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

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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

Correct Answer: A — 1 onlyStep-by-step Solution:Statement 1 — All India Federation based on union of British Indian Provinces and Princely States: This is correct. The Government of India Act, 1935 proposed the creation of an 'All India Federation' comprising both British Indian Provinces and Princely States as units. However, this All India Federation never came into existence in practice because it required the accession of at least half of the Princely States representing more than half the total population — a threshold that was never met, as the required number of Princely States declined to join. ✓Statement 2 — Defence and Foreign Affairs under the federal legislature: This is incorrect. The 1935 Act introduced Dyarchy at the Centre. Under this, the Governor-General's portfolio was divided into: (a) Reserved subjects (exclusively under the Governor-General's control) — these included Defence, External Affairs (Foreign Affairs), Ecclesiastical Affairs, and administration of Tribal Areas; and (b) Transferred subjects — which could be administered by ministers responsible to the federal legislature. Defence and Foreign Affairs were reserved subjects under the Governor-General, NOT under the control of the federal legislature. ✗Why other options are incorrect:Option B (2 only): Incorrect. Statement 2 is wrong — Defence and Foreign Affairs were reserved powers of the Governor-General, not under the federal legislature.Option C (Both 1 and 2): Incorrect. Statement 2 is factually wrong.Option D (Neither 1 nor 2): Incorrect. Statement 1 is correct.Key Concept: Government of India Act, 1935 — Key Provisions: Proposed All India Federation (never operationalised); Abolished Diarchy in Provinces — gave Provincial Autonomy; Introduced Diarchy at the Centre (Reserved subjects under Governor-General + Transferred subjects under ministers); Division of powers into Federal List, Provincial List, and Concurrent List (precursor to 7th Schedule); Established Federal Court (precursor to Supreme Court); Established Reserve Bank of India; Separated Burma from India; Extended franchise; Created Sind as a separate province; Split Bihar and Orissa. The 1935 Act formed the basis of the Constitution of India — many of its provisions were directly adopted. Dr. Ambedkar called it a 'charter of slavery' while others like Nehru called it 'a machine with strong brakes and no engine.'

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More Questions from Constitutional Acts & Reforms – 1909 to 1935

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