Constitutional Changes: 1909 & 1935 – UGC NET History – Practice Questions

Indian Councils Act 1909

1. The Indian Councils Act of 1909 is also popularly known as:
A. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
B. Morley-Minto Reforms
C. Pitts India Reforms
D. Ripon Reforms

2. The primary objective of the Indian Councils Act, 1909 was to:
A. Introduce complete responsible government
B. End British rule in India
C. Increase Indian participation in governance and apply the electoral principle
D. Establish federalism in India

3. Which of the following Acts was revised by the Indian Councils Act, 1909?
A. Government of India Act, 1858 only
B. Charter Act, 1833 only
C. Regulating Act, 1773 and Pitt’s India Act, 1784
D. Indian Councils Acts of 1861 and 1892

4. Match List I with List II regarding historical background of the Indian Councils Act, 1909.

A. (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
B. (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
C. (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
D. (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)

5. One major grievance of Indians before 1909 was:
A. Difficulty in entering civil services and administration
B. Lack of village Panchayats
C. End of zamindari system
D. Lack of educational institutions

6. Assertion (A): Indian civil service examinations were difficult for Indians to access.
Reason (R): Examinations were conducted exclusively in Britain.

A. Both A and R are true and R correctly explains A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

7. Which event intensified nationalist resentment before the Act of 1909?
A. Charter Act of 1833
B. Partition of Bengal in 1905
C. Regulating Act of 1773
D. Cripps Mission

8. The Simla Deputation of 1906 was led by:
A. Muhammad Ali Jinnah
B. Syed Ahmad Khan
C. Badruddin Tyabji
D. Aga Khan

9. Which British official became known as the ‘Father of Communal Electorate’?
A. Lord Curzon
B. Lord Morley
C. Lord Minto
D. Lord Ripon

10. Match List I with List II regarding provisions of the Indian Councils Act, 1909.

A. (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
B. (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
C. (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
D. (a)-(iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)

11. The Indian National Congress demanded Home Rule for the first time in:
A. 1885
B. 1892
C. 1906
D. 1916

12. Assertion (A): The Morley-Minto Reforms aimed partly to rally Moderates and Muslims to the British side.
Reason (R): The British sought to divide nationalist unity.

A. Both A and R are true and R correctly explains A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

13. The size of legislative councils under the Indian Councils Act, 1909:
A. Was reduced
B. Increased at both central and provincial levels
C. Remained unchanged
D. Was abolished in provinces

14. Which provinces had Legislative Councils consisting of 50 members under the Act?
A. Punjab, Assam, Burma, Bengal
B. Bombay, Punjab, Madras, Assam
C. Bengal, Madras, Bombay and United Provinces
D. Madras, Bihar, Punjab and Bengal

15. Legislative Councils of Punjab, Burma and Assam had:
A. 50 members each
B. 40 members each
C. 30 members each
D. 20 members each

16. Match List I with List II regarding composition of legislative councils.

A. (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
B. (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
C. (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
D. (a)-(iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)

17. Which of the following groups participated in elections to legislative councils?
A. Only landlords and zamindars
B. Only Muslims and traders
C. Only universities and chambers of commerce
D. Local governments, chambers of commerce, landlords, colleges and Muslims

18. The elected members under the Act of 1909 were chosen through:
A. Direct elections by universal suffrage
B. Secret ballot system
C. Indirect election through electoral colleges
D. Nomination only

19. Assertion (A): The Indian Councils Act, 1909 introduced direct elections in India.
Reason (R): Provincial councils elected members through electoral colleges.

A. Both A and R are true
B. A is true but R is false
C. A is false but R is true
D. Both A and R are false

20. Muslims under the Indian Councils Act, 1909 were granted:
A. Separate electorate
B. Reserved jobs only
C. Universal franchise
D. Separate Parliament

21. Separate electorate meant:
A. Hindus and Muslims voted together
B. Muslims could vote for Hindu candidates
C. Only Muslims voted for Muslim representatives in certain seats
D. Separate executive councils existed

22. The introduction of communal representation under the Act of 1909 is often criticized because it:
A. Strengthened national unity
B. Legalised communalism in Indian politics
C. Ended British interference
D. Established responsible government

23. Match List I with List II concerning significance and defects.

A. (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
B. (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
C. (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
D. (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(iii), (d)-(ii)

24. Satyendra Prasanna Sinha became the first Indian member of:
A. Secretary of State’s Council
B. Provincial Executive Council
C. House of Commons
D. Viceroy’s Executive Council

25. Assertion (A): Indians were inducted into the Imperial Legislative Council for the first time under the Act of 1909.
Reason (R): The British sought limited Indian participation in administration.

A. Both A and R are true and R correctly explains A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

26. Which of the following powers was granted to legislative councils under the Act?
A. Power to remove Governor-General
B. Power to frame Constitution
C. Power to debate budget and propose resolutions
D. Power to amend Acts independently

27. Legislative councils under the Act of 1909 could NOT discuss:
A. Budgetary issues
B. Matters of public importance
C. Foreign policy and relations with princely states
D. Administrative expenditure

28. The Secretary of State’s Council on Indian Affairs was expanded by:
A. One Indian member
B. Two Indian members
C. Three Indian members
D. Four Indian members

29. Match List I with List II regarding council composition.

A. (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
B. (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
C. (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
D. (a)-(iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)

30. Assertion (A): The Indian Councils Act, 1909 established responsible government in India.
Reason (R): Governor-General retained veto powers.

A. Both A and R are true
B. A is true but R is false
C. A is false but R is true
D. Both A and R are false

31. Which of the following was a forward step under the Act?
A. Universal adult franchise
B. Opportunity to criticize executives and suggest improvements
C. Complete autonomy to provinces
D. Abolition of British control

32. The Provincial Councils had a non-official majority, but this was ineffective because:
A. Officials dominated elections
B. Councils had no members
C. Nominated non-official members neutralized the majority
D. Provinces rejected reforms

33. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding budget powers under the Act?
A. Councils could pass budget independently
B. Councils could reduce taxes freely
C. Councils could reject executive expenditure
D. Councils could debate but not significantly alter the budget

34. Match List I with List II regarding historical developments.

A. (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
B. (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
C. (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
D. (a)-(iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)

35. Which event directly increased pressure on the British Government before 1909?
A. Cripps Mission
B. Quit India Movement
C. Rise and growth of extremism
D. Simon Commission

36. Assertion (A): The Indian Councils Act, 1909 fully addressed Indian political aspirations.
Reason (R): The reforms failed to answer Indian problems adequately.

A. Both A and R are true
B. A is false but R is true
C. A is true but R is false
D. Both A and R are false

37. Which among the following best explains British motives behind the Morley-Minto Reforms?
A. Immediate self-rule to Indians
B. Removal of communal divisions
C. Securing support of Moderates and Muslims
D. End of colonial administration

38. Under the Indian Councils Act, members could ask questions but:
A. Could dismiss executives
B. Could compel executive action
C. Could not force executives to accept resolutions
D. Could directly amend laws

39. Which of the following was NOT a defect of the Act of 1909?
A. Separate electorates
B. Limited powers of councils
C. Retention of Governor-General’s veto
D. Complete responsible government

40. Match List I with List II regarding defects of the Act.

A. (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
B. (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
C. (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
D. (a)-(iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(i)

41. Morley-Minto Reforms diverted attention from:
A. Constitutional development only
B. Political and economic problems affecting all Indians
C. Foreign relations only
D. Education reforms only

42. The demand for separate electorate by Muslims was first formally placed through:
A. Lucknow Pact
B. Simla Deputation (1906)
C. Lahore Resolution
D. Cripps Mission

43. Assertion (A): The Indian Councils Act, 1909 increased representation of Indians.
Reason (R): Legislative councils were enlarged at both central and provincial levels.

A. Both A and R are true and R correctly explains A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

44. Which reform introduced communal representation in India?
A. Charter Act, 1833
B. Indian Councils Act, 1892
C. Indian Councils Act, 1909
D. Government of India Act, 1919

45. Which of the following best describes the legislative powers granted in 1909?
A. Full legislative autonomy
B. Executive accountability to legislature
C. Limited deliberative and recommendatory role
D. Parliamentary democracy

46. Match List I with List II concerning political developments.

A. (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
B. (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iv)
C. (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
D. (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)

47. The non-official majority in provincial councils remained ineffective because:
A. Councils lacked elections
B. Muslims opposed reforms
C. Official influence continued through nominated members
D. Councils had no powers to debate

48. Assertion (A): Muslims could vote only for Muslim candidates in certain seats.
Reason (R): Separate electorates institutionalized communal representation.

A. Both A and R are true and R correctly explains A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

49. Which among the following was a limitation of the Indian Councils Act, 1909?
A. No significant power to alter the budget
B. Complete end of British authority
C. Universal franchise
D. Responsible executive government

50. Which British statesman met Gopal Krishna Gokhale in England regarding reforms?
A. Lord Curzon
B. John Morley
C. Lord Chelmsford
D. Ramsay MacDonald

51. The Morley-Minto Reforms are often criticized because they:
A. Encouraged secular unity
B. Eliminated communal divisions
C. Deepened Hindu-Muslim political divisions
D. Ended representative institutions

52. Match List I with List II regarding personalities and titles.

A. (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
B. (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
C. (a)-(iii), (b)-(iv), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i)
D. (a)-(iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)

53. Which among the following BEST explains the significance of the Indian Councils Act, 1909?
A. It established Dominion Status
B. It introduced complete democracy
C. It allowed limited elected Indian participation in administration
D. It abolished executive dominance

54. Assertion (A): Foreign policy matters could be freely discussed by legislative councils under the Act.
Reason (R): Relations with princely states were open to debate.

A. Both A and R are true
B. A is true but R is false
C. A is false but R is false
D. A is false but R is true

55. Which constitutional development followed the Indian Councils Act, 1909?
A. Charter Act, 1833
B. Government of India Act, 1858
C. Government of India Act, 1919
D. Indian Independence Act, 1947

56. The Act of 1909 is significant because it introduced for the first time:
A. Adult suffrage
B. Separate electorate for Muslims
C. Complete responsible government
D. Federalism

57. Assertion (A): The Indian Councils Act, 1909 was both reformist and divisive.
Reason (R): It increased Indian participation while institutionalizing communal politics.

A. Both A and R are true and R correctly explains A
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true