What is the Government of India Act, 1935?

The Government of India Act, 1935 was the longest Act of the British Parliament at the time, enacted as a major constitutional reform for British India. It replaced the dyarchy system introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919, and proposed a federal structure uniting British Indian provinces and princely states. The Act drew heavily on the recommendations of the Simon Commission (1930) and the Round Table Conferences (1930–1932).

Key innovations included provincial autonomy, a bicameral legislature in six provinces, division of subjects into Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent Lists, establishment of the Federal Court, the Reserve Bank of India, and expansion of the electorate from 5 million to 35 million. However, the proposed All-India Federation never materialised because the princely states refused to join. The Act served as the primary basis for the Constitution of India, with over 250 of its clauses adapted into the Indian Constitution.

Key Features / Provisions

# Feature Details
1 Year 1935 (received Royal Assent on 2 August 1935)
2 Federal structure Proposed federation of British Indian provinces and princely states (never materialised)
3 Provincial autonomy Abolished dyarchy; provinces gained substantial self-governance
4 Three lists Federal List, Provincial List, Concurrent List — division of legislative powers
5 Bicameral legislature Introduced in six provinces: Bengal, Bombay, Madras, Bihar, UP, and Assam
6 Electorate expansion Franchise increased from 5 million to 35 million
7 Federal Court Established for the first time in India
8 Reserve Bank of India Established under this Act (started operations 1 April 1935)
9 Burma separated Burma and Aden separated from British India as Crown colonies
10 Governor's powers Governor-General and Governors retained veto and reserve powers

Historical Background

  • 1919 — Government of India Act (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) — introduced dyarchy in provinces
  • 1927 — Simon Commission appointed to review the 1919 Act — boycotted in India ("Simon Go Back")
  • 1928 — Nehru Report — Indian demand for Dominion Status constitution
  • 1930 — Simon Commission Report published
  • 1930–1932 — Three Round Table Conferences in London to discuss constitutional reforms
  • 1933 — White Paper on Indian Constitutional Reforms published
  • 1934 — Joint Select Committee (chaired by Lord Linlithgow) reviewed the White Paper
  • 2 August 1935 — Government of India Act 1935 received Royal Assent — longest British statute at the time (321 sections, 10 schedules)
  • 1937 — Provincial elections held under the Act — Congress won 7 of 11 provinces
  • 1939 — Congress ministries resigned over India's entry into WWII without consultation
  • 1947 — Act served as interim constitution for both India and Pakistan at independence
  • 1950 — Indian Constitution adopted; drew heavily from the 1935 Act

UPSC Exam Corner

Prelims: Key Facts

  • Year: 1935; based on Simon Commission and Round Table Conferences
  • Federal structure: Provinces + Princely States (federation never formed)
  • Provincial autonomy: Replaced dyarchy of 1919 Act
  • Three lists: Federal, Provincial, Concurrent
  • New institutions: Federal Court, RBI, Public Service Commissions (federal + provincial)
  • Electorate: 5 million to 35 million
  • New province: Sindh (separated from Bombay); Odisha (separated from Bihar)

Mains: Probable Themes

  1. "The Government of India Act 1935 was the most important constitutional document before the Indian Constitution." — Analyse its features and legacy
  2. "Examine why the All-India Federation proposed under the 1935 Act never materialised." — Role of princely states
  3. "How did the Government of India Act 1935 influence the framing of the Indian Constitution?" — Federal structure, three lists, Governor's role

Sources: Wikipedia — Government of India Act 1935 | Vajiram & Ravi | Constitution of India | Next IAS