Who passed the 'Vernacular Press Act'?

The correct answer is Lord Lytton.

Key Points

• Vernacular Press Act
  • It was passed in 1878 during the time of Lord Lytton.
  • It was enacted to curb the highly critical nature of the vernacular press.
  • Vernacular Press Act of 1878, proposed by Lytton the then Viceroy of India (1876-80)was also known as the Gagging Act and it was meant only for vernacular/ native language newspaper not for English ones.

Additional Information

•  Other important press-related acts during British time are as follows:
  • The Press act of 1799
  • Licensing Regulations of 1823
  • The Newspaper Act, 1908
  • Indian Press Act, 1931
  • Defence of India Rules