State PCS
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878, which allowed the government to confiscate the presses of Indian-language newspapers that published 'seditious' material, came to be popularly known as the:
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Answer: Option C — Gagging Act
Detailed Solution
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 came to be popularly known as the "Gagging Act", because it was designed to "gag" (silence) the Indian-language press.
About the Act:
- It was passed in March 1878, in a single sitting of the Imperial Legislative Council.
- It applied only to newspapers published in Indian languages, not to English-language newspapers; this discrimination angered Indians.
- It allowed the government to demand a security deposit from the printer and publisher of an Indian-language newspaper.
- If a newspaper published anything considered "seditious" or likely to excite disaffection against the government, the government could warn it, confiscate the security deposit, and seize the press.
- There was no right of appeal to a court of law.
NCERT on the Vernacular Press Act:
- NCERT notes that in 1878, the Vernacular Press Act was passed, modelled on the Irish Press Laws.
- It provided the government with extensive rights to censor reports and editorials in the vernacular press.
- From then on, the government kept regular track of the vernacular newspapers published in different provinces.
- When a report was judged as seditious, the newspaper was warned, and if the warning was ignored, the press was liable to be seized and the printing machinery confiscated.
The "Amrita Bazar Patrika":
According to a well-known story, the "Amrita Bazar Patrika", a Bengali newspaper, turned itself into an English newspaper overnight to escape the Act.
Opposition:
- The Act was strongly opposed by Indian nationalists and the press.
- The Indian Association led by Surendranath Banerjea organised protests against it.
Repeal:
The Act was repealed in 1882.
Other press laws:
The Press Act of 1910 revived many of its provisions.
Why not the other options?
- ✗"Black Act" was the name popularly given to a different law of 1919.
- ✗Good to know
- ✗The other names are not associated with this Act.
Quick tip
Remember: Vernacular Press Act (1878) = "Gagging Act" (only Indian-language papers; no appeal; modelled on the Irish Press Laws, NCERT); repealed 1882; Amrita Bazar Patrika became English overnight.
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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.