2017 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2017 · GS Paper I

Question 62: History and Culture

In the context of Indian history, the principle of ‘Dyarchy (diarchy)’ refers to

aDivision of the central legislature into two houses.
bIntroduction of double government i.e., Central and State governments.
cHaving two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi.
dDivision of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

Dyarchy (diarchy) was introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919, following the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms. In the provinces, subjects were divided into two lists: transferred subjects such as education, health and local government, administered by Indian ministers responsible to the legislature, and reserved subjects such as law and order and finance, kept with the Governor and his executive council. The Centre was not divided, and dyarchy had nothing to do with two houses or with rulers in London and Delhi. Remember: dyarchy = transferred and reserved subjects in the provinces.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: a bicameral central legislature was a separate change.
  • (b) Wrong: Centre-and-State government describes federal division, not dyarchy.
  • (c) Wrong: dyarchy did not mean two sets of rulers in London and Delhi.
  • (d) Right: provincial subjects were divided into transferred and reserved.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.