Question

Which one of the following acts formally introduced the principles of election for the first time in India?
A. Indian councils Act, 1909
B. Government of India Act, 1919
C. Government of India Act, 1935
D. Indian independence Act, 1947

Answer 1

Hint:The introduction of a system of elections was an act of the British Parliament that made a few reforms in the legislative council. The main motive was to increase the contribution of Indians in the administration.

Complete answer:
A. The Indian councils Act commonly known as the “Morley- Minto reforms” of 1909 was passed by the British Parliament in an attempt to widen the scope of the legislative councils, increase the participation of Indians in governance and formally introduced the principle of elections in India for the very first time. Hence, this is the correct option.
B. The Government of India Act of 1919 was passed to expand the participation of Indians in the system of management and administration. It had a set of principal reforms such as dyarchy was introduced at a provisional level and it made provisions for the classification of central and provincial subjects. However, it wasn’t this Act that introduced the principle of elections for the first time. Hence, this is ot the correct option.
C. The Government of India Act 1935 had proposed to establish an All India Federation and this federation and this federation was to consist of Provinces and Princely states both being a single unit. This act gave 10% of the voters the right to vote. There was a partial reorganization of the provinces.
D. The 1947, Indian independence Act was an act of the parliament of the United Kingdom that partitioned British India into two, new independent dominions of India and Pakistan. The Act received the Royal Assent on 18 July 1947 and thus India and Pakistan, comprising West (modern day Pakistan) and East (modern day Bangladesh) regions, came into being on 15 August.

Hence the correct answer is option A.

Note:The Indian councils Act of 1909 or Morley-Minto reform was an extension of the 1892 reform. It was named after John Morley, who was the secretary for India from (1905-1910 & 1911). It had brought about a limited increase in the involvement of Indians in the governance of British India.