The Constitutional Development of India

17. Which of the following Acts set up Dyarchy System at the central level? [U.P.P.S.C. (R.I) 2014]

(a) Government of India Act, 1935
(b) Government of India Act, 1919
(c) Indian Councils Act, 1909
(d) Indian Councils Act, 1892

Correct Answer: (a) Government of India Act, 1935

Solution:The salient features of the Government of India Act, 1935 were-

(i) Dyarchy was introduced at the Central level. Provincial Dyarchy, as envisaged in the Government of India Act, 1919, was abolished. Central subjects were divided into-Reserved and Transferred subjects.

(ii) The Government of India Act, 1935 proposed to set up All India Federation comprising of the British India Provinces and the Princely States.

(iii) The supremacy of the British Parliament remained in Act under the Government of India Act, 1935.

(iv) Burma was separated from India with effect from April, 1937

(V) The Government of India Act, 1935 abolished the Council of the Secretary of State for India, which was created in 1858.

(vi) The Federal Court of India was established on 1 October, 1937, Sir Maurice Gwyer was its first Chief Justice.

(vii) The Central Federal Bank was established under this Act which was later known as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

18. Which of the following is/are the principal feature (s) of the Government of India Act, 1919? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2012]

1. The introduction of dyarchy in the executive Government of the provinces.

2. The introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims.

3. Devolution of legislative authority by the Centre to the provinces.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) only 1
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Solution:The Government of India Act, 1919 war passed by the British Parliament. The Act embodied the reforms recommended in the report of the Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu, and the Viceroy Lord Chelmsford. This Act provided for the introduction of a dual form of Government in provinces known as Dyarchy. The Subjects of administration were divided into two categories - Reserved and Transferred.

Reserved subjects were kept under provincial governors and their executive council, while transferred subjects were kept under ministers responsible to the provincial legislature. The distribution of powers between Centre and provinces was done in the form of Federal and Provincial subjects. As far as the question of a separate electoral system for Muslims is concerned, the provision had already been made by the Act of 1909. The Government of India Act, 1919 continued this provision and also extended it to Sikhs, Europeans, Indian-Christians, and Anglo-Indians.

19. In the context of Indian history, the principle of Dyarchy (diarchy)' refers to [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]

(a) Division of the central legislature into two houses.
(b) Introduction of double government i.e., Central and State Governments.
(c) Having two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi.
(d) Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories

Correct Answer: (d) Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories

Solution:Dyarchy is derived from the Greek word 'di-arche' which means double rule. In the context of Indian history, the principle of Dyarchy refers to the division of the provincial subjects into 'reserved' and 'transferred categories. Comparatively important subjects (reserved subjects) such as police, jail, justice, finance and irrigation were to be administered by the governor and his executive council without being responsible to the legislative council. Subjects of lesser importance (transferred subjects) such as education, agriculture, local self-government etc., were to be administered by the governor with the aid of ministers responsible to the legislative council.

20. In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into "Reserved" and "Transferred" subjects. Which of the following were treated as "Reserved" subjects? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2022]

1. Administration of Justice

2. Local Self-Government

3. Land Revenue

4. Police

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1,3 and 4
(d) 1,2 and 4

Correct Answer: (c) 1,3 and 4

Solution:The government of India Act, 1919 introduced diarchy at the provincial level. The provincial Governments subjects were separated into two divisions: reserved subjects and transferred subjects. Subjects under the Transferred List are Local self-government, public works, Health and sanitation, Industrial research and Education. The subjects included under Reserved List are Judicial Administration, press, Land-Revenues, Forests, Water, Labour Disputes Settlement, Agriculture Loans, Police and Prisons. Thus, option (c) is correct.

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

(a) The government of India Act of 1935
(b) The Indian Council Act of 1861
(c) The government of India Act of 1919
(d) Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909

Correct Answer: (b) The Indian Council Act of 1861

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]

(a) Indian Council Act of 1892
(b) Indian Council Act of 1909
(c) The Government of India Act of 1919
(d) The Government of India Act of 1935

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]

(a) 1961 Act
(b) 1917 Act
(c) 1919 Act
(d) 1915 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?

(a) I only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither I nor 2

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.