Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919?Introduc

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Question

Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919?Introduction of diarchy in the executive government of the provinces.Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims.Devolution of legislative authority by the centre to the provinces.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: C — 1 and 3 onlySolution:Statement 1 — Introduction of Dyarchy in provinces: This is correct. The Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) is most famous for introducing the Dyarchy system at the provincial level — dividing provincial subjects into 'Reserved' (controlled by Governor with executive council) and 'Transferred' (controlled by ministers responsible to legislature). This was its most significant constitutional innovation. ✓Statement 2 — Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims: This is incorrect. Separate communal electorates for Muslims were NOT introduced by the 1919 Act — they were introduced by the earlier Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms). The 1919 Act extended and expanded the communal electorate system to other communities (Sikhs, Europeans, Anglo-Indians) but did not introduce it for the first time. ✗Statement 3 — Devolution of legislative authority from Centre to provinces: This is correct. The 1919 Act introduced a clearer division of legislative subjects between the Centre and provinces — creating 'Central' and 'Provincial' subjects. Provincial legislatures gained more autonomous legislative authority compared to the earlier system, where the Centre dominated. This was a step towards a more federalised structure. ✓Why other options are incorrect:Options A, B, D: All either include the wrong Statement 2 or exclude correct statements.Key Concept: Chronology of communal electorates: Morley-Minto Reforms 1909 — introduced separate electorates for Muslims for the first time; Government of India Act 1919 — extended to Sikhs, Europeans, Anglo-Indians, Indian Christians, Marathas; Communal Award 1932 (Ramsay MacDonald) — extended to Dalits (Depressed Classes) as well, causing Gandhi's fast-unto-death; Poona Pact 1932 — replaced separate Dalit electorates with reserved seats within joint electorates. The 1919 Act's other key features: bicameral legislature at centre (Council of State + Central Legislative Assembly); expanded franchise; extension of Dyarchy concept. It was criticised as 'unworkable' and replaced by the Government of India Act, 1935.

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