UPSC Prelims 2022 Q51: Modern History – Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909 - 1947)
In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided
into "Reserved" and "Transferred" subjects. Which of the following were treated as "Reserved"
subjects?
1. Administration of Justice
2. Local Self - Government
3. Land Revenue
4. Police
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 2, 3 and 4
- (c) 1, 3 and 4
- (d) 1, 2 and 4
Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4
Explanation
Dyarchy under the Government of India Act, 1919
The Act split provincial subjects into two lists.
| List | Run by | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Reserved | Governor and his Executive Council (not answerable to the legislature) | Law and order, police, justice, land revenue, irrigation, finance, famine relief |
| Transferred | Ministers answerable to the legislature | Local self-government, education, public health, agriculture, industries |
Checking the four items:
| Item | List |
|---|---|
| Administration of Justice | Reserved |
| Local Self-Government | Transferred |
| Land Revenue | Reserved |
| Police | Reserved |
Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Local self-government was a transferred subject run by Indian ministers.
- (b) Incorrect. It drops justice, a reserved subject, and includes the transferred local self-government.
- (c) CORRECT. Justice, land revenue and police stayed with the Governor as reserved subjects.
- (d) Incorrect. Land revenue was reserved, and local self-government was transferred.
Key point
1919 dyarchy: Reserved = police, justice, land revenue, finance (Governor); Transferred = local self-government, education, health (ministers).
Remember
Reserved = police, justice, revenue; Transferred = local government, education, health.
Common mistakes
- Thinking local self-government was reserved; it was one of the first areas handed to Indian ministers.
- Forgetting that the British kept revenue and finance to control the purse.
- Mixing provincial dyarchy (1919) with dyarchy at the Centre proposed in the 1935 Act.
Exam tip
The British kept the 'power and money' subjects (police, justice, revenue, finance) and transferred 'welfare' subjects.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Themes in Indian History III (Constitutional developments)
- Government of India Act, 1919 — Devolution Rules