Consider the following statements about the Morley-Minto reforms of 19

Consider the following statements about the Morley-Minto reforms of 1909:

  • 1. They were named after the British Parliamentarians, Minto and Morley
  • 2. They provided for limited self-government by increasing the number of elected Indians in the Legislative Councils
  • 3. They contained provisions that ensured that British officials retained their majority in the Imperial Legislative Council

Which of the statements given above is / are correct ?

1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2016
The correct answer is C, as statements 1 and 3 are correct while statement 2 is incorrect.
– Statement 1: “They were named after the British Parliamentarians, Minto and Morley”. Lord Morley was the Secretary of State for India (a member of the House of Lords, thus a Parliamentarian). Lord Minto was the Viceroy of India. While Minto wasn’t a sitting Parliamentarian while Viceroy, the reforms are universally known as Morley-Minto Reforms, named after these two key figures responsible for them. In the context of such questions, the statement is likely considered correct, focusing on Morley’s role as a Parliamentarian and Minto as the Viceroy linked to the parliamentary process.
– Statement 2: “They provided for limited self-government by increasing the number of elected Indians in the Legislative Councils”. This is incorrect. The reforms explicitly aimed *not* at introducing self-government or a parliamentary system. Morley himself stated they had no intention of establishing a parliamentary system in India. They increased Indian representation but retained British control.
– Statement 3: “They contained provisions that ensured that British officials retained their majority in the Imperial Legislative Council”. This is correct. Although the number of elected and nominated non-official members was increased, an official majority was deliberately maintained in the Imperial Legislative Council to ensure the government could pass its legislation. In some provincial councils, a non-official majority (including elected and nominated non-officials) was allowed.
The Morley-Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act 1909) aimed to appease moderate nationalists and avert further unrest after the Swadeshi movement. They introduced separate electorates for Muslims, which is often considered a significant step towards communal politics in India. The reforms increased Indian participation in legislative councils but retained ultimate British power and control.