What is the Nehru Report?

The Nehru Report (1928) was a memorandum drafted by the All Parties Conference under the chairmanship of Motilal Nehru, with Jawaharlal Nehru as secretary. It was the first major attempt by Indians to draft a constitutional framework for India, prepared in response to the Birkenhead Challenge — the British Secretary of State's taunt that Indians could not agree on a constitutional plan acceptable to all communities.

The Report recommended Dominion Status for India (not full independence), a federal form of government with residuary powers vested in the Centre, nineteen fundamental rights (including universal adult suffrage for men and women above 21), joint electorates with reserved seats for minorities, and a bicameral parliament. The Report was rejected by the Muslim League, prompting Jinnah's Fourteen Points (1929). The Congress's younger faction, led by Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, demanded Purna Swaraj (complete independence) instead of Dominion Status, which was adopted at the Lahore Congress (1929).

Key Features / Provisions

# Feature Details
1 Year 1928
2 Chairman Motilal Nehru; Secretary: Jawaharlal Nehru
3 Context Response to Birkenhead Challenge and rejection of Simon Commission
4 Dominion Status Recommended India be a self-governing Dominion within the British Empire
5 Federal structure Federal government with residuary powers at the Centre
6 Fundamental rights Nineteen rights proposed, including free speech, equality, and religious freedom
7 Universal suffrage Right to vote for all men and women above 21 years
8 Joint electorates With reserved seats for minorities — rejected separate electorates
9 Bicameral parliament Proposed upper and lower houses
10 Muslim League reaction Rejected the Report; Jinnah drafted his Fourteen Points (1929)

Historical Background

  • 1927 — Simon Commission announced — all-British, no Indian members; boycotted by Indians
  • 1927 — Lord Birkenhead (Secretary of State) challenged Indians to draft their own constitution
  • February 1928 — All Parties Conference convened in response to the Birkenhead Challenge
  • May 1928 — Nehru Committee formed under Motilal Nehru's chairmanship
  • August 1928 — Nehru Report submitted at the Lucknow session of the All Parties Conference
  • December 1928 — Calcutta Congress accepted the Report; gave the British one year to accept Dominion Status
  • March 1929 — Jinnah drafted his Fourteen Points rejecting the Nehru Report's recommendations
  • December 1929 — Lahore Congress — Congress adopted Purna Swaraj (complete independence) instead of Dominion Status
  • 26 January 1930 — First Independence Day celebrated across India
  • 1930 — Civil Disobedience Movement launched; Nehru Report superseded by the demand for full independence
  • Legacy — The Nehru Report's provisions on fundamental rights and federal structure influenced the eventual Indian Constitution
  • Significance — It was the first time Indians attempted a comprehensive constitutional blueprint on their own

UPSC Exam Corner

Prelims: Key Facts

  • Year: 1928; Chairman: Motilal Nehru; Secretary: Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Context: Response to Birkenhead Challenge and Simon Commission boycott
  • Demanded: Dominion Status (not Purna Swaraj)
  • Fundamental rights: 19 rights including universal adult suffrage (21+)
  • Electorates: Joint electorates with reserved seats (no separate electorates)
  • Muslim League rejected it — Jinnah's Fourteen Points (1929)
  • Superseded by: Purna Swaraj resolution at Lahore Congress (December 1929)

Mains: Probable Themes

  1. "The Nehru Report was the first Indian attempt at constitution-making." — Analyse its significance and limitations
  2. "Examine how the Nehru Report widened the Hindu-Muslim divide." — Joint electorates vs separate electorates debate
  3. "Compare the Nehru Report (1928) with Jinnah's Fourteen Points (1929)." — Contrasting visions of Indian nationhood

Sources: Wikipedia — Nehru Report | Constitution of India | Next IAS | Insights on India