Laxmikanth Test: Historical Development of the Constitution of India- 1 - UPSC MCQ

All three statements are correct 

1. Pitt's India Act of 1784 indeed established a system of Dual Government, where the Court of Directors managed commercial affairs while the Board of Control managed political affairs. This dual system aimed to improve the administration and accountability of the British East India Company in India.
2. The Charter Act of 1793 allowed the company's dividends to be raised to 10%. This provision was part of the financial adjustments within the act to ensure the company's continued profitability while managing British territories in India.
3. The Charter Act of 1793 also granted the Governor-General the authority to override his council's decisions under certain circumstances. This was done to strengthen the executive power of the Governor-General, ensuring more efficient and decisive governance.

Thus, all the statements are accurate, making Option D the correct answer.

The Charter Act of 1853 indeed had several significant features:

1. Separation of Legislative and Executive Functions: The Act separated the legislative and executive functions of the Governor-General’s Council. This was a crucial step toward the differentiation of powers, which is a hallmark of modern governance structures.

2. Open Competition for Civil Services: The Act introduced an open competition system for the Indian Civil Services. This was a pioneering move that allowed Indians to compete for positions within the civil services, fostering a merit-based system.

3. Local Representation in Legislative Council: The Act also introduced local representation in the Indian (Central) Legislative Council. Out of six members, four were to be appointed by the local governments of Madras, Bombay, Bengal, and Agra, ensuring that local interests were represented at the central level.

All three statements are correct, making the correct answer Option D: 1, 2 and 3.

The correct answer is B: Montague’s Declaration 1917.

Explanation:

The Government of India Act, 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, was enacted to introduce self-government to India. The act was based on the recommendations of the report submitted by the Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu, and the Governor-General, Lord Chelmsford, in 1918.

The act was introduced in response to the Montagu Declaration of 1917, which promised "responsible government" in India. The Declaration stated that the British government's policy was to "increase association of Indians in every branch of the administration and the gradual development of self-governing institutions" in India.

The Government of India Act, 1919, introduced several important provisions, including the expansion of legislative councils, the creation of a system of dyarchy, and the establishment of a Public Service Commission. The act also provided for the establishment of a new central government in Delhi and provincial governments in the provinces.

Thus, the correct answer is option B, Montague’s Declaration 1917.

Statement-I: The Regulating Act of 1773 was indeed the first significant attempt by the British Parliament to regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India. It aimed to address corruption and inefficiency and laid the foundation for a centralized administration in India.

Statement-II: The Act of Settlement or Amending Act of 1781 did indeed safeguard the Governor-General and its council from the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in certain matters and exempted matters related to the Company's revenue from the Supreme Court's jurisdiction.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the correct answer is: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

Statement 1: The Regulating Act, 1773, was indeed the first attempt to regularize the company's affairs in India. It marked the beginning of parliamentary control over the East India Company and laid the foundation for central administration in India.

Statement 2: The Act provisioned for the establishment of the Supreme Court of Calcutta, which consisted of one Chief Justice and three other judges. This was a significant step in judicial administration during that period.

Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The Regulating Act, 1773, made the Governors of Madras and Bombay presidencies subordinate to the Governor-General of Bengal, not the Governor-General of India. The title "Governor-General of India" was introduced later in the Charter Act of 1833.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

The correct answer is C: Joint electorate with reserved seats for the scheduled castes.

Explanation:
The Poona Pact was an agreement signed between Mahatma Gandhi, representing the Indian National Congress, and B. R. Ambedkar, representing the Depressed Classes (now known as Scheduled Castes), on 24 September 1932. The agreement was reached after a prolonged and bitter debate between the two leaders over the issue of separate electorates for the Dalits.

The British government had earlier proposed separate electorates for the Dalits, which would have given them their own separate electorate to elect their own representatives. Gandhi was opposed to this idea, as he believed that it would further divide the Hindu community along caste lines. He proposed a system of joint electorates, where members of all castes would vote together, and the Dalits would be given reserved seats in the legislature.

The Poona Pact upheld the principle of joint electorates with reserved seats for the Scheduled Castes. This ensured that the Dalits would have representation in the legislature and a voice in the political process, while also ensuring that the Hindu community remained united. The Poona Pact was a significant moment in the history of Indian politics, as it marked a major victory for the Dalits and helped to bring about greater unity among the Indian people.
 

1. The Act provided for the establishment of an All India Federation consisting of provinces and princely states.
This statement is correct. The Government of India Act, 1935, indeed aimed to establish an All India Federation. This federation was to include both British Indian provinces and princely states.

2. It introduced dyarchy in the provinces, dividing subjects into transferred and reserved categories.
This statement is incorrect. The Government of India Act, 1935, actually abolished dyarchy in the provinces and introduced provincial autonomy. Dyarchy was initially introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919, and it was applicable to the provinces then.

3. The Act abolished the Council of India and established the Reserve Bank of India.
This statement is correct. The Government of India Act, 1935, abolished the Council of India and led to the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India, which was aimed at controlling the country’s currency and credit.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3 only. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

1. Government of India Act, 1919 - Introduced dyarchy in provinces: Correct. The Government of India Act, 1919, indeed introduced dyarchy in the provinces, dividing provincial subjects into transferred and reserved categories.

2. Government of India Act, 1935 - Established the Reserve Bank of India: Correct. The Government of India Act, 1935, provided for the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India to control the country's currency and credit.

3. Indian Independence Act, 1947 - Abolished the office of Governor-General: Incorrect. The Indian Independence Act, 1947, did not abolish the office of Governor-General but designated the Governor-General of India and provincial governors as constitutional (nominal) heads of the states.

4. Government of India Act, 1919 - Provided for separate electorates for Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans: Correct. The Government of India Act, 1919, provided for separate electorates for Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans.

Thus, pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 3 is incorrectly matched.

So, the total number of correctly matched pairs is two.

- Statement-I: Correct. The Pitt’s India Act of 1784 established a Dual Government system in India by creating a distinction between the commercial and political functions of the East India Company. The Board of Control was set up for political affairs, while the Court of Directors managed commercial activities.

- Statement-II: Incorrect. The Charter Act of 1793 did not extend the company's rule for another 40 years; it renewed the company's charter for 20 years.

Thus, the correct answer is D: Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

1. Pitt's India Act, 1784: Established a system of Dual Government - Correct. The Act did establish a system of Dual Government by separating the commercial and political affairs of the company.

2. Pitt's India Act, 1784: Prolonged the company's trade monopoly in India for 20 years - Incorrect. This is a feature of the Charter Act of 1793, not the Pitt's India Act, 1784.

3. Charter Act of 1793: The Governor-General was granted enhanced powers, enabling him to override his council’s decisions - Correct. The Charter Act of 1793 granted the Governor-General these enhanced powers.

4. Charter Act of 1793: Empowered the Board of Control to supervise and direct civil and military operations - Incorrect. This was a provision of the Pitt's India Act, 1784, not the Charter Act of 1793.

Pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched. Pairs 2 and 4 are incorrectly matched.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.

The correct answer is C: Economic Liberty.

Explanation:

The Preamble to the Constitution of India is a brief introductory statement that sets out the fundamental principles, values, and objectives of the Constitution. It declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, and enshrines certain fundamental rights and freedoms that are essential for the well-being and dignity of the individual.

The Preamble guarantees the following liberties:

A. Liberty of Thought: The Preamble guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and belief. This means that every individual has the right to think, believe, and worship as they choose, without interference from the state.

B. Liberty of Expression: The Preamble guarantees the right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom of speech and expression, the freedom of the press, and the freedom to assemble peacefully and without arms.

C. Economic Liberty: Economic liberty, which includes the freedom to own, acquire, and dispose of property, is not explicitly mentioned in the Preamble to the Constitution of India.

D. Liberty of Belief: The Preamble guarantees the right to freedom of belief, which includes the freedom to practice, profess, and propagate any religion.

Thus, the correct answer is option C, Economic Liberty.

1. Charter Act, 1813: Correct. This act did authorize Local Governments in India to levy taxes on the people of India.

2. Charter Act, 1833: Correct. This act did make the Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India, vesting all civil and military powers in him.

3. Indian Councils Act, 1861: Correct. This act did empower the Viceroy to nominate some Indians as non-official members of his expanded council.

4. Government of India Act, 1919: Incorrect. This act is also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and it separated Central and Provincial subjects. The introduction of the system of communal representation for Muslims and separate electorate for them was part of the Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms), not the Government of India Act, 1919.

Thus, pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched, and pair 4 is incorrectly matched.

Additional Information:

- The Charter Act of 1833 centralized the administration of India and marked the beginning of a centralized legislative framework.

- The Indian Councils Act, 1861 was a significant step in the inclusion of Indians in the governance process, albeit in a limited capacity.

- The Government of India Act, 1919 laid the foundation for a dual administration system, known as dyarchy, in the provinces.

The correct answer is B: Lord Ripon.

Explanation: Lord Ripon, who served as the Viceroy of India from 1880 to 1884, is credited with introducing local self-government in India. In 1882, he introduced the Local Self-Government Resolution, which provided for the establishment of local self-government bodies in rural and urban areas of British India. This resolution marked a significant shift in the governance of India, as it provided for greater participation of Indians in the administration of their own affairs.

Under the Local Self-Government Resolution, local bodies such as municipalities, district boards, and taluk boards were established, which were responsible for the provision of local services such as sanitation, water supply, and roads. The members of these bodies were to be elected by local citizens, thereby providing an opportunity for Indians to participate in the decision-making process.

Lord Mountbatten was the last British Governor-General of India, who oversaw the transfer of power from British rule to Indian independence in 1947. Lord Canning was the first Viceroy of India, who served from 1858 to 1862, after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Lord Macaulay was a British statesman and historian who served in India as the Law Member of the Governor-General's Council from 1834 to 1838, during which time he made important contributions to the Indian legal system and education policy.

Statement-I: The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for establishing an All India Federation consisting of provinces and princely states.

• This statement is correct. The Government of India Act, 1935 indeed proposed the establishment of an All India Federation comprising provinces and princely states.

Statement-II: The Indian Independence Act, 1947 ended British rule in India and declared India to be an independent and sovereign state from August 15, 1947.

• This statement is correct. The Indian Independence Act, 1947 formally ended British rule in India and granted independence to India as a sovereign state effective from August 15, 1947.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

Statement-I correctly mentions that the Charter Act of 1813 abolished India's trade monopoly except for trade in tea and trade with China, which is accurate. However, Statement-II stating that "The Company became a purely administrative body" is correct.

• The activities of East India Company as a commercial body came to an end. The company purely became an administrative body.
• The company's territories in India were to be held by it "in trust for his Majesty, his heirs and successors''.

This makes Statement-II correct, leading to the correct option being C: Statement-I and Statement-II are correct.