Constitution of India: History, Development & Salient Features-1 - SSC CGL MCQ

The Fourth Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) from each state and some union territories. 

The question of whether the Preamble is an essential part of the Constitution has been a matter of legal interpretation. Based on the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of India in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), the Preamble is considered an integral part of the Constitution.

The court held that while the Preamble is not a source of power nor a source of limitations, it plays a significant role in interpreting statutes and provisions of the Constitution. Therefore, the correct answer is:  It is an integral part but not essential.

Option 2 is correct, i.e. Govt of India Act, 1858.

• In August 1858 Govt of India Act, the British Parliament passed an Act that put an end to the rule of the Company. The control of the British Government in India was transferred to the British Crown. It took place due to the Revolt of 1857. 
• It provided absolute (British) imperial control over India without any popular participation in the administration of the country.
• All the authority for the governance of India was vested in the Governor-General in Council who was responsible to the Secretary of State.
• The Secretary of State was ultimately responsible for the British Parliament.
• The power was transferred from the Company to the British Crown.
• The Governor-General was made the Viceroy of India

Option 4 is correct, i.e. The Charter Act of 1813.

• The Charter Act of 1813 ended the commercial trade monopoly of the East India Company except for trade in tea and trade with China.
• Salient features of the charter:
  • The East India Company was, however, allowed to enjoy the monopoly of China trade and trade in tea.
  • From 1793 to 1813 the company did not permit the Christian missionaries to work for the Indian people due to fear of hurting religious sentiments of Indians.
  • But the Charter act of 1813 opened India to Christian Missionaries and permitted them to propagate English and preach their religion.
  • A sum of rupees one lakh annually was provided for the revival and improvement of literature and promotion of knowledge of the sciences among the inhabitants of the British territories in India.
  • Thus, through the Act, the British government assumed the responsibility of Indian people's education.
  • This was the first step towards the idea of state responsibility for education.

The correct answer is Bengal.

• The Charter Act of 1833 made the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India and vested in him all civil and military powers.

Key Points

• The Charter Act of 1833:
  • The Governor-General and his Council were given vast powers.
  • The Council got full powers regarding revenue, and a single budget for the country was prepared by the Governor-General.
  • For the first time, the Governor-General’s Government was known as the ‘Government of India’ and his Council as the ‘Indian Council’.
  • The Governor-General of Bengal was to be the Governor-General of India.
  • All powers, administrative and financial, were handed over to Governor-General in Council.
  • A Law Commission under Lord Macaulay was constituted for the codification of laws.