UPSC Prelims 2017 Q62: Modern History – Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909 - 1947)
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
Answer: (d) Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories
Explanation
Dyarchy (diarchy)
Dyarchy means dual government.
It was introduced in the provinces by the Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms).
| Category of provincial subjects | Run by | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Reserved | Governor and his Executive Council; not responsible to the legislature | Police, law and order, land revenue, finance |
| Transferred | Governor with Indian ministers responsible to the legislature | Education, health, local government, agriculture |
The options checked:
| Option | What it really is |
|---|---|
| (a) Division of the central legislature into two houses | Bicameralism |
| (b) Double government: Central and State governments | Federalism |
| (c) Two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi | Home government and Government of India |
| (d) Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories | Dyarchy |
The Government of India Act, 1935 ended dyarchy in the provinces.
Answer: (d) Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Two houses of the central legislature is bicameralism, not dyarchy.
- (b) Incorrect. Central and State governments describe federalism, not dyarchy.
- (c) Incorrect. Rulers in London and Delhi describe the colonial chain of command.
- (d) CORRECT. Dyarchy divided provincial subjects into reserved and transferred categories.
Key point
Dyarchy (Government of India Act, 1919): provincial subjects split into reserved (Governor and Executive Council) and transferred (ministers); ended by the 1935 Act.
Remember
Dyarchy = reserved and transferred subjects, 1919.
Common mistakes
- Confusing dyarchy with bicameralism, which the 1919 Act also introduced at the Centre.
- Placing dyarchy at the Centre in 1919; it was in the provinces.
- Forgetting that the 1935 Act proposed dyarchy at the Centre, which never came into force.
Exam tip
1919 = dyarchy in provinces; 1935 = provincial autonomy.
Sources
- Government of India Act, 1919
- Spectrum — A Brief History of Modern India (Constitutional developments: Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms)