With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements:It provided f

Question

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

Accepted Answer

The Government of India Act of 1935 was a significant piece of legislation passed by the British Parliament that laid the groundwork for the political structure of independent India. Here are some of its key provisions:Establishment of an All-India Federation: The Act proposed the creation of a Federation of India that would include both British Indian territories and princely states. However, the federation never materialized due to a lack of support from the required number of princely states.Division of Powers: The Act divided powers between the center and the provinces into three lists - Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent.Provincial Autonomy: The Act abolished the diarchy system introduced by the Government of India Act of 1919 and granted a large measure of autonomy to the provinces.Introduction of Dyarchy at the Center: The Act introduced the concept of dyarchy at the center. Defence, External Affairs, Ecclesiastical Affairs, and the administration of Tribal Areas were reserved in the hands of the Governor-General.Bicameral Legislature: The Act established a bicameral federal legislature consisting of the Council of State and the Federal Assembly.Extension of Franchise: The Act extended the franchise, increasing the size of the legislatures.Establishment of a Federal Court: The Act provided for the establishment of a Federal Court.Safeguards for Minorities: The Act included provisions safeguarding the rights of minorities.Restructuring of Provinces: The Act partially restructured provinces, for instance, separating Sindh from Bombay, splitting Bihar and Orissa Province into separate provinces of Bihar and Orissa, and completely separating Burma from India.Source: Spectrum