UPSC CSE Prelims
Constitutional and Administrative Developments Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Constitutional and Administrative Developments
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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 ?
- Reforms retained and extended the principle of separate electorates.
- Separate electorates were supposed to counter Indian nationalism, which was growing stronger.
- Deprived classes rallied around the favours inherent in separate electorates.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
All three statements support the assertion. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) retained and expanded separate electorates to several communities, encouraging politics based on communal identities.
The British used this system as a divide-and-rule strategy to weaken the growing nationalist movement. It also encouraged various communities and deprived groups to organize politically to secure representation and benefits.
Therefore, Option D (1, 2 and 3) is correct.
| Separate Electorates meant that members of a particular community could vote only for candidates from their own community. First introduced for Muslims in 1909, the system was expanded in 1919 and contributed to the growth of communal politics in India. |
With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements:
- It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
- Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Answer: ✅ 1 Only (Option A)
The Government of India Act, 1935 was the most comprehensive constitutional reform introduced by the British before independence. It proposed an All-India Federation but kept crucial subjects under British control.
✅ Statement I is Correct: The Act provided for an All India Federation consisting of British Indian Provinces and Princely States. However, the federation never came into existence because enough princely states did not join.
❌ Statement II is Incorrect: Defence and Foreign Affairs were reserved subjects under the control of the Governor-General, not the federal legislature. This ensured continued British control over key areas.
Short Notes: Government of India Act, 1935
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It was the longest Act passed by the British Parliament for India.
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Proposed an All India Federation of Provinces and Princely States.
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Introduced Provincial Autonomy, ending dyarchy in provinces.
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Introduced Dyarchy at the Centre, though it was never implemented.
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Created the Federal Court of India in 1937.
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Divided powers into Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent Lists.
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Extended the principle of separate electorates.
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Many provisions of the Act influenced the Constitution of India (1950).
By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — The Charter Act of 1833
The Charter Act of 1833 was a landmark legislation that centralized administrative control in British India. It redesignated the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India, granting him authority over the entire British territorial possessions in India with unified civil and military powers. Lord William Bentinck became the first Governor-General of India under this Act, which also stripped the Governors of Bombay and Madras of their legislative powers, vesting exclusive legislative authority for all of British India in the Governor-General.
📝 Short Notes: Charter Acts and Constitutional Developments
| Act | Year | Key Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| Regulating Act | 1773 | Created Governor-General of Bengal (Warren Hastings); established Supreme Court at Calcutta |
| Pitt's India Act | 1784 | Established dual government system; created Board of Control |
| Charter Act | 1793 | Extended Company's trade monopoly for 20 years; increased salaries of Board of Control members |
| Charter Act | 1813 | Ended Company's trade monopoly except tea and China trade; promoted education |
| Charter Act | 1833 | Governor-General of Bengal became Governor-General of India; ended commercial functions of Company; opened civil services to Indians |
| Charter Act | 1853 | Separated legislative and executive functions; introduced competitive examination for civil services |
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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?
- Administration of Justice
- Local Self-Government
- Land Revenue
- Police
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 1, 3 and 4
The Government of India Act 1919 introduced the system of Dyarchy in the provinces, dividing subjects into 'Reserved' (controlled by the Governor and Executive Council) and 'Transferred' (administered by Indian ministers). Reserved subjects were considered more crucial and included Administration of Justice, Land Revenue, and Police, while Local Self-Government was a Transferred subject.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Administration of Justice was a Reserved subject under the control of the Governor.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Local Self-Government was a Transferred subject, administered by Indian ministers.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Land Revenue was a Reserved subject, being a critical financial matter.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Police was a Reserved subject, dealing with law and order.
📝 Short Notes: Dyarchy under Government of India Act 1919
| Category | Reserved Subjects | Transferred Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Governor with Executive Council (British bureaucrats) | Governor with Indian Ministers (elected) |
| Nature | Crucial/sensitive matters | Less critical/nation-building activities |
| Examples | Law and order, Police, Justice, Land Revenue, Irrigation, Finance | Education, Public Health, Local Self-Government, Public Works, Agriculture, Excise |
| Ministers' Responsibility | Executive Council not responsible to legislature | Indian ministers responsible to provincial legislature |
| Purpose | Retain British control over key areas | Gradual Indian participation in governance |
- Dyarchy literally means 'dual government' - introduced as part of Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919)
- System criticized by Indian leaders as it created division of authority and was unworkable in practice
- Abolished by the Government of India Act 1935, which introduced provincial autonomy
With reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements:
- The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.
- 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?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
The Cripps Mission (1942) proposed constitutional arrangements that included provisions for provinces unwilling to accept the new constitution. Statement 2 is correct as it accurately reflects this proposal, while Statement 1 contains a subtle but critical error regarding the composition of the Constituent Assembly.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Cripps Mission proposed that Constituent Assembly members would be elected by Provincial Assemblies, but nominated by the rulers in case of Princely States. The statement uses "nominated by" for both, which is factually incorrect for Provincial Assemblies.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The mission explicitly allowed provinces that did not accept the new constitution to have the right to sign separate agreements with Britain regarding their future status, giving them an opt-out provision.
📝 Short Notes: Cripps Mission (1942)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Background | Sent by British PM Winston Churchill in March 1942, led by Sir Stafford Cripps, to secure Indian cooperation during World War II |
| Main Proposals | • Dominion status for India after the war • Constitution-making body with members elected by Provincial Assemblies and nominated by Princely State rulers • Provinces could opt out and form separate unions • British control over defense during the war |
| Why Rejected | • Congress wanted immediate transfer of power, not post-war promises • Muslim League objected to grouping formula • No real transfer of power during the war • Provision for partition implicit in opt-out clause |
| Gandhi's Remark | Called it a "post-dated cheque on a crashing bank" |
| Significance | First British acceptance of India's right to independence; recognized Princely States' importance; accepted principle of partition |
Consider the following statements:
- The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age 21.
- The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 introduced limited electoral reforms but did not grant universal voting rights to all women above the age of 21. The Government of India Act of 1935, however, explicitly provided reserved seats for women in both provincial and central legislatures, marking a significant step towards women's political representation.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms did not recommend granting voting rights to all women above 21; voting rights remained restricted based on property, income, and education qualifications.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Government of India Act of 1935 introduced reserved seats for women in provincial and central legislatures to ensure their political representation.
📝 Short Notes: Constitutional Reforms (1919-1935)
| Feature | Government of India Act, 1919 | Government of India Act, 1935 |
|---|---|---|
| Electoral Reforms | Extended franchise on restricted basis (property, income, education); no universal women's suffrage | Reserved seats for women in provincial and central legislatures |
| Provincial Administration | Introduced Dyarchy (Transferred & Reserved subjects) | Abolished Dyarchy; introduced Provincial Autonomy |
| Central Legislature | Bicameral legislature established | Federal structure proposed (never implemented) |
| Subjects Division | Central and Provincial lists | Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent lists |
| Communal Representation | Separate electorates continued | Extended to more communities including women |
| Judicial Aspect | - | Established Federal Court of India |
Consider the following statements about ‘the Charter Act of 1813’:
- It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China.
- It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company.
- The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 and 2 only
The Charter Act of 1813 was a landmark legislation that ended the East India Company's trade monopoly in India (except for tea and China trade) and explicitly asserted British Crown sovereignty over Indian territories. However, direct parliamentary control over Indian revenues was not established by this Act.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Act abolished the Company's trade monopoly in India, opening trade to all British merchants, but retained the monopoly over tea and trade with China for another 20 years.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Act explicitly asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company, marking a constitutional milestone in British-India relations.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Act required separate accounts for commercial and territorial revenues, but direct parliamentary control over Indian revenues was only established through the Government of India Act 1858 after the Company's rule ended.
📝 Short Notes: Charter Acts and Company Rule
| Act/Year | Key Provisions |
|---|---|
| Regulating Act 1773 | Created post of Governor-General; Established Supreme Court in Calcutta; Company's affairs subjected to British Government scrutiny |
| Pitt's India Act 1784 | Dual system of control: Court of Directors (commercial) and Board of Control (political); Distinguished commercial and political functions |
| Charter Act 1813 | Ended trade monopoly (except tea & China trade); Asserted Crown sovereignty; Allocated funds for education; Christian missionaries allowed |
| Charter Act 1833 | Ended all commercial activities of Company; Governor-General of Bengal became Governor-General of India; Centralized administration |
| Charter Act 1853 | Separated legislative and executive functions; Introduced open competition for civil services; Extended British Parliament control |
| Government of India Act 1858 | Transferred power from Company to Crown; Created Secretary of State for India; Ended Company rule completely |
In the federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935, residuary power was given to the
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — Governor General
Under the Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers (subjects not covered in the Federal, Provincial, or Concurrent Lists) were vested in the Governor-General. He had the authority to decide which legislature would exercise power over such subjects. This was a significant feature distinguishing the 1935 Act from the current Constitution, where residuary powers rest with the Union Parliament under Article 248.
📝 Short Notes: Government of India Act, 1935 - Legislative Powers
| Feature | Government of India Act, 1935 | Constitution of India (1950) |
|---|---|---|
| Legislative Lists | Three lists: Federal, Provincial, Concurrent | Three lists: Union, State, Concurrent |
| Residuary Powers | Vested in the Governor-General | Vested in the Union Parliament (Article 248) |
| Federal List | 59 subjects (Center) | Union List: 97 subjects initially |
| Provincial List | 54 subjects (Provinces) | State List: 66 subjects initially |
| Concurrent List | 36 subjects (Both) | Concurrent List: 47 subjects initially |
| Nature of Federation | Federal system proposed (never fully implemented) | Quasi-federal with strong center |
In the context of Indian history, the principle of “Dyarchy (diarchy)” refers to -
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.
Dyarchy was introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919, as a system of dual governance at the provincial level. Under this system, provincial subjects were divided into two categories: 'Reserved' subjects (controlled by the Governor and his Executive Council) and 'Transferred' subjects (controlled by Indian ministers responsible to the legislature). This was an experiment in responsible government, though it had limited success.
Consider the following statements:
- The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of industrial workers and to allow the workers to form trade unions.
- N.M. Lokhande was a pioneer in organizing the labour movement in British India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Factories Act, 1881 was primarily concerned with regulating the working conditions of children in factories, not fixing wages or allowing trade unions. It prohibited the employment of children below 7 years of age, restricted working hours for children (7-12 years) to 9 hours per day, and mandated one day off per week. The Act did not address wage fixation or trade union formation—these aspects came much later in labour legislation.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: N.M. Lokhande (Narayan Meghaji Lokhande) is recognized as a pioneer of the labour movement in British India. He founded the Bombay Mill Hands Association in 1890, one of the first labour organizations in India. He actively campaigned for workers' rights, including the abolition of the contract system, weekly holidays, and shorter working hours. His efforts led to significant improvements in working conditions for industrial workers in Bombay.
The objective of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Improve the relationship between the Government of India and the Indian States.
The Butler Committee was appointed in December 1927 under the chairmanship of Sir Harcourt Butler to examine the relations between the British Government of India and the Indian Princely States.
The committee aimed to clarify and improve the nature of paramountcy (supreme authority of the British Crown over princely states) and address grievances of the rulers.
It recommended that Indian States should deal directly with the Crown through the Viceroy, not through the Government of India.
The committee's work was significant in defining the political relationship between the paramount power and native states during the British Raj.
The Montagu-Chelmsford Proposals were related to -
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — constitutional reforms
The Montagu-Chelmsford Proposals (1918) were recommendations for constitutional reforms in British India, presented by Edwin Montagu (Secretary of State for India) and Lord Chelmsford (Viceroy of India). These proposals formed the basis of the Government of India Act 1919, which introduced the system of dyarchy in provinces (dividing subjects into Transferred and Reserved categories), established bicameral legislature at the Centre (Council of State and Legislative Assembly), introduced direct elections for the first time (though with limited franchise), and separated provincial and central budgets. The reforms aimed at gradual introduction of responsible government in India.
The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War -
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — India should be given Dominion status
The Cripps Mission of March 1942, led by Sir Stafford Cripps, proposed that after World War II, India would be granted Dominion status with the right to frame its own constitution through a constituent assembly. The plan envisaged that provinces unwilling to join the Indian Union could form separate unions with their own constitutions. However, the plan did not promise immediate complete independence or partition; rather, it offered post-war Dominion status similar to that of Canada or Australia, allowing India to remain within the British Commonwealth. Both Congress and the Muslim League rejected the proposals—Congress demanded immediate independence, while the League found the provisions regarding separate unions inadequate. The mission ultimately failed to secure Indian cooperation for the war effort.
With reference to the cabinet mission, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It recommended a federal government.
- It enlarged the powers of the Indian courts.
- It provided for more Indians in the ICS
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Cabinet Mission (1946) recommended a federal structure with a weak centre controlling only defence, foreign affairs, and communications, while provinces would have autonomy in other matters.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Mission did not propose any changes regarding the powers of Indian courts; it focused solely on constitutional framework for transfer of power.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Mission made no recommendations about the Indian Civil Services (ICS) or increasing Indian representation in it.
The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined -
Detailed Explanation:
The Government of India Act of 1919 (also called Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) clearly defined the jurisdiction of central and provincial governments by dividing subjects into Central List and Provincial List, thereby relaxing central control over provinces.
The Act introduced Dyarchy at the provincial level, dividing provincial subjects into Transferred subjects (administered by Governor with ministers responsible to Legislative Council) and Reserved subjects (administered by Governor with Executive Council).
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