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Act / Law Indian Councils Act, 1861
Asked 2 times across 2 UPSC exams over 16 years (2002–2018), peaking in 2002.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 2 PYQs
- Most asked in 2002
- Recurs across 2 years (2002–2018)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2002 → CDS 2018
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (1 of 2) predate 2016, and it still returns.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2018
Which of the following statements relating to the Indian Councils Act, 1861 is/are correct?
- The Act introduced a grain of popular element by including non-official members in the Governor-General's Executive Council
- The members were nominated and their functions were confined exclusively to consideration of legislative proposals placed before it by the Governor-General
- The Governor-General did not have effective legislative power
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1 and 2 only ✓
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 1, 2 and 3
- D 1 only
✓ Correct answer: (A)
History › Modern India (1757–1857)
CSE2002
Which one of the following Acts of British India strengthened the Viceroy's authority over his executive council by substituting 'portfolio' or departmental system for corporate functioning?
- A Indian Councils Act, 1861 ✓
- B Government of India Act, 1885
- C Indian Councils Act, 1892
- D Indian Councils Act, 1909
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Polity & Governance › Constitutional Framework
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