Which Act first introduced parliamentary control over the East India Company and created the post of Governor-General of Bengal?
The Regulating Act 1773 was the first step by the British Parliament to regulate the East India Company. It created the post of Governor-General of Bengal (Warren Hastings became the first) and established the Supreme Court at Calcutta in 1774. It also subordinated the Governors of Bombay and Madras to the Governor-General of Bengal.
Question 2 of 20
The concept of 'Dual Control' in India — political functions under Parliament and commercial functions under the EIC — was introduced by which Act?
Pitt's India Act 1784 introduced Dual Control over India. Political functions came under a Board of Control (Parliament), while commercial functions remained with the East India Company. This was the first time the British government directly controlled India's political affairs. The Governor-General also received power to override his council.
Question 3 of 20
The Charter Act of 1833 made which significant change to the Governor-General's title and powers?
The Charter Act 1833 renamed the Governor-General of Bengal to Governor-General of India. Lord William Bentinck became the first Governor-General of India. This Act also stopped EIC's commercial activities entirely and created the first Central Legislative Council. Legislative and executive functions were, however, separated later by the 1853 Charter Act.
Question 4 of 20
Competitive examinations for civil services were first introduced in India by which Act?
The Charter Act 1853 introduced competitive examinations for civil service recruitment for the first time in India. It also had an open-ended charter (no fixed renewal date), and for the first time separated legislative and executive functions at the Central level. This Act is considered a direct precursor to the ICS (Indian Civil Service) system.
Question 5 of 20
After the revolt of 1857, control of India was transferred from the East India Company to the British Crown by which Act?
The Government of India Act 1858 abolished the East India Company following the 1857 Revolt and transferred power to the British Crown. The Governor-General was renamed Viceroy (Lord Canning became the first Viceroy). A Secretary of State for India was created in the London Cabinet to oversee Indian affairs. India's governance was now directly under the British Parliament.
Question 6 of 20
Separate electorates for Muslims were introduced in India for the first time by which Reform/Act?
The Morley-Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act 1909) introduced separate electorates for Muslims in India for the first time, allowing Muslims to elect their own representatives. This is considered one of the seeds of partition. The Act also saw the first Indian appointed to the Viceroy's Executive Council — Satyendra Prasanna Sinha.
Question 7 of 20
The system of 'Dyarchy' in provincial governments was introduced by which Act?
The Government of India Act 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) introduced Dyarchy in the provinces. Provincial subjects were divided into Transferred (administered by ministers responsible to elected legislature) and Reserved (controlled by the Governor). It also established the first bicameral legislature at the Centre and created a Public Service Commission.
Question 8 of 20
Which Government of India Act had the maximum number of sections — 321 — and introduced Provincial Autonomy?
The Government of India Act 1935 was the longest Act — with 321 sections and 10 schedules. It introduced Provincial Autonomy (Dyarchy was abolished in provinces), established the Federal Court of India, and adopted three legislative lists (Union, Provincial, Concurrent) which were later adopted by the Indian Constitution. It provided the structural framework for the Constitution of India.
Question 9 of 20
The first specific education grant of Rs. 1 lakh annually for Indian education was provided by which Charter Act?
The Charter Act 1813 ended the East India Company's monopoly over Indian trade (though China trade continued) and allocated Rs. 1 lakh annually for Indian education — the first ever government education grant. It also permitted Christian missionaries to come to India. This grant laid the foundation for the development of Western education in India.
Question 10 of 20
The Constituent Assembly of India was established on the basis of proposals made by which Mission?
The Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 provided the framework for the Constituent Assembly. The Assembly first met on December 9, 1946, with Dr. Sachidananda Sinha as temporary chairman. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected permanent Chairman. The Assembly had 389 members initially (reduced to 299 after Partition). Dr. B.R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee.
Question 11 of 20
Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution?
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly. He is called the 'Father of the Indian Constitution.' The Drafting Committee was appointed on August 29, 1947, and had 7 members. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the President (Permanent Chairman) of the Constituent Assembly itself.
Question 12 of 20
The Indian Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on which date?
The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. This date is now celebrated as Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas). The Constitution came into force (enforcement) on 26 January 1950 — chosen to commemorate the Purna Swaraj Declaration of 26 January 1930. The Preamble was also adopted on 26 November 1949.
Question 13 of 20
On which date did the Indian Constitution come into force?
The Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950, which is celebrated as Republic Day. This date was chosen to commemorate the Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) Declaration of 26 January 1930 by the Indian National Congress. While the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949, it was enforced from 26 January 1950.
Question 14 of 20
The first Governor-General of independent India was:
Lord Mountbatten was the first Governor-General of independent India (August 1947 – June 1948). C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) became the second and last Governor-General of India (1948–1950) — he was the only Indian to hold this post. When India became a Republic on 26 January 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first President.
Question 15 of 20
The Indian Constituent Assembly took how many years, months, and days to frame the Constitution?
The Constituent Assembly took 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to complete the Constitution. It held 11 sessions with 166 days of sitting. The Assembly first met on December 9, 1946, and the Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949. The total expenditure incurred on the Constituent Assembly was approximately Rs. 6.4 crore.
Question 16 of 20
Which body drafted the Indian Constitution — it was neither elected by the people nor nominated by any party?
The Constituent Assembly drafted the Indian Constitution. It was formed indirectly — members were elected by members of Provincial Legislative Assemblies, not directly by the people. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was its permanent President. The Assembly represented all sections of Indian society. Despite not being directly elected by universal franchise, it is considered a representative body.
Question 17 of 20
The Indian Constitution in its original form had how many Articles, Parts, and Schedules?
The original Constitution of India had 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules. Currently, it has over 470 Articles, 25 Parts, and 12 Schedules due to numerous amendments. The Constitution is the lengthiest written constitution in the world. It borrowed features from multiple countries — UK (parliamentary system), USA (fundamental rights), Ireland (DPSPs), Australia (concurrent list), etc.
Question 18 of 20
The Government of India Act 1935 introduced which important judicial institution that served as a precursor to the Supreme Court?
The Government of India Act 1935 established the Federal Court of India in 1937, which was a precursor to the Supreme Court. The Federal Court had jurisdiction over disputes between the Federation and constituent units, and appellate jurisdiction in certain cases. When the Constitution came into force in 1950, the Federal Court was replaced by the Supreme Court of India.
Question 19 of 20
The Objective Resolution, which outlined the aims of the Constituent Assembly, was moved by:
Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Objective Resolution on December 13, 1946, in the Constituent Assembly. It outlined the key objectives — sovereign, democratic, republic with justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It was adopted on January 22, 1947. The Objective Resolution became the basis of the Preamble to the Constitution of India.
Question 20 of 20
Education and Forests were moved from the State List to the Concurrent List by which Constitutional Amendment?
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment 1976 (called the 'Mini Constitution') moved Education and Forests from the State List to the Concurrent List, allowing Parliament to also legislate on these subjects. The 42nd Amendment also added 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' to the Preamble, added Fundamental Duties (Article 51A), and made several other sweeping changes.