लॉर्ड लिटनच्या खालीलपैकी कोणत्या अलोकप्रिय कृतीमुळे भारतीय राष्ट्रवादाच्या वाढीला वेग आला ?
a. ICS परीक्षेसाठी कमाल वयोमर्यादा 21 वर्षांवरून 19 वर्षे करण्यात आली.
b. इल्बर्ट बील.
c. देशी वृत्तपत्र कायदा आणि भारतीय शस्त्रास्त्र कायदा.

The correct answer is Option B (a and c).

Key Points:
• Lord Lytton's Viceroyalty (1876–1880):
• Lord Lytton's reactionary and imperialist policies created immense discontent across India, serving as a catalyst for modern Indian nationalism.
• Statement (a) is Correct: In 1877, Lytton reduced the maximum age limit for the Indian Civil Services (ICS) exam from 21 to 19 years to deliberately prevent Indian candidates from qualifying.
• Statement (c) is Correct: In 1878, Lytton passed the notorious Vernacular Press Act (Gagging Act) to muzzle regional newspapers, along with the Indian Arms Act (1878) which made it a criminal offense for Indians to keep arms without a license while exempting Europeans.
• The Ilbert Bill Controversy (Statement b):
• The Ilbert Bill was introduced in 1883 under the viceroyalty of Lord Ripon (1880–1884), not Lord Lytton.
• Therefore, statements (a) and (c) alone represent Lytton's reactionary measures.
• Key Takeaway: Lord Lytton reduced ICS age limit to 19 (1877) and passed the Vernacular Press & Arms Acts (1878); Ilbert Bill belonged to Lord Ripon.