Government of India Act 1919 MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Government of India Act 1919 - Download Free PDF

This Act is also known as Morley Minto Reforms Act is NOT correct.

Key Points

• Dyarchy, a system of double government introduced by the Government of India Act (1919) for the provinces of British India.
• The Government of India Act 1919 came into force in 1921. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It marked the first introduction of the democratic principle into the executive branch of the British administration of India.
• Dyarchy was introduced as a constitutional reform by Edwin Samuel Montagu (secretary of state for India, 1917–22) and Lord Chelmsford (viceroy of India, 1916–21).
• This Act is also known as the Montagu - Chelmsford Reforms. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
• Montagu was the Secretary of State for India and Lord Chelmsford was the Viceroy of India. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• This Act separates the Central and Provincial subjects. 

Additional Information

• Features of the Act
  • It relaxed the central control over the provinces by demarcating and separating the central and provincial subjects. ...
  • It further divided the provincial subjects into two parts—transferred and reserved.
  • It introduced, for the first time, bicameralism.

The correct answer is  Montagu-Chelmsford reforms.

Key Points

• The Government of India Act of 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, was a significant constitutional reform in British India.
• In 1918, Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State, and Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy, produced their scheme of constitutional reforms, known as the Montagu-Chelmsford (or Mont-Ford) Reforms, which led to the enactment of the Government of India Act of 1919.
• Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms came into force in 1921.
• The sole purpose of this Act was to ensure Indians of their representation in the Government.
• The Act introduced reforms at the Central and Provincial levels of Government.

Additional Information

•  The antislavery reforms refer to the movement to abolish slavery in British India, accomplished in 1843.
• The Morley-Minto reforms refer to the Indian Councils Act of 1909, which increased the number of Indians in the legislative councils but did not lead to enacting the Government of India Act of 1919.
• The Young Bengal movement was social and intellectual in the early 19th century, advocating for social reform and the spread of education. Still, it did not lead to any significant constitutional reforms in India.
• Hence, the statement "The correct answer is option 1" is correct.

The correct answer is the Government of Indian Act 1919.

Important Points

• Government of India Act, 1919, also known as the 1921 Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms. The Government of India Act 1919 was based on the recommendations of a report by Edwin Montagu, the then Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford.

Important features of this Act -

• The act promotes Indians came in direct contact with the administration for the first time. By adding Indian to the Governor-General’s Executive Council which was responsible to the Parliament.
• Government of India Act, 1919 set up a dyarchy in Provinces. Provincial subjects were divided into two parts - (a) reserved subjects and (b) transferred subjects.
• The Governor governed the reserved subjects with the advice of his Executive Council and the transferred subjects with the advice of the Indian Ministers.
• The franchise was increased and the communal electoral system was further expanded.
• Women were also given the right to vote.
• Provincial councils are now called Legislative Councils.
• Hence, option 2 is correct.

The correct answer is - The Government of India Act, 1919

Key Points

• Dyarchy
  • The term Dyarchy refers to a system of dual government introduced in the provinces of British India.
  • It was first introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919, also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
• Division of Subjects
  • The provincial subjects were divided into two categories:
    • Reserved Subjects: Administered by the Governor and his executive council, such as law and order, finance, and police.
    • Transferred Subjects: Administered by Indian ministers responsible to the legislative council, such as education, public health, and local government.
• The introduction of Dyarchy marked the beginning of Indian participation in provincial governance, but the system was criticized for its complexity and limited scope.

Additional Information

• Historical Context of Dyarchy
  • The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were introduced to gradually increase Indian participation in governance.
  • The reforms followed the Montagu Declaration of 1917, which stated that India would move towards self-governing institutions.
• Criticism of Dyarchy
  • The division of subjects between "reserved" and "transferred" was often seen as artificial and led to conflicts between the two authorities.
  • Indian ministers had limited power over "transferred" subjects, while the "reserved" subjects remained under strict British control.
  • The system was eventually abolished by the Government of India Act, 1935, which introduced provincial autonomy.
• Comparison with Later Reforms
  • The Government of India Act, 1935 replaced Dyarchy in provinces with provincial autonomy, giving more powers to Indian ministers.
  • However, Dyarchy was introduced at the central level under the 1935 Act.

The correct answer is Lord Chelmsford and Edwin Montagu.

Key Points

• Lord Chelmsford served as the Viceroy of India from 1916 to 1921.
• Edwin Montagu was the Secretary of State for India from 1917 to 1922.
• The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were introduced in 1918 and formed the basis of the Government of India Act, 1919.
• The reforms aimed to increase Indian participation in governance by introducing a dual system of administration known as "Dyarchy."
• The Government of India Act, 1919, laid the foundation for further constitutional developments in India.

Additional Information

• Dyarchy
  • Dyarchy was a system of double government introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919.
  • Under Dyarchy, provincial subjects were divided into "transferred" and "reserved" categories.
  • Transferred subjects were administered by Indian ministers, while reserved subjects remained under British officials.
• Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
  • The reforms sought to gradually introduce self-governance in India.
  • It aimed to increase Indian control over domestic affairs while retaining British control over defense and foreign policy.
  • The reforms led to the establishment of legislative councils at the provincial and central levels.
• Government of India Act, 1919
  • Enacted to implement the recommendations of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
  • Provided for a bicameral legislature at the central level.
  • Marked a significant step towards self-governance in British India.
• Impact on Indian National Movement
  • Although the reforms were seen as a step forward, they were criticized for not granting full self-governance.
  • Led to increased political activity and the formation of various political groups.
  • Set the stage for further constitutional reforms leading up to independence.

The correct answer is 1, 3 and 4.

Key Points

• The Government of India Act 1919 was an act of the British Parliament that sought to increase the participation of Indians in the administration of their country.
• The act was based on the recommendations of a report by Edwin Montagu, the then Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, India’s Viceroy between 1916 and 1921.
• Hence the constitutional reforms set forth by this act are known as Montagu-Chelmsford reforms or Montford reforms.

Features of the Act:

• It relaxed the central control over the provinces by demarcating and separating the central and provincial subjects.
• The central and provincial legislatures were authorized to make laws on their respective list of subjects. However, the structure of government continued to be centralized and unitary.
• It further divided the provincial subjects into two parts—transferred and reserved.
• The reserved subjects, on the other hand, were to be administered by the governor and his executive council without being responsible to the Legislative Council.
  • It included subjects such as law and order, finance, land revenue, irrigation, etc. Hence Option 3 is correct.
  • All important subjects were kept in the reserved subjects of the Provincial Executive.
• The transferred subjects were to be administered by the governor with the aid of ministers responsible to the Legislative Council.
  • It included subjects such as education, health, local government, industry, agriculture, excise, etc.
  • In case of failure of constitutional machinery in the province, the governor could take over the administration of transferred subjects also.
• The Act introduced a diarchy (rule of two individuals/parties) for the executive at the level of the provincial government.
• It introduced, for the first time, bicameralism and direct elections in the country.
  • Thus, the Indian Legislative Council was replaced by a bicameral legislature consisting of an Upper House (Council of State) and a Lower House (Legislative Assembly).
  • The majority of members of both the Houses were chosen by direct election.
• It required that three of the six members of the Viceroy’s Executive Council (other than the commander-in-chief) were to be Indian.
• It extended the principle of communal representation by providing separate electorates for Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Europeans.
• It granted franchises to a limited number of people on the basis of property, tax, or education.
• It created a new office of the High Commissioner for India in London and transferred to him some of the functions hitherto performed by the Secretary of State for India.
• It provided for the establishment of a public service commission. Hence, a Central Public Service Commission was set up in 1926 for recruiting civil servants.
• It separated, for the first time, provincial budgets from the Central budget and authorized the provincial legislatures to enact their budgets.
• It provided for the appointment of a statutory commission to inquire into and report on its working after ten years of its coming into force.

The correct answer is the Government of Indian Act 1919.

Important Points

• Government of India Act, 1919, also known as the 1921 Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms. The Government of India Act 1919 was based on the recommendations of a report by Edwin Montagu, the then Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford.

Important features of this Act -

• The act promotes Indians came in direct contact with the administration for the first time. By adding Indian to the Governor-General’s Executive Council which was responsible to the Parliament.
• Government of India Act, 1919 set up a dyarchy in Provinces. Provincial subjects were divided into two parts - (a) reserved subjects and (b) transferred subjects.
• The Governor governed the reserved subjects with the advice of his Executive Council and the transferred subjects with the advice of the Indian Ministers.
• The franchise was increased and the communal electoral system was further expanded.
• Women were also given the right to vote.
• Provincial councils are now called Legislative Councils.
• Hence, option 2 is correct.

The correct snswer is Government of India Act 1919.

Key Points

This Act is also known as Morley Minto Reforms Act is NOT correct.

Key Points

• Dyarchy, a system of double government introduced by the Government of India Act (1919) for the provinces of British India.
• The Government of India Act 1919 came into force in 1921. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• It marked the first introduction of the democratic principle into the executive branch of the British administration of India.
• Dyarchy was introduced as a constitutional reform by Edwin Samuel Montagu (secretary of state for India, 1917–22) and Lord Chelmsford (viceroy of India, 1916–21).
• This Act is also known as the Montagu - Chelmsford Reforms. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
• Montagu was the Secretary of State for India and Lord Chelmsford was the Viceroy of India. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• This Act separates the Central and Provincial subjects. 

Additional Information

• Features of the Act
  • It relaxed the central control over the provinces by demarcating and separating the central and provincial subjects. ...
  • It further divided the provincial subjects into two parts—transferred and reserved.
  • It introduced, for the first time, bicameralism.

The correct answer is Government of India Act, 1935.

Key Points

• The Government of India Act of 1935 is also called the blueprint of the Indian constitution.
  • The act abolished dyarchy in the provinces and introduced provincial autonomy in its place.
  • The act introduced dyarchy at the centre.
  • The act laid the foundation of democracy in India.

Additional Information

• Charter Act of 1793
• Charter Act of 1793 was granted extensive power to Governor-General.
  • It was also known as The East India Company Act 1793.
  • It was an act of Great Britain's Parliament that renewed the charter given to the British East India Company (EIC).
  • Contrary to the legislation proposed in the previous two decades concerning British India, the 1793 Act "passed with limited trouble".
  • This Act separated the company's revenue administration and judicial functions which resulted in Maal Adalats (revenue courts) disappearing.

• Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 
  • It is also called as Government of India Act 1919.
  • Montague was the secretary of state for India and Chelmsford was the viceroy of India during the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms 1919.
  • Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 introduced dyarchy in provinces by dividing the provincial subjects into transferred and reserved.
    • It also introduced bicameralism and direct election for the first time in India.
    • It provided for the establishment of a public service commission which was set up in 1926.

• The Pitt's India Act 1784 
  • The Pitt's India Act 1784 was passed by the British Parliament in 1784.
  • Pitt's India Act 1784 is named after William Pitt.
  • Pitt’s India Act 1784, passed in an effort to fix the problems with the 1773 Regulating Act, gave the British government control over the East India Company in India.

The correct answer is Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919.

Key Points

• Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 is also called as Government of India Act 1919.
• Montague was the secretary of state for India and Chelmsford was the viceroy of India during the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms 1919.
• Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 introduced dyarchy in provinces by dividing the provincial subjects into transferred and reserved.
  • It also introduced bicameralism and direct election for the first time in India.
  • It provided for the establishment of a public service commission which was set up in 1926.

Additional Information

• Indian Councils Act of 1892 increases the number of additional members in the central and provincial legislative councils.
  • It increased the functions of legislative councils and gave them the power of discussing the budget and addressing questions to the executive.
• Minto- Morley Reforms of 1909 is also called as Indian Council Act 1909.
  • Morley was the secretary of state for India and Minto was the viceroy of India during the Minto- Morley Reforms of 1909.
  • It provided for the association of Indians with the executive councils of viceroys and governors for the first time.
• The Government of India Act of 1935 is also called the blueprint of the Indian constitution.
  • The act abolished dyarchy in the provinces and introduced provincial autonomy in its place.
  • The act introduced dyarchy at the centre.
  • The act laid the foundation of democracy in India.

The correct answer is Rowlatt Act.

Key Points

• Mahatma Gandhi in 1919 decided to launch a nationwide satyagraha against the proposed Rowlett Act (1919).
• This Act had been hurriedly passed through the Imperial Legislative Council despite the united opposition of the Indian members.
• It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities and allowed the detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.
• The act was passed as per recommendations of the Rowlett Committee chaired by a judge, Sir Sidney Rowlett, after whom the act is named.
• It empowered the police to search for a place without a warrant.
• Mahatma Gandhi wanted non-violent civil disobedience against such unjust laws, which would start with a strike on 6 April. 
• Rallies were organized in various cities, workers went on strike in railway workshops, and shops closed down.
• On 10 April, the police in Amritsar fired upon a peaceful procession, provoking widespread attacks on banks, post offices and railway stations. Martial law was imposed and General Dyer took command.
• On 13 April, the infamous Jaliyawala Bagh incident took place.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Montague-Chelmsford Report.

Key Points

• The Government of India Act 1919 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
  • Government of India Act, 1919 also known as Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms which came into force in 1921.
  • It was instituted in the British Indian polity to introduce the Diarchy, i.e., rule of two which means executive councilors and popular ministers.

Additional Information

• The Nehru Report of 28 August 1928 was a memorandum to appeal for a new dominion status and a federal set-up of government for the constitution of India.
• The Indian Councils Act 1909 commonly known as the Morley-Minto or Minto-Morley Reforms, was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
  • This Act brought about a limited increase in the involvement of Indians in the governance of British India.
• The Communal Award was made by the British prime minister Ramsay MacDonald on 16 August 1932.

The correct answer is Edwin Montague.

Key Points

• Government of India Act
  • Came into force in 1921.
  • This Act is also known as Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms(Montagu was the Secretary of State for India and Lord Chelmsford was the Viceroy of India).
  • This act relaxed the central control over the provinces by demarcating and separating the central and provincial subjects.
• Edwin Montague
  • He was a British Liberal politician who served as Secretary of State for India between 1917 and 1922.
  • He was a radical Liberal and the third practising Jew to serve in the British cabinet.

Additional Information

• Lord Elgin
  • Former Governor-General of India.
  • Right-wing British Liberal politician who served as Viceroy of India from 1894 to 1899.
• Charles I
  • Monarch of England.
  • During Charles' reign, his actions frustrated his Parliament and resulted in the wars of the English Civil War, eventually leading to his execution in 1649.
• Lord Linlithgow
  • He also was a British Unionist politician, agriculturalist, and colonial administrator.
  • He served as Governor-General and Viceroy of India from 1936 to 1943.

The correct answer is ​The Government of India Act 1919.

• The Government of India Act 1919 introduced the bi-cameral legislature at the central level in India.
  • The Government of India Act 1919 is popularly known as the Montague-Chelmsford reforms.
  • Lord Chelmsford was the viceroy of India during the government of India act 1919.
  • It introduced dyarchy in provinces by dividing provincial subjects into transferred and reserved.
  • This act provided women with the right to vote in India.
  • It was provided for the establishment of the public service commission which was set up in 1926.

Additional Information