Constitutional Development MCQ: Communal Award, Pitt's India Act & Charter Act Milestones

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

1. Q1.Which one of the following Acts led to the separation of Burma from India?

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

   Explanation: Burma was separated from India according to the provision of Government of India Act, 1935.

2. Q2.The Communal Award (1932) by Ramsay MacDonald provided separate representation for:

   • A.Muslims only
   • B.Sikhs only
   • C.Depressed Classes (Scheduled Castes)
   • D.All of the above✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Communal Award extended separate electorates to Depressed Classes, Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans.

3. Q3.Which Act provided for the partition of India and the creation of two independent dominions?

   • A.Government of India Act, 1935
   • B.Cripps Mission
   • C.Indian Independence Act, 1947✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Cabinet Mission Plan

   Explanation: The Indian Independence Act, 1947 ended British rule in India and declared India as an independent and sovereign state from August 15, 1947.

4. Q4.The objective of Ilbert Bill in reference to colonial rule in India was-

   • A.To bring Indians and Europeans at equal status as far as the penal jurisdiction of courts was concerned.✓ Correct Answer
   • B.To put a strict restriction on local press because they were considered anti to colonial rulers.
   • C.To conduct Administrative Service Exams in India to encourage Indians to participate in it.
   • D.To amend the Arms Act for weapon permit to Indians.

   Explanation: The Ilbert Bill was introduced in 1883 by Viceroy Ripon to allow Indian Judges and Magistrates the jurisdiction to try British offenders in criminal cases at the district level.

5. Q5.The power of the President to issue ordinance is a relic of

   • A.G.O.I. Act, 1919
   • B.G.O.I. Act, 1935✓ Correct Answer
   • C.G.O.I. Act, 1909
   • D.Indian Independence Act, 1947

   Explanation: The President's power to promulgate ordinance (Art. 123) is inspired by section 42 of Government of India Act, 1935.

6. Q6.Which Act designated the Governor of Bengal as the 'Governor-General of Bengal' and created an Executive Council of four members to assist him?

   • A.Regulating Act, 1773✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Pitt's India Act, 1784
   • C.Charter Act, 1793
   • D.Charter Act, 1813

   Explanation: The Regulating Act of 1773 designated the Governor of Bengal as the Governor-General of Bengal. Lord Warren Hastings was the first to hold this designation.

7. Q7.Which Act established a system of 'Double Government' by creating a Board of Control to manage political affairs and retaining the Court of Directors for commercial affairs?

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

   Explanation: Pitt's India Act of 1784 distinguished between the commercial and political functions of the Company, creating the Board of Control for political affairs.

8. Q8.Which Act sanctioned the annual expenditure of one lakh rupees for the revival and promotion of literature and science in India?

   • A.Charter Act, 1813✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Charter Act, 1833
   • C.Indian Councils Act, 1861
   • D.Government of India Act, 1858

   Explanation: The Charter Act of 1813 provided for a sum of one lakh rupees annually for the promotion of education and literature in India.

9. Q9.Which Act elevated the Governor-General of Bengal to the 'Governor-General of India', thereby centralizing the administration?

   • A.Charter Act, 1813
   • B.Charter Act, 1833✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Government of India Act, 1858
   • D.Indian Councils Act, 1861

   Explanation: The Charter Act of 1833 made the Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India and vested in him all civil and military powers. Lord William Bentinck was the first.

10. Q10.Which Act separated, for the first time, the legislative and executive functions of the Governor-General's Council?

    • A.Charter Act, 1833
    • B.Charter Act, 1853✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Indian Councils Act, 1861
    • D.Government of India Act, 1919

    Explanation: The Charter Act of 1853 separated the legislative and executive functions and established a separate Indian (Central) Legislative Council.

11. Q11.Which Act created the new office of the 'Secretary of State for India', vested with complete authority and control over Indian administration?

    • A.Government of India Act, 1858✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Indian Councils Act, 1861
    • C.Indian Councils Act, 1892
    • D.Government of India Act, 1919

    Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1858 created the office of Secretary of State for India, who was a member of the British Cabinet.

12. Q12.The process of decentralization was initiated by restoring the legislative powers to the Bombay and Madras Presidencies by which Act?

    • A.Charter Act, 1833
    • B.Government of India Act, 1858
    • C.Indian Councils Act, 1861✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Indian Councils Act, 1892

    Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1861 reversed the centralizing tendency of the 1833 Act by restoring legislative powers to Bombay and Madras.

13. Q13.Under which Act were the members of the Legislative Council granted the power to ask supplementary questions?

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

    Explanation: The Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms) allowed members to ask supplementary questions and move resolutions on the budget.

14. Q14.Who was the first Law Member appointed to the Governor-General's Council under the Charter Act of 1833?

    • A.Lord Macaulay✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Satyendra Prasad Sinha
    • C.William Bentinck
    • D.Tej Bahadur Sapru

    Explanation: Lord Macaulay was appointed as the first Law Member. He also headed the first Law Commission.

15. Q15.Which Act introduced 'Direct Elections' in India for the first time?

    • A.Indian Councils 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 introduced direct elections, although the franchise was restricted based on property, tax, or education.

16. Q16.Which Act provided for the establishment of a Public Service Commission?

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

    Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1919 provided for a Public Service Commission, which was set up in 1926.

17. Q17.The separation of Provincial Budgets from the Central Budget was introduced by 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 Government of India Act, 1919 authorized the provinces to enact their own budgets.

18. Q18.Which Act introduced the 'Concurrent List', dividing powers between Centre and Provinces into three lists?

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

    Explanation: The Government of India Act, 1935 divided powers into Federal List, Provincial List, and Concurrent List.

19. Q19.The 'Council of India', established in 1858 to assist the Secretary of State, was abolished by which Act?

    • 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 abolished the Council of India and provided the Secretary of State with a team of advisors.

20. Q20.Which Act granted permission to Christian Missionaries to enter India and preach their religion?

    • A.Charter Act, 1793
    • B.Charter Act, 1813✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Charter Act, 1833
    • D.Charter Act, 1853

    Explanation: The Charter Act of 1813 allowed Christian missionaries to come to India for the purpose of enlightening the people.