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Difficulty: MediumConstitutional Developments, Transfer of Power, and Partition of India

Consider the following statements regarding the administrative provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms):

1. It introduced the system of dyarchy in provincial executive administration by dividing subjects into 'Transferred' and 'Reserved' categories.
2. The 'Reserved' subjects were administered directly by the Governor with his Executive Council without accountability to the provincial legislature.
3. It provided for the establishment of a Federal Court to adjudicate constitutional disputes between provinces and the central administration.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    1 and 3 only
  3. C
    2 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

Statements 1 and 2 are correct, whereas Statement 3 is incorrect.
The correct response identifies that Statements 1 and 2 are accurate reflections of the Government of India Act 1919. The 1919 Act instituted dyarchy in the provinces, separating provincial governance into 'Transferred' subjects (governed by responsible ministers) and 'Reserved' subjects (managed directly by the Governor and his Executive Council without legislative accountability). Statement 3 is false because the Federal Court of India was created pursuant to the Government of India Act 1935.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement 1 regarding dyarchy in provincial executive administration.
Statement 1 is correct. The Government of India Act of 1919 introduced dyarchy in the provinces by segregating provincial subjects into Transferred and Reserved lists.
This was the central executive reform at the provincial level under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
2
Evaluate Statement 2 regarding accountability of Reserved subjects.
Statement 2 is correct. Reserved subjects (such as law and order, land revenue, and finance) were administered by the Governor and his Executive Council, who were not responsible to the provincial legislative council.
Transferred subjects were administered with the advice of ministers responsible to the Legislative Council, whereas Reserved subjects remained strictly under executive control.
3
Evaluate Statement 3 regarding the establishment of a Federal Court.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Federal Court of India was established under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1935 (set up in 1937), not the 1919 Act.
The 1919 Act provided for a Central Public Service Commission (established in 1926) and statutory commission review after 10 years, but not a Federal Court.

Key Concept

Key features of Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (Government of India Act, 1919)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Constitutional Developments, Transfer of Power, and Partition of India