2012 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I

Question 27: History and Culture

Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919?

  1. 1.Introduction of dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces
  2. 2.Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims
  3. 3.Devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

a1 only
b2 and 3 only
c1 and 3 only
d1, 2 and 3

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

The Government of India Act 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford reforms) introduced dyarchy in the provinces: transferred subjects were run by Indian ministers, reserved subjects by the Governor. It also devolved legislative power to the provinces by separating central and provincial subjects. Separate communal electorates for Muslims came earlier, with the Indian Councils Act 1909 (Morley-Minto reforms).

  • 1. Dyarchy was introduced in the provincial executive.
  • 2. Separate Muslim electorates came with the 1909 Morley-Minto reforms.
  • 3. Legislative powers were devolved to the provinces through separate central and provincial subjects.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.

    What you needed to know: Separate Muslim electorates came with the 1909 Morley-Minto reforms.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.

    What you needed to know: Legislative powers were devolved to the provinces through separate central and provincial subjects.

Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statement 1.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Incomplete: devolution of legislative authority to the provinces was also a feature.
  • (b) Wrong: separate electorates for Muslims came in 1909, not 1919.
  • (c) Correct: dyarchy and devolution were principal features of the 1919 Act.
  • (d) Wrong: it includes statement 2, which belongs to the 1909 Act.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious questionNext question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.