Indian road transport regulation: For the administration and regulation of road transport in India, in which year was the original Motor Vehicles Act enacted (superseded later by the 1988 Act)?

Introduction / Context:
The Motor Vehicles Act provides the legal framework for registration, driver licensing, permits, traffic regulation, construction and maintenance standards, and enforcement on Indian roads. Understanding its historical timeline helps transportation engineers contextualize IRC (Indian Roads Congress) practices and statutory compliance during project planning and operation.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for the year of the original Motor Vehicles Act in India that governed road transport before later revisions.
• Several plausible years are offered, spanning the pre- and post-independence period.
• We must identify the foundational act that preceded the 1988 consolidation.

Concept / Approach:
India's early statutory framework for road transport was established under British administration. The first comprehensive nationwide Motor Vehicles Act recognized by standard highway engineering texts and general law references is from 1939. It remained in force with amendments until the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 replaced it.

Step-by-Step Solution:
List the candidate years and recall the act commonly cited in transport engineering notes.Recognize that 1939 is the standard answer for the original comprehensive act in India.Confirm that later overhauls (e.g., 1988) do not affect the historical year asked.

Verification / Alternative check:
Highway engineering exam guides and legal summaries consistently identify 1939 as the original act date, with 1988 being the modern replacement Act. This aligns with common MCQ keys used in competitive examinations.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 1927, 1934: Too early; not the comprehensive all-India act cited in texts.
• 1947, 1950: Post-independence years; the primary pre-1988 act was already in force by then.

Common Pitfalls:

• Confusing the 1988 Act (current framework) with the original date asked.
• Assuming post-independence origin due to institutional changes after 1947.

Final Answer:
1939