100 Important MCQs on Pitt’s India Act, 1784
100 important MCQs on Pitt’s India Act, 1784 for UPSC, State PSC, and competitive exams. Simple English, exam-focused explanations, historical analysis, and previous-year question patterns included. Perfect for quick revision and high-scoring preparation.
1–20 Basic Concept MCQs
-
Pitt’s India Act was passed in which year?
a) 1773
b) 1784
c) 1793
d) 1813
Answer: b -
Pitt’s India Act was passed during the rule of which British Prime Minister?
a) Robert Peel
b) William Pitt the Younger
c) Disraeli
d) Gladstone
Answer: b -
The main aim of Pitt’s India Act was to:
a) Introduce civil services
b) Improve Indian education
c) Control East India Company’s administration
d) Start railways
Answer: c -
Pitt’s India Act created dual system of control between:
a) USA & UK
b) King & Parliament
c) British Crown & East India Company
d) India & Company
Answer: c -
Which body was created under the Pitt’s India Act?
a) Board of Revenue
b) Board of Control
c) Board of Trade
d) Public Service Commission
Answer: b -
The Board of Control had how many members?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 6
Answer: d -
Board of Control members were appointed by:
a) Parliament
b) King
c) East India Company
d) Governor-General
Answer: b -
Pitt’s India Act gave the British Government control over:
a) Revenue only
b) Political matters of India
c) Trade only
d) Judiciary only
Answer: b -
Pitt’s India Act strengthened:
a) Governor of Bombay
b) Governor of Madras
c) Governor-General of Bengal
d) Viceroy of India
Answer: c -
A new position created under Pitt’s India Act:
a) Chief Secretary
b) Commander-in-Chief
c) Judge Advocate
d) Advocate General
Answer: b -
Who was made commander-in-chief under the Governor-General?
a) Under Fort William
b) Under Board of Control
c) Under Parliament
d) Under King
Answer: a -
Pitt’s India Act separated:
a) Judiciary & Legislature
b) Commercial & Political functions
c) Revenue & Trade
d) Executive & Legislature
Answer: b -
Court of Directors controlled:
a) Political matters
b) Military matters
c) Commercial matters
d) Land reforms
Answer: c -
Board of Control controlled:
a) Commercial matters
b) Social matters
c) Political matters
d) Religious matters
Answer: c -
Who had the final say in Indian political affairs after Pitt’s Act?
a) Company
b) Governor-General
c) British Crown
d) Indian rulers
Answer: c -
Pitt’s Act established which principle?
a) Subsidiary system
b) Dual government in England
c) Parliamentary democracy
d) Local self-government
Answer: b -
Pitt’s Act reduced corruption in the Company by introducing:
a) Oath of secrecy
b) Annual financial reports
c) Extra salaries
d) New taxes
Answer: b -
Communication between India & Britain was carried by:
a) Home Department
b) Court of Directors
c) Governor-General
d) Secretary of State
Answer: b -
Pitt’s Act increased control over:
a) Provincial governors
b) Nawabs
c) Governor-General
d) Indian peasants
Answer: c -
Pitt’s Act was also called:
a) East India Reform Act
b) India Administration Act
c) 2nd Regulatory Act
d) Company Reform Act
Answer: c
21–40 Intermediate MCQs
-
Pitt’s Act came after which earlier Act?
a) Act of Settlement
b) Regulating Act, 1773
c) Charter Act 1793
d) Charter Act 1853
Answer: b -
Which Act had weaknesses corrected by Pitt’s Act?
a) Rowlett Act
b) Charter Act 1813
c) Regulating Act 1773
d) Indian Councils Act 1909
Answer: c -
Pitt’s Act made Governor-General supreme over:
a) British Crown
b) Provincial governments
c) All Indian rulers
d) British Parliament
Answer: b -
Board of Control was headed by:
a) King
b) Cabinet minister
c) Prime Minister
d) Governor-General
Answer: b -
Secretary of State existed in:
a) 1773 Act
b) 1784 Act
c) 1858 Act
d) 1935 Act
Answer: c -
Which Act’s control structure was more centralised?
a) 1773 Act
b) Pitt’s 1784 Act
c) 1813 Act
d) 1833 Act
Answer: b -
The Act divided India’s administration in England between:
a) Two secretaries
b) Two offices
c) Political & commercial control
d) Two parliaments
Answer: c -
The Court of Directors consisted of:
a) 6 members
b) 12 members
c) 24 members
d) 32 members
Answer: c -
A major criticism of Pitt’s Act was:
a) Too democratic
b) Too expensive
c) Dual control confusion
d) Weak governor
Answer: c -
Pitt’s Act recognized the Company as a:
a) Nation
b) Political agent of Britain
c) Social institution
d) Charitable body
Answer: b -
Board of Control represented:
a) Indian states
b) Company shareholders
c) British Government
d) Provincial governors
Answer: c -
Pitt’s Act did not touch:
a) Company’s trade
b) Political functions
c) Judiciary
d) Governor-General
Answer: a -
The Act ensured that all decisions now required approval of:
a) Governor-General
b) Court of Directors
c) Board of Control
d) House of Commons
Answer: c -
Governor-General’s council strength continued as:
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
Answer: c -
Control of Indian wars & negotiations was vested in:
a) Governor-General
b) Crown through Board
c) Company
d) Nawabs
Answer: b -
Pitt’s Act aimed to reduce:
a) Education budget
b) Trade monopoly
c) Company misrule
d) Indian rebellions
Answer: c -
The Act was repealed after:
a) 1793
b) 1833
c) 1858
d) 1947
Answer: c -
Pitt’s Act gave ultimate authority to:
a) Indian rulers
b) Parliament
c) Company
d) Crown
Answer: d -
Under Pitt’s Act, the Company became subordinate to:
a) Indian kings
b) Traders
c) British Government
d) US Government
Answer: c -
The Act restricted the Company from:
a) Trade
b) War & diplomacy
c) Revenue collection
d) Judicial appointments
Answer: b
41–60 Advanced MCQs
-
Pitt’s Act divided authority in India between:
a) Judiciary & Legislature
b) Executive & Legislature
c) Governor-General & Provincial Governors
d) Company & Crown
Answer: d -
Pitt’s Act made the Company’s territorial acquisitions a part of:
a) Company property
b) The British Empire
c) Indian public domain
d) Mughal Empire
Answer: b -
Who supervised Company’s political letters to India?
a) Board of Control
b) Court of Directors
c) India Office
d) Parliament
Answer: a -
Commercial despatches were handled by:
a) Company
b) Parliament
c) Board
d) Crown
Answer: a -
The Act allowed the Crown to inspect:
a) Company accounts
b) Military
c) Political correspondence
d) All of the above
Answer: d -
Pitt’s Act authorised the Crown to issue:
a) Secret orders
b) Budget reports
c) Trade licenses
d) Land reforms
Answer: a -
Pitt’s Act made India’s administration a subject of:
a) Full monarchy
b) Parliamentary control
c) Local assemblies
d) Company shareholders
Answer: b -
Which Act first introduced Crown supervision?
a) Regulating Act
b) Pitt’s Act
c) Charter Act
d) India Act 1858
Answer: b -
Pitt’s Act strengthened:
a) Military recruitment
b) Company trade
c) Governor-General’s power
d) Judicial autonomy
Answer: c -
The Act aimed to check:
a) Dual governance in India
b) Provincial autonomy
c) Company corruption
d) Military expenses
Answer: c
50. Pitt’s Act aimed to check:
a) Dual governance in India
b) Provincial autonomy
c) Company corruption
d) Military expenses
Answer: c
51. The Act created a system of control between:
a) Crown & Indian rulers
b) Parliament & judiciary
c) British Government & East India Company
d) East India Company & Indian merchants
Answer: c
52. Who supervised political letters sent to India after Pitt’s Act?
a) Governor-General
b) Court of Directors
c) Board of Control
d) Parliament
Answer: c
53. Commercial correspondence was handled by:
a) Board of Control
b) Company (Court of Directors)
c) Parliament
d) Privy Council
Answer: b
54. Pitt’s Act allowed the Crown to inspect:
a) Company army only
b) Company trade only
c) Political and financial records
d) Indian courts
Answer: c
55. Under Pitt’s Act, the Crown could issue:
a) Election notices
b) Secret political orders
c) Trade invitations
d) Land distribution rules
Answer: b
56. Pitt’s Act made Indian administration a responsibility of:
a) Governor-General alone
b) Indian kings
c) British Parliament
d) Company directors only
Answer: c
57. Which Act first introduced direct Crown supervision over Company affairs?
a) Regulating Act 1773
b) Pitt’s India Act 1784
c) Charter Act 1813
d) Act of 1858
Answer: b
58. The Act strengthened which authority in India?
a) Local rulers
b) Provincial governors
c) Governor-General
d) Judiciary
Answer: c
59. Pitt’s Act’s main objective was to reduce:
a) Military size
b) Company’s trade monopoly
c) Company mis-governance and corruption
d) British taxes
Answer: c
60. Pitt’s Act was later replaced by which major Act?
a) Indian Councils Act 1861
b) Charter Act 1793
c) Government of India Act 1858
d) Indian Independence Act 1947
Answer: c
-
Pitt’s Act was considered a:
a) Weak reform
b) Moderate reform
c) Complete solution
d) Revolutionary reform
Answer: b -
Under the Act, the Company’s revenues were treated as:
a) Company private property
b) National revenue of Britain
c) Indian government property
d) King’s personal income
Answer: b -
Which part of administration was not influenced by the Crown?
a) Political decisions
b) Military decisions
c) Trade matters
d) Foreign affairs
Answer: c -
Board of Control acted as a link between:
a) India & France
b) Company & British Government
c) Parliament & Indian rulers
d) East India Company & Indian merchants
Answer: b -
Pitt’s Act gave Governor-General power to override:
a) Company shareholders
b) Provincial governments
c) Mughal emperor
d) British Parliament
Answer: b -
Which Act officially recognized the Company as a political instrument?
a) Regulating Act
b) Pitt’s India Act
c) Charter Act 1813
d) Councils Act
Answer: b -
Pitt’s Act improved communication between:
a) Indian states
b) British Crown & Company
c) Parliament & US
d) India & France
Answer: b -
A major consequence of Pitt’s Act was:
a) Expansion of trade monopoly
b) Increase in Indian representation
c) More centralisation in administration
d) End of Company rule
Answer: c -
The Act introduced a form of:
a) Federalism
b) Parliamentary control
c) Local self-government
d) Judicial review
Answer: b -
Who handled military orders to India after Pitt’s Act?
a) Court of Directors
b) Board of Control
c) Indian commanders
d) Governor of Madras
Answer: b -
Pitt’s Act declared that Company territories were:
a) Sovereign states
b) British possessions
c) Independent kingdoms
d) Allied states
Answer: b -
One of the weaknesses of the Act:
a) Too much power to Governor-General
b) Too much power to Company
c) Overlapping authority
d) Too strong judiciary
Answer: c -
Which statement is correct?
a) Pitt’s Act removed dual government in India
b) Pitt’s Act created dual government in England
c) Pitt’s Act removed Company monopoly
d) Pitt’s Act introduced elections
Answer: b -
Board of Control was responsible for:
a) Company profits
b) Trade agreements
c) Political supervision
d) Indian agriculture
Answer: c -
Court of Directors remained responsible for:
a) War decisions
b) Judiciary
c) Political strategies
d) Commercial activities
Answer: d -
Who had to submit annual India reports under Pitt’s Act?
a) Governor-General
b) Board of Control
c) Court of Directors
d) King
Answer: c -
Pitt’s Act strengthened British control because:
a) It reduced army size
b) It centralised political authority
c) It removed all taxes
d) It increased Indian representation
Answer: b -
Pitt’s Act continued the existence of:
a) Governor-General’s Council
b) Viceroy system
c) ICS
d) Provincial legislatures
Answer: a -
Pitt’s Act defined Company’s role as:
a) Military government only
b) Commercial body only
c) Political agent + trading body
d) Religious organisation
Answer: c -
A new element under Pitt’s Act was:
a) Separation of powers
b) Parliamentary sovereignty over Indian affairs
c) Federal structure
d) Public elections
Answer: b
81–100 Critical Thinking & Exam-Focused MCQs
-
The Act indirectly reduced the power of:
a) Parliament
b) Board of Control
c) Court of Directors
d) British Crown
Answer: c -
Which Act provided a structure for later reforms like 1813 & 1833 Acts?
a) Regulating Act
b) Pitt’s India Act
c) Charter Act 1853
d) Act of 1909
Answer: b -
Pitt’s Act was needed because:
a) Company made huge profits
b) Company misgoverned India
c) Indians demanded reforms
d) Company armies revolted
Answer: b -
The Board of Control included the:
a) Foreign Secretary
b) Chancellor of Exchequer
c) Secretary of State (not yet created)
d) Cabinet ministers
Answer: d -
Under Pitt’s Act, wars with Indian states required approval of:
a) Company
b) Parliament
c) Board of Control
d) Indian rulers
Answer: c -
Pitt’s Act ensured the Governor-General received instructions directly from:
a) King
b) Court of Directors
c) Board of Control
d) Parliament
Answer: c -
Pitt’s Act strengthened the idea that India was governed for:
a) Company profits only
b) British national interest
c) Indian economic improvement
d) Mughal dynasty revival
Answer: b -
Which was a limitation of Pitt’s Act?
a) Limited British control
b) No control over trade
c) Conflicting powers between Board and Directors
d) Weak Governor-General
Answer: c -
After Pitt’s Act, Company became:
a) Fully sovereign
b) A trading partner
c) Political subordinate to the Crown
d) Independent authority
Answer: c -
Which one was a lasting effect of Pitt’s Act?
a) Free elections in India
b) Beginning of direct British control
c) End of Governor-General post
d) Abolition of Company
Answer: b -
Pitt’s Act helped reduce:
a) Provincial autonomy
b) Company corruption
c) Indian rebellions
d) British taxes
Answer: b -
The Act was considered a step towards:
a) Responsible government
b) Crown rule of 1858
c) Indian federalism
d) Judicial independence
Answer: b -
Which Act finally abolished dual control introduced by Pitt’s Act?
a) 1813 Act
b) 1833 Act
c) 1858 Act
d) 1909 Act
Answer: c -
Pitt’s Act was a landmark because it:
a) Introduced ICS
b) Gave rights to Indians
c) Established parliamentary control over India
d) Ended Company rule
Answer: c -
Pitt’s Act changed the nature of Company rule from:
a) Business to political governance
b) Political to business
c) Religious to military
d) Military to judicial
Answer: a -
A major flaw of the Act was:
a) Company lost trade rights
b) Company lost revenue rights
c) Dual authority created confusion
d) No Indian representation
Answer: c -
Pitt’s Act required British Parliament to:
a) Approve all laws
b) Provide funds for Indian administration
c) Oversee Indian political activities
d) Hold Indian elections
Answer: c -
The Board of Control could send:
a) Secret political orders
b) Trade licenses
c) Commercial goods
d) Judicial bills
Answer: a -
Pitt’s Act aimed at making India’s administration:
a) More democratic
b) More commercial
c) More accountable
d) More federal
Answer: c -
The Act was the first clear statement that India was:
a) An independent nation
b) A British possession
c) Property of Company
d) A confederation of states
Answer: b