Historical Background of Indian Constitution MCQs

📜 MODULE 5: Indian Polity & Constitution MCQs

Topic: Historical Background of Indian Constitution MCQs

🔷 SUB-TOPIC I: Early British Administrative Control

Q1. Which company laid the foundation of British rule in India?

A. Dutch East India Company
B. Portuguese Company
C. French East India Company
D. British East India Company

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:
The British East India Company established political and administrative control after the Battle of Plassey (1757).

Q2. The Regulating Act of 1773 was introduced to:

A. Grant independence to India
B. Abolish Company rule
C. Control the affairs of the East India Company
D. Introduce elections

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
It was the first step by the British Parliament to regulate Company administration in India.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC II: Charter Acts (1793–1853)

Q3. Which Charter Act ended the commercial activities of the East India Company?

A. Charter Act 1793
B. Charter Act 1813
C. Charter Act 1833
D. Charter Act 1853

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Charter Act of 1833 made the Company purely administrative.

Q4. The Charter Act of 1853 is important because it:

A. Introduced diarchy
B. Ended Company rule
C. Provided for open competition for civil services
D. Introduced provincial autonomy

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
It laid the foundation for a merit-based civil service system.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC III: Crown Rule & Administrative Reforms

Q5. The Government of India Act, 1858 transferred power from:

A. British Parliament to Indian rulers
B. Company to Indian princes
C. East India Company to the British Crown
D. Governor-General to Viceroy

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
This act ended Company rule and began direct Crown administration.

Q6. Who became the first Viceroy of India?

A. Lord Curzon
B. Lord Canning
C. Lord Dalhousie
D. Lord Ripon

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The title of Governor-General was replaced by Viceroy.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC IV: Indian Councils Acts

Q7. The Indian Councils Act, 1861 is significant because it:

A. Introduced elections
B. Started decentralization of power
C. Gave dominion status
D. Abolished provincial governments

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It restored legislative powers to provinces.

Q8. The Indian Councils Act, 1892 introduced:

A. Universal adult franchise
B. Indirect election system
C. Provincial autonomy
D. Separate electorates

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Members were nominated indirectly through local bodies.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC V: Morley–Minto Reforms (1909)

Q9. The Indian Councils Act, 1909 is also known as:

A. Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms
B. Government of India Act
C. Morley–Minto Reforms
D. Cabinet Mission Plan

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Named after the Secretary of State and the Viceroy.

Q10. The 1909 Act introduced which controversial feature?

A. Provincial autonomy
B. Diarchy
C. Separate electorates for Muslims
D. Universal franchise

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
It institutionalized communal representation.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC VI: Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms (1919)

Q11. The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced:

A. Federal system
B. Diarchy in provinces
C. Responsible government at centre
D. Adult franchise

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Subjects were divided into transferred and reserved categories.

Q12. Diarchy was abolished by which act?

A. Act of 1909
B. Act of 1935
C. Act of 1858
D. Act of 1861

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The Government of India Act, 1935 removed diarchy from provinces.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC VII: Simon Commission & Constitutional Demands

Q13. The Simon Commission was appointed in:

A. 1919
B. 1925
C. 1927
D. 1930

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
It reviewed constitutional progress but had no Indian members.

Q14. Why was the Simon Commission opposed?

A. It proposed dominion status
B. It had no Indian member
C. It supported independence
D. It ended British rule

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Its exclusion of Indians led to nationwide protests.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC VIII: Government of India Act, 1935

Q15. The Government of India Act, 1935 proposed:

A. Unitary government
B. Federal system for India
C. Republic of India
D. Parliamentary sovereignty

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It was the most comprehensive constitutional act before independence.

Q16. Which feature of the Indian Constitution is borrowed from the 1935 Act?

A. Fundamental Rights
B. Federal structure
C. Parliamentary system
D. Judicial review

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The act influenced administrative and federal features.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC IX: Constituent Assembly Formation

Q17. The Constituent Assembly was formed under:

A. Cripps Mission
B. Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)
C. Simon Commission
D. Mountbatten Plan

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The Cabinet Mission laid down the framework for the Assembly.

Q18. Who was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee?

A. Jawaharlal Nehru
B. Rajendra Prasad
C. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
D. Sardar Patel

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Dr. Ambedkar is called the chief architect of the Constitution.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC X: Making of the Constitution

Q19. The Constituent Assembly first met in:

A. 1945
B. December 1946
C. January 1947
D. August 1947

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It began functioning before independence.

Q20. The Indian Constitution was adopted on:

A. 26 January 1947
B. 15 August 1947
C. 26 November 1949
D. 26 January 1950

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
It came into force on 26 January 1950.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC XI: Sources & Influences

Q21. Parliamentary form of government was borrowed from:

A. USA
B. Britain
C. France
D. Ireland

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
India adopted the Westminster model.

Q22. Fundamental Rights were inspired by the Constitution of:

A. UK
B. USA
C. USSR
D. Canada

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The Bill of Rights influenced Indian Fundamental Rights.

🔷 SUB-TOPIC XII: Overall Understanding

Q23. The Indian Constitution is called a bag of borrowings because it:

A. Is copied fully
B. Draws features from many constitutions
C. Has no originality
D. Is very small

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
India adopted the best features suited to its needs.

Q24. Which act is considered the blueprint of the Indian Constitution?

A. Act of 1919
B. Act of 1909
C. Act of 1935
D. Act of 1861

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Many provisions were adapted from the 1935 Act.

Q25. Indian Constitution reflects which principle most strongly?

A. Absolute monarchy
B. Democracy and sovereignty
C. Dictatorship
D. Colonial rule

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It establishes India as a democratic republic.

Q26. The objective resolution was moved by:

A. Dr. Ambedkar
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Rajendra Prasad
D. Sardar Patel

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
It laid the philosophical foundation of the Constitution.

Q27. The Preamble to the Constitution is based on:

A. Government of India Act
B. Objective Resolution
C. Cabinet Mission
D. Simon Commission

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The Preamble reflects the ideals of the Objective Resolution.

Q28. The Indian Constitution came into force on:

A. 15 August 1947
B. 26 November 1949
C. 26 January 1950
D. 2 October 1950

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
26 January commemorates the declaration of Purna Swaraj.

Q29. Which factor influenced the length of the Indian Constitution?

A. Poor drafting
B. Diversity and administrative needs
C. British pressure
D. Foreign dominance

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
India’s vast diversity required detailed provisions.

Q30. The historical background of the Constitution shows India’s transition from:

A. Republic to monarchy
B. Democracy to colonialism
C. Colonial rule to sovereign republic
D. Federation to unitary state

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The Constitution marks India’s complete political transformation.

✅ Exam Relevance Note

These Historical Background of Indian Constitution MCQs are strictly aligned with India-specific Polity syllabi and are highly relevant for:

• UPSC & State PSC Examinations
• SSC (CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS)
• Banking & Insurance Exams
• UG & PG Entrance Tests
• School & Board Exams (CBSE & State Boards)
• University & Competitive Examinations across India

• Making of Indian Constitution MCQs

• Evolution of Indian Constitution GK

• British Acts and Indian Constitution MCQs

• Government of India Acts MCQs

• Constituent Assembly history questions

• UPSC polity historical background MCQs

• SSC Indian polity MCQs

• CBSE Constitution history GK

⭐

The Historical Background of Indian Constitution MCQs provide a clear, chronological, and exam-oriented understanding of the evolution of India’s constitutional framework—from early British administrative acts to the formation of the Constituent Assembly. With concept-clearing explanations and syllabus-aligned questions, this MCQ set strengthens Polity fundamentals, constitutional awareness, and prelims readiness, making it highly effective for school, university, and competitive examinations across India.

❓ FAQ Section

Q1. Why is the historical background of the Indian Constitution important for exams?

It explains the evolution of India’s constitutional system and is a high-weightage area in UPSC, PSC, SSC, and other exams.

Q2. Which British Acts are most important for Indian Polity preparation?

The Regulating Act (1773), Charter Acts, Indian Councils Acts, and the Government of India Acts—especially the 1935 Act—are crucial.

Q3. Are questions from this topic asked in UPSC Prelims?

Yes. Direct and conceptual questions from constitutional evolution appear regularly in UPSC Prelims.

Q4. Are these MCQs useful for school and board exams?

Absolutely. They align with NCERT Political Science and History syllabi for CBSE and State Boards.

Q5. How should students prepare this topic effectively?

Study the acts chronologically, understand their features and impact, and practise topic-wise MCQs with explanations.

🎯 Targeting Exams

These Historical Background of Indian Constitution MCQs are specially designed for preparation of:

• UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims)

• State Public Service Commission (PSC) Exams

• SSC (CGL, CHSL, GD, MTS)

• Banking & Insurance Exams

• Teaching Eligibility Tests (CTET, State TETs)

• UG & PG Entrance Examinations

• School & Board Exams (CBSE & State Boards)