Question

The Vernacular Press Act was passed in British India in the year ______.
1. 1868
2. 1888
3. 1858
4. 1878

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : 1878

The correct answer is 1878.

• The Vernacular Press Act was passed in British India in the year 1878.

• Vernacular Press Act 1878 (VPA 1878) was enacted to better control and repress the seditious writing in vernacular language.
• The provisions of the act were:
  • The district magistrate was empowered to call upon the printer and publisher of any vernacular newspaper to enter into a bond with the government.
  • The action of the magistrate was final and no appeal could be made against it.
• The act was given the nickname “the gagging Act”.