The Government of India Act, 1935, was a significant piece of legislation passed by the British Parliament. It was the longest act passed by the British Parliament at that time and served as a major source for the Constitution of India adopted in 1950.
Here is a breakdown of its key features and provisions:
1. All-India Federation
The Act proposed the establishment of an “All-India Federation” consisting of:
- British India Provinces: Participation was mandatory.
- Princely States: Participation was voluntary.
- Outcome: The federation never came into existence because the Princely States refused to join.
2. Division of Powers
The Act divided legislative powers between the Centre and the Provinces into three lists:
- Federal List: 59 items (for the Centre).
- Provincial List: 54 items (for Provinces).
- Concurrent List: 36 items (for both).
- Residuary Powers: These were vested in the Viceroy, not the legislatures.
3. Provincial Autonomy
This was one of the most important features:
- Abolition of Dyarchy: The system of Dyarchy (double government) introduced by the 1919 Act was abolished in the provinces.
- Responsible Government: Provinces were allowed to act as autonomous units of administration in their defined spheres. The Governor was required to act with the advice of ministers responsible to the provincial legislature.
4. Dyarchy at the Centre
While Dyarchy was removed from the provinces, the Act attempted to introduce it at the Centre:
- Reserved Subjects: Defense, external affairs, tribal areas, and ecclesiastical affairs were to be administered by the Governor-General with the help of councilors.
- Transferred Subjects: Other subjects were to be administered with the advice of ministers responsible to the legislature.
- Outcome: This provision also never came into operation.
5. Bicameralism
The Act introduced bicameralism (two houses: Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council) in 6 out of 11 provinces:
- Bengal, Bombay, Madras, Bihar, Assam, and the United Provinces.
6. New Institutions Established
- Federal Court: Established in 1937 to settle disputes between the Centre and units.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI): Established to control the currency and credit of the country.
- Public Service Commissions: It provided for the establishment of a Federal Public Service Commission, Provincial Public Service Commissions, and Joint Public Service Commissions.
7. Extension of Franchise
- It extended the right to vote to roughly 10% of the total population.
- It further extended the principle of communal representation by providing separate electorates for depressed classes (Scheduled Castes), women, and labor (workers).
Significance
This Act is often called the “blueprint” of the Indian Constitution. A large portion of the current Constitution of India (about 75%) is structurally and conceptually derived from the Government of India Act, 1935.