Polity Lecture - 1 (Constitution History) PDF

Lecture # 1
Historical Back ground of constitution
The British came to India in 1600 as traders, in the form of East India Company, which had the exclusive
right of trading in India under a charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I.
In 1765, the Company, which till now had purely trading functions obtained the diwani (i.e., rights over
revenue and civil justice) of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. This started its career as a territorial power.
In 1858, in the wake of the sepoy mutiny, the British Crown assumed direct responsibility for the
governance of India. This rule continued until India was granted independence on August 15, 1947.
With Independence came the need of a Constitution. As suggested by M N Roy (a pioneer of communist
movement in India and an advocate of Radical Democratism) in 1934, a Constituent Assembly was
formed for this purpose in 1946 and on January 26, 1950, the Constitution came into being. However,
various features of the Indian Constitution and polity have their roots in the British rule. There are
certain events in the British rule that laid down the legal framework for the organisation and functioning
of government and administration in British India.
The Constitution of India was drawn up by a Constituent Assembly.

The Assembly met for the first time on December 9, 1946. It was not a truly representative body as its
members were indirectly elected by those who were themselves elected on a narrow franchise.
The Assembly constituted a Drafting Committee, under the chairmanship of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, to frame
a constitution for India.
Indian Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949 and it came into effect on January 26, 1950.
It is the longest written Constitution in the world .
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During 60 years of its existence, Indian Constitution has undergone several amendments and demand to
review it completely has also been raised. But, inspite of all these changes, the 'basic structure' of the
Indian Constitution remains intact.
What is constitution ?
Broadly speaking, it is a set of rules, written and unwritten, that seeks to establish the duties, powers
and functions of the various institutions of government, regulate the relationships between them and
define the relationships between the state and the individual.
Development of the Indian Constitution
British rule in India ended on 15th August 1947 and India emerged as an independent and sovereign republic.
Certain features of Indian Polity or Constitution can be understood better with a brief review of the constitutional
set up in the preceding periods. As modern political nstitutions originated and developed in India mainly during
the British rule, the origin and growth of the Indian Constitution has its roots in the British period of Indian
history.
MAIN PROVISIONS OF IMPORTANT ACTS PASSED IN BRITISH INDIA
1. Regulating Act, 1773

2. Amending Act, 1781
3. Pitt's India Act, 1784
4. Act of 1786
5. Charter Act, 1793
9. Government of India Act, 1858
10.Indian Councils Act, 1861
13.Government of India Act, 1919
14.Government of India Act, 1935
15.Indian Independence Act, 1947
Regulating Act, 1773
i) First attempt by the British Parliament to regulate the affairs of the East India Company;
(ii) Centralised the administration of Company's territories in India;

(iii) Governor of Bengal was designated as the Governor General of Bengal and Council of 4 members was
appointed for Bengal;
(iv) Bombay and Madras Presidencies were subordinated to Bengal Presidency;

(v) Supreme Court was set up at Calcutta;
(viii) Company's servants were forbidden from accepting bribes or doing private trade.
Amending Act, 1781:
It settled the question of jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
Pitt's India Act, 1784
(i) It was the first effective substitution of Parliamentary Control over East India Company as it
transferred the Indian affairs of the Company into the hands of the British Government;
(ii) Abolished dual system of governance.
(iii) Board of Control consisting of 6 Parliamentary
Commissioners was constituted to control civil, military and revenue affairs of India;
(iv) Court of Directors had to comply with the orders and directions of the Board;
(v) Strength of Governor-General's Council reduced to 3;
(vi) Control of Governor-General-in-Council on Bombay and Madrs Presidency was enlarged and made
more effective.
Act of 1786:
Governor-General became the Commanderin- Chief of Indian Forces.
Charter Act, 1793
(i) East India Company's monopoly over trade was extended for 20 more years
(ii) Expenses and salaries of the Board of Control
to be charged on Indian Revenue; and
(iii) Governor-General could over-ride his

Council.
Charter Act, 1813

(i) East India Company was deprived of its trade monopoly in India except in tea and opium trade with
China;
(ii) All Englishmen could trade with India subject to certain restrictions;
(iii) Rules and procedures were made for use of Indian revenue; and
(iv) A sum of Rs. 1 lakh was earmarked annually for education.
Charter Act, 1833

(i) Governor-General of Bengal became the Governor-General of India;
(ii) Company was asked to close its business at the earliest;
(iii) It put an end on Company's trade monopoly even in tea and opium with China;
(iv) Government of Madras and Bombay was deprived of legislative powers;
(v) A fourth member (Law Member) was added to the Council of Governor-General;
(vi) Government Service was thrown open to the people of India;
(viii) All laws made by Governor General-in- Council, henceforth came to be known as Acts and not
regulations. Provision was made for appointment of Law Commission for codification of laws; and
Slavery was abolished.
Charter Act, 1853

(i) For the first time a separate legislative machinery consisting of 12-member Legislative Council was
created;
(ii) Law Member was made a full member of the Executive Council of the Governor- General. Six
additional members were added for legislative purposes; and
(iii) Recruitment of Civil Services was based on open annual competitive examination.
Government of India Act, 1858

(i) Rule of company in India ended and that of the Crown began;
(ii) System of double government ended as both the Court of Directors as well as the Board of Control
was abolished;
(iii) Secretary of State for India was appointed. He was assisted by a 15-member Council (India Council).
He was to exercise the
powers of the Crown;
(iv) Secretary of State was to be a member of the British Cabinet;
(v) Secretary of State governed India through the Governor General;
(vi) Governor-General was to be called the Viceroy and was the direct representative of the Crown in
India; and
(vii) A unitary and highly-centralised administrative structure was created
WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE TERMS 'DIARCHY' AND 'DEVOLUTION RULES'?
In Indian administration, these terms were used for the first time in the Government of India Act, 1919
(Montague-Chelmsford Reforms)
Diarchy: It meant Dual Government The Provincial subjects of administration were to be divided into two
categories -- "Transferred" and "Reserved". The transferred subjects were to be administrated by the
Governor with the aid of Ministers responsible to the Legislative
Council. The reserved subjects were to be administered by the Governor and his Executive Council
without any responsibility towards the Legislature.
Devolution Rules: Through these Rules, subjects of administration were divided into two categories --
"Central" and "Provincial". Subjects of all-India importance (like Railways, Finance) were brought under
the category of Central, while matters relating to the administration of the provinces were classifiedas
provincial.
Indian Councils Act, 1861

(i) Policy of Association of Indians in legislation
started;
(ii) Portfolio system was introduced;
(iii) For legislation; Executive Council of Viceroy
was enlarged by 6 to 12 members composed of half non-official members. Thus foundation of Indian
Legislature was laid down;
(iv) Legislative powers of the Presidency Governments, abolished in 1833, were restored; and
(v) Viceroy could issue ordinances in case of emergency.
Indian Councils Act, 1892:

It was the beginning of representative system in India.
(i) Though the majority of official members was retained, the non-official members of the Indian
Legislative Council were henceforth to be nominated by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and the
Provincia Legislative Councils.
(ii) Non-official members of the Provincial Council were to be nominated by certain local bodies such as
universities, district boards, municipalities, etc.; and
(iii) Councils were given the power to discuss budget and to question the Executive.
Indian Councils Act, 1909: Also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms

(i) Introduced, for the first time, an element of elections to the Legislative Councils;
(ii) In Provincial Legislative Councils, nonofficial members were to be in majority; and
(iii) This Act introduced the system of separate electorates (for Muslims).
Government of India Act, 1919: Popularly known as Montagu Chelmsford Reforms
(i) The idea of "Responsible Government" was stressed;
(ii) Office of the High Commissioner of India was created in London;
(iii) Indian Legislature became "bicameral" for the first time;
iv) Communal representation was extended to Sikhs;
(v) Secretary of State for India was now to be paid from British revenue; and
(vi) Diarchy was introduced in provinces by dividing subjects of administration between official members
and elected members.
Simon Commission In November 1927 itself (i.e., 2 years before the schedule), the British
Government announced the appointment a seven-member statutory commission under the
chairmanship of Sir John Simon to report on the condition of India under its new Constitution. All
the
members of the commission were British and hence, all the parties boycotted the commission.
The commission submitted its report in 1930 and recommended the abolition of dyarchy,
extension of responsible government in the provinces, establishment of a federation of British
India and princely
states, continuation of communal electorate and so on.
To consider the proposals of the commission, the British Government convened three round table
conferences of the representatives of the British Government, British India and Indian princely
states.
On the basis of these discussions, a White Paper on Consitutional Reforms was prepared and
submitted for the consideration of the Joint Select Committee of the British Parliament. The
recommendations of this committee were incorporated (with certain changes) in the next
Government of Inida Act of 1935.
Communal Award In August 1932, Ramsay MacDonald, the British Prime Minister, announced a scheme of
representation of the minorities, which came to be known as the Communal Award.
The award not only continued separate electorates for the Muslims, Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians
and Europeans but also extended it to the depressed classes (scheduled castes).
Gandhiji was distressed over this extension of the principle of communal representation to the depressed
classes and undertook fast unto death in Yeravada Jail (Poona) to get the award modified.
At last, there was an agreement between the leaders of the Congress and the depressed classes. The
agreement, known as Poona Pact, retained the Hindu joint electorate and gave reserved seats to the
depressed classes.
Government of India Act, 1935

(i) It provided for the establishment of an All- India Federation consisting of the British Provinces and the
Princely States. The joining of Princely States was voluntary.The Federation never came into being.
(ii) Diarchy was introduced at the Centre. Diarchy in Provinces was replaced by 'Provincial Autonomy'
and they were granted separate legal identity. Responsible governments were set up in States
under Prime (Chief) Ministers elected by
Legislatures;
(iii) Governor was given special responsibilities (or discretion) in several matters;
iv) Three-fold division of powers was done- Federal, Provincial and Concurrent Lists. Residuary powers
were to be with the
Governor-General;
(v) The India Council of Secretary of State for India was abolished;
(vi) Principle of separate electorate was extended further to include Anglo-Indians, Indian Christians and
Europeans also; and
(vii) A Federal Court was to be constituted with a Chief Justice and 10 other Judges. This was set up in
1937.
Indian Independence Act, 1947: This Act did not lay down any provision for the administration of India
but merely stated that from the "appointed date (Aug. 15, 1947), in place of India as defined in the
Government of India Act, 1935, there would be two independent Dominions to be known as "India" and
Pakistan", and the Constituent Assembly of each Dominion would have unlimited powers to frame
and adopt any Constitution, and to repeal any Act of the British Parliament."
Points to be noted
constitution of india
Laws made before Charter Act of 1833 were called Regulations and those made after are called
Acts.
Lord Warren Hastings created the office of District Collector in 1772, but judicial powers were
separated from District collector later by Cornwalis.
From the powerful authorities of unchecked executives, the Indian administration developed into
a responsible government answerable to the legislature and people.
The development of portfolio system and budget points to the separation of power.
Lord Mayos resolution on financial decentralization visualized the development of local self-
government institutions in India (1870).
1882: Lord Ripons resolution was hailed as the Magna Carta of local self government. He is
regarded as the Father of local self-government in India.
1921: Railway Budget was separated from the General Budget.
From 1773 to 1858, the British tried for the centralization of power. It was from the 1861 Councils
act they shifted towards devolution of power with provinces.
1833 Charter act was the most important act before the act of 1909.
Till 1947, the Government of India functioned under the provisions of the 1919 Act only. The
provisions of 1935 Act relating to Federation and Dyarchy were never implemented.
The Executive Council provided by the 1919 Act continued to advice the Viceroy till 1947. The
modern executive (Council of Ministers) owes its legacy to the executive council.
The Legislative Council and Assembly developed into Rajyasabha and Loksabha after
independence.
Some short type question answer based on constitution
Q.1 When was Indian Independence Act passed, by whom and on the basis of what plan?
Ans. Thee Indian Independence Act was passed by the British Parliament on 5th July in 1947. This act was
passed to give effect to the Mountbatten plan creating the two independent states of India and Pakistan.
Q.2- What were the options before the Indian native states in the Indian Independence Act?
Ans. The Indian Independence Act gave three options to the Indian native states(1) to join India(2) to join
Pakistan(3) to remain Independent.
Q.3 -Who drafted the Indian Constitution?
Ans. The Indian constitution was drafted by the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly.
Q.4 -Who was the chairman of the Constituent Assembly? Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?
Ans. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the Chairman of Constituent Assembly. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of
Drafting Committee.
Q.5 -When was the Constitution adopted?
Ans. The constitution was adopted on 26th November 1949.
Q.6 -When did the Constitution come into force?
Ans. The constitution came into force on 26th January 1950.
Q.7 -According to the Preamble India is what kind of state?
Ans. According to the original preamble India is a Sovereign, Democratic Republic. By 42nd amendment of the
constitution India is made also a Socialist and Secular state.
Q.8 -What are the political ideals, according to the Preamble India seeks to secure?
Ans. India seeks to secure to her people:
Justice: Social Economic and Political.
Liberty: of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship
Equality: of status and opportunity, and Fraternity, assuring the dignity of the individual and unity of the nation.
Q.10 -What is meant by Secular and Socialist as described in the Preamble?
Ans. The preamble describes India to be a secular state. It means that there is no established religion in India
and that state does not give any preference to any religion in India.
The 42nd amendment of the Indian constitution makes India a socialist state. It means that the state shall abolish
private ownership of the means of production and distribution. This however has not yet been achieved. On the
other hand the state now encourages private ownership.
Q.11 Bring out the significance of the terms Sovereign, Democratic Republic as mentioned in the Preamble.
Ans. India is a sovereign state. It means the state in India is the supreme authority over all men and all
associations within the country and is absolutely free from any outside control.
India is democratic. It means that in India all governments are formed on the basis of popular support.
India is republic. It means all offices of the state from the highest to the lowest are held on the basis of merit and
no office of the state is held on the basis of hereditary right.
Q.13 Which State of the Indian Union has a separate Constitution?
Ans. The state of Jammu and Kashmir has a separate constitution.
Q.14 What is the importance of Arts 370 of the Constitution?
Ans. This Art gives the state of Jammu & Kashmir a separate constitutional status. Laws passed by the Indian
Parliament apply to Jammu & Kashmir if they are accepted by the J. K. legislature.
Q.15 Is the preamble to the Constitution justiciable in character?
Ans. No. The preamble is not justiciable.
Q.16 What is the necessity of the Preamble?
Ans. The preamble is like an introduction to the constitution. The courts use the preamble to clarify: the
meaning of the Law whenever there is an ambiguity.
Q.17 Does the Indian Constitution recognize the principle of dual citizenship?
Ans. Though India is a federation, the principle of dual citizenship has not been accepted in the constitution. All
Indians are accepted as the citizens of India. There is no citizenship of the states.
Q.18 When was the Indian Citizenship Act passed?
Ans. Indian Citizenship Act was passed in 1955.
Q.19 Into how many categories are the Indian citizens divided?
Ans. Indian citizens are divided into two categoriescitizens by birth and citizens by adoption.
Q.20 What are the provisions of the Indian Constitution regarding integration or creation of new states?
Ans. The Indian Parliament by Acts passed that it can integrate new states into India or can create new states
out of the territory of an existing state or states.
Q.21 How many categories of fundamental rights of citizens has been recognized by the Indian Constitution?
Ans. Originally the constitution conferred on the Indian citizens seven fundamental rights. They are (a) right to
equality (b) right to freedom (c) right against exploitation (d) right to religious freedom. (e) right to education and
culture (f) right to property and (g) right to constitutional remedies:. At present there are six fundamental rights.
Right to private property has been removed from the list of fundamental rights by the 44th amendment of the
constitution.
Q.22 What is meant by equality in the eye of law?
Ans. Equality in the eye of law as provided by Art. 14 of the constitution mean that nobody is above the law.
Law applies to all persons equally.
Q.23 What are the freedoms granted to citizens by Art 19 of the Constitution?
Ans. Art 19 of the constitution grants six freedoms to the citizens They are right to freedom of
(I) expression, (2) to assemble peaceably and without arms (3) to form association, (4) to move freely in India, (5)
to five anywhere in India and (6) to adopt any profession or business.
Q.24 What Art of the Constitution forbids use of titles or honor conferred by foreign states?
Ans. Art 18.
Q.25 Is the right to work and employment recognized by Constitution?
Ans. No. The directive principle of the constitution declares right to work and employment as desirable. But the
directives are non- justiciable in character.
Q.26 Are the conferment of honour like Bharat Ratna or Padma Bibhusun violative of right to equality under
Art. 114?
Ans. No, because Bharat Ratna, Padma Bibhusun etc. are not considered as titles. They cannot be used before
or after the names of the persons on whom they are conferred.
Q.27 How the Indian Constitution seeks to protect children against exploitation?
Ans. Arts 24 of the constitution forbids employment of children in factories, mines, or in hazardous works.
Q.28 What categories of people can be imprisoned without trial?
Ans. Under Arts 22 (3) of the constitution enemy aliens and persons arrested under preventive detention Acts
can be imprisoned without trial.
Q.29 India is a Secular State. What does it mean?
Ans. Indian secularism means that the state does not have any established religion, that people are free to
practice and profess any religion and that the state does not show any preference to any religion.
Q.30 -What Arts of the Constitutions confer right to freedom of religion?
Ans. Arts 25 to 28 confer right to freedom of religion on the citizens.
Q.31 Is possession of private property a Fundamental Right?
Ans. Private property was a fundamental right before the passing of 44th amendment of the constitution. Now
the possession of private property is an ordinary legal right and not a fundamental right.
Q.32 -What Art of the Constitution confers right to constitutional remedies?
Ans. Art 32 of the constitution confer the right to constitutional remedies on the citizens.
Q.33 How many kinds of writs the Supreme Court or the High Court may issue in case of transgression of
Fundamental Rights?
Ans. The Supreme Court or the High Courts may issue five kinds of writs.
These are writs of (1) Habeas Corpus (2) Mandamus (3) Prohibition (4) Certiorari and (5) Quowarranto.
Q.34 What is Habeas Corpus? What Art of the Constitution provides for it?
Ans. Habeas Corpus: literally means that human person is sacred. Hence no man can be detained illegally.
Whenever a man is detained he must be produced before a court. This writ is a powerful safeguard against
arbitrary arrest and detention Art. 32 of the constitution provides for Habeas Corpus.
Q.35 -Do the members of the armed forces enjoy the Fundamental Rights given by the Constitution?
Ans. The parliament may restrict the fundamental rights by passing laws. Beyond such restrictions the members
of the Armed Forces enjoy their fundamental rights.
Q.36 -What are principal duties of the Indian Citizens?
Ans. Obeying the constitution, showing respect to the national flag and the national anthem, defending Indias
sovereignty, integrity, and unity protecting national properties and upholding Indias glorious mixed culture and
also showing respect to woman are the principal duties of the Indian citizens.
Q.37 -When were the duties of the citizens added to the Constitution?
Ans. Ten duties of the Indian citizens have been added to the constitution by the 42nd amendment to the
constitution.
Q.38 In what chapter of the Constitution and in what Arts are the Directive principles of the Constitution given?
Ans. In chapter IV Arts 35-51 the directive principle of the constitution are given.
Q.39 -What is the principal difference between the directive principles and the fundamental rights?
Ans. The fundamental rights are justiciable while the directive principals are non-justiciable i.e. the fundamental
rights are enforced by the courts while the directives are not enforced by the courts.
Q.40 -Name four important directives given in the Indian Constitution?
Ans. (1) The states should provide help in cases of old age, unemployment and disability. (2) State should strive
to reduce in-equality between individuals, groups and professions (3) State should promote and foster rural
cottage industries. (4) The state should provide compulsory free primary education to children below 14 years if
age.
Q.41 Name two directives based on the ideal of socialism?
Ans. (A) The state should prevent concentration of the ownership of the means of production in the hands of
the few (Art. 39c).
(B) The state should provide help and assistance in case of unemployment and disability.
Q.42 -What directive is based on a Gandhian ideal?
Ans. -Art 45 of the constitution directs the state to promote and foster Panchayeti Raj in India.
Q.43 -What are the value and importance of the directive principles?
Ans. The directive principles though non-justiciable are not worthless. Sir B.N. Rao contends that the directives
are moral precepts. K.M. Panikkar holds that the directives promise India to achieve economic socialism or
economic democracy.
Q.44 -What directive aims to secure separation of the executive from the judiciary?
Ans. Art 50 of the constitution direct the state to separate the executive from the judiciary. This is important to
secure the independence of the judiciary from executive control and influence.
Q.45 -How the Arts related to fundamental rights may be amended?
Ans. The Arts related to fundamental rights may be amended when a bill to that effect is passed by 2/3 votes of
the members present and voting in each House of the Parliament but the members present and voting must
constitute a majority of total membership of each House.
Q.46 In what Art of the Indian Constitution India has been described as a Union of States.
Ans. Art one of the Indian constitutions says that India that is Bharat shall be a Union of States.
Q.47 What is the other name of India given in the Constitution and in what Art.?
Ans. India is also called Bharat in Art.1 of the constitution.
Q.48 Does any Art of the Indian Constitution use the term federation? If not what is the term used in the
constitution by which India can be called a federation?
Ans. No Art of the constitution calls India a federation. Instead Art.1 of the constitution calls India a Union of
States. From this, constitutional experts infer that India is a federation.
Q.49 An indestructible federation of indestructible states Does this description apply to India?
Ans. President Abraham Lincoln called the United States an indestructible federation of indestructible states.
This description does not apply to India because an Indian state may be easily destroyed through the process of
Re-organization of states. Hence India may be called an indestructible federation of very much destructible state.
Q.50 Through how many lists powers have been distributed between the Union and the States in India? Name
them.
Ans. The Indian constitution distributes powers between the union and the states through three lists, the Union
list, the State list and the Concurrent list.
Q.51 What is the procedure through which powers have been distributed between the Union and the States in
India?
Ans. The Indian Constitution has not followed either the U. S. or the Canadian system of distribution of powers
between the federal government and the governments of the federating units. In the U. S. A. there is only one list
of powers of the national government. The residues belong to the states. In Canada there is only one list of
powers of the governments of the provinces and the residues belong to the central government. In India there
are three liststhe Union list, the State list and the Concurrent list. The residues belong to the centre.
Q. 52 Under what circumstances the union government can legislate on subjects in the state list?
Ans. On three occasions the Union government may legislate on state subjects.(i) to give effect to an
international treaty, (ii) when the Rajyasabha by 2/3 majority authorized the Parliament under Art 249 to legislate
on any state subject, (iii) when one or more states request the union government to legislate on any state
subject.
Q. 53 Under what Art the President may constitute Inter State Councils and for what purpose?
Ans. Under Arts 263 of the Indian constitution the President may constitute Inter State Councils to regulate the
relations between the centre and the states or between the states.
Q. 54 Name four important subjects in the Union list?
Ans. Defence, Foreign relations, Citizenship and Banking are four important subjects in the Union list.
Q. 55 Name four important subjects in State list?
Ans. (i) Land Revenue, (ii) Law and order, (iii) Local government, (iv) Education up to the secondary level.
Q. 56 What do you mean by Concurrent list? Name four important subjects in Concurrent list.
Ans. The concurrent list mentions the subjects on which the union and the state governments, both can
legislate but in case of conflict between a union and state law the union law prevails. Administrative and criminal
law, vagrancy, forests, protection of wild animals and birds are four important subjects in the concurrent list.
Q. 57 Mention two circumstances when the Union Government can issue directives to the State Governments.
Ans. The union government may issue directive to the state government for the protection of the Railways and
Ports and also on subjects considered important in the national interest.
Q. 58 What is meant by residual powers?
Ans. In a federal constitution powers not mentioned in any list of powers given to the centre or the states is
known as the residual power. In India the residuary belongs to the union government.
Q. 59 Mention two taxes the proceeds of which are divided between the union and the state governments.
Ans. Non-agricultural income tax and excise duties except on cosmetics and medicines.
Q. 60 Mention four subjects on which the state government may impose taxes.
Ans. The state government may realize (i) sales tax, (ii) land revenue, (iii) amusement tax and taxes on (iv)
transportations.
SOME MCQS
1. Constitution of India was adopted by constituent assembly on ?
A. 25 October, 1948
B. 25 October, 1949
C. 26 November, 1948
D. 26 November, 1949
Answer: Option D
Note: Question is not about from when it came into effect.
2. Constitution of India came into effect from ?
A. 15 January, 1950
B. 26 January, 1950
C. 15 August, 1950
D. 15 January, 1950
Answer And Explanation
Answer: Option B
3. Setting a supreme court was Calcutta is a part of ?
A. Regulating Act of 1773
B. Pitts India Act of 1784
C. Charter Act of 1793
D. Charter Act of 1893
Answer: Option A
Explanation:
"Regulating Act of 1773" :
Governance of East India Company was put under British parliamentary control.Setting a supreme court in
Calcutta.
The Governor of Bengal was nominated as Governor General for Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.
4. Which Act is associated with "Courts can interpret the rules and regulations." ?
A. Regulating Act of 1773

B. Pitts India Act of 1784
Answer: Option C
5. The Christian Missionaries were allowed to spread their religion in India, under the Act ?
A. Pitts India Act of 1784

B. Charter Act of 1813
Answer: Option B
6. A separate Governor for Bengal to be appointed under the act ?
A. Pitts India Act of 1784

B. Charter Act of 1793
Answer: Option D
7. The first statute for the governance of India, under the direct rule of the British Government, was the
A. Government of India Act, 1858

B. Government of India Act, 1861
C. Government of India Act, 1892
D. Government of India Act, 1915
E. Answer: Option A
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Lecture # 1

Historical Back ground of constitution

The Constitution of India was drawn up by a Constituent Assembly.

Development of the Indian Constitution

MAIN PROVISIONS OF IMPORTANT ACTS PASSED IN BRITISH INDIA

1. Regulating Act, 1773

Regulating Act, 1773

(ii) Centralised the administration of Company's territories in India;

(iv) Bombay and Madras Presidencies were subordinated to Bengal Presidency;

Amending Act, 1781:

It settled the question of jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

Pitt's India Act, 1784

Governor-General became the Commanderin- Chief of Indian Forces.

to be charged on Indian Revenue; and

(iii) Governor-General could over-ride his

Charter Act, 1813

Charter Act, 1833

Charter Act, 1853

Government of India Act, 1858

Indian Councils Act, 1861

Indian Councils Act, 1892:

Indian Councils Act, 1909: Also known as the Morley-Minto Reforms

Government of India Act, 1935

Some short type question answer based on constitution

Q.3 -Who drafted the Indian Constitution?

Ans. The constitution was adopted on 26th November 1949.

Q.6 -When did the Constitution come into force?

Ans. The constitution came into force on 26th January 1950.

Q.7 -According to the Preamble India is what kind of state?

Ans. India seeks to secure to her people:

Liberty: of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship

Q.10 -What is meant by Secular and Socialist as described in the Preamble?

Q.13 Which State of the Indian Union has a separate Constitution?

Ans. The state of Jammu and Kashmir has a separate constitution.

Q.15 Is the preamble to the Constitution justiciable in character?

Ans. No. The preamble is not justiciable.

Q.16 What is the necessity of the Preamble?

Q.18 When was the Indian Citizenship Act passed?

Ans. Indian Citizenship Act was passed in 1955.

Q.22 What is meant by equality in the eye of law?

Ans. Art 18.

Q.25 Is the right to work and employment recognized by Constitution?

Q.28 What categories of people can be imprisoned without trial?

Q.29 India is a Secular State. What does it mean?

Ans. Arts 25 to 28 confer right to freedom of religion on the citizens.

Q.31 Is possession of private property a Fundamental Right?

Q.32 -What Art of the Constitution confers right to constitutional remedies?

Q.36 -What are principal duties of the Indian Citizens?

Q.41 Name two directives based on the ideal of socialism?

Q.42 -What directive is based on a Gandhian ideal?

Q.45 -How the Arts related to fundamental rights may be amended?

Ans. India is also called Bharat in Art.1 of the constitution.

Q. 54 Name four important subjects in the Union list?

Q. 55 Name four important subjects in State list?

1. Constitution of India was adopted by constituent assembly on ?

Note: Question is not about from when it came into effect.

2. Constitution of India came into effect from ?

Answer And Explanation

3. Setting a supreme court was Calcutta is a part of ?

"Regulating Act of 1773" :

A. Regulating Act of 1773

A. Pitts India Act of 1784

6. A separate Governor for Bengal to be appointed under the act ?