Minimalist IAS
Prelims 2018 paper

UPSC CSE Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I · Question 38 · Constitutional development & the transfer of power

भारतीय शासन अधिनियम, 1935 के द्वारा स्थापित संघ में अवशिष्ट शक्तियाँ किसे दी गई थीं ?

UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Question 38 — Constitutional development & the transfer of power.

भारतीय शासन अधिनियम, 1935 के द्वारा स्थापित संघ में अवशिष्ट शक्तियाँ किसे दी गई थीं ?

Read this question in English

In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the

(a) Federal Legislature · (b) Governor General · (c) Provincial Legislature · (d) Provincial Governors

उत्तर और व्याख्या · explanation in English

Answer: (b) गवर्नर जनरल को

Under the Government of India Act, 1935 the residuary powers went to the Governor-General, not to the Federal or the Provincial Legislature. Section 104 let him, acting in his own discretion, authorise either legislature to make a law on a matter not listed in the Seventh Schedule.

  • ✓ (b) Section 104(1) says the Governor-General may by public notification empower either the Federal Legislature or a Provincial Legislature to legislate on a matter not enumerated in any list of the Seventh Schedule, and Section 104(2) says he acts in his discretion.
  • ✗ (a) The Federal Legislature had only the powers given in the Federal List and the Concurrent List. It could make a law on an unlisted matter only if the Governor-General empowered it.
  • ✗ (c) The Provincial Legislature likewise held only the Provincial and Concurrent Lists and had no residuary power of its own.

Remember · 1935 Act: residuary powers with the Governor-General (Section 104). The Constitution of India changed this: Article 248 gives them to Parliament.

Sources

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2018, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

Cite this question: UPSC CSE Prelims 2018, Q38 — minimalistias.com/pyqs/prelims/2018/q38

In the UPSC syllabus: Constitutional development & the transfer of power › The Government of India Act, 1935 See it and tick it covered →

Timed · 30 minutes Take Modern India & the freedom struggle · Set 2 as a test This question is in it — with UPSC's marking and an instant score. Start the set Or the whole 2018 paper →

More on Constitutional development & the transfer of power

All Constitutional development & the transfer of power questions →

Same topic in the Mains syllabus