With reference to developments in education during East India Company rule, consider the following statements:

Charter Act of 1813 allowed Christian missionaries to establish schools and colleges

Charter Act of 1833 allocated ₹1 lakh annually for promoting education in India

Macaulay’s Minute (1835) advocated for English as the medium of instruction

Wood’s Despatch (1854) advocated for a graded education system

Which of the above is / are correct?

Question

Charter Act of 1813 allowed Christian missionaries to establish schools and colleges
- Correct: The Act permitted Christian missionaries to spread Western education and establish schools in India, marking the beginning of British involvement in Indian education.
Charter Act of 1833 allocated ₹1 lakh annually for promoting education in India
- Incorrect: The ₹1 lakh allocation for education was made under the Charter Act of 1813, not 1833, to promote Western knowledge and sciences.
Macaulay’s Minute (1835) advocated for English as the medium of instruction
- Correct: Macaulay’s Minute emphasized replacing traditional Indian education with Western education and promoted English as the medium for higher education and administration.
Wood’s Despatch (1854) advocated for a graded education system
- Correct: Wood’s Despatch introduced a tiered education system with primary, secondary, and higher education levels, emphasizing vocational training and teacher education.

GKToday Admin · Accepted Answer

1, 2, 3 & 4

Charter Act of 1813 allowed Christian missionaries to establish schools and colleges
- Correct: The Act permitted Christian missionaries to spread Western education and establish schools in India, marking the beginning of British involvement in Indian education.
Charter Act of 1833 allocated ₹1 lakh annually for promoting education in India
- Incorrect: The ₹1 lakh allocation for education was made under the Charter Act of 1813, not 1833, to promote Western knowledge and sciences.
Macaulay’s Minute (1835) advocated for English as the medium of instruction
- Correct: Macaulay’s Minute emphasized replacing traditional Indian education with Western education and promoted English as the medium for higher education and administration.
Wood’s Despatch (1854) advocated for a graded education system
- Correct: Wood’s Despatch introduced a tiered education system with primary, secondary, and higher education levels, emphasizing vocational training and teacher education.