Answer: C. Charter Act, 1853
Explanation: The Charter Act of 1853 separated legislative and executive functions within the Governor-General’s council and enabled competitive civil-service recruitment. Competitive examinations replaced the old patronage principle; arrangements for open competitive recruitment followed, with examinations initially held in London.
Q134. What did the Government of India Act, 1935, provide for?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, Shift 2]
A. Provincial autonomy and a federal scheme
B. Separate electorates for every group
C. Electorates confined to Hindus
D. Introduction of dyarchy in provinces
Answer: A. Provincial autonomy and a federal scheme
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 Act removed provincial dyarchy and envisaged federation, although the central federal provisions were never fully implemented.
Q133. Why was the Charter Act of 1813 significant for Indian trade?
[OSSSC Forester/Forest Guard/Excise Constable, Shift 2]
A. It created the first Indian council
B. It reinforced monopoly over all trade
C. It ended the Company’s China monopoly
D. It ended the Company’s Indian trade monopoly, subject to exceptions
Answer: D. It ended the Company’s Indian trade monopoly, subject to exceptions
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. India trade was opened to private British merchants, but the tea monopoly and China trade privileges survived until later legislation.
Q132. Which Act introduced bicameralism in the central legislature?
[OSSSC Forester/Forest Guard/Excise Constable, Shift 1]
A. Charter Act, 1833
B. Indian Councils Act, 1861
C. Government of India Act, 1919
D. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
Answer: C. 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 new central legislature consisted of the Council of State and Legislative Assembly, replacing the previous single legislative chamber.
Q131. What was the principal purpose of the Regulating Act, 1773?
[OSSSC Forester/Forest Guard/Excise Constable, Shift 1]
A. To abolish slavery
B. To bring East India Company administration under parliamentary regulation
C. To promote unrestricted commerce only
D. To build railways
Answer: B. To bring East India Company administration under parliamentary regulation
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 intervened in the Company’s affairs and reorganised Bengal’s executive authority, marking an early stage of government oversight.
Q130. Which Act is commonly called the Morley-Minto Reforms?
[OSSSC Forester/Forest Guard/Excise Constable, Shift 3, 2026]
A. Indian Councils Act, 1909
B. Government of India Act, 1919
C. Indian Councils Act, 1892
D. Government of India Act, 1935
Answer: A. Indian Councils Act, 1909
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The reforms are identified by John Morley and Lord Minto, who held prominent British offices when the measure was enacted.
Q129. Which institutional consequence followed the Regulating Act, 1773?
[UPHESC Assistant Professor History, Shift, 2026]
A. It abolished Bengal’s dual government
B. It gave all legislative power directly to Parliament
C. It created a federation of presidencies
D. It formed a Governor-General’s council and subordinated other presidencies in specified matters
Answer: D. It formed a Governor-General’s council and subordinated other presidencies in specified matters
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. The Bengal Governor became Governor-General with four councillors; Madras and Bombay faced restrictions on independent decisions concerning war and diplomacy.
Q128. Consider the assertion and reason: Assertion—A Foreign Affairs Ministry was established under the Charter Act of 1833; Reason—The East India Company set up a Foreign Department in 1783. Which is correct?
[UPHESC Assistant Professor Political Science, Shift 2 (2026)]
A. Assertion true, Reason false
B. Both true, Reason does not explain Assertion
C. Assertion false, Reason true
D. Both true, Reason explains Assertion
Answer: C. Assertion false, Reason true
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 earlier Foreign Department provides the correct chronology; it is inaccurate to attribute the creation of that institution to the 1833 Charter Act.
Q127. Which statement about the Government of India Act, 1935, is incorrect?
[Rajasthan Police Sub-Inspector GK/GS, Paper II (2026)]
A. The Governor-General represented the Crown in federal administration
B. The upper federal chamber was termed Council of State
C. Provincial governors were appointed by the Governor-General
D. The Governor-General exercised specified discretionary powers
Answer: C. Provincial governors were appointed by the 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. Provincial governors were Crown appointees, not officers appointed by the Governor-General; that distinction mattered for the constitutional authority they exercised.
Q126. Which Act regulated Company administration in Bengal through parliamentary intervention?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, Shift 3 (2026)]
A. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
B. Government of India Act, 1858
C. Regulating Act, 1773
D. Charter Act, 1813
Answer: C. Regulating Act, 1773
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. This pioneering parliamentary measure reorganised the governing machinery of British Bengal and established greater oversight over the Company’s territorial administration.
Q125. Which law provided for a Supreme Court at Calcutta, established in 1774?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, Shift 2 (2026)]
A. Government of India Act, 1858
B. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
C. Regulating Act, 1773
D. Charter Act, 1813
Answer: C. Regulating Act, 1773
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. The court was established at Fort William under a royal charter in 1774 following the earlier parliamentary provision.
Q124. Which law introduced dyarchy by dividing provincial subjects into reserved and transferred categories?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, Shift 2 (2026)]
A. Indian Councils Act, 1892
B. Government of India Act, 1919
C. Indian Councils Act, 1909
D. Government of India Act, 1935
Answer: B. 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. Transferred departments were handled by ministers responsible to provincial councils; reserved matters remained under governors and their executive councillors.
Q123. Which Act introduced the separation of provincial budgets from the central budget?
[RRB Technician Grade III, Shift 2 (2026)]
A. Indian Councils Act, 1909
B. Government of India Act, 1935
C. Government of India Act, 1919
D. Indian Councils Act, 1892
Answer: C. 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 Montagu-Chelmsford changes widened provincial financial arrangements to accompany the division of subjects between central and provincial authorities.
Q122. Which legislation authorised a Supreme Court at Calcutta with one Chief Justice and three other judges?
[RRB Technician Grade III, Shift 1 (2026)]
A. Regulating Act, 1773
B. Charter Act, 1793
C. Act of Settlement, 1781
D. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
Answer: A. Regulating Act, 1773
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. The Fort William court began functioning in 1774, with Elijah Impey as its first Chief Justice and three puisne judges.
Q121. Which Act shifted Indian administration from the Company to the British Crown and ended Company control?
[DSSSB Primary Teacher, Shift 3 (2026)]
A. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
B. Government of India Act, 1858
C. Charter Act, 1833
D. Regulating Act, 1773
Answer: B. Government of India Act, 1858
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858, transferred governance from the East India Company to the British Crown, introducing a Secretary of State for India. Direct Crown government began after the 1857 rebellion, with a Secretary of State for India supervising affairs from Britain.
Q120. How did Pitt’s India Act, 1784, strengthen the Governor-General’s position?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier II, Paper I (2026)]
A. It gave complete independence to the provincial governors
B. It dissolved the Company’s Court of Directors
C. It increased his authority over subordinate presidencies
D. It merged civilian and military services
Answer: C. It increased his authority over subordinate presidencies
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 statute reinforced central supervision of Bombay and Madras while preserving Company directors for commercial matters under British political oversight.
Q119. What six-member supervisory body was created under Pitt’s India Act, 1784?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier II, Paper I]
A. Board of Control
B. Council of India
C. Privy Council
D. Bureau of Revenue
Answer: A. Board of Control
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 of Control represented the British government’s supervisory role over the Company’s civil and military governance.
Q118. What was the central function of the Board of Control under Pitt’s India Act?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier II, Paper I]
A. Oversight of military affairs only
B. Supervision of tax collection only
C. Oversight of civil and military administration
D. Exclusive control of China trade
Answer: C. Oversight of civil and military administration
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 scrutinised political administration, whereas the Court of Directors continued dealing principally with the Company’s commercial business.
Q117. Which enactment set up the first Law Commission in British India?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier II, Paper I]
A. Government of India Act, 1858
B. Indian Councils Act, 1861
C. Regulating Act, 1773
D. Charter Act, 1833
Answer: D. 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. Lord Macaulay chaired the first Indian Law Commission, formed to codify and reform laws under an increasingly centralised administration.
Q116. Which legal measure allocated public funds for education in India?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier II, Paper I]
A. Charter Act, 1813
B. Macaulay’s Minute, 1835
C. Serampore Mission regulations
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 annual one-lakh-rupee provision signalled parliamentary support for educational activity, although later debate concerned how the money should be spent.
Q115. Which area was primarily reorganised by the Regulating Act, 1773?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier II, Paper I]
A. Judicial revenue collection alone
B. Military commerce alone
C. Company governance in Britain and territorial administration in India
D. Diplomacy of princely states alone
Answer: C. Company governance in Britain and territorial administration in India
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. The statute concerned both the Company’s corporate management and its territorial administration, rather than a single tax or military department.
Q114. How did the Regulating Act, 1773, change the office of Governor of Bengal?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier II, Paper I]
A. It made the governor a direct Crown minister
B. It reduced the post to a ceremonial office
C. It made him Governor-General of Bengal, assisted by councillors
D. It moved the governorship to Madras
Answer: C. It made him Governor-General of Bengal, assisted by 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. Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General of Bengal, with a four-member council created to exercise collective executive authority.
Q113. How many members assisted the Governor-General of Bengal in his council under the 1773 Act?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier II, Paper I]
A. Three
B. Four
C. Five
D. Six
Answer: B. Four
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. The Governor-General and four councillors formed the executive structure; the number four denotes councillors other than the Governor-General.
Q112. Which feature of the Government of India Act, 1935, later influenced India’s Constitution?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier II, Paper I]
A. Customs duties only
B. Federal structure and provincial autonomy
C. Unrestricted parliamentary sovereignty
D. Universal adult suffrage
Answer: B. Federal structure 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 legislation supplied significant institutional models for centre-province relations, public administration and judicial arrangements, while leaving British supremacy intact.
Q111. Why is the Government of India Act, 1935, significant in constitutional history?
[Delhi Police Head Constable Ministerial, Shift 1 (2026)]
A. It introduced voting rights for every adult
B. It abolished central dyarchy and began provincial dyarchy
C. It proposed an all-India federation and provincial autonomy
D. It guaranteed a bill of fundamental rights
Answer: C. It proposed an all-India federation 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. Federal and provincial provisions expanded the constitutional framework, although the envisaged federation could not be inaugurated in full.
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.
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.
Q90. What major electoral change came with the 1909 Act?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, Shift 3 (2025)]
A. Separate electorates
B. Proportional representation everywhere
C. Suffrage for every adult
D. Universal female voting rights
Answer: A. Separate electorates
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. Muslim electorates formed a separate representation system, unlike the broad-based franchise or proportional voting proposed in the distractors.
Q89. Which Act ended provincial dyarchy under British rule?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, Shift 2 (2025)]
A. Indian Councils Act, 1909
B. Charter Act, 1853
C. Government of India Act, 1935
D. Government of India Act, 1919
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. The provincial dyarchy first introduced through the 1919 legislation gave way to provincial autonomy in the subsequent constitutional scheme.
Q88. Which statute marked the earliest significant constitutional intervention in Company government?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, Shift 2 (2025)]
A. Indian Councils Act, 1861
B. Regulating Act, 1773
C. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
D. Charter Act, 1813
Answer: B. Regulating Act, 1773
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. The legislation began a sequence of British parliamentary efforts to regulate East India Company activities and centralise power.
Q87. The Supreme Court established at Calcutta in 1774 consisted of the Chief Justice and how many other judges?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, Shift 2 (2025)]
A. Six
B. Two
C. Four
D. Three
Answer: D. Three
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. The royal charter established one Chief Justice with three other judges under the statutory framework begun in 1773.
Q86. Which Act initiated parliamentary supervision over the East India Company’s Indian administration?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, Shift 1 (2025)]
A. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
B. Regulating Act, 1773
C. Government of India Act, 1858
D. Charter Act, 1813
Answer: B. Regulating Act, 1773
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. The British legislature intervened to correct weaknesses in Company governance, preceding the more elaborate supervisory machinery of Pitt’s later legislation.
Q85. Which statement about the Indian Councils Act of 1892 is correct?
[SSC Stenographer, Shift 3 (2025)]
A. It increased only official representation
B. It enabled budget discussions and questions in the councils
C. It provided complete direct elections
D. It granted full legislative independence
Answer: B. It enabled budget discussions and questions in the councils
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1892, increased legislative participation and permitted restricted budget discussions, questions and indirect modes of selecting some members. The reform gave councillors limited deliberative rights and introduced indirect representation practices, but not full-scale direct elections.
Q84. Which reform introduced the principle of separate Muslim electorates?
[SSC Selection Post Matriculation, Shift 1 (2025)]
A. Indian Councils Act, 1892
B. Government of India Act, 1935
C. Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
D. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919
Answer: C. Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The principle assigned separate constituencies to Muslim representatives; it was not a general Hindu-versus-Muslim universal voting system.
Q83. Which Charter Act responded to pressures from free traders, Evangelicals and Utilitarians?
[UGC NET History (2025)]
A. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
B. Charter Act, 1813
C. Charter Act, 1853
D. Indian Councils Act, 1892
Answer: B. 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 revision reduced Company trading privileges and opened space for missionary and educational activity under regulated conditions.
Q82. In which year did Parliament enact the Regulating Act for the East India Company?
[Patna High Court Mazdoor (2025)]
A. 1753
B. 1764
C. 1757
D. 1773
Answer: D. 1773
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. The measure followed growing concern over the Company’s territorial power and created the Governor-General of Bengal’s office.
Q81. Which Act transferred India’s governance from the East India Company to the Crown?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, Shift 3 (2025)]
A. Charter Act, 1833
B. Regulating Act, 1773
C. Government of India Act, 1858
D. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
Answer: C. Government of India Act, 1858
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858, transferred governance from the East India Company to the British Crown, introducing a Secretary of State for India. The Company’s governing authority ended after the revolt of 1857, while the Crown’s representative continued to be styled Governor-General and Viceroy.
Q80. The Charter Act of 1813 is associated with support for which field?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, Shift 2 (2025)]
A. Railway construction
B. Western learning and educational provision
C. Doctrine of Lapse
D. Restrictions on child labour
Answer: B. Western learning and educational provision
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. Parliament authorised expenditure on education through an annual allocation, before the later English-education policy debates.
Q79. Which legislation strengthened regular oversight of the East India Company’s Indian government in 1784?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, Shift 3 (2025)]
A. Charter Act, 1813
B. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
C. Charter Act, 1793
D. Regulating Act, 1773
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 law supplied a Board of Control and strengthened administrative supervision while retaining the Company’s trading apparatus.
Q78. Which Act provided for the establishment of a Supreme Court at Calcutta?
[UPSC NDA I, General Ability Test (2025)]
A. Regulating Act, 1773
B. Charter Act, 1793
C. Charter Act, 1813
D. Government of India Act, 1858
Answer: A. Regulating Act, 1773
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. The Supreme Court at Fort William was established in 1774 and was an important judicial consequence of early parliamentary regulation.
Q77. Who was the Viceroy associated with the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms?
[RPF Constable, Shift 1 (2025)]
A. Governor-General only, not Viceroy
B. British Prime Minister
C. Secretary of State for India
D. Lord Chelmsford
Answer: D. Lord Chelmsford
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919, known as Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced provincial dyarchy and a two-chamber central legislature. Edwin Montagu was Secretary of State for India, whereas Lord Chelmsford served as Viceroy, jointly giving their names to the 1919 reforms.
Q76. The Indian Councils Act of 1909 is popularly called what?
[RPF Constable, Shift 1 (2025)]
A. Morley-Minto Reforms
B. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
C. Ilbert Bill
D. Pitt’s India Act
Answer: A. Morley-Minto Reforms
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The named reformers held the posts of Secretary of State and Viceroy during legislation that expanded councils and separate electorates.
Q75. Under which Act was Indian governmental power transferred to the British Crown?
[RPF Constable, Shift 1 (2025)]
A. Government of India Act, 1858
B. Government of India Act, 1935
C. Indian Councils Act, 1909
D. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
Answer: A. Government of India Act, 1858
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858, transferred governance from the East India Company to the British Crown, introducing a Secretary of State for India. After the rebellion of 1857, Parliament terminated Company administration and established direct Crown responsibility for India.
Q74. Which Act made the Governor-General the representative of the British Crown, also called Viceroy?
[RPF Constable, Shift 3 (2025)]
A. Government of India Act, 1858
B. Government of India Act, 1935
C. Indian Councils Act, 1909
D. Government of India Act, 1919
Answer: A. Government of India Act, 1858
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858, transferred governance from the East India Company to the British Crown, introducing a Secretary of State for India. Lord Canning continued as Governor-General and became the first Viceroy following the transfer of political authority.
Q73. Which organisation’s governance was regulated by the British Regulating Act of 1773?
[RPF Constable, Shift 2 (2025)]
A. The British Crown itself
B. The East India Company
C. The British Parliament
D. The Mughal Empire
Answer: B. The East India Company
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. The East India Company exercised both trade and territorial authority, prompting Parliament to intervene in its Indian affairs.
Q72. How many legislative lists were included in the Government of India Act, 1935?
[SSC GD Constable, Shift 1 (2025)]
A. Three
B. Two
C. Four
D. One
Answer: A. Three
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, provincial and concurrent lists identified subjects for different levels of legislation within the proposed federal scheme.
Q71. In what year did Pitt’s India Act become law?
[RRB Technician Grade I, Shift 2 (2024)]
A. 1784
B. 1857
C. 1774
D. 1853
Answer: A. 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 Act created a Board of Control and a system of British government supervision of East India Company affairs.
Q70. Pitt’s India Act was enacted in which year?
[SSC Stenographer, Shift 1 (2024)]
A. 1781
B. 1784
C. 1782
D. 1780
Answer: B. 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. This followed the 1773 attempt at regulation and distinguished commercial management from political oversight of Company territories.
Q69. Which Act recognised the allocation of separate portfolios among members of the Governor-General’s Council?
[SSC Stenographer, Shift 1 (2024)]
A. Indian Councils Act, 1858
B. Indian Councils Act, 1861
C. Indian Councils Act, 1909
D. Indian Councils Act, 1892
Answer: B. Indian Councils Act, 1861
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1861, restored legislative functions and expanded councils by allowing nominated additional members, including Indians. The portfolio system formalised departmental responsibility within executive government, a reform associated with Lord Canning.
Q68. Which was NOT a provision of Pitt’s India Act, 1784?
[SSC Stenographer, Shift 2 (2024)]
A. Creation of a six-member Board of Control
B. Closer supervision of Bombay and Madras
C. A smaller Governor-General’s Council
D. Assumption of all Company debts by the British government
Answer: D. Assumption of all Company debts by the British government
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 measure altered political supervision and council arrangements; it did not transfer every Company debt to the British Treasury.
Q67. Consider two statements about the Charter Act, 1833: (A) It renamed the Governor-General of Bengal as Governor-General of India; (B) William Bentinck was the first holder. Which is incorrect?
[SSC MTS, Shift 2 (2024)]
A. Neither statement
B. Only B
C. Only A
D. Both statements
Answer: A. Neither statement
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. Both statements accurately describe the restructuring of the central executive office under the 1833 law.
Q66. Which legislation ended Company government and began direct Crown administration in India?
[SSC MTS, Shift 1 (2024)]
A. Government of India Act, 1919
B. Government of India Act, 1858
C. Charter Act, 1853
D. Charter Act, 1833
Answer: B. Government of India Act, 1858
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858, transferred governance from the East India Company to the British Crown, introducing a Secretary of State for India. The 1858 transfer followed the uprising of 1857 and replaced Company supervision with the Secretary of State’s authority.
Q65. Which Act created the Board of Control for supervising the East India Company?
[SSC CGL, Shift 1 (2024)]
A. Charter Act, 1813
B. Regulating Act, 1773
C. Charter Act, 1793
D. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
Answer: D. 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 statutory Board enabled British government direction over important civil, military and revenue affairs conducted in India.
Q64. Which Act transferred the rule of India from the East India Company to the British Crown?
[SSC CGL, Shift 1 (2024)]
A. Charter Act, 1833
B. Regulating Act, 1773
C. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
D. Government of India Act, 1858
Answer: D. Government of India Act, 1858
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858, transferred governance from the East India Company to the British Crown, introducing a Secretary of State for India. The Crown assumed sovereignty over Company-held territories and the Viceroy represented it in India.
Q63. Which statements about the Morley-Minto Reforms are correct? (a) They became law in 1909; (b) They enlarged legislative councils; (c) They introduced separate Muslim electorates.
[SSC CGL, Shift 3 (2024)]
A. Only (b) and (c)
B. (a), (b) and (c)
C. Only (a) and (c)
D. Only (a) and (b)
Answer: B. (a), (b) and (c)
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. All three statements describe core elements of the Indian Councils Act of 1909, including the significant communal electoral innovation.
Q62. Which enactment brought India’s administration under the direct rule of the Crown?
[SSC CGL, Shift 3 (2024)]
A. Charter Act, 1833
B. Regulating Act, 1773
C. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
D. Government of India Act, 1858
Answer: D. Government of India Act, 1858
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858, transferred governance from the East India Company to the British Crown, introducing a Secretary of State for India. Crown rule replaced Company territorial administration, while Parliament retained overall legislative authority for imperial affairs.
Q61. In which year was Queen Victoria’s Proclamation announcing Crown government issued?
[WBPSC WBCS History Mains (2024)]
A. 1855
B. 1859
C. 1800
D. 1858
Answer: D. 1858
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858, transferred governance from the East India Company to the British Crown, introducing a Secretary of State for India. Read at Allahabad in November 1858, the proclamation followed the Government of India Act transferring power to the Crown.
Q60. Who was Governor-General of India during the revolt of 1857 and the transition to Crown rule?
[WBPSC WBCS History Mains (2024)]
A. Lord Canning
B. Lord Curzon
C. Lord Cornwallis
D. Lord Minto
Answer: A. Lord Canning
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858, transferred governance from the East India Company to the British Crown, introducing a Secretary of State for India. Lord Canning governed during the uprising and subsequently became the first Viceroy after the 1858 constitutional change.
Q59. Under which Act was dyarchy introduced in Indian provinces?
[MPPSC Assistant Professor (2024)]
A. Indian Councils Act, 1909
B. Government of India Act, 1919
C. Government of India Act, 1935
D. Indian Independence Act, 1947
Answer: B. 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. Provincial administration was split into transferred subjects handled by ministers and reserved subjects controlled by governor-led executives.
Q58. Which Act introduced separate electorates for Muslims?
[SSC CPO, Shift 2 (2024)]
A. Government of India Act, 1919
B. Government of India Act, 1935
C. Indian Councils Act, 1909
D. Indian Councils Act, 1861
Answer: C. Indian Councils Act, 1909
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The Muslim separate electorate provision distinguished Morley-Minto legislation from earlier legislative-council reforms.
Q57. The Charter Act of 1833 abolished the Company’s monopoly over trade with which country?
[SSC CPO, Shift 2 (2024)]
A. Nepal
B. China
C. Burma
D. Sri Lanka
Answer: B. China
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. It ended the Company’s last important trade monopolies, including Chinese commerce and tea, and remade it as an administrative organisation.
Q56. Which law terminated the East India Company’s monopoly over China trade?
[SSC Selection Post, Shift 2 (2024)]
A. Government of India Act, 1858
B. Charter Act, 1853
C. Charter Act, 1793
D. Charter Act, 1833
Answer: D. 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 final commercial privileges of the Company were removed, completing the process of opening trade begun in 1813.
Q55. In what year were the Montagu-Chelmsford constitutional reforms enacted?
[DSSSB Jail Warder, Shift 2 (2024)]
A. 1917
B. 1919
C. 1918
D. 1916
Answer: B. 1919
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919, known as Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced provincial dyarchy and a two-chamber central legislature. Their legislative expression was the Government of India Act, 1919, which introduced provincial dyarchy and central bicameralism.
Q54. The Supreme Court established by the Regulating Act arrangements was located in which city?
[SSC JE Civil, Shift 3 (2024)]
A. Delhi
B. Calcutta
C. Madras
D. Bombay
Answer: B. Calcutta
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. The Supreme Court at Fort William was set up in Calcutta in 1774 under authority flowing from the 1773 statute.
Q53. Select the correct chronological order: Morley-Minto Reforms; Jallianwala Bagh; Gandhi-Irwin Pact; August Offer.
[CGPSC State Service Preliminary Examination (2024)]
A. Gandhi-Irwin Pact, Jallianwala Bagh, August Offer, Morley-Minto
B. Jallianwala Bagh, Morley-Minto, August Offer, Gandhi-Irwin
C. Morley-Minto, Jallianwala Bagh, Gandhi-Irwin Pact, August Offer
D. August Offer, Gandhi-Irwin Pact, Jallianwala Bagh, Morley-Minto
Answer: C. Morley-Minto, Jallianwala Bagh, Gandhi-Irwin Pact, August Offer
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The corresponding years are 1909, 1919, 1931 and 1940, placing the Indian Councils Act before the later political events.
Q52. Which Charter Act is chiefly associated with legislative centralisation in British India?
[SSC JE Civil, Shift 1 (2023)]
A. Charter Act, 1853
B. Charter Act, 1813
C. Charter Act, 1793
D. Charter Act, 1833
Answer: D. 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. Legislative authority became more centralised in the Governor-General of India’s council, limiting the legislative powers of subordinate presidencies.
Q51. Under which statute was the first Indian Law Commission created?
[SSC CPO, Shift 1 (2023)]
A. Indian Councils Act, 1909
B. Government of India Act, 1919
C. Charter Act, 1813
D. Charter Act, 1833
Answer: D. 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 began work under Macaulay in 1834, and its recommendations influenced major codification initiatives.
Q50. Which Act placed the presidencies of Bombay and Madras under the Bengal Governor-General in specified matters?
[MP Police Constable (2023)]
A. Regulating Act, 1773
B. Government of India Act, 1935
C. Charter Act, 1793
D. Charter Act, 1813
Answer: A. Regulating Act, 1773
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. The restrictions, especially relating to war and diplomacy, strengthened Bengal’s position in Company administration.
Q49. Which statute established Bengal’s supremacy over the other Company presidencies?
[MP Police Constable (2023)]
A. Regulating Act, 1773
B. Indian Independence Act, 1947
C. Government of India Act, 1919
D. Indian Councils Act, 1909
Answer: A. Regulating Act, 1773
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. The Act made Bengal the focal point of territorial government and reduced the autonomous discretion of Bombay and Madras.
Q48. The Government of India Act, 1935, introduced the division of legislative subjects into three lists. In which year was that Act passed?
[SSC CHSL, Shift 3 (2023)]
A. 1862
B. 1919
C. 1909
D. 1935
Answer: D. 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, provincial and concurrent lists set out legislative competencies under a constitutional framework that influenced India’s later system.
Q47. In which year did the provincial-autonomy provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935, come into operation?
[Maharashtra Forest Guard (2023)]
A. 1936
B. 1938
C. 1935
D. 1937
Answer: D. 1937
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. Provincial autonomy operated from 1937 following provincial elections, even though the central federal design was not implemented.
Q46. Which law first established a bicameral legislature at the Centre in British India?
[SSC CGL, Shift 2 (2023)]
A. Indian Councils Act, 1861
B. Regulating Act, 1773
C. Government of India Act, 1919
D. Government of India Act, 1935
Answer: C. 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 central legislative structure acquired an upper Council of State and a lower Legislative Assembly under the reform.
Q45. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were implemented by which Act?
[SSC CGL, Shift 3 (2023)]
A. Government of India Act, 1945
B. Government of India Act, 1935
C. Government of India Act, 1923
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. This legislation allocated transferred and reserved provincial subjects, introducing the dyarchy experiment in provincial executive government.
Q44. Pitt’s India Act was passed in which year?
[MP Forest Guard/Jail Prahari (2023)]
A. 1773
B. 1774
C. 1783
D. 1784
Answer: D. 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 legislation followed the earlier regulating experiment and sought more effective British supervision of Company’s public affairs.
Q43. The Regulating Act for the East India Company was passed in which year?
[SSC MTS, Shift 1 (2023)]
A. 1775
B. 1876
C. 1877
D. 1773
Answer: D. 1773
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’s first major intervention in Company administration established a Governor-General for Bengal and envisaged the Supreme Court at Calcutta.
Q42. On which date did the Indian Independence Act, 1947, receive royal assent?
[MP Forest Guard (2023)]
A. 18 July 1947
B. 14 August 1947
C. 3 June 1947
D. 26 July 1947
Answer: A. 18 July 1947
Explanation: The Indian Independence Act, 1947, enabled the creation of the independent Dominions of India and Pakistan and ended British parliamentary sovereignty over them. The law received royal assent on 18 July and provided for the creation of two independent Dominions on 15 August 1947.
Q41. The system of provincial dyarchy was introduced by which legislation?
[MPPSC State Service Preliminary Examination (2023)]
A. Government of India Act, 1935
B. Government of India Act, 1919
C. Indian Councils Act, 1861
D. Indian Councils Act, 1909
Answer: B. 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. Subjects were separated into reserved and transferred categories, a system that operated until provincial autonomy superseded it.
Q40. Which reform period was associated with the formation of the Chamber of Princes in 1921?
[UPPSC PCS Preliminary Examination (2023)]
A. Government of India Act, 1919
B. Charter Act, 1793
C. Indian Councils Act, 1909
D. Charter Act, 1853
Answer: A. 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 Chamber of Princes was inaugurated in 1921 by royal proclamation, amid post-war constitutional changes associated with the 1919 reform period.
Q39. Which Act created the dual-control system for governing the East India Company?
[SSC MTS (2022 Cycle), Shift 1 (2023)]
A. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
B. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919
C. Charter Act, 1793
D. Charter Act, 1813
Answer: A. 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. Dual control combined the Company Court of Directors with the government’s Board of Control, which supervised political matters.
Q38. Who was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at Fort William, Calcutta?
[MP Excise Constable (2023)]
A. John Lemaistre
B. Elijah Impey
C. Robert Chambers
D. Stephen Hyde
Answer: B. Elijah Impey
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. Sir Elijah Impey served as inaugural Chief Justice of the court founded in 1774 under arrangements following the Regulating Act.
Q37. Which British statute introduced provincial autonomy in India?
[CTET (2023)]
A. Morley-Minto Reforms
B. Rowlatt Act
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. The Act removed dyarchy from provinces and permitted ministries to govern important provincial subjects, subject to governors’ powers.
Q36. Which Act provided for admitting Indians as additional members to the Governor-General’s legislative council?
[Rajasthan CET Graduate (2023)]
A. Government of India Act, 1919
B. Indian Councils Act, 1909
C. Indian Councils Act, 1861
D. Indian Councils Act, 1892
Answer: C. Indian Councils Act, 1861
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1861, restored legislative functions and expanded councils by allowing nominated additional members, including Indians. The 1861 legislation restored legislative functions and authorised the nomination of non-official members, including Indians, to legislative deliberations.
Q35. What happened to provincial budgets under the Government of India Act, 1919?
[SSC JE Mechanical (2022)]
A. They were separated from the central budget
B. They were merged into the central budget
C. The Viceroy drafted each provincial budget directly
D. Provincial governments no longer had budgets
Answer: A. They were separated from the central budget
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919, known as Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced provincial dyarchy and a two-chamber central legislature. Financial decentralisation accompanied provincial dyarchy and the wider distribution of administrative responsibilities between central and provincial authorities.
Q34. India’s first Supreme Court under British rule was established at which place?
[SSC CPO (2022)]
A. Madras
B. Assam
C. Calcutta
D. New Delhi
Answer: C. Calcutta
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. The Supreme Court at Fort William began functioning in 1774 following the judicial provision of the Regulating Act.
Q33. Where was the Supreme Court established under the Regulating Act, 1773?
[Madras High Court Recruitment Examination (2022)]
A. Calcutta
B. Bombay
C. Delhi
D. Madras
Answer: A. Calcutta
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. Fort William in Calcutta was the location, and the court’s founding marked the development of British royal judicial institutions.
Q32. Which constitutional law provided for the separation of Sind from the Bombay Presidency?
[UPSSSC PET (2022)]
A. Indian Independence Act, 1947
B. Wavell Plan
C. Cripps Mission proposals
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. Sind became a separate governor’s province in 1936 as part of the provincial reorganisation associated with the 1935 legislation.
Q31. The Indian Councils Act, 1909, is commonly identified with which reforms?
[RRB Group D (2022)]
A. Simon Commission
B. Quit India Movement
C. Chauri Chaura Movement
D. Morley-Minto Reforms
Answer: D. Morley-Minto Reforms
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The name combines the British Secretary of State and Viceroy in office when separate electorates were introduced.
Q30. Which Indian Councils Act explicitly expanded the elective principle in legislative councils?
[Punjab and Haryana High Court Clerk (2022)]
A. 1920
B. 1935
C. 1909
D. 1916
Answer: C. 1909
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The 1909 reform introduced distinctive electoral constituencies, including separate electorates for Muslims, beyond the earlier indirect selection practices.
Q29. Section 43 of the Charter Act, 1813, principally concerned which subject?
[OPSC Assistant Section Officer (2022)]
A. Public order
B. Education
C. Trade taxes
D. Cultural renaissance
Answer: B. Education
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. It provided an annual sum of one lakh rupees for promoting literature, knowledge and science among people in British India.
Q28. The East India Company legislation enacted in 1813 was called what?
[RRB Group D (2022)]
A. Charter Act
B. British Parliament Act
C. Indian Councils Act
D. Indian Independence Act
Answer: A. Charter Act
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 Charter Act renewed Company privileges for a limited period while removing much of its exclusive trade with India.
Q27. Which Act provided for setting up a Supreme Court at Calcutta?
[SSC MTS (2022)]
A. Regulating Act, 1773
B. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
C. Charter Act, 1853
D. Charter Act, 1793
Answer: A. Regulating Act, 1773
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. The Supreme Court opened in 1774 and operated with a Chief Justice and three other judges.
Q26. Which Act authorised the establishment of a Supreme Court in Calcutta?
[Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (2022)]
A. Regulating Act, 1773
B. Charter Act, 1813
C. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
D. Charter Act, 1833
Answer: A. Regulating Act, 1773
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. The Court at Fort William provided a Crown judicial institution alongside Company administration, often producing jurisdictional disputes.
Q25. Which Act created the Board of Control for Company affairs?
[Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (2022)]
A. Government of India Act, 1858
B. Regulating Act, 1773
C. Charter Act, 1833
D. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
Answer: D. 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’s members supervised political and administrative matters, while Company directors continued their commercial responsibilities.
Q24. Which Act first ended the Company’s monopoly of trade with India, apart from specified exceptions?
[Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (2022)]
A. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
B. Regulating Act, 1773
C. None of the above
D. Charter Act, 1813
Answer: D. 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 1813 Act opened most Indian trade to private British merchants but continued exclusive rights in tea and China trade.
Q23. The Government of India Act, 1935, is chiefly linked to which constitutional principle?
[Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (2022)]
A. Hereditary succession
B. Federal and parliamentary institutions
C. An independent Constituent Assembly
D. Immediate complete independence
Answer: B. Federal and parliamentary institutions
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. It proposed an Indian federation and granted provincial autonomy, without creating an independent sovereign Constituent Assembly.
Q22. The 1919 constitutional reforms were named after Viceroy Chelmsford and which Secretary of State?
[RRB NTPC CBT-II Level 3 (2022)]
A. Lord Elgin
B. Edwin Montagu
C. Charles I
D. Lord Linlithgow
Answer: B. Edwin Montagu
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919, known as Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced provincial dyarchy and a two-chamber central legislature. Montagu and Chelmsford sponsored the reforms that produced the Government of India Act, 1919, including provincial dyarchy.
Q21. Which reform introduced separate electorates for Muslims in British India?
[UPSC CDS I, General Knowledge (2022)]
A. Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
B. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919
C. Communal Award, 1932
D. Government of India Act, 1935
Answer: A. Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The electorates permitted Muslim voters to select specified Muslim representatives and established a lasting communal feature of legislative elections.
Q20. The Supreme Court at Calcutta was established following which law?
[UP Police Sub-Inspector (2021)]
A. Regulating Act, 1773
B. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
C. Indian Councils Act, 1861
D. Charter Act, 1813
Answer: A. Regulating Act, 1773
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. The court opened at Fort William in 1774, creating an important royal judicial authority in Bengal.
Q19. The Indian Councils Act, 1909, is associated with which reformers?
[UP Police Sub-Inspector (2021)]
A. Montagu and Chelmsford
B. Simon and Butler
C. Cripps and Wavell
D. Morley and Minto
Answer: D. Morley and Minto
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909, also called the Morley-Minto Reforms, enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. Secretary of State John Morley and Viceroy Lord Minto gave their names to the legislation expanding councils and communal representation.
Q18. Who was the first Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act, 1773?
[UPSC CDS II, General Knowledge (2021)]
A. Warren Hastings
B. Lord North
C. Mountstuart Elphinstone
D. Philip Francis
Answer: A. 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 became the first Governor-General of Bengal under the new executive arrangement, working with a four-member council.
Q17. Which statement about the Indian Councils Act, 1861, is correct? (1) It increased legislative-council membership; (2) It prohibited the Governor-General from increasing the council.
[UPSC NDA II, General Ability Test (2021)]
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. Both (1) and (2)
D. Neither (1) nor (2)
Answer: A. (1) only
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1861, restored legislative functions and expanded councils by allowing nominated additional members, including Indians. The Act expanded legislative membership and allowed nominated additional members; the statement denying enlargement contradicts its provisions.
Q16. Which legislation first introduced indirect election practices into Indian legislative-council membership?
[SSC MTS (2021)]
A. Charter Act, 1833
B. Indian Councils Act, 1892
C. Government of India Act, 1915
D. Indian Councils Act, 1861
Answer: B. Indian Councils Act, 1892
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1892, increased legislative participation and permitted restricted budget discussions, questions and indirect modes of selecting some members. Though the Act avoided fully explicit direct elections, it provided for recommendations by public bodies, an important step toward elective representation.
Q15. Consider these statements: (1) The Government of India Act, 1919, gave every British Indian woman aged 21 a vote; (2) The Government of India Act, 1935, provided for reserved seats for women. Which is correct?
[UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination (2021)]
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. Both (1) and (2)
D. Neither (1) nor (2)
Answer: B. (2) only
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 1919 reforms did not establish a universal female franchise. The later 1935 framework included reserved seats for women in legislatures under specified electoral rules.
Q14. Which Charter Act led to the appointment of the first Indian Law Commission?
[Maharashtra State Eligibility Test (2021)]
A. Charter Act, 1793
B. Charter Act, 1813
C. Charter Act, 1833
D. Charter Act, 1853
Answer: C. 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. Macaulay became the first chairman after the 1833 legislation authorised legal review and consolidation.
Q13. Which Act was primarily designed to regulate the Company’s rule in Bengal?
[UPMRC Station Controller/Train Operator (2021)]
A. Government of India Act, 1858
B. Government of India Act, 1919
C. Regulating Act, 1773
D. Pitt’s India Act, 1784
Answer: C. Regulating Act, 1773
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. It constituted an initial British parliamentary intervention in East India Company territorial government, especially in Bengal.
Q12. Which principle was a major feature of the Government of India Act, 1935?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I (2021)]
A. Provincial autonomy
B. Complete Indian sovereignty
C. Creation of Union Territories
D. Dyarchy in the provinces
Answer: A. 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. Provincial ministers enjoyed greater authority after dyarchy was abolished at the provincial level, subject to governors’ discretionary powers.
Q11. Which law first changed the Governor-General of Bengal into the Governor-General of India?
[UP PGT Civics (2021 Paper) (2021)]
A. Regulating Act, 1773
B. Charter Act, 1833
C. Charter Act, 1853
D. Government of India Act, 1858
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. This statutory change strengthened central legislative authority in British India, with William Bentinck as the first Governor-General of India.
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.