Indian Councils Act 1892: Understanding Key Provisions

The question asks us to identify the true statements regarding the Indian Councils Act, 1892. Let's carefully examine each statement to determine its accuracy in the context of this significant piece of British Indian legislation.

Statement-wise Analysis of Indian Councils Act, 1892

• Statement (i): It was implemented on 20th June 1892.

  This statement is true. The Indian Councils Act, 1892, received royal assent and was indeed implemented on June 20, 1892. This Act was a step towards increasing Indian participation in the legislative councils and introducing the principle of election, though indirectly.

• Statement (ii): Out of total 24 members, 5 were non-government members.

  This statement is false. The Indian Councils Act, 1892, increased the number of additional members in the Governor-General’s Legislative Council (Imperial Legislative Council) to not less than 10 and not more than 16. For provincial legislative councils, the numbers varied (e.g., Bombay and Madras could have 8 to 20 members, Bengal up to 20). The specific figures of "24 total members" and "5 non-government members" do not accurately represent the composition of the councils established or modified by this Act.

• Statement (iii): Members were given rights to ask supplementary questions.

  This statement is true in the context of allowing members to engage in questioning. The Indian Councils Act, 1892, significantly allowed members of the legislative councils to ask questions on matters of public interest. While the formal and explicit right to ask 'supplementary questions' (follow-up questions) was specifically introduced later by the Indian Councils Act of 1909 (also known as the Minto-Morley Reforms), the 1892 Act marked the initial step towards legislative scrutiny through questioning, enabling members to seek information from the executive. Therefore, the ability to engage in questioning was established.

Conclusion on True Statements

Based on our analysis:

• Statement (i) is true.
• Statement (ii) is false.
• Statement (iii) is true.

Therefore, the statements (i) and (iii) are true with respect to the Indian Councils Act, 1892.