Q: By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?
(a)The Regulating Act
(b)The Pitt’s India Act
(c)The Charter Act of 1793
(d)The Charter Act of 1833
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Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947) — UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions
50 questions from UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper 1 on Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947) (Modern History). Spanning from 1996 to 2023. Practice with show/hide answers and detailed explanations.
50
Questions
26
Years
17
Easy
32
Moderate
Year-wise Distribution
What UPSC Asks About Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947)
Based on 50 questions across 26 years, UPSC has consistently tested aspirants' understanding of Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947) within the broader Modern History syllabus. The questions range from factual recall to application-based analysis.
Recent trends show UPSC moving towards statement-based questions that combine multiple aspects of Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947). Aspirants should focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing isolated facts.
Related Modern History Sub-topics
Gandhian Mass Movements (1915-1942)64British Administration & Economic Policies37Advent Of Europeans & British Expansion35Early Nationalism & Indian National Congress (1885-1915)32Revolutionary & Communist Movements22Key Personalities & Ideologies21Social & Religious Reform Movements20Peasant, Tribal & Labour Movements14
All Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947) Questions
Q: भारत सरकार अधिनियम 1919 में, प्रांतीय सरकार के कार्य "आरक्षित (रिज़र्व्ड)" और "अंतरित (ट्रांसफ़र्ड)" विषयों के अंतर्गत बाँटे गए थे। निम्नलिखित में कौन-से "आरक्षित" विषय माने गए थे ? 1. न्याय प्रशासन 2. स्थानीय स्वायत्त शासन 3. भू-राजस्व 4. पुलिस नीचे दिए कूट का प्रयोग कर सही उत्तर चुनिए :
(a)1, 2 और 3
(b)2, 3 और 4
(c)1, 3 और 4
(d)1, 2 और 4
Q: क्रिप्स मिशन के प्रस्तावों के सन्दर्भ में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए : 1. संविधान सभा में प्रान्तीय विधान-सभाओं और साथ ही भारतीय रियासतों द्वारा नामित सदस्य होंगे। 2. नया संविधान स्वीकार करने के लिए जो भी प्रान्त तैयार नहीं होगा, उसे यह अधिकार होगा कि अपनी प्रान्तीय स्थिति के बारे में विस्तार के साथ अलग समझौते पर हस्ताक्षर करे। उपयुक्त कथनों में कौन-सा/से सही है/हैं ?
(a)केवल 1
(b)केवल 2
(c)1 और 2 दोनों
(d)न तो 1, न ही 2
Q: निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए : 1. 1919 के मॉन्ट-फोर्ड सुधारों में, 21 वर्ष से अधिक आयु की सभी महिलाओं के लिए मताधिकार की स्वीकृति की गई। 2. 1935 के भारत शासन अधिनियम में, विधानसभाओं में महिलाओं के लिए आरक्षित स्थानों का प्रावधान किया गया। उपयुक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/कौन-से सही है/हैं?
(a)केवल 1
(b)केवल 2
(c)1 और 2 दोनों
(d)न तो 1 और न ही 2
Q: Consider the following statements about ‘the Charter Act of 1813’: 1. It ended the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India except for trade in tea and trade with China. 2. It asserted the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the Company. 3. The revenues of India were now controlled by the British Parliament. Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Q: In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the
(a)Federal Legislature
(b)Governor General
(c)Provincial Legislature
(d)Provincial Governors
Q: The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to
(a)Define the jurisdiction of the Central and Provincial Governments.
(b)Define the powers of the Secretary of State for India.
(c)Impose censorship on national press.
(d)Improve the relationship between the Government of India and the Indian States.
Q: In the context of Indian history, the principle of ‘Dyarchy (diarchy)’ refers to
(a)Division of the central legislature into two houses
(b)Introduction of double government i.e., Central and State governments
(c)Having two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi
(d)Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories
Q: The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to
(a)social reforms
(b)educational reforms
(c)reforms in police administration
(d)constitutional reforms
Q: The plan of Sir Stafford Cripps envisaged that after the Second World War
(a)India should be granted complete independence
(b)India should be partitioned into two before granting independence
(c)India should be made a republic with the condition that she will join the Commonwealth
(d)India should be given Dominion status
Q: The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined
(a)the separation of power between the judiciary and the legislature
(b)the jurisdiction of the central and provincial governments
(c)the powers of the Secretary of State for India and the Viceroy
(d)None of the above
Q: With reference to the Cabinet Mission, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It recommended a federal government. 2. It enlarged the powers of the Indian courts. 3. It provided for more Indians in the ICS. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3
(c)1 and 3
(d)None
Q: What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)? 1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States 2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown 3. To regulate East India Company’s trade with India Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)2 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Q: With reference to Indian History, the Members of the Constituent Assembly from the Provinces were
(a)directly elected by the people of those Provinces
(b)nominated by the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League
(c)elected by the Provincial Legislative Assemblies
(d)selected by the Government for their expertise in constitutional matters
Q: The people of India agitated against the arrival of Simon Commission because
(a)Indians never wanted the review of the working of the Act of 1919
(b)Simon Commission recommended the abolition of Dyarchy in the Provinces
(c)there was no Indian member in the Simon Commission
(d)the Simon Commission suggested the partition of the country
Q: 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
Q: With reference to the period of Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were recommended by the Nehru report? 1. Complete Independence for India. 2. Joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities. 3. Provision of fundamental rights for the people of India in the Constitution. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Q: With reference to Simon Commission’s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a)It recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces
(b)It proposed the setting up of inter-provincial council under the Home Department
(c)It suggested the abolition of bicameral legislature at the Centre
(d)It recommended the creation of Indian Police Service, with a provision for increased pay and allowances for British recruits as compared to Indian recruits
Q: After Quit India Movement, C. Rajagopalachari issued a pamphlet entitled "The Way Out". Which one of the following was a proposal in this pamphlet?
(a)The establishment of a “War Advisory Council” composed of representatives of British India and the Indian States
(b)Reconstitution of the Central Executive Council in such a way that all its members, except the Governor General and the Commander-in-Chief should be Indian leaders
(c)Fresh elections to the Central and Provincial Legislatures to be held at the end of 1945 and the Constitution making body to be convened as soon as possible
(d)A solution for the constitutional deadlock
Q: Who among the following were official Congress negotiators with Cripps Mission ?
(a)Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel
(b)Acharya J. B. Kripalani and C. Rajagopalachari
(c)Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad
(d)Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai
Q: Consider the following statements : 1. The discussions in the Third Round Table Conference eventually led to the passing of the Government of India Act of 1935. 2. The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for the establishment of an All India Federation to be based on a Union of the provinces of British India and the Princely States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
Q: Who of the following Prime Ministers sent Cripps Mission to India?
(a)James Ramsay MacDonald
(b)Stanley Baldwin
(c)Neville Chamberlain
(d)Winston Churchill
Q: Consider the following statements: The Cripps Proposals include the provision for 1. Full independence for India. 2. Creation of Constitution-making body. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
Q: Which one of the following suggested the reconstitution of the Viceroy’s Executive Council in which all the portfolios including that of War Members were to be held by the Indian leaders?
(a)Simon Commission
(b)Simla Conference
(c)Cripps Proposal
(d)Cabinet Mission
Q: Assertion (A): According to the Wavell Plan, the number of Hindu and Muslim members in the Executive Council were to be equal. Reason (R): Wavell thought that this arrangement would have avoided the partition of India.
(a)Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c)A is true but R is false
(d)A is false but R is true
Q: Consider the following statements: 1. The Charter Act 1853 abolished East India Company’s monopoly of Indian trade. 2. Under the Government of India Act, 1858, the British Parliament abolished the East India Company altogether and undertook the responsibility of ruling India directly. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
Q: Consider the following statements : The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for 1. the provincial autonomy 2. the establishment of Federal Court 3. All India Federation at the centre Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 and 2
(b)2 and 3
(c)1 and 3
(d)1, 2 and 3
Q: In which one of the following provinces was a Congress Ministry not formed under the Act of 1935?
(a)Bihar
(b)Madras
(c)Orissa
(d)Punjab
Q: Consider the following statements : 1. In the First Round Table Conference Dr. Ambedkar demanded electorates for the depressed classes. 2. In the Poona Pact, special provisions for representation of the depressed people in the local bodies and civil services were made. 3. The Indian National Congress did not take part in the Third Round Table Conference. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 and 2
(b)2 and 3
(c)1 and 3
(d)1, 2 and 3
Q: Consider the following statements: Some of the main features of the Government of India Act, 1935 were the 1. abolition of diarchy in the Governor's provinces. 2. power of the Governors to veto legislative action and to legislate on their own. 3. abolition of the principle of communal representation. Which of these statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)1 and 2
(c)2 and 3
(d)1, 2 and 3
Q: The Montagu-Chelmsford Report formed the basis of
(a)The Indian Councils Act, 1909
(b)The Government of India Act, 1919
(c)The Government of India Act, 1935
(d)The Indian Independence Act, 1947
Q: Which one of the following provisions was NOT made in the Charter Act of 1833?
(a)The trading activities of the East India Company were to be abolished
(b)The designation of the supreme authority was to be changed as the Governor General of India in Council
(c)All law-making powers to be conferred on Governor General in Council
(d)An Indian was to be appointed as a Law Member in the Governor-General’s Council
Q: An important aspect of the Cripps Mission of 1942 was
(a)that all Indian States should join the Indian Union as a condition to consider any degree of autonomy for India
(b)the creation of an Indian Union with Dominion status very soon after the Second World War
(c)the active participation and cooperation of the Indian people, communities and political parties in the British war effort as a condition for granting independence with full sovereign status to India after war
(d)the framing of a constitution for the entire Indian Union, with no separate constitution for any province, and a Union Constitution to be accepted by all provinces
Q: The last opportunity to avoid the partition of India was lost with the rejection of
(a)Cripps Mission
(b)Rajagopalachari Formula
(c)Cabinet Mission
(d)Wavell Plan
Q: The real intention of the British to include the princely states in the Federal Union proposed by the India Act of 1935 was to
(a)exercise more and direct political and administrative control over the princely states
(b)involve the princes actively in the administration of the colony
(c)finally effect the complete political and administrative take-over of all the princely states by the British
(d)use the princes to counter-balance the anti-imperialist doctrines of the nationalist leaders
Q: Match List I (Acts of Colonial Government of India) with List II (Provisions) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I (Acts) A. Charter Act, 1813 B. Regulating Act C. Act of 1858 D. Pitt’s India Act List II (Provisions) 1. Set up a Board of Control in Britain to fully regulate the East India Company’s affairs in India 2. Company’s trade monopoly in India was ended 3. The power to govern was transferred from the East India Company to the British Crown 4. The Company’s directors were asked to present to the British government all correspondence and documents pertaining to the administration of the company Codes:
(a)A-2 B-4 C-3 D-1
(b)A-1 B-3 C-4 D-2
(c)A-2 B-3 C-4 D-1
(d)A-1 B-4 C-3 D-2
Q: Which one of the following Acts of British India strengthened the Viceroy’s authority over his executive council by substituting the “portfolio” or departmental system for corporate functioning?
(a)Indian Council Act, 1861
(b)Government of India Act, 1858
(c)Indian Councils Act, 1892
(d)Indian Councils Act, 1909
Q: With reference to the colonial period of Indian history, match List I (Person) with List II (Event) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I (Person) A. MacDonald B. Linlithgow C. Dalhousie D. Chelmsford List II (Event) 1. Doctrine of Lapse 2. Communal Award 3. August Offer 4. Dyarchy Codes:
(a)A-3 B-2 C-1 D-4
(b)A-3 B-2 C-4 D-1
(c)A-2 B-3 C-1 D-4
(d)A-2 B-3 C-4 D-1
Q: Which one of the following is not a feature of the Government of India Act of 1935?
(a)Diarchy at the Centre as well as in the provinces
(b)A bicameral legislature
(c)Provincial autonomy
(d)An All-India Federation
Q: The most short-lived of all of Britain’s constitutional experiments in India was the
(a)Indian Councils Act of 1861
(b)Indian Councils Act of 1892
(c)Indian Councils Act of 1909
(d)Government of India Act of 1919
Q: 'Federal Union composed of British provinces.' The above quotation is related to
(a)Simon Commission
(b)Gandhi Irwin Pact
(c)Cripps Mission
(d)Cabinet Mission
Q: Which one of the following leaders of the Congress was totally in favour of Cabinet Mission Plan?
(a)Mahatma Gandhi
(b)Jawaharlal Nehru
(c)Sardar Patel
(d)Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Q: Assertion (A): The Congress rejected the Cripps proposals. Reason (R): The Cripps Mission consisted solely of whites.
(a)Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
(c)A is true, but R is false
(d)A is false, but R is true
Q: Simon Commission of 1927 was boycotted because
(a)There was no Indian member in the Commission
(b)It supported the Muslim League
(c)Congress felt that the people of India are entitled to Swaraj
(d)There were differences among the members
Q: Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists: List I I. Butler Committee II. Hurtog Committee Report III. Hunter Inquiry Committee Report IV. Muddiman Committee Report List II A) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Report B) Relationship between the Indian States and Paramount Power C) Working of Dyarchy as laid down in the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms D) The growth of education in British India and potentialities of its further progress Codes:
(a)I-C, II-B, III-A, IV-D
(b)I-A, II-D, III-B, IV-C
(c)I-B, II-A, III-C, IV-D
(d)I-B, II-D, III-A, IV-C
Q: The meeting of Indian and British political leaders during 1930-32 in London has often been referred to as the First, Second and Third Round Table Conferences. It would be incorrect to refer to them as such because
(a)the Indian National Congress did not take part in two of them
(b)Indian parties other than the Indian National Congress participating in the Conference represented sectional interests and not the whole of India
(c)the British Labour Party had withdrawn from the Conference, thereby making the proceedings of the Conference partisan
(d)it was an instance of Conference held in three sessions and not that of three separate conferences
Q: Which one of the following is not correct about the Cabinet Mission Plan?
(a)Provincial grouping
(b)Interim Cabinet of Indians
(c)Acceptance of Pakistan
(d)Constitution framing right
Q: Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists: List I I. Governor General of Presidency of Fort William in Bengal (under Regulating Act, 1773) II. Governor General of India (under Charter Act, 1833) III. Governor General and Viceroy of India (under Indian Councils Act, 1858) IV. Governor General and Crown Representative (under Government of India Act, 1935) List II A. Archibald Percival Wavell, Viscount and Earl Wavell B. James Andrew Broun Ramsay, Earl and Marquess of Dalhousie C. Charles Cornwallis, 2nd Earl and first Marquess of Cornwallis D. Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmond, Earl of Minto E. Louis Mountbatten, Earl Mountbatten of Burma Codes:
(a)I-C, II-B, III-D, IV-A
(b)I-C, II-D, III-A, IV-E
(c)I-B, II-C, III-D, IV-E
(d)I-D, II-B, III-C, IV-A
Q: Which one of the following first mooted the idea of a constituent assembly to frame a constitution for India?
(a)Swaraj Party in 1934
(b)Congress Party in 1936
(c)Muslim League in 1942
(d)All Parties Conference in 1946
Q: B. R. Ambedkar was elected to the Constituent Assembly from
(a)West Bengal
(b)the Bombay Presidency
(c)the then Madhya Bharat
(d)Punjab
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPSC Prelims questions have been asked from Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947)?▼
UPSC has asked 50 questions on Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947) in GS Paper 1 Prelims between 1996 and 2023. This sub-topic falls under Modern History.
In which years has UPSC asked about Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947)?▼
Questions on Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947) have appeared in UPSC Prelims in the following years: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996. The topic has appeared in 26 out of 31 years.
What is the difficulty level of Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947) questions in UPSC Prelims?▼
Among 50 questions on Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909-1947): 17 are easy, 32 are moderate, and 1 are difficult. Most questions test conceptual understanding of the topic.