Q 1. The principle of dyarchy at the provincial level was introduced by which of the following?
(a) Indian Councils Act, 1892
(b) Indian Councils Act, 1909
(c) Government of India Act, 1919
(d) Government of India Act, 1935
Q 2. Which feature of the Irish Constitution was incorporated into the Indian Constitution?
(a) Fundamental Rights
(b) Directive Principles of State Policy
(c) Federal structure with residuary powers
(d) Bicameral legislature
Q 3.The Constituent Assembly of India was chaired (as permanent chairman) by:
(a) Dr B.R. Ambedkar
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Dr Rajendra Prasad
(d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Q 4. Which of the following was NOT introduced by the Government of India Act, 1935?
(a) Federal Court of India
(b) Separate electorates for Muslims
(c) Three legislative lists (Federal, Provincial, Concurrent)
(d) Provincial autonomy
Q 5. January 26 was chosen as Republic Day because it was the anniversary of:
(a) The first session of the Indian National Congress
(b) The passing of the Government of India Act, 1935
(c) The Purna Swaraj Declaration of 1930
(d) The first sitting of the Constituent Assembly
Answers with Explanations
- Answer: (c) Government of India Act, 1919 The Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, embodied in the 1919 Act, introduced dyarchy at the provincial level, dividing subjects into “transferred" (under Indian ministers) and “reserved" (under the Governor). The 1909 Act introduced separate electorates; the 1935 Act abolished dyarchy in provinces and introduced provincial autonomy.
- Answer: (b) Directive Principles of State Policy The concept of Directive Principles was borrowed from the Irish Constitution of 1937. Fundamental Rights drew on the American Constitution; federal structure with residuary powers has roots in both the 1935 Act and the Canadian model; the bicameral legislature was inspired by British Westminster practice and already present in the 1919 Act.
- Answer: (c) Dr Rajendra Prasad Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected the permanent Chairman of the Constituent Assembly. Dr B.R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee. Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution. Prasad later became the first President of the Republic.
- Answer: (b) Separate electorates for Muslims Separate electorates were introduced by the Indian Councils Act of 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms), not the 1935 Act. The Federal Court, the three legislative lists, and provincial autonomy were all hallmarks of the 1935 Act.
- Answer: (c) The Purna Swaraj Declaration of 1930 On January 26, 1930, the Indian National Congress, under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, declared Purna Swaraj (complete independence) as its goal. The Constitution’s framers chose this date deliberately to honour that declaration, making Republic Day a conscious act of historical continuity.
