Q64 · UPSC Prelims 2016 · Set A · History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)

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The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to

A Social reforms
B Educational reforms
C Reforms in police administration
D Constitutional reforms

Correct answer: (d) Constitutional reforms

Explanation

  1. A

    Social reforms

    Social reforms in this period are associated with other strands (age of consent, sati already abolished, temple entry later). The Montagu–Chelmsford proposals were not a social-reform package. This option is not the key.

  2. B

    Educational reforms

    Educational reforms of the colonial era include Wood’s Despatch, Hunter, Raleigh and Sadler. Montagu–Chelmsford did not primarily recast education. This option is wrong.

  3. C

    Reforms in police administration

    Police administration was touched in various colonial statutes, but the 1918 Montagu–Chelmsford Report was not a police-reform document. This option is not the key.

  4. D

    Constitutional reforms

    The Montagu–Chelmsford proposals (Montagu’s 1917 declaration and the 1918 Report) led to the Government of India Act, 1919: dyarchy in the provinces, a bicameral central legislature, and other constitutional changes. They are therefore constitutional reforms, which is the official key.

Summary. Official key is (d) constitutional reforms. Edwin Montagu’s August 1917 announcement promised responsible government by stages; the Chelmsford–Montagu Report designed the 1919 Act. Dyarchy, transferred and reserved subjects, and an enlarged legislature are constitutional devices, not social, educational or police codes. The later Government of India Act, 1935 continued the same constitutional track. Only (d) is accurate.