Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and Government of India Act — UPSC Prelims PYQ 2021
Consider the following statements:
- The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age of 21.
- The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect
- The Government of India Act 1919 was based on the recommendations of a report by Edwin Montagu, the then Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, who served as India’s Viceroy from 1916 to 1921. As a result, the constitutional reforms introduced by this act are known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms or Montford Reforms.
- Under the Act, voting rights (Franchise) were restricted to only a limited number of people. The franchise was not universal and not extended to women. The Act gave provincial councils the freedom to choose to give Indian women the vote. The right to vote was granted only to those who met certain criteria such as property ownership, tax payment or education. Those with property, taxable income, or paid land revenue of Rs. 3000 were entitled to vote. The members of the university senate were given the right to vote.
Statement 2 is correct
- Government of India Act of 1935: Efforts were started when the demand for separate political reservation for women was made in 1920 during the national movement for Independence. It was the Government of India Act, 1935 by which reservation of seats for women was given.
Answer: (b) 2 only: Difficulty Level: Easy
