Government of India Act 1935: History, Features, Significance-UPSC Notes

The Government of India Act 1935 was one of the most important legislative measures enacted by the British Parliament to govern British India. The Act marked a significant shift towards Indian self-government. It proposed a federal structure, granted provincial autonomy, and expanded the electoral base in response to growing demands for increased Indian participation in governance. Despite its limitations and the British’s continuing dominance, the Act laid the groundwork for India’s constitutional development and eventual Independence in 1947.

The Government of India Act 1935 UPSC is a topic relevant to the UPSC CSE context under General Studies Paper II.  It covers a significant part of the polity section in the General Studies Paper-2 Syllabus. It is a basic topic for aspirants to understand the dynamic aspect of the Government of India Act 1935 UPSC. The Government of India Act 1935 UPSC is an important topic for UPSC Civil Services because it highlights the features and prime details of the act, which are frequently discussed in the exam. In this article on the Government of India Act 1935 UPSC, we shall study in detail the history, objectives, features, significance, & limitations of the Government of India Act 1935 as required for UPSC. Join UPSC Coaching today to boost your preparation. 

What is the Government of India Act of 1935?

The Government of India Act 1935 was a significant constitutional reform enacted by the British Parliament with 451 clauses and 15 schedules. The Act granted provincial autonomy, expanded the electorate to 10%, and created a Federal Court. It introduced elected legislatures and Indian ministers but retained key powers for the British Crown and Governor-General, including control over defence, foreign affairs, and veto authority. These limitations fueled the demand for full Independence.

To understand the Government of India Act 1935 summary, we must first understand the events that led to its formation. By the late 19th century, Indians increasingly demanded a greater role in their governance. Their support during the First World War led to the Government of India Act 1919, introducing "diarchy"—a division of provincial powers between Indian ministers and British officials. This system proved ineffective, sparking further discontent. The Simon Commission's early review proposed removing diarchy and increasing provincial autonomy, but faced backlash, leading to the Round Table Conferences. However, key disagreements, especially between Congress and Muslim leaders, blocked consensus. Eventually, the Government of India Act 1935 was passed, aiming for reform. Yet, the lack of Indian input and retained British control caused dissatisfaction in India and conservative fear in Britain.

• The Act was based on the recommendations of the Simon Commission. The British government had appointed the commission to study the Indian political situation and suggest reforms.
• The Act was further shaped by the discussions and agreements of the three Round Table Conferences held in London between 1930 and 1932. This involved representatives from the British government and various Indian political parties.
• The final version of the Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1935 and came into effect in 1937, after a period of transition and preparation.

Read the article on the Government of India Act 1858!

What was the main feature of the Government of India Act 1935?

The main feature of the Government of India Act 1935 was the introduction of federalism and provincial autonomy. It permitted Indian provinces to create their governments with elected ministers, though under British control. The act also laid the framework for the modern Indian constitution by presenting a federal structure and legislative lists.

Objectives of the Government of India Act 1935

It aimed at the establishment of a federal polity in the country. Division of power between the centre and provinces was introduced through 3 lists, i.e, Federal, provincial and concurrent. It introduced provincial autonomy.

• Gaining Moderate Nationalist Support: The Act aimed to win the backing of moderate nationalists by envisioning eventual dominion status akin to Independence.
• Maintaining British Control: British control over the Indian Army, finances, and foreign relations was intended to be retained for another generation.
• Securing Muslim Support: The Act sought to secure Muslim support by conceding most of Jinnah's Fourteen Points.
• Persuading Princes to Join the Federation: The Act aimed to convince princes to join the federation with conditions for entry unlikely to be surpassed.
• Terms for Princes: Princes would select their state's representative in the federal legislature without pressure for democratisation or state elections. The princely states, constituting a quarter of India's population and wealth, would enjoy significant representation.

Read the article on the impact of British rule in India!

Features of the Government of India Act 1935

To make the Indian government a responsible one, the GOI Act 1935 was passed by the British parliament. This act's main feature was to satisfy the demands of the nationalists.

All India Federation

All British Indian provinces, the Chief Commissioner's provinces, and Indian states (princely states) were to be organised into a federation. However, this was contingent upon the following conditions:

• States with at least 52 allotted seats in the proposed council of states agree to join the federation
• The aggregate population of the above states must be at least 50% of the total population of Indian states

(Since these conditions were never met, the government of India continued to be carried out according to the Govt of India Act 1919 up to 1946).

Federal Executive

• The Governor-General remained the pivot of the administration.
• The Dyarchy system was introduced. It means the rule of two: the elected Council of Ministers and the Governor-General.
• Subjects of administration were divided into two categories: Reserved Subjects, which were to be administered by the Governor-General on the advice of executive councillors who were not responsible to the legislature, and Transferred subjects, which were to be administered by the Governor-General on the advice of the elected Council of Ministers.
• Reserved subjects included Defence, External Affairs, Tribal areas, and Ecclesiastical affairs (i.e., relating to church and clergy). All other subjects were transferred.
• The Council of Ministers was to be responsible to the legislature.
• The Governor-General retained discretionary powers concerning India's ‘security’ and ‘tranquillity.’

Federal Legislature

• The Government of India Act 1935 introduced a Bicameral Legislature at the federal level. The Council of States was the upper house with directly elected members from the provinces and members nominated by the princes in a ratio of 60:40. It was a permanent body like the present-day Rajya Sabha, with one-third of members retiring every five years. The Federal Assembly was the lower house, with members indirectly elected from the provinces and nominated by the princes in a ratio of 2:1.
• Legislative matters were divided into three lists: Federal, Provincial, and concurrent. This arrangement has been retained in the present-day Constitution of India under the Seventh Schedule.

Provincial Government

The 1935 Act introduced Provincial autonomy, which replaced the dyarchy system provided under the GoI Act 1919.

• Provincial autonomy: Provinces were granted a separate legal identity. They were freed from the directions and control of the Governor-General and the Secretary of State of India. Henceforth, they derived their legal authority directly from the British crown. They were also given autonomy in financial matters related to borrowing and expenditure.
• Executive: The Governor remained the crown's representative to exercise authority on the king’s behalf. He retained discretionary powers over minorities, civil services, tribal areas, princely states, etc.
• Legislature: All members were to be directly elected—the jurisdiction of the parliament extended to all subjects in the provincial list. Ministers were to be responsible to the legislature. Thus, they could be removed in case of a majority vote of the members.

Read the article on the Difference between Act and law!

Significance of the Government of India Act 1935

This act was key in drafting the Constitution of India in 1950. Much of the Constitution, particularly the administrative provisions, is borrowed from the Act. This had led to charges made in the Constituent Assembly about the Constitution being 'foreign' and unoriginal. These types of attacks are often made even today.

• The Government of India Act 1935 was a second milestone in developing a responsible government in India. It introduced responsibility through dyarchy at the federal level and autonomy at the provincial level.
• The 1935 Act introduced direct elections at the provincial and federal level, thus heralding the start of democracy, albeit in baby steps.
• The concessions in the GoI Act of 1935 increased the political prestige of the Indian National Congress and the morale of the Indian freedom fighters. This would prove helpful in motivating further political struggle for an independent India.
• Significant goals like Independence from an imperialist power through non-violent agitation can only be achieved through small steps. The 1935 Act was one such step.

Read the article on the Legislation in British India!

Role of the Act in the Formation of the Constitution

The Government of India Act 1935 came into force as one of the leading legislative measures introduced by the British parliament. The British parliament presented this act to rule British India. Indian self-government got a new mould after this act was passed.

• The Act introduced a federal system of government, with a central government and autonomous provincial governments, which became the basis for the federal structure of the Indian Constitution.
• It also established the groundwork for the bicameral legislature. A Council of State (upper house) and a Federal Assembly (lower house) were incorporated into the Indian Parliament.
• The Act's provisions for the distribution of powers between the central and provincial governments and establishing a system of governance served as a foundation for the Indian Constitution.

Read the article on the Charter Act 1833!

Limitations of the Government of India Act 1935

This section discusses the limitations of the 1935 Government of India Act on Indian governance, politics, and national movement. The act had significant limitations, including a lack of full Indian participation in drafting and continued British control over key areas. It failed to grant India complete self-rule or dominion status.

• Citizens of the princely states were not given the right to elect their representatives, as members were to be nominated by the princes.
• No direct elections for members of the Federal Assembly.
• The communal and class-based electoral system was further extended, thus dividing India further on these lines.
• 80 per cent of the federal and 40 per cent of the provincial budgets needed to be revised.
• The governor-general retained the power to certify bills rejected by the legislature, restore cuts in grants, issue ordinances, and exercise the veto. These powers negated the significance of all provisions of responsible government.
• In the provinces, the Governor retained the right to dismiss the government and carry out administration indefinitely, thus negating the significance of provincial autonomy.
• The franchise was extremely limited to around 14% of the population.
• A rigid constitution was provided, with the right to amendment in the hands of the British parliament.

Download Government of India Act 1935 Key Takeaways PDF

After reading this article, we hope all your doubts about the Government of India Act 1935 have been addressed. The textbook provides comprehensive notes on civil services and various other competitive examinations. It has always ensured the quality of its products, such as content pages, live tests, GK, current affairs, mocks, and so on. Ace your UPSC preparation with the Testbook. Download the Testbook App now!