The Constitutional Development of India

Total Questions: 41

21. Which Act established the Dyarchy system in the Provinces? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2022]

Correct Answer: (c) The government of India Act of 1919
Solution:The Government of India Act of 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, was passed by the British Parliament with objective of the gradual introduction of responsible Government in India.

It introduced a system of dual government at the provincial level. Subjects were divided into two categories. (1) Reserved subjects: These included important areas like law and order, finance, land revenue, and irrigation.

These remained under the direct control of the British Governor and his Executive Council. (2) Transferred subjects: These included less critical areas like education, health, public works, and agriculture.

This dual scheme of governance was known as "dyarchy'-a term derived from the Greek word diarche, which means double rule. It also introduced, for the first time, bicameralism and direct elections in the country.

22. The Indian Legislature was made bicameral for the first time by [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]

Correct Answer: (c) The Government of India Act of 1919
Solution:The Government of India Act, 1919, made the Indian Legislature bicameral for the first time. It was to consist of an Upper House named the Council of state and a Lower House named the Legislative Assembly.

Council of State was composed of 60 members, of whom maximum 20 members could be official in accordance with section 18 of the Government of India Act, 1919. The lower house was called the Central Legislative Assembly and under section 19 of this Act, it originally provided for 140 members with 100 elected and 40 nominated.

It is noteworthy that under the Rules made for the implementation of the 1919 Act, provision was made for 60 members with 33 elected and 27 nominated in the Council of State, while the number of members of the Central Legislative Assembly was increased first to 143 (102 elected & 41 nominated) and then to 145 (104 elected and 41 nominated).

It is notable that one member in each house was elected from Berar out of the nominated members. Due to a member from Berar being nominated as the result of an election held in Berar, it has been included in the number of elected members in many mentions.

23. Which of the following Acts introduced a bicameral legislature at the Centre? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre)  2013]

Correct Answer: (c) 1919 Act 
Solution:The Government of India Act, 1919, made the Indian Legislature bicameral for the first time. It was to consist of an Upper House named the Council of state and a Lower House named the Legislative Assembly.

Council of State was composed of 60 members, of whom maximum 20 members could be official in accordance with section 18 of the Government of India Act, 1919. The lower house was called the Central Legislative Assembly and under section 19 of this Act, it originally provided for 140 members with 100 elected and 40 nominated.

It is noteworthy that under the Rules made for the implementation of the 1919 Act, provision was made for 60 members with 33 elected and 27 nominated in the Council of State, while the number of members of the Central Legislative Assembly was increased first to 143 (102 elected & 41 nominated) and then to 145 (104 elected and 41 nominated).

It is notable that one member in each house was elected from Berar out of the nominated members. Due to a member from Berar being nominated as the result of an election held in Berar, it has been included in the number of elected members in many mentions.

24. Consider the following statements: [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2021]

1. The Montagu Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age of 21.

2. The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in legislature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:In 1918, when Britain granted limited suffrage to women property holders, the law did not apply to British citizens in other parts of the Empire. Despite the All India Women's Deputation led by Sarojini Naidu to Edwin Samuel Montague, then Secretary of State, India women's demands were ignored in the Montagu- Chelmsford Reforms.

Though women were not granted voting rights, nor the right to stand in elections, the Government of India Act 1919 allowed Provincial Councils to determine if women could vote, provided they met stringent property. income, or educational levels.

Hence statement I is not correct. Statement 2 is correct as the Government of India Act, 1935 extended the principle of communal representation by providing separate electorates for depressed classes (scheduled castes), women and workers.

25. With reference to Indian Civil Services, which of the following statements is/are correct? [U.P.R.O\A.R.O. (Pre) 2021 ]

1. Government of India Act, 1919 provided for a separate examination for the Indian Civil Service, which was to be held in India.

2. In the Indian Civil Service in 1941, the percentage of Indians was more as compared to the Europeans.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:Both statements are correct. Following Lord Macaulay's Report of the select committee of the British parliament, the concept of merit-based civil services in India was introduced in 1854. For this purpose, civil services commission was set up in London and competitive examinations started in 1855 in the London itself.

Government of India Act, 1919, provided for a separate examination for the Indian Civil Service, which was to be held in India (started in 1922 first in Allahabad and later in Delhi). In 1941, in Indian Civil Service, the percentage of Indians was more as compared to the Europeans.

26. By which of the following Acts, the system of "Chamber of Princes'' with 120 members was created? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

Correct Answer: (a) Act of 1919
Solution:According to the Act of 1919, the system of chamber of princes with 120 members was created. The Chamber of Princes was established by King-Emperor George Vs Proclamation on 23 December 1919, after the Government of India Act 1919 was given royal assent.

The chamber was formed to provide a forum in which the rulers of the princely States of India could voice their needs and aspirations to the colonial government. The annual meeting of the chamber of princes was presided over by the Viceroy of India. It was an advisory body. The first chancellor of the chamber was Maharaja of Bikaner Ganga Singh.

27. Which of the following elections of the Central Legislative Assembly was/were held under the Government of India Act 1919? [R.A.S/R.T.S. (Pre) 2018 ]

(A) 1926

(B) 1937

(C) 1945

Select the correct answer using code given below:

Correct Answer: (c) (A) and (C)
Solution:According to the question in the year 1926 and 1945 the election of central legislative assembly was held under the government of India Act-1919.

The Government of India Act 1919 was a legislative framework designed to reform British India's governance. It was based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which was drafted by Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India at the time.

The primary goal of the Act was to introduce a more responsible form of government in India by increasing Indian participation in the administrative machinery while retaining ultimate authority with the British Crown. The Act established a dual governance structure (dyarchy) at the provincial level and a more inclusive legislative framework, but with some limitations.

28. In which year the last election of Indian Legislature under the Government of India Act, 1919 was held? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (c) 1945  
Solution:Under the government of India Act, 1919 last election of Indian legislature was held in year 1945. The Government of India Act 1919 was a legislative framework designed to reform British India's governance. It was based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which was drafted by Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India at the time.

The primary goal of the Act was to introduce a more responsible form of government in India by increasing Indian participation in the administrative machinery while retaining ultimate authority with the British Crown. The Act established a dual governance structure (dyarchy) at the provincial level and a more inclusive legislative framework, but with some limitations.

29. The power of the President to issue ordinance is a relic of [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]

Correct Answer: (b) G.O.I. Act, 1935
Solution:Although in British India, the Viceroy was empowered to promulgate ordinance without the permission of Legislative Council under the Indian Council Act, 1861 However, the President's power to promulgate ordinance (Art. 123) is inspired by section 42 of Government of India Act, 1935.

Govt of India Act 1935 - Diarchy at the centre

1. The subjects under the Federal List were divided into two: Reserved and Transferred.

2. The reserved subjects were controlled by the Governor-General who administered them with the help of three counsellors appointed by him. They were not responsible to the legislature. These subjects included defence, ecclesiastical affairs (church-related), external affairs, press, police, taxation, justice, power resources and tribal affairs.

3. The transferred subjects were administered by the Governor-General with his Council of Ministers (not more than 10). The Council had to act in confidence with the legislature. The subjects in this list included local government, forests, education, health, etc.

4. However, the Governor-General had 'special powers to interfere in the transferred subjects also.

30. Which of the following Acts introduced the 'Principle of Constitutional Autocracy? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (c) The Government of India Act of 1935
Solution:The Principle of Constitutional Autocracy was introduced by the Government of India Act, 1935. This Act vested the executive authority of Provinces in the Governors and of Centre in the Governor-General on behalf of the Crown.

Govt of India Act 1935 - Diarchy at the centre

1. The subjects under the Federal List were divided into two: Reserved and Transferred.

2. The reserved subjects were controlled by the Governor-General who administered them with the help of three counsellors appointed by him. They were not responsible to the legislature. These subjects included defence, ecclesiastical affairs (church-related), external affairs, press, police, taxation, justice, power resources and tribal affairs.

3. The transferred subjects were administered by the Governor-General with his Council of Ministers (not more than 10). The Council had to act in confidence with the legislature. The subjects in this list included local government, forests, education, health, etc.

4. However, the Governor-General had 'special powers to interfere in the transferred subjects also.