Consider the following statements with reference to the provisions of Morley-Minto Reforms Act in the colonial India: 1. The Morley-Minto Reforms Act raised the number of additional members of the Central Legislature 2. It introduced the principle of communal representation in the Legislature 3. It empowered the Legislatures to discuss the budget and to move resolutions on it Which of these statements are correct?

The Indian Councils Act of 1909, known as the Morley-Minto Reforms, introduced several significant changes to the colonial administration. Firstly, it substantially increased the size of the legislative councils; for instance, the Central Legislative Council's additional membership was raised from 16 to 60 [t1, t5]. Secondly, it introduced the principle of communal representation by establishing separate electorates for Muslims, allowing them to elect their own representatives [c1, c5, t6]. Thirdly, the Act expanded the deliberative functions of the legislatures, empowering members to discuss the budget and move resolutions on it, as well as ask supplementary questions [t2, t4]. While the reforms did not grant self-government and maintained official majorities at the center, they provided the first formal recognition of elective and communal principles in the Indian legislative structure [c1, t2]. Thus, all three statements are historically accurate.

Sources

1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Reforms > p. 277
2. [2] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Communalism in Nationalist Politics > Objectives of All India Muslim League > p. 76
3. [4] https://gacbe.ac.in/pdf/ematerial/18BHI44A-U2.pdf
4. [5] https://www.cbc.gov.in/cbcdev/crown/crown4.html