UPSC Prelims 2003 Q128: Modern History – Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909 - 1947)

UPSC Prelims 2003, General Studies Paper I · Modern History

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

Answer: (d) An Indian was to be appointed as a Law Member in the Governor - General’s Council

Explanation

Charter Act of 1833 (NOT made)

Provision	In the Charter Act of 1833?
Trading activities of the Company abolished	Yes
Supreme authority styled Governor General of India in Council	Yes
All law-making powers to the Governor General in Council	Yes — centralisation of legislation
An Indian appointed as Law Member	No — the Law Member (Macaulay) was British; Indians were not made members

The Act did not provide for an Indian to be appointed as Law Member of the Governor General's Council.

Answer: (d) An Indian was to be appointed as a Law Member in the Governor-General's Council.

(a) Incorrect. The Act ended the Company's trading activities.
(b) Incorrect. The Governor General of India in Council became the supreme authority.
(c) Incorrect. All law-making powers were centralised.
(d) CORRECT. No Indian was to be made Law Member, so this provision was not made.

Charter Act 1833: end of trade, Governor General of India, Law Member (Macaulay), services open in theory.

The Charter Act of 1833 added a Law Member, not necessarily an Indian.

1833: centralisation; 1853: open competition for civil service.