With reference to the Indian Councils Act, 1892, consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
1. It significantly increased the number of official members in the Central Legislative Council.
2. It empowered the legislative councils to discuss the budget and address questions to the executive.
3. It introduced the principle of direct election for non-official members of provincial legislative councils.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Answer: 2 only
Explanation
The Indian Councils Act, 1892 introduced limited reforms in the legislative system of British India.
Let’s evaluate each statement:
Statement 1 is incorrect
The Act did not significantly increase official members in the Central Legislative Council
Instead, it increased the number of non-official members, allowing slightly more Indian participation
Statement 2 is correct
Legislative councils were allowed to: Discuss the budget (without voting rights) and Ask questions to the executive (with restrictions)
This was an early step toward legislative accountability
Statement 3 is incorrect
The Act did not introduce direct elections
Members were still nominated or indirectly selected
Direct election system came much later in Indian constitutional development
Additional Key Points
Increased non-official representation in councils
Introduced indirect election through local bodies and institutions
Marked gradual Indian participation in governance
Predecessor to the Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms)
No real legislative power was given to Indians
Potential Questions & Answers
Q. Which Act first expanded Indian representation in legislative councils?
Ans: Indian Councils Act, 1892
Q. Which type of members increased under this Act?
Ans: Non-official members
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