10. Consider:
Statement I—The Government of India Act, 1935 introduced dyarchy at the Centre.
Statement II—It granted provincial autonomy.
Choose the correct relationship.
[UPSC NDA General Ability Test, 9 September 2018]
- (A) Both true; II explains I
- (B) Both true; II does not explain I
- (C) I true; II false
- (D) I false; II true
Answer: (B) Both true; II does not explain I
Explanation: The 1935 Act proposed dyarchy at the Centre and abolished it in provinces, replacing it with provincial autonomy. Both statements are correct but concern different levels of administration; provincial autonomy does not explain central dyarchy.
9. In colonial Indian history, what did the principle of “dyarchy” mean?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017]
- (A) Creating two chambers in the central legislature
- (B) Making central and provincial governments separate
- (C) Having one government in London and another in Delhi
- (D) Dividing provincial subjects into two classes
Answer: (D) Dividing provincial subjects into two classes
Explanation: Provincial dyarchy under the Government of India Act, 1919 divided administration between reserved and transferred subjects. Governors and executive councillors managed the former, while ministers responsible to legislatures managed the latter, resulting in split executive responsibility.
8. In which month and year was the Indian Independence Act passed?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination 2017]
- (A) July 1947
- (B) June 1946
- (C) August 1947
- (D) August 1946
Answer: (A) July 1947
Explanation: British parliamentary approval and royal assent to the Indian Independence Act came in July 1947, specifically on 18 July. The legislation provided for the creation of the two dominions from 15 August of that year.
7. Which statement about the Government of India Act, 1919 is INCORRECT?
[RPSC RAS Preliminary Examination 2016]
- (A) It took effect in 1921
- (B) It is called the Morley–Minto Reforms Act
- (C) Montagu was Secretary of State and Chelmsford was Viceroy
- (D) It distinguished central from provincial subjects
Answer: (B) It is called the Morley–Minto Reforms Act
Explanation: The 1919 Act reflects the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms, not the Morley–Minto Reforms, which belong to 1909. It separated central and provincial spheres, introduced provincial dyarchy and began operating under the new constitutional arrangement in 1921.
6. In which year did the British Parliament pass the Regulating Act?
[MPPSC State Service, General Studies, 2015]
- (A) 1753
- (B) 1757
- (C) 1764
- (D) 1773
Answer: (D) 1773
Explanation: The Regulating Act was enacted in 1773, when Parliament first made major provisions for the governance of East India Company territories. It established a Governor-General of Bengal and laid the groundwork for Calcutta’s Supreme Court.
5. Which Act finally abolished the East India Company’s monopoly in tea and China trade?
[MPPSC State Service, General Studies, 2013]
- (A) Regulating Act, 1773
- (B) Pitt’s India Act, 1784
- (C) Charter Act, 1813
- (D) Charter Act, 1833
Answer: (D) Charter Act, 1833
Explanation: The Charter Act of 1813 ended much of the Company’s monopoly but retained its exclusive tea and China trade. The Charter Act of 1833 removed the remaining commercial monopoly and changed the Company into an administrative agency.
4. Which were features of the Government of India Act, 1919?
(1) Provincial executive dyarchy;
(2) first introduction of separate Muslim electorates;
(3) devolution of legislative authority to provinces.
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2012]
- (A) 1 only
- (B) 2 and 3 only
- (C) 1 and 3 only
- (D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Provincial dyarchy and devolution of legislative powers were features of the 1919 Act. However, separate electorates for Muslims had already been introduced by the Indian Councils Act, 1909, so statement two cannot be counted as an innovation of 1919.
3. The constitutional distribution of legislative powers between Centre and States is based on which earlier scheme?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2012]
- (A) Morley–Minto Reforms, 1909
- (B) Montagu–Chelmsford 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 classified subjects into Federal, Provincial and Concurrent lists. The Constitution of independent India adapted the broad three-list arrangement into Union, State and Concurrent lists in the Seventh Schedule.
2. Which provisions were envisaged by the Government of India Act, 1935?
(1) Provincial autonomy;
(2) a Federal Court;
(3) an All-India Federation.
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2005]
- (A) 1 and 2 only
- (B) 2 and 3 only
- (C) 1 and 3 only
- (D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: All three were provided for by the 1935 Act. Provincial autonomy was implemented, and the Federal Court began functioning in 1937. The proposed All-India Federation did not materialise because the necessary participation of princely states was absent.
1. Match these Acts with their provisions:
A—Charter Act, 1813;
B—Regulating Act;
C—Act of 1858;
D—Pitt’s India Act.
Provisions:
1—Board of Control;
2—Company trade monopoly curtailed;
3—power transferred to Crown;
4—directors’ correspondence supplied to Britain.
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 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 Charter Act, 1813 reduced trade monopoly; the Regulating Act required reporting by Company directors; the 1858 legislation transferred administration to the Crown; and Pitt’s Act, 1784 established the Board of Control. Their chronological sequence traces growing British governmental supervision.
