SSC
The Government of India Act of 1935 abolished the advisory body set up in London in 1858 to assist the Secretary of State for India. This body was the:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)View answer ▾Hide ▴
Answer: Option A — Council of India
Detailed Solution
The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for the abolition of the Council of India, the advisory body that assisted the Secretary of State for India in London.
About the Council of India:
- It was set up in 1858, when the Crown took over the government of India from the English East India Company.
- It consisted of 15 members, most of whom had served in India for at least ten years, so that they could advise the Secretary of State on Indian affairs.
- It was based in London, at the India Office.
- The Secretary of State was the chairman of the Council.
- In most matters, the Council was only advisory, but its approval was needed for expenditure out of Indian revenues.
The Act of 1935:
- It provided for the replacement of the Council of India with a body of "advisers" (three to six members) to the Secretary of State.
- The change came into effect in 1937.
Criticism of the Council:
- Indian nationalists criticised the Council as an expensive and conservative body that delayed reforms.
- Its costs were paid from Indian revenues.
Changes over time:
- The number of members was reduced and the term was fixed.
- From 1907, Indians were appointed to the Council for the first time.
The India Office:
- It was the department of the British government responsible for India.
- It was abolished in 1947, after Indian independence.
Other bodies:
- The Board of Control was set up by Pitt's India Act (1784) to supervise the Company's political affairs; it was abolished in 1858.
- The Court of Directors managed the Company's affairs; it was also abolished in 1858.
- The Privy Council in London was the highest court of appeal for India until 1949.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The Board of Control and the Court of Directors had been abolished earlier.
- ✗The Privy Council was a court, not an advisory body for India.
Quick tip
Remember: Council of India (set up 1858; 15 members advising the Secretary of State) = abolished by the Government of India Act of 1935 (effective 1937); first Indian members 1907.
💬 Discussions on this question
Ask a doubt ›Still stuck on this question? Ask our faculty and fellow students — answers appear here.
Ask a doubtMore British Acts & Policies Questions
View all ›- Q1.Under the Regulating Act of 1773, the Supreme Court was established at:
- Q2.Pitt's India Act was passed in the year:
- Q3.The Government of India Act, 1935 came into effect (for the provinces) in:
- Q4.The English Education Act of 1835 made English the medium of instruction for:
- Q5.The Vernacular Press Act and the Arms Act, both of 1878, were passed during the time of:
More General Knowledge Questions
- Q1.The techniques of Rasa and Bhava used in Indian classical dance trace their origin to which ancient text?Indian Dance Forms
- Q2.Lavani, Powada, Koli, Waghya Murali and Dhangari Gaja are folk dances of which state?Indian Dance Forms
- Q3.The one-act play associated with the Sattriya tradition of Assam is called:Indian Dance Forms
- Q4.Which dance form of Goa is known as the 'Warrior Dance'?Indian Dance Forms
- Q5.Manipuri dance is based on the Rasleela themes of:Indian Dance Forms
British Acts & Policies — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of British Acts & Policies, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the constitutional and administrative acts passed during British rule, from the Regulating Act of 1773 and Pitt's India Act of 1784 to the Charter Acts, the Indian Councils Acts, the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935, and the Indian Independence Act of 1947, along with British economic, land revenue and education policies. Exam questions usually ask what a particular act introduced: the Indian Councils Act 1909 introduced separate electorates for Muslims, the Government of India Act 1919 brought dyarchy to the provinces, and the 1935 Act provided for a federation and provincial autonomy. Land revenue systems (Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari and Mahalwari) and education milestones such as Wood's Despatch (1854) are also tested. Practise the British acts and policies questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.