Constitutional Development (1773-1935) PYQs

Tap an option to check it. For one question at a time, use Start practice above.

1. Prelims 2026Q8Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

   Consider the following assertion :

   The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919.

   Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion ?

   1.Reforms retained and extended the principle of separate electorates.

   2.Separate electorates were supposed to counter Indian nationalism, which was growing stronger.

   3.Deprived classes rallied around the favours inherent in separate electorates.

   Select the answer using the code given below :

   a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 2 onlyd1, 2 and 3
2. Prelims 2024Q62Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

   With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements :

   1.It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.

   2.Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
3. Prelims 2023Q50Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

   By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

   aThe Regulating ActbThe Pitt's India ActcThe Charter Act of 1793dThe Charter Act of 1833
4. Prelims 2022Q51Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

   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 :

   a1, 2 and 3b2, 3 and 4c1, 3 and 4d1, 2 and 4
5. Prelims 2021Q42Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

   Consider the following statements :

   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?

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
6. Prelims 2019Q4Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

   Consider the following statements about 'the Charter Act of 1813' :

   1.It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.

   2.It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.

   3.The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.

   Which of the statements given above are correct?

   a1 and 2 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
7. Prelims 2018Q38Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

   In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the

   aFederal LegislaturebGovernor GeneralcProvincial LegislaturedProvincial Governors
8. Prelims 2017Q26Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

   The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to

   aDefine the jurisdiction of the Central and Provincial Governments.bDefine the powers of the Secretary of State for India.cImpose censorship on national press.dImprove the relationship between the Government of India and the Indian States.
9. Prelims 2017Q62Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

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

   aDivision of the central legislature into two houses.bIntroduction of double government i.e., Central and State governments.cHaving two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi.dDivision of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.
10. Prelims 2016Q64Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to

    asocial reformsbeducational reformscreforms in police administrationdconstitutional reforms
11. Prelims 2015Q28Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined

    athe separation of power between the judiciary and the legislaturebthe jurisdiction of the central and provincial governmentscthe powers of the Secretary of State for India and the ViceroydNone of the above
12. Prelims 2014Q92Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)?

    1.To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States

    2.To place the Indian administration under the British Crown

    3.To regulate East India Company’s trade with India

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    a1 and 2 onlyb2 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
13. Prelims 2012Q27Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919?

    1.Introduction of dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces

    2.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 :

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
14. Prelims 2010Q51Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    With reference to Simon Commission’s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct?

    aIt recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provincesbIt proposed the setting up of inter-provincial council under the Home DepartmentcIt suggested the abolition of bicameral legislature at the CentredIt recommended the creation of Indian Police Service, with a provision for increased pay and allowances for British recruits as compared to Indian recruits
15. Prelims 2009Q48Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Consider the following statements :

    1.The discussions in the Third Round Table Conference eventually led to the passing of the Government of India Act of 1935.

    2.The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for the establishment of an All India Federation to be based on a Union of the provinces of British India and the Princely States.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
16. Prelims 2007Q56Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Consider the following statements:

    1.Robert Clive was the first Governor-General of Bengal.

    2.William Bentinck was the first Governor-General of India.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
17. Prelims 2006Q126Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Consider the following statements:

    1.The Charter Act 1853 abolished East India Company’s monopoly of Indian trade.

    2.Under the Government of India Act, 1858, the British Parliament abolished the East India Company altogether and undertook the responsibility of ruling India directly.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
18. Prelims 2005Q23Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Consider the following statements :

    The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for

    1.The provincial autonomy

    2.The establishment of Federal Court

    3.All India Federation at the centre

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 and 2b2 and 3c1 and 3d1, 2 and 3
19. Prelims 2004Q3Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Consider the following statements:

    Some of the main features of the Government of India Act, 1935 were the

    1.Abolition of diarchy in the Governor's provinces.

    2.Power of the Governors to veto legislative action and to legislate on their own.

    3.Abolition of the principle of communal representation.

    Which of these statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb1 and 2c2 and 3d1, 2 and 3
20. Prelims 2004Q28Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    The Montagu-Chelmsford Report formed the basis of

    aThe Indian Councils Act, 1909bThe Government of India Act, 1919cThe Government of India Act, 1935dThe Indian Independence Act, 1947
21. Prelims 2003Q128Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Which one of the following provisions was NOT made in the Charter Act of 1833?

    aThe trading activities of the East India Company were to be abolishedbThe designation of the supreme authority was to be changed as the Governor General of India in CouncilcAll law-making powers to be conferred on Governor General in CouncildAn Indian was to be appointed as a Law Member in the Governor-General’s Council
22. Prelims 2002Q54Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    The real intention of the British to include the princely states in the Federal Union proposed by the India Act of 1935 was to

    aexercise more and direct political and administrative control over the princely statesbinvolve the princes actively in the administration of the colonycfinally effect the complete political and administrative take-over of all the princely states by the Britishduse the princes to counter-balance the anti-imperialist doctrines of the nationalist leaders
23. Prelims 2002Q60Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Match List I (Acts of Colonial Government of India) with List II (Provisions) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

    List I (Acts)

    A.Charter Act, 1813

    B.Regulating Act

    C.Act of 1858

    D.Pitt’s India Act

    List II (Provisions)

    1.Set up a Board of Control in Britain to fully regulate the East India Company’s affairs in India

    2.Company’s trade monopoly in India was ended

    3.The power to govern was transferred from the East India Company to the British Crown

    4.The Company’s directors were asked to present to the British government all correspondence and documents pertaining to the administration of the company

    aA-2, B-4, C-3, D-1bA-1, B-3, C-4, D-2cA-2, B-3, C-4, D-1dA-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
24. Prelims 2002Q62Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Which one of the following Acts of British India strengthened the Viceroy’s authority over his executive council by substituting the “portfolio” or departmental system for corporate functioning?

    aIndian Council Act, 1861bGovernment of India Act, 1858cIndian Councils Act, 1892dIndian Councils Act, 1909
25. Prelims 2000Q57Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Which one of the following is not a feature of the Government of India Act of 1935?

    aDiarchy at the Centre as well as in the provincesbA bicameral legislaturecProvincial autonomydAn All-India Federation
26. Prelims 1999Q68Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    The most short-lived of all of Britain’s constitutional experiments in India was the

    aIndian Councils Act of 1861bIndian Councils Act of 1892cIndian Councils Act of 1909dGovernment of India Act of 1919
27. Prelims 1997Q6Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists:

    List I

    I.Butler Committee

    II.Hartog Committee Report

    III.Hunter Inquiry Committee Report

    IV.Muddiman Committee Report

    List II

    A) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Report

    B) Relationship between the Indian States and Paramount Power

    C) Working of Dyarchy as laid down in the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms

    D) The growth of education in British India and potentialities of its further progress

    Codes:

    aI-C, II-B, III-A, IV-DbI-A, II-D, III-B, IV-CcI-B, II-A, III-C, IV-DdI-B, II-D, III-A, IV-C
28. Prelims 1996Q38Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists:

    List I

    I.Governor General of Presidency of Fort William in Bengal (under Regulating Act, 1773)

    II.Governor General of India (under Charter Act, 1833)

    III.Governor General and Viceroy of India (under Indian Councils Act, 1858)

    IV.Governor General and Crown Representative (under Government of India Act, 1935)

    List II

    A.Archibald Percival Wavell, Viscount and Earl Wavell

    B.James Andrew Broun Ramsay, Earl and Marquess of Dalhousie

    C.Charles Cornwallis, 2nd Earl and first Marquess of Cornwallis

    D.Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmond, Earl of Minto

    E.Louis Mountbatten, Earl Mountbatten of Burma

    Codes:

    aI-C, II-B, III-D, IV-AbI-C, II-D, III-A, IV-EcI-B, II-C, III-D, IV-EdI-D, II-B, III-C, IV-A
29. Prelims 1996Q43Constitutional Development (1773-1935)

    Which one of the following first mooted the idea of a constituent assembly to frame a constitution for India?

    aSwaraj Party in 1934bCongress Party in 1936cMuslim League in 1942dAll Parties Conference in 1946