Which of the following Governor-Generals of British India was in favour of free press and repealed the press regulations of 1823?

The correct answer is Lord Metcalfe.

Step-by-step historical context and explanation:
1. The Press Regulations of 1823 (Licensing Regulations): These restrictive regulations were introduced by John Adams (who served as acting Governor-General in 1823). Under these rules, starting or running a press without a license was a penal offense. The regulations were primarily directed against Indian-language newspapers or those critical of the British administration (such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy's Mirat-ul-Akhbar, which had to stop publication).

2. Charles Metcalfe's Tenure: Sir Charles Metcalfe served as the acting Governor-General of India from 1835 to 1836.

3. Liberation of the Indian Press: Metcalfe was a strong proponent of a free press, believing it was essential for the progress and education of the people. In 1835, he repealed the repressive 1823 licensing regulations by enacting the Press Act of 1835 (often referred to as the Metcalfe Act). This new act required publishers only to give a declaration concerning the premises of their publication, making it much easier to operate a press.

4. The "Liberator of the Indian Press": Because of his liberal press policy and the repeal of the restrictive 1823 regulations, Lord Metcalfe earned the famous epithet "Liberator of the Indian Press".

Therefore, among the options provided:
- Lord Metcalfe is the Governor-General who repealed the 1823 press regulations.
- Lord Lytton is known for the restrictive Vernacular Press Act of 1878.
- Lord Ripon repealed the Vernacular Press Act in 1882.
- Lord Ellenborough was Governor-General during the annexation of Sindh and did not play the primary role in repealing the 1823 regulations.