Which Act introduced the system of Dyarchy in the provinces of India?
- (a)Government of India Act, 1935
- (b)Government of India Act, 1919
- (c)The Indian Council Act of 1861
- (d)Morley–Minto Reforms, 1909
Correct — B, Government of India Act, 1919. Based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, this Act introduced dyarchy (dual government) in the provinces — splitting subjects into 'reserved' ones kept with the Governor and 'transferred' ones handed to ministers responsible to the provincial legislature.
- (a)Government of India Act, 1935 — This Act did the opposite at the provincial level — it abolished provincial dyarchy and introduced provincial autonomy instead.
- (c)The Indian Council Act of 1861 — Introduced legislative councils and the portfolio system for the Viceroy's Executive Council — decades before dyarchy existed.
- (d)Morley–Minto Reforms, 1909 — Enlarged legislative councils and introduced separate electorates for Muslims — no dyarchy.
The Government of India Act, 1919 (based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) introduced dyarchy — a dual system of government — in the provinces: subjects were split into 'reserved' (retained by the Governor and his executive council) and 'transferred' (run by ministers responsible to the provincial legislature). It was the first real, if limited, step toward responsible government in the provinces.
The classic trap is swapping this with the 1935 Act, which did the opposite at the provincial level — it abolished provincial dyarchy and introduced full provincial autonomy (while proposing dyarchy at the Centre, which never actually came into force).
- Government of India Act, 1919: introduced dyarchy in the provinces; based on Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
- Subjects split into 'reserved' (Governor) and 'transferred' (responsible ministers).
- Government of India Act, 1935: abolished provincial dyarchy, introduced provincial autonomy instead.
- Secretary of State for India then: Edwin Montagu; Viceroy: Lord Chelmsford.
- Confusing 'dyarchy introduced' (1919, provinces) with 'dyarchy abolished at provinces / proposed at Centre' (1935)
- Mixing up the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) with the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909)
Sequencing or matching questions across constitutional Acts (1861/1909/1919/1935) are a UPSC/MPPSC staple.
Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919? 1. Introduction of dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces 2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims 3. Devolution of legislative authority by the Centre to the provinces
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer(c) 1 and 3 only — dyarchy and devolution of legislative authority; separate communal electorates for Muslims had already been introduced earlier, in 1909.
Direct UPSC 2012 prelims question on the same Act — confirms dyarchy as a genuine 1919 Act feature.
MPPSC_2020_PRE_PaperI_Q712020In which year was the last election of the Indian Legislature under the Government of India Act, 1919 held?
- (a) 1930
- (b) 1934
- (c) 1945
- (d) 1947
Answer(c) 1945
MPPSC's own 2020 Paper-I tested the same Act from a different angle — the year of its last legislative election.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms formed the basis of which Act?
- (a)Government of India Act, 1909
- (b)Government of India Act, 1919
- (c)Government of India Act, 1935
- (d)Indian Councils Act, 1892
Answer(b) Government of India Act, 1919.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Dyarchy at the provincial level was abolished, and provincial autonomy introduced instead, by:
- (a)Government of India Act, 1919
- (b)Government of India Act, 1935
- (c)Indian Independence Act, 1947
- (d)Pitt's India Act, 1784
Answer(b) Government of India Act, 1935.