Consider the following statements: 1. Robert Clive was the first Governor-General of Bengal. 2. William Bentinck was the first Governor-General of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Statement 1 is incorrect. While Robert Clive was instrumental in establishing Company power in Bengal, the formal office of Governor‑General of Bengal was created by the Regulating Act of 1773 and Warren Hastings was appointed the first Governor‑General of Bengal under that Act [1]. Statement 2 is correct. The Charter Act of 1833 transformed the office into Governor‑General of India (giving the holder superintendence, direction and control over all British territories in India) and Lord William Bentinck became the first Governor‑General of united British India under that redefinition [1]. Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 17: Effects of British Rule > 17.1Establishment of British Raj > p. 265