Which of the following led to the introduction of English Education in India ? 1. Charter Act of 1813 2. General Committee of Public Instruction, 1823 3. Orientalist and Anglicist Controversy Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• The Charter Act of 1813 (1) set aside ₹1 lakh a year for education, the first State commitment to educating Indians.

• The General Committee of Public Instruction (2), set up in 1823, was tasked with spending that grant and became the arena of debate over its use.

• The Orientalist–Anglicist controversy (3) within the Committee ended with Macaulay's Minute (1835) and Bentinck's decision to fund English education.

• All three steps led to the introduction of English education.

• Hence 1, 2 and 3, option (d).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 and 2 only: The Orientalist–Anglicist debate also led to English education.
(b) 2 only: The 1813 Act and the controversy also contributed.
(c) 1 and 3 only: The 1823 Committee also contributed.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2018, held on 3 June 2018. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.