Important Acts (Rowlatt, Montagu) — Set 11
National Movement · महत्वपूर्ण अधिनियम · Questions 101–110 of 120
Which act separated Burma from British India?
Correct Answer: A. Government of India Act 1935
The Government of India Act 1935 separated Burma from British India, creating a separate governance structure for Burma. The separation came into effect on April 1, 1937, after which Burma was governed under a separate Government of Burma Act. Burma had been annexed to British India in 1886 and remained part of India until this separation.
The Morley-Minto Reforms expanded the number of Indians appointed to the Viceroy's Executive Council. The first Indian to be appointed to it was:
Correct Answer: B. S.P. Sinha (Satyendra Prasanno Sinha)
S.P. Sinha (Satyendra Prasanno Sinha) became the first Indian to be appointed to the Viceroy's Executive Council as a result of the Morley-Minto Reforms. He was appointed as a Law Member of the Executive Council in 1909. This appointment was significant as a token recognition of Indian capability for senior administrative positions.
The Government of India Act 1919 abolished which body that had been created by the Government of India Act 1858?
Correct Answer: C. The Council of India that advised the Secretary of State
The Government of India Act 1919 reformed the Council of India that had been created by the Government of India Act 1858 to advise the Secretary of State. The 1919 Act reduced the council's powers and introduced a bicameral joint committee of Parliament to scrutinize Indian affairs. The full Council of India was abolished by the Government of India Act 1935.
The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in 1885, during which era of constitutional development?
Correct Answer: D. After the Government of India Act 1858 brought India under Crown rule but before meaningful representative bodies
The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in 1885, during the era after the Government of India Act 1858 brought India under Crown rule but before any meaningful representative institutions had been introduced. This was before the Indian Councils Act 1892, before Morley-Minto, and before Montagu-Chelmsford. Congress thus emerged as the primary vehicle for Indian political representation in a constitutional vacuum.
The Regulating Act 1773 provided for a Governor-General to be assisted by a Council of how many members?
Correct Answer: A. 4 members
The Regulating Act 1773 provided for the Governor-General to be assisted by a Council of four members. Decisions were to be made by majority vote, which sometimes caused conflicts as the Council could outvote the Governor-General. Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General, frequently clashed with his Council members, particularly Philip Francis.
The key difference between the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935 at the provincial level was:
Correct Answer: B. The 1919 Act introduced dyarchy while the 1935 Act replaced dyarchy with full provincial autonomy under elected ministers
The key difference between the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935 at the provincial level was the nature of executive responsibility. The 1919 Act introduced dyarchy, a divided system where some subjects were transferred to Indian ministers while others were reserved for the Governor. The 1935 Act replaced dyarchy with full provincial autonomy, making the entire provincial executive responsible to elected legislatures.
The Simon Commission submitted its report in which year?
Correct Answer: C. 1930
The Simon Commission submitted its report in 1930, providing detailed recommendations for constitutional reforms in India. The report recommended the abolition of dyarchy and the introduction of provincial autonomy but did not recommend responsible government at the centre. The Simon Commission report formed one of the bases for the Government of India Act 1935, though the round table conferences also played a major role.
The Round Table Conferences (1930-32) were called to discuss constitutional reforms. The First Round Table Conference was boycotted by:
Correct Answer: D. The Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress boycotted the First Round Table Conference held in London in 1930-31 because it was being held while the Civil Disobedience Movement was in progress and Congress leaders were in jail. Gandhi attended the Second Round Table Conference in 1931 as the sole Congress representative after the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. The Third Round Table Conference was again boycotted by Congress.
The Cripps Mission of 1942 offered India:
Correct Answer: A. Dominion Status after World War II with the right for any province to opt out of the new constitution
The Cripps Mission of 1942 offered India Dominion Status after World War II with the right of any province to opt out of the new Indian constitution. Congress rejected the offer because it did not grant immediate independence and the right to opt out could facilitate Pakistan. Gandhi called the offer 'a post-dated cheque on a failing bank.' The failure of the Cripps Mission contributed to the launch of the Quit India Movement.
The Government of India Act 1935 created which specialized body to advise on constitutional disputes?
Correct Answer: B. The Federal Court of India
The Government of India Act 1935 created the Federal Court of India to adjudicate constitutional disputes between provinces and the federation. The Federal Court was established in 1937 and was India's highest court for constitutional matters until replaced by the Supreme Court of India in 1950. It was an important predecessor institution to modern Indian judicial review.