Question map
Consider the following with reference to the provisions of'Government of India Act, 1935': 1. Establishment ofan All-India Federation 2. Provincial Autonomy, with a Government responsible to an elected Legislature 3. Redistribution of provinces and the creation of two new provinces Which of these were embodied in the Government of India Act, 1935?
Explanation
The Government of India Act, 1935, was a landmark legislation that proposed the establishment of an All-India Federation consisting of British Indian provinces and princely states [c1][c3][t3]. Although the federation never materialized because the princely states did not join, the provision was a core part of the Act [c4][t1]. The Act also introduced 'Provincial Autonomy', replacing the system of dyarchy in provinces with a responsible government where the Governor was generally required to act on the advice of ministers responsible to the elected legislature [c4][t3][t6]. Furthermore, the Act led to the redistribution of provinces, specifically creating two new provinces: Sindh (carved out from Bombay) and Orissa (carved out from Bihar and Orissa) [c1]. These changes aimed to enlarge Indian participation in governance while maintaining British oversight through special powers [c2][t1].
Sources
- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 20: Debates on the Future Strategy after Civil Disobedience Movement > Government of India Act, 1935 > p. 410
- [2] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 12: FRAMING THE CONSTITUTION > Fig. 12.7 > p. 326
- [3] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 5: NATURE OF THE FEDERAL SYSTEM > NATURE OF THE FEDERAL SYSTEM > p. 60
- [4] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 1: Historical Background > The features of this Act were as follows: > p. 8
- [5] https://gacbe.ac.in/pdf/ematerial/18BHI14C-U2.pdf