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Q.1
WBCS Prelims 2023
Which of the following British Acts envisaged the parliamentary system of government in India?
A.Charter Act of 1793
B.Charter Act of 1813
C.Charter Act of 1853
D.Charter Act of 1833
Explanation
Why Correct: The Charter Act of 1853 separated the legislative and executive functions of the Governor-General's Council for the first time, creating a separate Legislative Council with six members, establishing the foundation for a parliamentary system. Distractor Analysis: The 1793 Act extended the Company's charter and made minor administrative changes. The 1813 Act ended the Company's trade monopoly except for tea and China trade. The 1833 Act centralized administration under the Governor-General of Bengal and created the Law Member position. Takeaway: The Indian Councils Act of 1861 further developed the parliamentary system by introducing portfolio system and allowing non-official Indian members in the legislative council.
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Q.2
WBCS Prelims 2022
The Act that gave enormous powers to the British Government to repress political activities
A.Rowlatt Act
B.Government of India Act 1919
C.Indian Councils Act 1909
D.Vernacular Press Act
Explanation
Why Correct: The Rowlatt Act passed in March 1919 authorized the British government to imprison any person suspected of terrorism without trial for up to two years. Distractor Analysis: The Government of India Act 1919 introduced dyarchy and expanded Indian participation in governance. The Indian Councils Act 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms) introduced separate electorates for Muslims. The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 gave the British government power to censor Indian language newspapers. Takeaway: The Rowlatt Act's passage led to nationwide protests and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, where British troops fired on unarmed protesters in Amritsar.
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Q.3
WBCS Prelims 2022
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were announced in the year
A.1919
B.1909
C.1935
D.1947
Explanation
Why Correct: The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, also called the Government of India Act 1919, were enacted in December 1919 introducing dyarchy in provincial governments. Distractor Analysis: 1909 marks the Morley-Minto Reforms introducing separate electorates, 1935 saw the Government of India Act establishing provincial autonomy, and 1947 is India's independence year. Takeaway: The 1919 reforms established a bicameral legislature at the center and introduced the principle of responsible government through dyarchy, where some subjects were transferred to Indian ministers while others remained with British officials.
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Q.4
WBCS Prelims 2019
The provision for separate electorate for Hindus and Muslims was made
A.Government of India Act, 1935
B.Montague Cheimsford reforms
C.Minto-Morley reforms
D.Mountbatten Plan
Explanation
Why Correct: The Indian Councils Act of 1909, known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, introduced separate electorates for Muslims, allowing them to elect their own representatives to legislative councils. Distractor Analysis: The Government of India Act 1935 introduced provincial autonomy and federal structure but retained separate electorates. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 introduced dyarchy in provinces. The Mountbatten Plan of 1947 outlined the partition of India and creation of Pakistan. Takeaway: The Communal Award of 1932 extended separate electorates to Depressed Classes (Scheduled Castes), which Gandhi opposed through his fast unto death, leading to the Poona Pact.
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Q.5
WBCS Prelims 2018
Simon Commission of 1927 was boycotted because
A.there was no Indian member in the commission
B.it supported the Muslim League
C.Congress felt that the people of India are entitled to Swaraj
D.None of the above
Explanation
Why Correct: The Simon Commission, appointed in 1927 to review constitutional reforms in India, consisted entirely of British members with no Indian representation, triggering nationwide protests under the slogan 'Simon Go Back'. Distractor Analysis: The commission did not officially support the Muslim League, though separate discussions occurred later. The Congress demand for Swaraj was a broader political goal, not the specific boycott reason. 'None of the above' is incorrect as the all-British composition was the primary grievance. Takeaway: The commission's report led to the 1930 Round Table Conferences, which included Indian representatives for the first time in constitutional discussions.
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Q.6
WBCS Prelims 2017
The Morley Minto Reform was declared in the year
A.1907
B.1909
C.1911
D.1919
Explanation
Why Correct: The Indian Councils Act 1909, commonly called the Morley-Minto Reforms, received royal assent on 25 May 1909 and took effect that year. Distractor Analysis: 1907 witnessed the Surat Split of the Indian National Congress. 1911 featured the Delhi Durbar and reversal of the Bengal Partition. 1919 saw the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and the Rowlatt Act. Takeaway: The Morley-Minto Reforms introduced separate electorates for Muslims, establishing a precedent for communal representation in Indian politics.
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Q.7
WBCS Prelims 2015
In which year was the Pitt’s India Act passed ?
A.1773
B.1781
C.1784
D.1858
Explanation
Why Correct: Pitt's India Act was passed in 1784, establishing the Board of Control to oversee the East India Company's political affairs in India. Distractor Analysis: 1773 marks the Regulating Act, which created the office of Governor-General of Bengal. 1781 saw the Act of Settlement, which amended the Regulating Act. 1858 is the year of the Government of India Act, which transferred power from the East India Company to the British Crown after the 1857 Revolt. Takeaway: Pitt's India Act of 1784 created a dual system of control where the British government supervised the East India Company's political functions through the Board of Control.
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Q.8
WBCS Prelims 2015
Simon Commission was appointed for
A.Indian Constitutional Reforms
B.Administrative Reforms
C.Educational Reforms
D.Jail Code Reforms
Explanation
Why Correct: The Simon Commission was appointed in 1927 to review and recommend constitutional reforms for British India, arriving in India on February 3, 1928. Distractor Analysis: Administrative reforms were handled by various committees like the Lee Commission for public services. Educational reforms were addressed by commissions like the Sadler Commission. Jail code reforms were implemented through separate prison administration committees. Takeaway: The commission's all-British composition triggered nationwide protests with the slogan 'Simon Go Back' and led to the Nehru Report as the Indian response.
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Q.9
WBCS Prelims 2014
In India the Federal Court was constituted by an act of
A.1891
B.1909
C.1919
D.1935
Explanation
Why Correct: The Government of India Act, 1935 established the Federal Court of India, which began functioning in 1937 and served as the highest judicial body until independence. Distractor Analysis: 1891 corresponds to the Indian Councils Act that expanded legislative councils with limited non-official membership. 1909 marks the Morley-Minto Reforms that introduced separate electorates for Muslims. 1919 is the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms that established dyarchy in provincial governments. Takeaway:</strong: The Federal Court had original jurisdiction in disputes between provinces and the center, and appellate jurisdiction from High Courts on constitutional matters.
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Q.10
WBCS Prelims 2014
Why was the Simon Commission boycotted by the Congress ?
A.As it did not include any representative of the Congress.
B.As it included a member of the Muslim League.
C.As it negated the claim of the Indians to determine their own constitution.
D.As it was appointed one year before.
Explanation
Why Correct: The Simon Commission had no Indian members, which Indians viewed as denying their right to self-determination and constitutional reform. Distractor Analysis: The absence of Congress representatives was a consequence, not the primary boycott reason. Including a Muslim League member would not have triggered boycott—the Commission had only British members. The appointment timing was not the issue—the Commission arrived in 1928 as scheduled. Takeaway: The Commission's report in 1930 recommended provincial autonomy but rejected dominion status, leading to the Nehru Report and eventual Civil Disobedience Movement.
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Q.11
WBCS Prelims 2013
In whose report the idea of federation of states was first proposed ?
A.Rajagopalachari
B.Sarat Bose
C.Motilal Nehru
D.Shyamaprasad Mukherjee
Explanation
Why Correct: The Nehru Report of 28 August 1928, chaired by Motilal Nehru, first proposed a federal structure for India with dominion status. Distractor Analysis: Rajagopalachari authored the C. R. Formula for Congress-League cooperation in 1944. Sarat Bose was a prominent Congress leader from Bengal who advocated for complete independence. Shyamaprasad Mukherjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951 and was a minister in Nehru's cabinet. Takeaway: The Nehru Report also recommended universal adult suffrage and fundamental rights, but was rejected by the Muslim League, leading to Jinnah's Fourteen Points.
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Q.12
WBCS Prelims 2013
Which Act allowed the Christian Missionaries to enter India ?
A.Charter act of 1793
B.Charter act of 1813
C.Charter act of 1833
D.Pitt’s India act of 1784
Explanation
Why Correct: The Charter Act of 1813 permitted Christian missionaries to preach and establish missions in British India, ending the East India Company's restrictions on missionary activity. Distractor Analysis: The Charter Act of 1793 renewed the Company's charter but maintained restrictions on missionaries. The Charter Act of 1833 ended the Company's commercial monopoly completely and opened civil service exams to Indians. Pitt's India Act of 1784 established the Board of Control to oversee Company affairs in London. Takeaway: The 1813 Act also allocated 100,000 rupees annually for promoting education in India, marking the beginning of state-funded education under British rule.
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Q.13
WBCS Prelims 2012
The Act of 1919 is known as
A.Rowlatt Act
B.Morley Minto Act
C.Mont Ford Act
D.Simon Act
Explanation
Why Correct: The Government of India Act 1919 is popularly called the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, often shortened to Mont-Ford Act, named after Secretary of State Edwin Montagu and Viceroy Lord Chelmsford. Distractor Analysis: Rowlatt Act refers to the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919 that allowed detention without trial. Morley-Minto Reforms established separate electorates for Muslims through the Indian Councils Act of 1909. Simon Commission refers to the 1927 British parliamentary group sent to review constitutional reforms in India. Takeaway: The 1919 Act introduced dyarchy in provinces, dividing subjects into reserved (controlled by British officials) and transferred (controlled by Indian ministers).
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Q.14
WBCS Prelims 2011
Why were the Indians dissatisfied with the Simon Commission ?
A.Because no Indian was taken as a member of the Commission.
B.Because Indians never wanted the review of the working of Act of 1919.
C.Because it recommended that Dyarchy in the provinces should be abolished.
D.None of the above
Explanation
Why Correct: The Simon Commission excluded all Indian members, triggering nationwide protests under the slogan "Simon Go Back" and uniting Indian political parties against British colonial rule. Distractor Analysis: Indians actively demanded constitutional reforms and review of the Government of India Act 1919. The Commission's actual recommendation was to abolish dyarchy in provinces, but this came later and wasn't the primary cause of initial dissatisfaction. Takeaway: The Simon Commission led to the Nehru Report of 1928, which demanded Dominion Status for India and became the first major Indian constitutional draft.
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Q.15
WBCS Prelims 2010
The first to be designated as the Governor General of India was
A.Lord Clive
B.Sir John Shore
C.Warren Hastings
D.Lord Cornwallis
Explanation
Why Correct: Warren Hastings became the first Governor-General of Bengal in 1773 under the Regulating Act, serving until 1785 and establishing the foundation of British administrative structure. Distractor Analysis: Lord Clive established British political power in Bengal after the Battle of Plassey in 1757. Sir John Shore succeeded Cornwallis as Governor-General in 1793. Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement and the Cornwallis Code in 1793. Takeaway: The Regulating Act of 1773 created the office of Governor-General of Bengal, while the Charter Act of 1833 made the Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India.
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Q.16
WBCS Prelims 2010WBCS Prelims 2006
The Simon Commission was appointed for
A.Indian Constitutional Reforms
B.Administrative Reforms
C.Educational Reforms
D.Jail Code Reforms
Asked 2 times in WBCS. High priority question.
Explanation
Why Correct: The British government appointed the Simon Commission in 1927 to review the Government of India Act 1919 and recommend future constitutional reforms for India. Distractor Analysis: Administrative Reforms refers to changes in governance structures like the civil service. Educational Reforms covers policies like the Woods Despatch or Macaulay's Minute. Jail Code Reforms relates to prison administration improvements. Takeaway: The commission faced widespread Indian protests because it contained no Indian members, leading to the Nehru Report as the Indian response.
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Q.17
WBCS Prelims 2007
Montague-Chelmsford reforms provided for
A.Diarchy
B.Provincial autonomy
C.partial independence
D.separate communal electorate
Explanation
Why Correct: The Government of India Act 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms) introduced diarchy in provincial governments, dividing subjects into 'reserved' (controlled by British governors) and 'transferred' (controlled by Indian ministers). Distractor Analysis: Provincial autonomy came with the Government of India Act 1935. Partial independence describes the 1947 Indian Independence Act. Separate communal electorate was established by the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 and expanded by the Communal Award of 1932. Takeaway: The Montague-Chelmsford Reforms expanded Indian participation in legislatures but retained British control over key areas like finance and law and order.
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Q.18
WBCS Prelims 2006
The Regulating Act was passed by
A.Bengal Council
B.Company’s Govt.
C.British Parliament
D.Privy Council
Explanation
Why Correct: The Regulating Act of 1773 was enacted by the British Parliament to overhaul the East India Company's administration in India. Distractor Analysis: The Bengal Council was established by this Act to advise the Governor-General. The Company's Government in India implemented parliamentary acts but did not pass them. The Privy Council served as the highest court of appeal for British colonies. Takeaway: The 1773 Act created the office of Governor-General of Bengal, with Warren Hastings as the first, and established the Supreme Court at Calcutta.
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Q.19
WBCS Prelims 2004
When did the Simon Commission come to India?
A.1920
B.1927
C.1935
D.1942
Explanation
Why Correct: The Simon Commission arrived in India on February 3, 1928, though it was appointed in 1927 to review the Government of India Act 1919. Distractor Analysis: 1920 was the year of the Non-Cooperation Movement launch. 1935 saw the enactment of the Government of India Act. 1942 marked the Quit India Movement and Cripps Mission. Takeaway: The Commission's all-British composition triggered nationwide protests with the slogan "Simon Go Back," and led to the Nehru Report of 1928 as the Indian response.
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Q.20
WBCS Prelims 2002
Rowlatt Act was introduced in
A.1918
B.1919
C.1920
D.1921
Explanation
Why Correct: The Imperial Legislative Council passed the Rowlatt Act in March 1919, granting the British government emergency powers to detain Indians without trial. Distractor Analysis: 1918 saw the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms announced, which proposed limited self-government. 1920 marked the launch of Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement against British rule. 1921 witnessed the Moplah Rebellion in Malabar and the Ahmedabad session of the Indian National Congress. Takeaway: The Rowlatt Act's draconian provisions triggered nationwide protests, including the Rowlatt Satyagraha in April 1919, which set the stage for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
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Q.21
WBCS Prelims 2001
Pitt’s India Government Act, which was meant to remove the defects of the Regulating Act was passed in the year
A.1781
B.1782
C.1784
D.1786
Explanation
Why Correct: The British Parliament passed Pitt's India Act in 1784 to overhaul the East India Company's governance after the Regulating Act of 1773 proved ineffective. Distractor Analysis: 1781 saw the Act of Settlement addressing judicial issues. 1782 marked the Treaty of Salbai ending the First Anglo-Maratha War. 1786 witnessed Lord Cornwallis becoming Governor-General with enhanced powers. Takeaway: Pitt's Act established the Board of Control in London, separating the Company's commercial and political functions for the first time.
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Q.22
WBCS Prelims 2000
Which legislation enacted in 1919 is commonly referred to as the 'Black Act' due to its draconian provisions?
A.Ilbert Bill
B.Rowlatt Act
C.Hunter Act
D.Act of 1909
Explanation
Why Correct: The Rowlatt Act of 1919 authorized indefinite preventive detention and imprisonment without trial, leading Indian nationalists to call it the 'Black Act'. Distractor Analysis: The Ilbert Bill of 1883 proposed allowing Indian judges to try Europeans in criminal cases but faced strong opposition from Europeans. The Hunter Commission investigated the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. The Act of 1909, also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, introduced separate electorates for Muslims in legislative councils. Takeaway: The Rowlatt Act triggered Gandhi's first nationwide satyagraha in 1919, which included hartals and protests that preceded the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
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