UPSC Prelims 2017 GS Paper I · Q26 of 100 History medium

The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to

  1. (a) Define the jurisdiction of the Central and Provincial Governments.
  2. (b) Define the powers of the Secretary of State for India.
  3. (c) Impose censorship on national press.
  4. (d) Improve the relationship between the Government of India and the Indian States. ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• The Indian States Committee under Sir Harcourt Butler (1927–29) was appointed to examine the relationship between the British Crown (paramount power) and the princely States — option (d).

• It held that paramountcy must remain paramount, that the States' relationship was with the Crown and not with the Government of India, and that they should not be transferred to an Indian government without their consent.

• Centre–Province jurisdiction (a), Secretary of State's powers (b) and press censorship (c) were outside its remit.

• Hence option (d).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) Define the jurisdiction of the Central and Provincial Governments.
Centre–Province jurisdiction was not its subject.
(b) Define the powers of the Secretary of State for India.
It did not define the Secretary of State's powers.
(c) Impose censorship on national press.
It had nothing to do with press censorship.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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