In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into "Reserved and Transferred" subjects. Which of the following were treated as "Reserved" subjects? 1. Administration of Justice 2. Local Self-Government 3. Land Revenue 4. Police Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Contents11
- A1, 2 and 3
- B2, 3 and 4
- C1, 3 and 4
- D1, 2 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (C) 1, 3 and 4
The answer is (C) 1, 3, and 4.
The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced "Dyarchy" — dividing provincial subjects into two categories:
RESERVED subjects (kept under the Governor's direct control — important/sensitive matters):
- Land revenue
- Administration of justice
- Police
- Law and order
- Famine relief
- Irrigation
- Forests
- Newspapers
- Borrowing
TRANSFERRED subjects (handled by Indian ministers answerable to the legislature — local welfare matters):
- Education
- Public health
- Public works
- Agriculture
- Local self-government
- Religious endowments
- Medical services
- Fisheries
From the options:
- Administration of Justice — RESERVED (correct)
- Local Self-Government — TRANSFERRED (wrong — this was given to Indian ministers)
- Land Revenue — RESERVED (correct)
- Police — RESERVED (correct)
Memory trick: The British kept control of anything related to power, money, and order (police, revenue, justice). They transferred "softer" subjects like education and health.
The Government of India Act 1919 introduced dyarchy, dividing provincial subjects between British governors (reserved subjects like police, justice, land revenue) and Indian ministers (transferred subjects like education, health).
This division was the British strategy to retain control over power, money, and law enforcement while giving Indians responsibility for local welfare and development subjects.
The question tests whether students can distinguish between subjects the British considered too sensitive to transfer versus those they deemed safe for Indian administration.
Government of India Act 1919
Modern Indian History Government of India Act 1919
Government of India Act 1919: Dyarchy & Provincial Division
Introduced Dyarchy - dual government system dividing provincial subjects into Reserved and Transferred categories
Reserved subjects controlled by Governor: Police, Land Revenue, Administration of Justice
Transferred subjects handled by Indian ministers: Local Self-Government, Education, Public Health
Based on Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919
What is Dyarchy
The Government of India Act 1919 introduced Dyarchy (dual government) in provincial administration. This system divided provincial subjects into two lists - one controlled by the British Governor, another by elected Indian ministers answerable to the provincial legislature.
Reserved vs Transferred Subjects
Category | Control | Key Subjects | Logic |
|---|---|---|---|
Reserved | British Governor | Police, Land Revenue, Administration of Justice, Irrigation, Forests | Power, money, law & order |
Transferred | Indian Ministers | Local Self-Government, Education, Public Health, Agriculture, Medical services | Local welfare, social services |
Complete Subject Lists
Reserved subjects: Land Revenue, Administration of Justice, Police, Law and Order, Famine Relief, Irrigation, Forests, Press and Newspapers, Borrowing
Transferred subjects: Education, Public Health, Public Works, Agriculture, Local Self-Government, Religious Endowments, Medical Services, Fisheries, Cooperatives
Question Analysis
This PYQ tests the exact classification under Dyarchy. Local Self-Government was the trap option - it was Transferred, not Reserved. The British kept control of revenue collection, justice system, and police (all power-related), while giving Indians control over education and local governance.
Local Self-Government was Transferred, not Reserved - UPSC's favorite trap in Dyarchy questions
Don't confuse with Government of India Act 1935 which had Federal and Provincial lists
Education was always Transferred - British didn't consider it sensitive enough to reserve
Agriculture was Transferred despite being economically important - focus was on revenue collection, not production
Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
Modern Indian History Reserved and Transferred
Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms 1919: Background & Impact
Edwin Montagu's Declaration (1917) promised gradual development of self-governing institutions in India
Introduced responsible government at provincial level through Dyarchy system
Created bicameral legislature at center with expanded Indian representation
Reform Process
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Montagu Declaration (1917)**
British promise gradual self-government after WWI Indian support`"]
s2["`**Montagu-Chelmsford Report**
Joint Secretary-Viceroy team designs reform framework`"]
s3["`**Government of India Act 1919**
Parliament passes Act implementing Dyarchy system`"]
s4["`**Implementation (1921)**
Provincial Dyarchy begins, first elections held`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4Key Changes Introduced
Provincial Dyarchy: Dual government with Reserved and Transferred subjects
Bicameral Central Legislature: Council of State (upper) and Legislative Assembly (lower)
Expanded franchise: About 10% of adult male population got voting rights
Separate electorates: Extended to Sikhs and Indian Christians
Public Service Commission: Established to recruit civil servants
Montagu was Secretary of State, Chelmsford was Viceroy - don't reverse their roles
Reforms were post-WWI response to Indian demands, not pre-war planning
Dyarchy was only at provincial level - center remained under British control
Major Constitutional Acts Comparison
Modern Indian History
Evolution of British Constitutional Acts in India
Act of 1858: Transferred control from East India Company to Crown
Act of 1919: Introduced Dyarchy at provincial level
Act of 1935: Introduced Federation and Provincial Autonomy
Major Constitutional Milestones
Act/Year | Key Innovation | Provincial System | Central Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
Government of India Act 1858 | Crown rule begins | Governor control | Viceroy system |
Indian Councils Act 1892 | Indirect elections | Legislative councils | Expanded councils |
Morley-Minto Reforms 1909 | Separate electorates | Executive councils | Communal representation |
Government of India Act 1919 | Dyarchy system | Reserved + Transferred | Bicameral legislature |
Government of India Act 1935 | Provincial autonomy | Complete responsible govt | Federal structure |
Subject Division Evolution
1919 Act: Provincial subjects divided into Reserved (British) and Transferred (Indian ministers)
1935 Act: All provincial subjects transferred to Indians, introduced Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent lists
Pattern: Gradual transfer of power from British to Indians, starting with 'safe' subjects like education
Don't confuse 1919 Dyarchy (Provincial only) with 1935 Federation (Center + Provinces)
Separate electorates started in 1909, not 1919 - Montagu-Chelmsford only extended it
Provincial autonomy means 1935, Dyarchy means 1919 - these are different systems