40. Many basic administrative features of the Indian Constitution draw on the Government of India Act of which year?
[SSC MTS, 18 October 2024, Shift 2]
- (A) 1950
- (B) 1942
- (C) 1935
- (D) 1949
Answer: (C) 1935
Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1935 influenced constitutional administration, including legislative lists, offices of governors, public service commissions and emergency arrangements. Independent India altered these arrangements substantially, particularly by introducing popular sovereignty and enforceable fundamental rights.
39. Warren Hastings became Governor-General of Bengal under which Act?
[SSC MTS, 7 October 2024, Shift 2]
- (A) Regulating Act, 1773
- (B) Government of India Act, 1858
- (C) Indian Councils Act, 1909
- (D) Government of India Act, 1935
Answer: (A) Regulating Act, 1773
Explanation: The Regulating Act of 1773 elevated the Governor of Bengal to Governor-General of Bengal, assisted by a four-member council. Warren Hastings became the first holder of that office under the new arrangement, which expanded administrative coordination.
38. Which law did the British Parliament pass in 1773 to regulate East India Company activities?
[SSC CGL, 23 September 2024, Shift 3]
- (A) Pitt’s India Act
- (B) Indian Slavery Act
- (C) Age of Consent Act
- (D) Regulating Act
Answer: (D) Regulating Act
Explanation: The Regulating Act was enacted in 1773 to bring the East India Company’s affairs under closer parliamentary observation. It established the office of Governor-General of Bengal and made provision for a Supreme Court at Calcutta.
37. Which Act is associated in the question with Warren Hastings and the “half-loaf system”?
[SSC CGL, 19 September 2024, Shift 3]
- (A) Pitt’s India Act, 1784
- (B) Government of India Act, 1858
- (C) Charter Act, 1813
- (D) Regulating Act, 1773
Answer: (A) Pitt’s India Act, 1784
Explanation: Pitt’s India Act of 1784 established dual control over Company affairs. The Court of Directors handled commercial matters and the new Board of Control supervised political administration. The Act strengthened British oversight without directly abolishing the Company.
36. Under which Act was the Board of Control established in Britain to supervise Indian administration?
[SSC CGL, 18 September 2024, Shift 1]
- (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: The Board of Control created by Pitt’s Act oversaw the civil, military and revenue administration of British possessions in India. The East India Company continued through its Court of Directors, but political supervision shifted to British ministers.
35. Regarding Morley–Minto Reforms, which statements are correct:
(a) They are the Indian Councils Act, 1909;
(b) They expanded councils;
(c) They introduced separate Muslim electorates?
[SSC CGL, 11 September 2024, Shift 3]
- (A) b and c only
- (B) a, b and c
- (C) a and c only
- (D) a and b only
Answer: (B) a, b and c
Explanation: All three statements accurately describe the 1909 reforms. They expanded central and provincial legislative councils and introduced separate Muslim electorates. The changes enhanced limited participation but did not establish universal franchise or parliamentary responsibility.
34. Which Act transferred power to govern India from the East India Company to the British Crown?
[SSC CGL, 9 September 2024, Shift 3]
- (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 followed the rebellion of 1857 and abolished Company rule. A Secretary of State for India and an advisory council in Britain replaced the older machinery of Company governance.
33. Which Act converted Warren Hastings’ office from Governor of Bengal to Governor-General of Bengal?
[SSC CHSL, 9 July 2024, Shift 4]
- (A) Pitt’s India Act, 1784
- (B) Regulating Act, 1773
- (C) Indian Councils Act, 1861
- (D) Charter Act, 1813
Answer: (B) Regulating Act, 1773
Explanation: Warren Hastings was the first Governor-General of Bengal under the Regulating Act, 1773. This arrangement strengthened Bengal’s supervisory position over other presidencies and was among the earliest British attempts to centralise Indian administration.
32. Which Act of 1773 paved the way for establishing the Supreme Court at Calcutta?
[SSC CHSL, 3 July 2024, Shift 3]
- (A) Regulating Act
- (B) Pitt’s India Act
- (C) Indian Councils Act
- (D) Charter Act
Answer: (A) Regulating Act
Explanation: The Regulating Act, 1773 provided for a Supreme Court at Calcutta, established the following year. The institution initially exercised jurisdiction over defined categories of persons and matters, producing jurisdictional disputes later addressed by legislation in 1781.
31. Under which Act could the Governor-General in Council legislate for all British territories in India?
[SSC Selection Post (Higher Secondary), 20 June 2024, Shift 2]
- (A) Charter Act, 1833
- (B) Charter Act, 1793
- (C) Charter Act, 1853
- (D) Charter Act, 1813
Answer: (A) Charter Act, 1833
Explanation: The Charter Act of 1833 centralised legislative authority in the Governor-General in Council for British India. It reduced the independent lawmaking role of the Bombay and Madras presidencies and made a more uniform legislative framework possible.
