Q200. Which Indian Councils Act recognized the portfolio system and empowered the Viceroy to issue ordinances?
[OSSSC Forest Guard/Forester/Excise Constable (30 April 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) 1869
(B) 1861
(C) 1858
(D) 1872
Answer: (B) 1861
Explanation: The Indian Councils Act of 1861 gave statutory recognition to the portfolio system and authorized emergency ordinances for limited periods. It also restored legislative functions to the Madras and Bombay presidencies, reversing part of the 1833 centralization.
Q199. What was the main purpose of the Regulating Act of 1773?
[OSSSC Forest Guard/Forester/Excise Constable (29 April 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Abolition of slavery
(B) Government oversight of the Company
(C) Expansion of British commerce
(D) Introduction of Indian railways
Answer: (B) Government oversight of the Company
Explanation: Parliament enacted the Regulating Act to supervise the Company’s administration following serious financial and political difficulties. It established the Governor-General of Bengal with a council and paved the way for the Supreme Court at Calcutta.
Q198. Which Act is associated with the Morley–Minto Reforms?
[OSSSC Forest Guard/Forester/Excise Constable (28 April 2026, Shift 3)]
(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 of 1909 is known as the Morley–Minto Reforms. It enlarged legislative councils and brought in separate Muslim electorates. Its concessions were carefully limited and did not establish executive responsibility to elected representatives.
Q197. Under the Indian Councils Act of 1892, what was the principal effect of increasing the number of council members?
[DSSSB MTS (27 April 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Indians could participate through nominated members
(B) Only officials could dominate all proceedings completely
(C) Provinces became fully independent
(D) Legislative councils obtained unlimited authority
Answer: (A) Indians could participate through nominated members
Explanation: The 1892 Act expanded the size of legislative councils and enabled a limited increase in Indian participation through nominations influenced by recommended candidates. It did not establish responsible ministries, provide independent provincial government, or allow unrestricted legislative powers.
Q196. Which event directly influenced the passage of the Government of India Act, 1858?
[OSSSC Forester/Forest Guard/Excise Constable (27 April 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Arrival of Lord Mountbatten
(B) Formation of Indian National Congress
(C) The Revolt of 1857
(D) The Regulating Act of 1773
Answer: (C) The Revolt of 1857
Explanation: The rebellion of 1857 exposed serious weaknesses in East India Company governance. Parliament consequently enacted the 1858 legislation transferring political power to the British Crown, abolishing the Company’s governing arrangements and creating the Secretary of State for India.
Q195. Which change was introduced in 1858 to the office of Governor-General?
[OSSSC Forest Guard/Forester/Excise Constable (25 April 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) Power to issue ordinances without a council
(B) Designation as Viceroy
(C) Open competitive civil-service examinations
(D) Restoration of Bombay’s legislative powers
Answer: (B) Designation as Viceroy
Explanation: With the Crown taking over administration in 1858, the Governor-General also represented the British monarch as Viceroy. The terminology reflected changed sovereignty, while the Governor-General’s executive functions continued under the new imperial framework.
Q194. What did Queen Victoria’s Proclamation of 1858 promise Indians?
[DSSSB MTS (25 April 2026, Shift 3)]
(A) Universal suffrage
(B) Abolition of princely states
(C) Religious non-interference and equal treatment
(D) Immediate independence
Answer: (C) Religious non-interference and equal treatment
Explanation: The 1858 Proclamation announced that Crown rule would respect religious beliefs and promised impartial protection under law. Its language sought political reconciliation after the uprising, but racial discrimination and unequal access to power persisted in practice.
Q193. Which Act changed the title of Governor-General to Viceroy?
[OSSSC Forest Guard/Forester/Excise Constable (24 April 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Indian Councils Act, 1861
(B) Government of India Act, 1919
(C) Government of India Act, 1858
(D) Charter Act, 1833
Answer: (C) Government of India Act, 1858
Explanation: The Government of India Act of 1858 ended Company government and placed India directly under the British Crown. Lord Canning, already Governor-General, became the first Viceroy, representing the monarch in the new administrative arrangement.
Q192. Why did Indian political leaders oppose the 1927 Simon Commission?
[DSSSB MTS (23 April 2026, Shift 1)]
(A) It demanded complete independence
(B) It supported partition
(C) It included no Indian member
(D) It abolished provincial councils
Answer: (C) It included no Indian member
Explanation: The British-appointed Simon Commission contained only British parliamentarians. Indian political leaders opposed exclusion from a body tasked with evaluating India’s constitutional progress. The commission arrived in 1928 amid large demonstrations and demands for self-government.
Q191. The Public Accounts Committee was set up under the provisions of which Act?
[DSSSB MTS (22 April 2026, Shift 2)]
(A) Indian Independence Act, 1947
(B) Government of India Act, 1935
(C) Government of India Act, 1919
(D) Government of India Act, 1858
Answer: (C) Government of India Act, 1919
Explanation: India’s legislative Public Accounts Committee traces its establishment to reforms associated with the Government of India Act of 1919. The committee was formed in 1921 to examine government expenditure and accounts, representing an early institutional mechanism for financial scrutiny.
