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Q62 (IAS/2024) Polity & Governance › Constitutional Basics & Evolution › Government of India Acts Official Key

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements : 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States. 2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is option A (1 only).

**Statement 1 is correct:** The Government of India Act was passed by the British Parliament in August 1935, [1]and it provided for an All India Federation comprising all British Indian provinces, all chief commissioner's provinces and the Indian states (princely states).[1] While under all the previous Government of India Acts the Government of India was unitary, the Act of 1935 prescribed a federation, taking the Provinces and the Indian States as units, though it was optional for the Indian States to join the Federation.[2]

**Statement 2 is incorrect:** The statement claims that Defence and Foreign Affairs were under the control of the federal legislature, but this is not accurate. Dyarchy was provided for in the Federal Executive[3], and at centre, subjects to be administered were divided into reserved and transferred categories.[4] Defence and Foreign Affairs were among the "reserved" subjects, meaning they remained under the control of the Governor-General and British authorities, not the federal legislature. This was a key limitation of the Act that maintained British control over crucial areas of governance.

Sources
  1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 20: Debates on the Future Strategy after Civil Disobedience Movement > Main Features > p. 404
  2. [2] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 1: THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND > CHAP. 1] > p. 8
  3. [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 26: Constitutional, Administrative and Judicial Developments > Government of India Act, 1935 > p. 511
  4. [4] 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
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements : 1. It provided for the establishment of an All I…
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 · 0/10

A classic static question sourced directly from standard history (Spectrum) and polity (Laxmikanth/Basu) texts. It tests the nuance of 'Dyarchy at the Centre'—specifically, that key strategic subjects were withheld from Indian legislative control.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Did the Government of India Act, 1935 provide for the establishment of an All‑India Federation composed of British Indian provinces and princely states?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 20: Debates on the Future Strategy after Civil Disobedience Movement > Main Features > p. 404
Presence: 5/5
“The Government of India Act was passed by the British Parliament in August 1935. Its main provisions were as follows. 1. An All India Federation It was to comprise all British Indian provinces, all chief commissioner's provinces and the Indian states (princely states). The federation's formation was conditional on the fulfilment of: (i) states with allotment of 52 seats in the proposed Council of States should agree to join the federation; and (ii) aggregate population of states in the above category should be 50 per cent of the total population of all Indian states. Since these conditions were not fulfilled, the proposed federation never came up.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the Act envisaged an All‑India Federation comprising British Indian provinces, chief commissioner's provinces and Indian princely territories.
  • Explains formation was conditional on princely territories' agreement and population/seat thresholds, and that the federation never materialised.
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 26: Constitutional, Administrative and Judicial Developments > Government of India Act, 1935 > p. 511
Presence: 5/5
“● The Act, with 451 clauses and 15 schedules, contemplated the establishment of an All-India Federation in which Governors' Provinces and the Chief Commissioners' Provinces and those Indian states which might accede to be united were to be included. (The ruler of each Princely State willing to join was to sign an 'instrument of accession' mentioning the extent to which authority was to be surrendered to the federal government.) ● Dyarchy, rejected by the Simon Commission, was provided for in the Federal Executive. ● The Federal Legislature was to have two chambers (bicameral)—the Council of States and the Federal Legislative”
Why this source?
  • Specifies the Act 'contemplated the establishment' of an All‑India Federation including Governors' provinces, Chief Commissioners' provinces and those princely territories that might accede.
  • Describes the instrument of accession mechanism for each princely ruler to join the federation.
Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 1: THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND > CHAP. 1] > p. 8
Presence: 5/5
“insurmountable to overcome even after the Muslims had partitioned for a separate State. The main features of the governmental system prescribed by the Act of 1935 were as follows- Main features of the system introduced by the Government of India Act, 1935. (a) Federation and Provincial Autonomy. While under all the previous Government of India Acts, the Government of India was unitary, the Act of 1935 prescribed a federation, taking the Provinces and the Indian States as units. But it was optional for the Indian States to join the Federation; and since the rulers of the Indian States never gave their consent, the Federation envisaged by the Act of 1935 never came into being.”
Why this source?
  • States the Act prescribed a federation taking Provinces and Indian princely territories as units.
  • Notes accession by princely territories was optional and their refusal prevented the envisaged federation from coming into being.
Statement 2
Under the Government of India Act, 1935, was defence assigned to the federal legislative list and thus under the control of the federal legislature?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > STRUCTURE OF INDIAN FEDERATION > p. 11
Presence: 5/5
“The federal character of the Indian Constitution involves a distribution of sovereignty between the Central Government and the states. The distribution of powers in general follows the Government of India Act of 1935. The Indian Constitution provides for a three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States. The Central Government is given exclusive powers to make laws concerning 97 items including defence, national security, foreign affairs, banking, currency and coinage, transportation and communication, commerce, atomic energy, the general framework of criminal and civil laws, revenue collection, the ability to dissolve state governments during crisis, citizenship, immigration, and monetary policies.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly links the distribution of powers to the Government of India Act, 1935 and then states the Central Government has exclusive powers over 97 items including defence.
  • Directly names 'defence' as an item under the central/federal legislative competence in the list of exclusive subjects.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > Indian Federalism > p. 5
Presence: 4/5
“The recommendations of the Joint Committee became the Government of India Act of 1935. Under the Act, the centre had powers to pass laws on ninety seven subjects set forth in the Central List, and the provincial governments were permitted to pass laws on sixty six subjects, while forty seven subjects were in the Concurrent List. The act set forth the major outline of the federal system of government as finally evolved by the Constituent Assembly which framed the present Constitution of the Republic of India in 1950. The framers of the Indian Constitution realised that a real political danger to sub-nationalism (regionalism) might develop in India because of the variety of linguistic, religious, cultural, economic, and ideological differences that existed in the country.”
Why this source?
  • States that under the Act the centre had power to pass laws on 97 subjects set forth in the Central List.
  • Confirms the Act created a central (federal) list of subjects over which the centre could legislate, implying defence would be part of that central allocation.
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
Presence: 3/5
“● Government of India Act, 1935 Proposed—an All India Federation; bicameral legislature at the centre; provincial autonomy; three lists for legislation—federal, provincial and concurrent. At centre, subjects to be administered divided into reserved and transferred categories. Provincial legislators to be directly elected. Early 1937—elections to provincial assemblies held. Congress ministries formed in Bombay, Madras, Central Provinces, United Provinces, Bihar, Orissa, Assam and NWFP.”
Why this source?
  • Describes the Act's scheme of three lists for legislation—federal, provincial and concurrent—establishing the structural mechanism for assigning subjects to the federal list.
  • Provides the legislative framework under which subjects like defence could be placed under federal control.
Statement 3
Under the Government of India Act, 1935, were foreign affairs (external affairs) assigned to the federal legislative list and thus under the control of the federal legislature?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > STRUCTURE OF INDIAN FEDERATION > p. 11
Presence: 5/5
“The federal character of the Indian Constitution involves a distribution of sovereignty between the Central Government and the states. The distribution of powers in general follows the Government of India Act of 1935. The Indian Constitution provides for a three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States. The Central Government is given exclusive powers to make laws concerning 97 items including defence, national security, foreign affairs, banking, currency and coinage, transportation and communication, commerce, atomic energy, the general framework of criminal and civil laws, revenue collection, the ability to dissolve state governments during crisis, citizenship, immigration, and monetary policies.”
Why this source?
  • Identifies the Central Government's exclusive law-making subjects and explicitly names 'foreign affairs' among those central subjects.
  • Links the central exclusive powers (including foreign affairs) to the distribution of powers that follows the 1935 Act.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > Indian Federalism > p. 5
Presence: 4/5
“The recommendations of the Joint Committee became the Government of India Act of 1935. Under the Act, the centre had powers to pass laws on ninety seven subjects set forth in the Central List, and the provincial governments were permitted to pass laws on sixty six subjects, while forty seven subjects were in the Concurrent List. The act set forth the major outline of the federal system of government as finally evolved by the Constituent Assembly which framed the present Constitution of the Republic of India in 1950. The framers of the Indian Constitution realised that a real political danger to sub-nationalism (regionalism) might develop in India because of the variety of linguistic, religious, cultural, economic, and ideological differences that existed in the country.”
Why this source?
  • States that the Government of India Act, 1935 gave the Centre power to pass laws on 97 subjects set out in the Central (federal) List.
  • Establishes that subject allocation to a Central List was a core feature of the 1935 federal scheme, implying placement of major external subjects in that list.
Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 24: DISTRIBUTION OF LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE POWERS > CHAP. 24] DISTRIBUTION OF LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE POWERS 377 > p. 377
Presence: 3/5
“II. As regards the subjects of legislation, the Constitution adopts from the Government. of India Act, 1935, a threefold distribution of legislative powers. Distribution of between the Union and the States [Article 246). While in the Legislative Subjects. . United States and Australia, there is only a single enumeration of powers,-only the powers of the Federal Legislature . Being enumerated-in . Canada there . is a double enumeration, and the Government of India Act, 1935, introduced a scheme of threefold enumeration, namely, Federal, Provincial . and Concurrent. The Constitution adopts this scheme from the Act of 1935 by enumerating possible subjects of legislation under three Legislative Lists in Seventh Schedule of the Constitution (see Table XIX)." - .”
Why this source?
  • Explains the Act introduced a threefold enumeration of legislative subjects (Federal, Provincial, Concurrent), the framework by which subjects like foreign affairs are allocated.
  • Shows the structural basis (list-based allocation) that places certain subjects under central legislative control.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC loves testing the 'Limitations' of colonial acts. They often frame a statement suggesting 'full control' or 'sovereignty' (like Statement 2) which is historically false for the colonial era.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from Spectrum (Ch. 20/26) or Laxmikanth (Historical Background).
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Constitutional History > The specific mechanics of 'Dyarchy at the Centre' introduced in 1935.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Reserved' vs 'Transferred' split. Reserved = Defence, External Affairs, Ecclesiastical, Tribal Areas (under Governor-General). Transferred = Others (under Ministers). Also note: Residuary Powers were with the Governor-General, not the Legislature.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not just read 'Dyarchy was introduced'. Ask 'What does Dyarchy mean?' It means splitting power. The British would never hand over the Army (Defence) or Diplomacy (Foreign Affairs) to Indian elected representatives in 1935. That logic kills Statement 2.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Composition and conditionality of the 1935 All‑India Federation
💡 The insight

The Act envisaged a federation including British provinces and Indian princely territories, but its formation required consent from princely territories and population/seat thresholds.

High‑yield for constitutional history: explains what the 1935 Act legally set out and why the federation failed to form. Connects to later questions on integration of princely territories and the Constituent Assembly's origins.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 20: Debates on the Future Strategy after Civil Disobedience Movement > Main Features > p. 404
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 1: THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND > CHAP. 1] > p. 8
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 34: The Indian States > V. Policy of Equal Federation (1935-1947): A Non-Starter > p. 607
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Government of India Act, 1935 provide for the establishment of an All‑In..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Optional accession and the instrument of accession
💡 The insight

Princely rulers had to sign an instrument of accession to join the federation, making accession voluntary.

Essential for questions on princely integration and federal formation; helps explain the gap between legal design and political reality and links to accession/merger topics in modern Indian history and polity.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 26: Constitutional, Administrative and Judicial Developments > Government of India Act, 1935 > p. 511
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 20: Debates on the Future Strategy after Civil Disobedience Movement > Main Features > p. 404
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 34: The Indian States > V. Policy of Equal Federation (1935-1947): A Non-Starter > p. 607
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Government of India Act, 1935 provide for the establishment of an All‑In..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Federal structure and provincial autonomy under the 1935 Act
💡 The insight

The Act introduced the federal concept for India and provided provincial autonomy alongside a federal legislature and executive.

Useful for comparative questions between the 1935 Act and the Indian Constitution; clarifies continuity of federal institutions and is frequently tested in polity and history papers.

📚 Reading List :
  • 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
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 26: Constitutional, Administrative and Judicial Developments > Government of India Act, 1935 > p. 511
  • Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 15: Struggle for Swaraj > The Government of India Act, 1935 > p. 290
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Government of India Act, 1935 provide for the establishment of an All‑In..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Three-fold distribution of legislative powers (Federal, Provincial, Concurrent)
💡 The insight

The Government of India Act, 1935 introduced a three-list scheme for legislation separating federal, provincial and concurrent subjects.

High-yield for UPSC because questions often ask about origins and structure of legislative distribution in India; links constitutional design to the 1935 Act and aids comparison between pre- and post-independence arrangements. Mastery helps answer questions on subject allocation, federalism, and historical continuity in legislative lists.

📚 Reading List :
  • 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
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 24: DISTRIBUTION OF LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE POWERS > CHAP. 24] DISTRIBUTION OF LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE POWERS 377 > p. 377
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > Indian Federalism > p. 5
🔗 Anchor: "Under the Government of India Act, 1935, was defence assigned to the federal leg..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Central (Federal) List contained 97 subjects including defence
💡 The insight

The central list under the 1935 scheme comprised 97 items, and defence is named among the exclusive central subjects.

Directly relevant for questions on subject-matter allocation and Centre–State relations; knowing key central subjects (like defence, foreign affairs, currency) helps quickly classify legislative competence in factual and analytical questions. It also supports linkage to later constitutional provisions that adopted aspects of the 1935 Act.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > STRUCTURE OF INDIAN FEDERATION > p. 11
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > Indian Federalism > p. 5
🔗 Anchor: "Under the Government of India Act, 1935, was defence assigned to the federal leg..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Residuary powers under the 1935 Act were not with the legislature
💡 The insight

Under the Act residuary powers were placed with the Governor-General rather than vested in the federal legislature.

Important contrast point for UPSC: distinguishes the 1935 Act from the Constitution (which vests residuary powers in the Union). Useful for comparative questions on constitutional evolution and the locus of legislative authority; helps explain limits on federal legislative supremacy under the Act.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 24: DISTRIBUTION OF LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE POWERS > Residuary Powers. > p. 378
🔗 Anchor: "Under the Government of India Act, 1935, was defence assigned to the federal leg..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Three-fold legislative division: Federal, Provincial, Concurrent
💡 The insight

This division is the mechanism by which subjects (including foreign affairs) are allocated to the central or provincial legislatures.

High-yield for UPSC because questions often ask about distribution of legislative powers, centre–state relations, and historical origins of constitutional provisions. Mastering this helps with comparative questions on legislative lists and conflict resolution between levels of government.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 24: DISTRIBUTION OF LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE POWERS > CHAP. 24] DISTRIBUTION OF LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE POWERS 377 > p. 377
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > Indian Federalism > p. 5
🔗 Anchor: "Under the Government of India Act, 1935, were foreign affairs (external affairs)..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'conditions' for the Federation: It required accession by States representing 52 seats in the Council of States AND 50% of the total population of all Indian States. Since this wasn't met, the Federation never legally came into existence.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Apply 'Colonial Logic': The British Empire's core interests were Defence and Foreign Policy. In 1935, would they give 'control' of these to an Indian Federal Legislature? Absolutely not. These would be the last things they surrendered. Statement 2 is structurally impossible for a colonial act.

🔗 Mains Connection

Link this to Modern History (1939): The fact that Defence/Foreign Affairs were 'Reserved' (under the Viceroy) is exactly why the Viceroy could declare India at war with Germany in WWII without consulting the legislature, leading to the resignation of Congress Ministries.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-I · 2005 · Q30 Relevance score: 7.82

Consider the following statements: The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for the 1. Establishment of an All-India Federation to be based on the Union of British Indian Provinces and Princely States. 2. Franchise for all the people above 21 years of age. 3. Power to Governors to veto legislative and administrative measures in their provinces. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2009 · Q90 Relevance score: 7.76

Consider the following statements : 1. The discussions in the Third Round Table Conference eventually led to the passing of the Government of India Act of 1935. 2. The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for the establishment of an All India Federation to be based on a Union of the provinces of British India and the Princely States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2005 · Q87 Relevance score: 6.69

Consider the following statements: The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for 1. The provincial autonomy. 2. The establishment of Federal Court. 3. All India Federation at the centre. Which of the statements is/are correct?

CDS-I · 2002 · Q24 Relevance score: 6.59

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?

NDA-II · 2011 · Q93 Relevance score: 5.51

Which of the following statements relating to the Government of India Act of 1935 are correct ? 1. It introduced provincial autonomy. 2. It proposed a federation of India. 3. It proposed for the establishment of a Federal Court. Select the correct answer using the code given below :