British constitutional reforms — UPSC Prelims PYQs

Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856: 1. The taluqdars were dispossessed of their estates but allowed to retain their arms and forts. 2. A Summary Revenue Settlement was made in 1856 assuming that the taluqdars were outsiders. 3. The British believed in taking revenue directly from the peasants by removing the taluqdars. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States. 2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements in respect of the Constitution Day: Statement-I: Constitution Day is celebrated on 26th November every year to promote constitutional values among citizens. Statement-II: On 26th November 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India set up a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to prepare a Draft Constitution of India. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

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?

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:

Wellesley established the Fort William College at Calcutta because:

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?

Regarding Wood’s Dispatch, which of the following statements are true? 1. Grants-in-Aid system was introduced. 2. Establishment of universities was recommended. 3. English as a medium of instruction at all levels of education was recommended. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India? 1. Charter Act of 1813 2. General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823 3. Orientalist and Anglicist Controversy. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to:

Which of the following are envisaged by the Right against Exploitation in the Constitution of India? 1. Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour 2. Abolition of untouchability 3. Protection of the interests of minorities 4. Prohibition of employment of children in factories and mines Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to:

The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War:

With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommen-dations of the ‘Sedition Committee’. 2. In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilise the Home Rule League. 3. Demonstrations against the arrival of the Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined:

What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)? 1. To disclaim any intention to annex the 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.

Quit India Movement was launched in response to:

The Ilbert Bill controversy was related to the:

Consider the following: 1. Assessment of land revenue on the basis of nature of the soil and the quality of crops. 2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare. 3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies. Which of the above was/were introduced into India by the English?

Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919? 1. Introduction of diarchy 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. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the:

What was the purpose for which Sir William Wedderburn and W.S. Caine had set up the Indian Parliamentary Committee in 1893?