Question

Under the civil service system introduced by Lord Cornwallis, the Indians could be selected for _____.
A. Higher positions
B. Subordinate posts
C. Lower posts
D. None of these

Answer 1

Hint: Charles Cornwallis reformed and implemented the Civil service system in India. Cornwallis introduced two divisions of the Indian Civil service namely, covenanted and uncovenanted. The covenanted civil service consisted of only Europeans that comprised the British personnel occupying the higher posts in the government. The uncovenanted civil service was solely aimed at and introduced to facilitate the entry of Indians at the subordinate posts of the administration.

Complete answer:
Let us discuss each option individually in detail to figure out the correct answer.
Higher positions: Higher positions in the government were not allowed to Indians till the Chelmsford reforms. Therefore, this is not the correct option.
Subordinate posts: Subordinate positions were accessible to the Indians in the reform made by Cornwallis. Therefore, this is the correct option.
Lower posts: Indians were facilitated posts other than the higher positions in the government under the civil service system introduced by Cornwallis. This is not the exact answer. Therefore, this is not the correct option.
None of these: We have found our answer in option B. Therefore, this is an invalid option.

Hence the correct answer is option B.

Note: The foundation of the civil service system in India was laid by Warren Hastings. Later, Charles Cornwallis or Lord Cornwallis reformed, rationalised and modernised it and implemented it in India. Therefore, he is known as 'the Father of civil service in India'.