UPSC Prelims · Modern History PYQ
The chain of constitutional acts and reforms from the Minto-Morley Reforms to the Government of India Act 1935 and Cabinet Mission Plan.
Includes
By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?
Correct answer: D. The Charter Act of 1833
Explanation
The Charter Act of 1833 designated the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India, centralising authority over the entire British territory.
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
Under the 1919 Act's dyarchy, subjects such as the administration of justice, land revenue, and police remained 'Reserved' under the Governor's direct control, while subjects like local self-government were 'Transferred' to ministers accountable to the legislature.
With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements:
1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct answer: B. 2 only
Explanation
The Cripps Mission did not propose Constituent Assembly representation nominated by the Princely States in this way, making the first statement false; it did allow any province unwilling to accept the new constitution to opt out and negotiate a separate arrangement with Britain — so only the second statement holds.
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?
Correct answer: B. 2 only
Explanation
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms did not grant universal voting rights to all women above 21, making the first statement false; the Government of India Act of 1935 did provide reserved seats for women in provincial legislatures, which is true.
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?
Correct answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Explanation
The Charter Act of 1813 ended the Company's trade monopoly except in tea and China trade, and it asserted the Crown's sovereignty over Company-held territories, both true; India's revenues, however, remained under Company administration rather than direct Parliamentary control at this stage, so the third statement is false.
In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the
Correct answer: B. Governor General
Explanation
Under the federal scheme proposed by the Government of India Act, 1935, residuary legislative powers were vested in the Governor-General, not the provinces or the federal legislature.
The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to
Correct answer: D. Improve the relationship between the Government of India and the Indian States.
Explanation
The 1927 Butler Committee examined and sought to clarify the relationship between British paramountcy and the Indian princely states.
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' refers to dividing provincial subjects into two categories — 'Reserved,' controlled directly by the Governor, and 'Transferred,' run by ministers accountable to the legislature.
The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to
Correct answer: D. constitutional reforms
Explanation
The Montagu-Chelmsford Proposals (1918) formed the blueprint for the constitutional reforms enacted through the Government of India Act, 1919.
The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War
Correct answer: D. India should be given Dominion status
Explanation
The Cripps Proposals (1942) envisaged that India would be granted full Dominion status once the Second World War had ended.
The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined
Correct answer: B. the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments
Explanation
The Government of India Act, 1919 clearly demarcated, for the first time, the respective jurisdictions of the central and provincial governments.
With reference to the Cabinet Mission, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It recommended a federal government.
2. It enlarged the powers of the Indian courts.
3. It provided for more Indians in the ICS.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct answer: A. 1 only
Explanation
The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) recommended a three-tier federal structure, true; it did not significantly expand the powers of Indian courts or particularly Indianise the ICS as a central feature — so only the first statement is correct.
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:
Correct answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Queen Victoria's 1858 Proclamation disclaimed any intention to further annex Indian princely states and formally transferred Indian administration from the Company to the Crown, both true; regulating Company trade was no longer relevant by then, since its trading role had already ended earlier — so only 1 and 2.
With reference to Indian History, the Members of the Constituent Assembly from the Provinces were
Correct answer: C. elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies
Explanation
Members of the Constituent Assembly from British Indian provinces were elected by the respective Provincial Legislative Assemblies.
The people of India agitated against the arrival of Simon Commission because
Correct answer: C. there was no Indian member in the Simon Commission
Explanation
Indians protested the all-white composition of the 1927 Simon Commission, which had no Indian members despite deciding India's constitutional future.
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
Correct answer: C. 1 and 3 only
Explanation
The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced dyarchy in the provincial executive and devolved certain legislative powers from the Centre to the provinces, both true; separate communal electorates for Muslims had already been introduced earlier under the Morley-Minto reforms of 1909, not by this Act — so only 1 and 3.
With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were recommended by the Nehru report?
1. Complete Independence for India.
2. Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities.
3. Provision of fundamental rights for the people of India in the Constitution.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Correct answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Explanation
The Nehru Report (1928) proposed joint, not separate, electorates with reserved seats for minorities, and it included a set of fundamental rights in its draft constitution, both true; however, it demanded Dominion Status rather than complete independence, making the first statement false — so 2 and 3 only.
With reference to Simon Commission’s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct?
Correct answer: A. It recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces
Explanation
The Simon Commission recommended replacing dyarchy in the provinces with full, responsible provincial government.
After Quit India Movement, C. Rajagopalachari issued a pamphlet entitled "The Way Out". Which one of the following was a proposal in this pamphlet?
Correct answer: D. A solution for the constitutional deadlock
Explanation
Rajagopalachari's 1944 pamphlet 'The Way Out' proposed a possible political settlement to break the constitutional deadlock among Congress, the Muslim League, and the government.
Who among the following were official Congress negotiators with Cripps Mission ?
Correct answer: C. Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad
Explanation
Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Azad served as Congress's official negotiators with the Cripps Mission in 1942.
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 ?
Correct answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation
Discussions from the Round Table Conferences, culminating in the third, did feed into the Government of India Act, 1935, which in turn proposed an All-India Federation combining British Indian provinces and the princely states — both statements are correct.
Who of the following Prime Ministers sent Cripps Mission to India?
Correct answer: D. Winston Churchill
Explanation
Winston Churchill's wartime government sent the Cripps Mission to India in 1942.
Consider the following statements: The Cripps Proposals include the provision for
1. Full independence for India.
2. Creation of Constitution-making body.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct answer: B. 2 only
Explanation
The Cripps Proposals promised only future Dominion Status and a post-war constitution-making body, not full or immediate independence — so only the second statement is correct.
Which one of the following suggested the reconstitution of the Viceroy’s Executive Council in which all the portfolios including that of War Members were to be held by the Indian leaders?
Correct answer: B. Simla Conference
Explanation
The 1945 Simla Conference proposed reconstituting the Viceroy's Executive Council with Indian members holding all portfolios, though talks broke down over the War Member issue.
Assertion (A): According to the Wavell Plan, the number of Hindu and Muslim members in the Executive Council were to be equal. Reason (R): Wavell thought that this arrangement would have avoided the partition of India.
Correct answer: C. A is true but R is false
Explanation
The Wavell Plan did propose equal numbers of Hindu and Muslim members on the Executive Council, true; but Wavell's arrangement ultimately did not prevent partition, so the claim that it 'would have avoided' partition does not hold.
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?
Correct answer: B. 2 only
Explanation
The Charter Act of 1853 did not itself end the Company's trade monopoly, since that had already happened earlier in 1833, making the first statement false; the 1858 Act did abolish Company rule altogether and transfer administration directly to the Crown, which is true.
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?
Correct answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
The Government of India Act, 1935 did provide for provincial autonomy, a Federal Court, and a proposed All-India Federation at the centre — all three, though the federal element never actually came into force.
In which one of the following provinces was a Congress Ministry not formed under the Act of 1935?
Correct answer: D. Punjab
Explanation
Under the 1935 Act's provincial elections (1937), Congress did not form a ministry in Punjab, where regional parties such as the Unionist Party dominated instead.
Consider the following statements :
1. In the First Round Table Conference Dr. Ambedkar demanded electorates for the depressed classes.
2. In the Poona Pact, special provisions for representation of the depressed people in the local bodies and civil services were made.
3. The Indian National Congress did not take part in the Third Round Table Conference.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct answer: C. 1 and 3
Explanation
Ambedkar did demand separate electorates for the depressed classes at the First Round Table Conference, true, and the Congress genuinely did not participate in the Third Round Table Conference, true; the Poona Pact, however, replaced separate electorates with a joint electorate and reserved seats rather than dealing specifically with local-body or civil-service representation — so only 1 and 3.
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?
Correct answer: B. 1 and 2
Explanation
The 1935 Act abolished dyarchy in the provinces, replacing it with fuller provincial autonomy, and gave Governors special discretionary powers over legislation, both true; it retained rather than abolished separate communal representation, making the third statement false — so 1 and 2.
The Montagu-Chelmsford Report formed the basis of
Correct answer: B. The Government of India Act, 1919
Explanation
The Montagu-Chelmsford Report (1918) directly formed the basis for the Government of India Act, 1919.
Which one of the following provisions was NOT made in the Charter Act of 1833?
Correct answer: D. An Indian was to be appointed as a Law Member in the Governor-General’s Council
Explanation
The Charter Act of 1833 did not itself appoint an Indian Law Member — that post was, at the time, reserved for a European official, with genuine Indianisation coming only later.
An important aspect of the Cripps Mission of 1942 was
Correct answer: B. the creation of an Indian Union with Dominion status very soon after the Second World War
Explanation
The Cripps Mission's key proposal was the offer of Dominion Status for a new Indian Union soon after the Second World War ended.
When Congress leaders condemned the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, many moderates left party to form the
Correct answer: D. Indian Liberal Federation
Explanation
Moderate Congress leaders unhappy with the limited reforms of the Montagu-Chelmsford Report broke away to form the National (Indian) Liberal Federation around 1918-19.
The last opportunity to avoid the partition of India was lost with the rejection of
Correct answer: C. Cabinet Mission
Explanation
The rejection of the 1946 Cabinet Mission Plan, which offered the last realistic framework for a united India, is widely seen as the final missed opportunity to avoid partition.
The real intention of the British to include the princely states in the Federal Union proposed by the India Act of 1935 was to
Correct answer: D. use the princes to counter-balance the anti-imperialist doctrines of the nationalist leaders
Explanation
The British mainly intended to include the princely states in the 1935 Act's proposed federation to use conservative princely representatives as a counterweight to nationalist politicians in the federal legislature.
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 Codes:
Correct answer: A. A-2 B-4 C-3 D-1
Explanation
The Charter Act of 1813 ended the Company's trade monopoly (A-2); the Regulating Act (1773) required Company directors to share administrative papers with the British government (B-4); the 1858 Act transferred governing power from the Company to the Crown (C-3); and Pitt's India Act (1784) set up the Board of Control in Britain (D-1).
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?
Correct answer: A. Indian Council Act, 1861
Explanation
The Indian Councils Act of 1861 introduced the portfolio system, assigning specific departments to individual council members and strengthening the Viceroy's authority over collective decision-making.
With reference to the colonial period of Indian history, match List I (Person) with List II (Event) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I (Person) A. MacDonald B. Linlithgow C. Dalhousie D. Chelmsford List II (Event)
1. Doctrine of Lapse
2. Communal Award
3. August Offer
4. Dyarchy Codes:
Correct answer: C. A-2 B-3 C-1 D-4
Explanation
Ramsay MacDonald announced the Communal Award (A-2); Linlithgow made the August Offer (B-3); Dalhousie is associated with the Doctrine of Lapse (C-1); and Chelmsford's tenure saw the introduction of Dyarchy under the 1919 Act (D-4).
Which one of the following is not a feature of the Government of India Act of 1935?
Correct answer: A. Diarchy at the Centre as well as in the provinces
Explanation
Under the 1935 Act, dyarchy was proposed only at the federal centre for certain subjects, while provinces instead received full autonomy — so 'diarchy at the Centre as well as in the provinces' was not actually a feature of this Act.
The most short-lived of all of Britain’s constitutional experiments in India was the
Correct answer: C. Indian Councils Act of 1909
Explanation
The Indian Councils Act of 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms) proved to be Britain's shortest-lived constitutional experiment in India, quickly superseded by the 1919 Act.
'Federal Union composed of British provinces.' The above quotation is related to
Correct answer: D. Cabinet Mission
Explanation
This description of a federal union of British Indian provinces refers to the plan proposed by the 1946 Cabinet Mission.
Which one of the following leaders of the Congress was totally in favour of Cabinet Mission Plan?
Correct answer: C. Sardar Patel
Explanation
Sardar Patel was fully and firmly in favour of accepting the Cabinet Mission Plan without reservations.
Assertion (A): The Congress rejected the Cripps proposals. Reason (R): The Cripps Mission consisted solely of whites.
Correct answer: B. Both A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
Explanation
The Congress did reject the Cripps proposals, true, and the Cripps Mission was indeed composed entirely of British representatives, also true; but the actual reason for rejection was the proposals' failure to offer immediate self-government, not merely the mission's racial composition, so the reason does not correctly explain the assertion.
Simon Commission of 1927 was boycotted because
Correct answer: A. There was no Indian member in the Commission
Explanation
The Simon Commission (1927) was boycotted nationwide because it contained no Indian members, despite deciding India's constitutional future.
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. Hurtog 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:
Correct answer: D. I-B, II-D, III-A, IV-C
Explanation
The Butler Committee examined princely-states-paramountcy relations (I-B); the Hartog Committee reported on the growth of education (II-D); the Hunter Committee investigated the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (III-A); and the Muddiman Committee reviewed the working of dyarchy under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (IV-C).
The meeting of Indian and British political leaders during 1930-32 in London has often been referred to as the First, Second and Third Round Table Conferences. It would be incorrect to refer to them as such because
Correct answer: D. it was an instance of Conference held in three sessions and not that of three separate conferences
Explanation
It is more accurate to describe the 1930-32 London talks as a single conference held across three sessions, rather than as three wholly separate and distinct conferences, since they were part of one continuing negotiation process.
Which one of the following is not correct about the Cabinet Mission Plan?
Correct answer: C. Acceptance of Pakistan
Explanation
The Cabinet Mission Plan (1946) explicitly did not accept the creation of Pakistan, proposing instead a three-tier federal union with grouped provinces.
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:
Correct answer: A. I-C, II-B, III-D, IV-A
Explanation
Cornwallis served as Governor-General of Fort William/Bengal under the Regulating Act (I-C); Dalhousie was Governor-General of India under the Charter Act 1833 framework (II-B); Minto was Governor-General and Viceroy under the 1858 Act (III-D); and Wavell held the title Governor-General and Crown Representative under the 1935 Act (IV-A).
Which one of the following first mooted the idea of a constituent assembly to frame a constitution for India?
Correct answer: A. Swaraj Party in 1934
Explanation
The idea of a Constituent Assembly to frame India's own constitution is traditionally traced to the Swaraj Party's 1934 demand, with the Congress formally endorsing it the following year.
B. R. Ambedkar was elected to the Constituent Assembly from
Correct answer: B. the Bombay Presidency
Explanation
B.R. Ambedkar was elected to the Constituent Assembly representing the Bombay Presidency, after his original Bengal constituency was lost to boundary changes linked to partition.