Constitutional Development MCQ: Regulating Act to Government of India Act 1935

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Which Act of British Parliament abolished the East India Company monopoly over trade in India?

   • A.Regulating Act
   • B.Pitt's India Act
   • C.Charter Act of 1813✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Charter Act of 1833

   Explanation: The Charter Act of 1813 deprived the company of its monopoly over trade with India but it still enjoyed its monopoly of trade with China and the trade in tea.

2. Q2.In which of the following Acts, the provision was made for the establishment of Supreme Court at Calcutta?

   • A.Regulating Act, 1773✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Pitt's India Act, 1784
   • C.Charter Act, 1813
   • D.Charter Act, 1833

   Explanation: The provision for the establishment of Supreme Court at Fort William, Calcutta was made in the Regulating Act, 1773. Sir Elijah Impey was the first Chief Justice.

3. Q3.Which Act for the first time made it possible for Indians to take some share in the administration of their country?

   • A.Charter Act, 1833✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Charter Act, 1853
   • C.Government of India Act, 1858
   • D.Indian Councils Act, 1861

   Explanation: Section 87 of the Charter Act, 1833 stated that no person would be debarred from service on grounds of religion, place of birth, descent or colour.

4. Q4.Which Act introduced an open competition system of selection and recruitment of civil servants, thereby depriving the Court of Directors of their patronage?

   • A.Charter Act, 1833
   • B.Charter Act, 1853✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Government of India Act, 1858
   • D.Indian Councils Act, 1861

   Explanation: The Charter Act of 1853 introduced an open competition system for civil servants. The Macaulay Committee was appointed in 1854 to enforce this.

5. Q5.Match list-I with list-II and select the correct answer: List-I A. Establishment of Board of Control B. Establishment of Supreme Court C. Permission to English Missionaries D. Appointment of Law Member List-II 1. Regulating Act, 1773 2. Pitt's India Act, 1784 3. Charter Act, 1813 4. Charter Act, 1833

   • A.A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
   • B.A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4✓ Correct Answer
   • C.A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
   • D.A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

   Explanation: Pitt's India Act 1784 established Board of Control. Regulating Act 1773 established Supreme Court. Charter Act 1813 allowed Missionaries. Charter Act 1833 appointed Law Member.

6. Q6.Which Act is known as the 'Act for the Good Government of India' and abolished the doctrine of 'Double Government'?

   • A.Government of India Act, 1858✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Indian Councils Act, 1861
   • C.Charter Act, 1853
   • D.Indian Councils Act, 1892

   Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858 ended Company rule, transferred power to the British Crown, and abolished the Board of Control and Court of Directors.

7. Q7.Which Act gave statutory recognition to the 'Portfolio System' introduced by Lord Canning?

   • A.Indian Councils Act, 1892
   • B.Government of India Act, 1858
   • C.Indian Councils Act, 1861✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Government of India Act, 1909

   Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1861 recognized the portfolio system where members of the Viceroy's council were made in-charge of specific departments.

8. Q8.By which of the following Act, Legislative Council of India received the power to discuss the budget?

   • A.Indian Council Act, 1861
   • B.Indian Council Act, 1892✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Indian Council Act, 1909
   • D.Indian Council Act, 1919

   Explanation: The Indian Council Act, 1892 increased the functioning of the Legislative Councils. The councils were given the power of discussing the Budget and addressing questions to the executive.

9. Q9.The Act of 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms) was associated with:

   • A.Introduction of separate electorate✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Decentralization
   • C.Dyarchy
   • D.Legislative councils

   Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms) introduced separate electorate for Muslim community.

10. Q10.Who was the first Indian to join the Viceroy's Executive Council as a Law Member under the 1909 Act?

    • A.Satyendra Prasad Sinha✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Tej Bahadur Sapru
    • C.Dadabhai Naoroji
    • D.G.K. Gokhale

    Explanation: Satyendra Prasad Sinha became the first Indian to join the Viceroy's Executive Council. He was appointed as the Law Member.

11. Q11.In the context of Indian history, the principle of 'Dyarchy (diarchy)' refers to

    • A.Division of the central legislature into two houses.
    • B.Introduction of double government i.e., Central and State Governments.
    • C.Having two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi.
    • D.Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Dyarchy refers to the division of legislation subjects into central and provincial categories. The provincial subjects were further divided into 'reserved' and 'transferred' categories.

12. Q12.Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919? 1. The introduction of dyarchy in the executive Government of the provinces. 2. The introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims. 3. Devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces.

    • A.only 1
    • B.2 and 3 only
    • C.1 and 3 only✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1, 2 and 3

    Explanation: Separate electorate for Muslims was introduced by the Act of 1909, not 1919. 1919 Act introduced Dyarchy in provinces and devolved legislative authority.

13. Q13.The Indian Legislature was made bicameral for the first time by

    • A.Indian Council Act of 1892
    • B.Indian Council Act of 1909
    • C.The Government of India Act of 1919✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Government of India Act of 1935

    Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919 made Indian Legislature bicameral for the first time, consisting of Council of State and Legislative Assembly.

14. Q14.Which Act created a new office of the High Commissioner for India in London?

    • A.Government of India Act, 1909
    • B.Government of India Act, 1919✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Government of India Act, 1935
    • D.Indian Independence Act, 1947

    Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919 created a new office of the High Commissioner for India in London and transferred to him some of the functions hitherto performed by the Secretary of State.

15. Q15.The Simon Commission (1927) was appointed to review the working of which Act?

    • A.Indian Councils Act, 1909
    • B.Government of India Act, 1919✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Government of India Act, 1935
    • D.Regulating Act, 1773

    Explanation: The Simon Commission was appointed to report on the condition of India under the new Constitution (GOI Act 1919) and to suggest further reforms.

16. Q16.By which one of the following Acts was the Federal Court in India created?

    • A.Indian Council Act, 1861
    • B.Government of India Act, 1909
    • C.Government of India Act, 1919
    • D.Government of India Act, 1935✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Federal Court in India was established by the Government of India Act, 1935 on 1st October, 1937. Sir Maurice Gwyer was its first Chief Justice.

17. Q17.Which of the following Acts set up Dyarchy System at the central level?

    • A.Government of India Act, 1935✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Government of India Act, 1919
    • C.Indian Councils Act, 1909
    • D.Indian Councils Act, 1892

    Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1935 introduced dyarchy at the centre and abolished the same in the provinces.

18. Q18.The provision for the establishment of All India Federation was included in the

    • A.Government of India Act, 1935✓ Correct Answer
    • B.August Offer, 1940
    • C.Government of India Act, 1919
    • D.Cabinet Mission Proposal, 1946

    Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1935 proposed to set up an All India Federation comprising of British India Provinces and Princely States.

19. Q19.In the Federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the

    • A.Federal Legislature
    • B.Governor General✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Provincial Legislature
    • D.Provincial Governors

    Explanation: The residuary powers were given to the Governor General in the Federation established under Government of India Act, 1935.

20. Q20.Which Act provided for the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India to control the currency and credit of the country?

    • A.Government of India Act, 1919
    • B.Government of India Act, 1935✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Indian Independence Act, 1947
    • D.Indian Councils Act, 1909

    Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India.