Question

The Ilbert Bill introduced in Lord Ripon's reign was significant because?
A)It limited the Britishers political authority
B)It put restrictions on the Vernacular Press
C)It debarred Indians from entering the Civil Services
D)It removed racial discrimination from the Judicial Services.

Answer 1

Hint - The Ilbert Bill was introduced in 1883. It was introduced during the Viceroyship of Lord Ripon. It concerned the Jurisdiction of Magistrates to be able to conduct trials for charges against Europeans subjects even if they weren't themselves European.

Complete Step by Step Answer-
The Ilbert Bill was introduced in 1883. It was crafted by Sir Courtenay Peregrine Ilbert and introduced during the period the Marquess of Ripon was the Viceroy of India. The bill was seen as a compromise between two previously suggested bills. According to the provisions of the bill, an Indian judge at a sessions court could try a charge against a European. Previously only European judges could try cases against Europeans. The bill faced vehement opposition from Britishers, especially those settled in India. Eventually, it was enacted in 1884 in a very compromised manner.
OPTION A - British political authority was never limited, by this or any other bill throughout the rule of the colonial government in India.

OPTION B - Restrictions on Vernacular Press were imposed by the Vernacular Press Act of 1878. Lord Lytton, the then Viceroy of the country was the one who had proposed this act. The act was meant to limit "seditious content in oriental languages".
OPTION C - Indians had always been ineligible for selection in the Civil Services till 1853 when the Company's monopoly in the appointment of Civil Servants was struck down by an act and an open examination was introduced for selection of servants without any discrimination of the basis of race.
OPTION D - The Ilbert Bill in theory removed racial discrimination from the Judicial Services since it gave jurisdiction to Indian judges to try cases against Europeans. Therefore D is the correct answer.

Note - The Ilbert Bill is famous for removing racial discrimination in the Judicial Services. It was introduced in 1883. According to the provisions of this act, Indian judges could try cases at the sessions court against Europeans, previously this was not allowed.