GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -Vernacular Press Act, in British India, law enacted in 1878 to curtail the freedom of the Indian-language (i.e., non-English) press.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Vernacular Press Act was passed in 1878 by Lord Lytton. According to this law, the editor of a vernacular newspaper had to get the content reviewed by the police before publishing.

Detailed explanation-3: -Lord Lytton, then viceroy of India (reigned 1876–80), proposed the act to prevent the vernacular press from criticising British policies, particularly the opposition that had grown since the start of the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80).