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Q94 (NDA-II/2008) History & Culture › National Movement (1857–1947) › British policies and administration Answer Verified

Who among the following had repealed the Vernacular Press Act?

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The Vernacular Press Act was enacted in 1878 by Lord Lytton to curtail the freedom of the Indian-language press and suppress seditious writing against British policies [c2][c3][t4]. The Act was modeled on the Irish Press Laws and allowed the government to censor reports and confiscate printing machinery [c3][t1]. Lord Ripon, who succeeded Lytton as Viceroy (1880–84), repealed the Act in 1882 [c1][t2]. Ripon's administration is noted for its liberal approach, which also included the first Factory Act of 1881 and the resolution on local self-government in 1882 [c1][t5]. While Lytton is associated with the repressive enactment of the law during a period of famine and war, Ripon is credited with restoring the freedom of the vernacular press, earning him significant popularity among the Indian populace [t5][t6].

Sources

  1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > 7. Lord Ripon 1880-1884 > p. 819
  2. [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 29: Development of Indian Press > 560 ✫ A Brief History of Modern India > p. 560
  3. [3] India and the Contemporary World – II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Print Culture and the Modern World > 9 Print and Censorship > p. 127
  4. [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernacular_Press_Act
  5. [5] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vernacular-Press-Act
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