Q1. The designation change from Governor-General to Viceroy under the Government of India Act, 1858, primarily symbolized:
- Introduction of responsible government in India
- Administrative autonomy of India
- End of dual government in Britain
- Direct rule of the Crown over India
Correct Option: 4. Direct rule of the Crown over India.
Explanation: The change in title reflected the formal assumption of power by the British Crown, making the Viceroy a direct representative of the monarch, not just the head of an administrative company.
Q2. Which of the following correctly describes the composition and function of the Council of India created under the 1858 Act?
- A legislative body with veto power
- An advisory body of 15 members chaired by the Secretary of State for India
- A judicial tribunal for colonial disputes
- An executive body presided over by the Viceroy
Correct Option: 2. An advisory body of 15 members chaired by the Secretary of State for India
Explanation: The Council assisted the Secretary of State for India, who was the real decision-maker. It had no executive or legislative powers, only advisory authority.
Q3. In the context of the Indian Councils Act of 1861, the term ‘portfolio system’ referred to:
- Nomination of princely state rulers
- Economic planning by the Crown
- Assignment of specific departments to individual council members
- Classification of Indian provinces for tax purposes
Correct Option: 3. Assignment of specific departments to individual council members
Explanation: Initiated by Lord Canning, this system allowed members of the executive council to independently manage portfolios (departments), streamlining governance.
Q4. Which provision of the Indian Councils Act, 1861 laid the foundation for the later emergence of provincial autonomy in 1937?
- Introduction of separate electorates
- Ordinance-making power to Viceroy
- Restoring legislative powers to Presidencies
- Inclusion of Indians in the Executive Council
Correct Option: 3. Restoring legislative powers to Presidencies
Explanation: This decentralizing move reversed the centralizing tendency of earlier acts like the Charter Act of 1833 and laid the groundwork for provincial autonomy granted under the 1935 Act.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a correct feature of the Indian Councils Act of 1892?
- Indirect election for some non-official seats
- Right to move resolutions on public matters
- Official majority in all legislative councils
- Power to discuss the annual financial statement
Correct Option: 2. Right to move resolutions on public matters
Explanation: The Act allowed budget discussion and asking questions, but did not allow moving resolutions. That came later with the 1909 Act.