Q10. Under which Viceroy did the Ilbert Bill controversy arise?
[RPSC AEN General Knowledge & General Science (2013)]
(A) Lord Lytton
(B) Lord Curzon
(C) Lord Ripon
(D) Lord Dufferin
Answer: (C) Lord Ripon
Explanation: The Ilbert Bill proposal arose in 1883 during Lord Ripon’s rule and challenged racial exemptions protecting Europeans from Indian judicial authority. European opposition led to a compromise, exposing unequal treatment under British judicial arrangements.
Q9. Which Act first permitted some Indians to participate in the administration through legislative council nominations?
[UPPSC Civil Services Prelims (2012, Paper I)]
(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 of 1861 authorized nomination of non-official members, including Indians, to the enlarged lawmaking council. This allowed restricted participation without transferring government responsibility from the Crown’s executive to an elected legislature.
Q8. The Constitution’s division of powers between Centre and states derives mainly from which colonial Act?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2012]
(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 of 1935 divided legislative subjects into federal, provincial and concurrent categories. The Constitution adopted and revised this arrangement through its Union, State and Concurrent Lists, combined with democratic constitutional safeguards.
Q7. The 1935 Act’s ‘Instrument of Instructions’ influenced which feature of India’s Constitution?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2010]
(A) Fundamental Rights
(B) Directive Principles of State Policy
(C) Extent of state executive power
(D) Conduct of Union government business
Answer: (B) Directive Principles of State Policy
Explanation: Instruments of Instructions under the 1935 constitutional framework guided colonial executives in performing certain functions. Their non-justiciable guiding character influenced the Directive Principles of State Policy, although the Constitution greatly expanded their social and economic purpose.
Q6. Consider:
1. The Charter Act of 1853 abolished the Company’s monopoly of Indian trade.
2. The Government of India Act, 1858 ended Company rule and established direct Crown government.
Which are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS (2006)]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (B) 2 only
Explanation: The Company’s trade monopolies ended in stages under the Charter Acts of 1813 and 1833, not 1853. The Government of India Act of 1858 transferred governance from the Company to the British Crown following the 1857 uprising.
Q5. Which statements describe the Government of India Act, 1935?
1. It abolished provincial dyarchy.
2. Governors could veto legislation and legislate themselves.
3. It abolished communal representation.
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS (2004)]
(A) 1 only
(B) 1 and 2
(C) 2 and 3
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 1 and 2
Explanation: The Act abolished dyarchy in the provinces while retaining extensive powers for governors, including extraordinary legislative authority. It did not abolish separate communal representation, which continued under the colonial electoral system.
Q4. The Montagu–Chelmsford Report formed the basis for which law?
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS (2004)]
(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 1918 Montagu–Chelmsford Report proposed constitutional changes that became the Government of India Act, 1919. It introduced provincial dyarchy and expanded legislative participation while preserving British supremacy over major administrative departments.
Q3. Match Acts with provisions:
A. Charter Act 1813;
B. Regulating Act;
C. Act of 1858;
D. Pitt’s India Act.
Provisions:
1. Board of Control;
2. Ended monopoly of Indian trade;
3. Transferred government to Crown;
4. Mandatory reports to British government.
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS (2002)]
(A) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
(B) A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
(C) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
(D) A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
Answer: (A) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
Explanation: The 1813 charter opened most Indian trade, the 1773 Act required greater reporting by Company directors, the 1858 Act transferred rule to the Crown, and Pitt’s India Act of 1784 established the Board of Control.
Q2. Which Act strengthened the Viceroy’s control over his Executive Council through a portfolio or departmental system?
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS (2002)]
(A) Indian Councils Act, 1861
(B) Government of India Act, 1858
(C) Indian Councils Act, 1892
(D) Indian Councils Act, 1909
Answer: (A) Indian Councils Act, 1861
Explanation: The 1861 Act gave legislative recognition to arrangements assigning distinct departments to members of the Executive Council. The portfolio system streamlined administration and enhanced the Viceroy’s ability to manage the work of government.
Q1. Why did the British propose including the princely states in the 1935 Act’s projected Indian Federation?
[UPSC CSE Prelims GS (2002)]
(A) To exercise direct administrative rule over them
(B) To involve rulers in ordinary provincial administration
(C) To annex the princely states fully
(D) To use rulers as a counterweight to nationalist leaders
Answer: (D) To use rulers as a counterweight to nationalist leaders
Explanation: British policymakers viewed princely rulers as a potentially conservative counterweight to elected Indian nationalists. The proposed federation under the 1935 Act never materialized because the necessary number of states did not join.
