UPSC Modern Indian History – Chapter 26: Constitutional Development 1858–1947 (23 MCQs)

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UPSC Modern Indian History – Chapter 26: Constitutional Development 1858–1947 (23 MCQs) – 23 questions, subject: History. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The Government of India Act 1858 created the office of:

Correct Answer: C [Secretary of State for India]

Explanation:

The 1858 Act transferred power to the Crown, exercised through a new Secretary of State for India, a British Cabinet member.

2.  

Queen Victoria's Proclamation of 1858 was read at Allahabad by:

Correct Answer: B [Lord Canning]

Explanation:

Canning, Governor-General and first Viceroy, read Queen Victoria's Proclamation at Allahabad on 1 November 1858.

3.  

The portfolio system in the Viceroy's Council, later recognised by the Indian Councils Act 1861, was introduced by:

Correct Answer: B [Lord Canning]

Explanation:

Canning introduced the portfolio system in 1859, allotting departments to council members; the 1861 Act gave it statutory recognition.

4.  

Lord Ripon's resolution on local self-government was issued in:

Correct Answer: D [1882]

Explanation:

Ripon's resolution of 1882 provided for local boards with non-official majorities and elected members.

5.  

The Indian Councils Act 1892 introduced:

Correct Answer: D [the principle of indirect election and discussion of the budget]

Explanation:

The 1892 Act allowed nomination on recommendation of bodies (indirect election) and let members discuss the budget and ask questions.

6.  

Separate electorates for Muslims were first introduced by the:

Correct Answer: A [Indian Councils Act 1909]

Explanation:

The Morley–Minto reforms of 1909 first gave Muslims separate electorates; later Acts only extended them.

7.  

The first Indian to become a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council was:

Correct Answer: D [Satyendra Prasad Sinha]

Explanation:

Satyendra Prasad Sinha became Law Member of the Viceroy's Executive Council in 1909 under the Morley–Minto reforms.

8.  

The August Declaration of 1917 was made by:

Correct Answer: A [Edwin Montagu]

Explanation:

Secretary of State Edwin Montagu announced on 20 August 1917 the goal of responsible government in India.

9.  

Under the 1919 Act the central legislature consisted of:

Correct Answer: C [the Legislative Assembly and the Council of State]

Explanation:

The 1919 Act made the Centre bicameral, with a Legislative Assembly and a Council of State.

10.  

Consider the following about the Government of India Act 1919:

1. It separated provincial budgets from the central budget.
2. It provided for a Public Service Commission.
3. It introduced provincial autonomy.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

The 1919 Act separated provincial budgets and provided for a Public Service Commission; provincial autonomy came only in 1935.

11.  

Assertion (A): The Morley–Minto reforms are often said to have given communalism a legal form.

Reason (R): They introduced separate electorates for Muslims.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Separate Muslim electorates of 1909 gave communal division a legal basis, so R is true and explains A.

12.  

The Viceroy often called the "father of communal electorate" is:

Correct Answer: B [Lord Minto]

Explanation:

Separate electorates for Muslims were introduced in 1909 under Viceroy Minto, earning him this title.

13.  

Under the Act of 1858, the Secretary of State was assisted by a Council of India of:

Correct Answer: D [15 members]

Explanation:

The 1858 Act gave the Secretary of State a 15-member Council of India as an advisory body.

14.  

A statutory commission to review the working of the reforms after ten years was provided for by the Act of:

Correct Answer: D [1919]

Explanation:

The Act of 1919 provided for a statutory commission after ten years, and the Simon Commission was appointed under it.

15.  

Financial decentralisation through a resolution of 1870 is associated with:

Correct Answer: C [Lord Mayo]

Explanation:

Mayo's resolution of 1870 began financial decentralisation by giving provinces control of certain heads of expenditure.

16.  

The Indian Councils Act 1861 restored legislative powers to the presidencies of:

Correct Answer: B [Bombay and Madras]

Explanation:

The 1861 Act restored the legislative powers of the Bombay and Madras presidencies, taken away in 1833.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Morley–Minto reforms
2. Indian Councils Act introducing nominated Indian members
3. Government of India Act introducing provincial autonomy
4. Indian Councils Act introducing indirect election

Select the correct answer:

Correct Answer: C [2-4-1-3]

Explanation:

Order: Indian Councils Act introducing nominated Indian members (1861) → Indian Councils Act introducing indirect election (1892) → Morley–Minto reforms (1909) → Government of India Act introducing provincial autonomy (1935).

18.  

A bicameral central legislature was first introduced by the:

Correct Answer: A [Government of India Act 1919]

Explanation:

The 1919 Act replaced the single Imperial Legislative Council with two houses: Legislative Assembly and Council of State.

19.  

Under the 1909 Act, the provincial legislative councils had:

Correct Answer: A [a non-official majority]

Explanation:

The 1909 Act kept an official majority at the Centre but allowed non-official majorities in provincial councils.

20.  

The office of the Secretary of State for India came to an end with the:

Correct Answer: C [Indian Independence Act 1947]

Explanation:

The Indian Independence Act 1947 ended the Secretary of State's authority, creating two sovereign dominions.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2022

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?

1. Administration of Justice
2. Local Self-Government
3. Land Revenue
4. Police

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [1, 3 and 4]

Explanation:

Justice, land revenue and police were reserved under the Governor and Executive Council; local self-government was transferred.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2017

In the context of Indian history, the principle of ‘Dyarchy (diarchy)’ refers to

Correct Answer: D [Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.]

Explanation:

Dyarchy split provincial subjects into reserved ones under the Governor and transferred ones under ministers responsible to the legislature.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2015

The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined

Correct Answer: B [the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments]

Explanation:

The 1919 Act drew up separate central and provincial lists of subjects, defining each government's jurisdiction.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U03 · Modern Indian History (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-modern-indian-history

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