SSC Stenographer 2026 PYQ — Question 38

Solution: The correct answer is The ambiguous jurisdiction of the Supreme Court over the Company's servants and native population.
Explanation:
☛ The Act of Settlement, 1781 (also known as the Declaratory Act of 1781) was passed by the British Parliament to remove ambiguities and defects of the Regulating Act of 1773.
☛ Under the 1773 Act, the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court at Calcutta was ill-defined, leading to bitter conflict between the judiciary and the Governor-General-in-Council.
☛ The 1781 Act specifically exempted the Governor-General and Council from the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court for actions taken in their official capacity.
☛ It also exempted revenue matters and the collection of revenue from the court's jurisdiction.
☛ The Act declared that the Supreme Court had jurisdiction over all inhabitants of Calcutta, and mandated the administration of personal laws (Hindu law for Hindus and Mohammedan law for Muslims).
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Supreme Court at Calcutta: Established in 1774 at Fort William, comprising one Chief Justice and three other judges.
☛ Sir Elijah Impey: Served as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature at Calcutta.
☛ Provincial Courts: The Act of 1781 recognized the authority of the Governor-General-in-Council as the court of appeal (Sadar Diwani Adalat) for appeals from provincial courts.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ By what other name is the Act of Settlement, 1781 commonly known? → Declaratory Act of 1781
☛ Under which British Act was the Supreme Court established at Calcutta? → Regulating Act of 1773
☛ Who was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Calcutta? → Sir Elijah Impey
☛ Which Act introduced the 'Board of Control' to manage British political affairs in India? → Pitt's India Act of 1784
☛ Who was the Governor-General of Bengal during the passage of the Act of Settlement, 1781? → Warren Hastings