Q1. Which of the following Acts first acknowledged Indian eligibility for higher civil services, though not implemented due to opposition?
- Pitt’s India Act, 1784
- Charter Act of 1813
- Charter Act of 1833
- Charter Act of 1853
Correct Option: 3. Charter Act of 1833.
Explanation: The Charter Act of 1833 proposed open competition for civil services and stated that Indians were not to be debarred, but this clause was not implemented due to opposition from the Court of Directors.
Q2. The appointment of legislative members by provincial governments to the Central Legislative Council under the 1853 Act reflected what political principle?
- Federalism
- Participative governance
- Direct representation
- Autocracy
Correct Option: 2. Participative governance.
Explanation: Though limited, the inclusion of provincial nominees to the Central Legislative Council was a step toward participatory governance, allowing provincial voices in central legislation for the first time.
Q3. Why was the Charter Act of 1853 considered a signal for the end of East India Company’s rule?
- It transferred civil powers to the British Crown
- It declared the dissolution of the Company
- It fixed a timeline for Crown rule
- It omitted a time limit for Company rule extension
Correct Option: 4. It omitted a time limit for Company rule extension.
Explanation: Unlike earlier Charter Acts, the Charter Act of 1853 did not specify a renewal period, implying that Parliament could terminate the Company’s rule at any time, foreshadowing the post-1857 transition.
Q4. The first statutory recognition of India as a unified administrative territory under British rule came through which Act?
- Charter Act, 1833
- Charter Act, 1853
- Regulating Act, 1773
- Charter Act, 1813
Correct Option: 1. Charter Act, 1833.
Explanation: The Charter Act of 1833 created the office of Governor-General of India and unified the territories under a central authority, effectively treating India as one administrative entity for the first time.
Q5. Which of the following was NOT a feature of the Charter Act of 1793?
- Extension of trade monopoly for 20 years
- Payment of Board of Control from Indian revenue
- Provision for separation of powers
- Extension of Governor-General’s overriding authority
Correct Option: 3. Provision for separation of powers.
Explanation: The Charter Act of 1793 did not introduce separation of powers. It mainly extended earlier provisions such as the Company’s trade monopoly and governance structure, with no structural separation of executive and legislative powers.