SSC
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, which introduced 'dyarchy' (dual government) in the provinces, were given effect by the:
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Answer: Option D — Government of India Act, 1919
Detailed Solution
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were given effect by the Government of India Act of 1919, which introduced "dyarchy" (dual government) in the provinces.
Background:
- In August 1917, the Secretary of State announced that the British government's aim was the "progressive realisation of responsible government in India".
- The Montagu-Chelmsford Report (1918) proposed the reforms, which were enacted in 1919.
Dyarchy in the provinces:
- Provincial subjects were divided into two parts: "transferred" and "reserved".
- Transferred subjects, such as education, public health, agriculture and local self-government, were administered by Indian ministers responsible to the provincial legislative council.
- Reserved subjects, such as police, justice, land revenue, finance and irrigation, were administered by the Governor and his executive council, who were not responsible to the legislature.
- The Governor could overrule the ministers.
Other provisions:
- For the first time, the subjects were divided into central and provincial lists, and the provinces got their own sources of revenue.
- A bicameral (two-house) legislature was set up at the Centre: the Legislative Assembly and the Council of State.
- The majority of members in both houses were elected.
- Separate electorates were extended to Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans.
- The franchise was extended, but was still limited by property, tax or education qualifications.
- A High Commissioner for India was appointed in London.
- A Public Service Commission was to be set up (it was set up in 1926).
- It provided that a statutory commission would be appointed after ten years to review the working of the reforms.
Reactions:
- The Congress found the reforms disappointing and unsatisfactory.
- Dyarchy failed to work well, because the ministers had little real power and limited funds.
- It was abolished in the provinces by a later Act, which introduced provincial autonomy.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The Acts of 1909, 1935 and 1892 made other changes.
Quick tip
Remember: Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms = Government of India Act, 1919 (dyarchy in provinces: transferred and reserved subjects; bicameral central legislature; statutory commission after ten years).
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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.