UPSC CSE Prelims
Government of India Acts Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

All three statements support the assertion. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) retained and expanded separate electorates to several communities, encouraging politics based on communal identities.

The British used this system as a divide-and-rule strategy to weaken the growing nationalist movement. It also encouraged various communities and deprived groups to organize politically to secure representation and benefits.

Therefore, Option D (1, 2 and 3) is correct.

Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ 1 Only (Option A)

The Government of India Act, 1935 was the most comprehensive constitutional reform introduced by the British before independence. It proposed an All-India Federation but kept crucial subjects under British control.

✅ Statement I is Correct: The Act provided for an All India Federation consisting of British Indian Provinces and Princely States. However, the federation never came into existence because enough princely states did not join.

❌ Statement II is Incorrect: Defence and Foreign Affairs were reserved subjects under the control of the Governor-General, not the federal legislature. This ensured continued British control over key areas.

Short Notes: Government of India Act, 1935

• It was the longest Act passed by the British Parliament for India.

• Proposed an All India Federation of Provinces and Princely States.

• Introduced Provincial Autonomy, ending dyarchy in provinces.

• Introduced Dyarchy at the Centre, though it was never implemented.

• Created the Federal Court of India in 1937.

• Divided powers into Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent Lists.

• Extended the principle of separate electorates.

• Many provisions of the Act influenced the Constitution of India (1950).

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — 1, 3 and 4

The Government of India Act 1919 introduced the system of Dyarchy in the provinces, dividing subjects into 'Reserved' (controlled by the Governor and Executive Council) and 'Transferred' (administered by Indian ministers). Reserved subjects were considered more crucial and included Administration of Justice, Land Revenue, and Police, while Local Self-Government was a Transferred subject.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Administration of Justice was a Reserved subject under the control of the Governor.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Local Self-Government was a Transferred subject, administered by Indian ministers.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Land Revenue was a Reserved subject, being a critical financial matter.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Police was a Reserved subject, dealing with law and order.

📝 Short Notes: Dyarchy under Government of India Act 1919

• Dyarchy literally means 'dual government' - introduced as part of Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919)
• System criticized by Indian leaders as it created division of authority and was unworkable in practice
• Abolished by the Government of India Act 1935, which introduced provincial autonomy

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 2 only

The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 introduced limited electoral reforms but did not grant universal voting rights to all women above the age of 21. The Government of India Act of 1935, however, explicitly provided reserved seats for women in both provincial and central legislatures, marking a significant step towards women's political representation.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms did not recommend granting voting rights to all women above 21; voting rights remained restricted based on property, income, and education qualifications.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Government of India Act of 1935 introduced reserved seats for women in provincial and central legislatures to ensure their political representation.

📝 Short Notes: Constitutional Reforms (1919-1935)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — Governor General

Under the Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers (subjects not covered in the Federal, Provincial, or Concurrent Lists) were vested in the Governor-General. He had the authority to decide which legislature would exercise power over such subjects. This was a significant feature distinguishing the 1935 Act from the current Constitution, where residuary powers rest with the Union Parliament under Article 248.

📝 Short Notes: Government of India Act, 1935 - Legislative Powers

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.

Dyarchy was introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919, as a system of dual governance at the provincial level. Under this system, provincial subjects were divided into two categories: 'Reserved' subjects (controlled by the Governor and his Executive Council) and 'Transferred' subjects (controlled by Indian ministers responsible to the legislature). This was an experiment in responsible government, though it had limited success.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — constitutional reforms

The Montagu-Chelmsford Proposals (1918) were recommendations for constitutional reforms in British India, presented by Edwin Montagu (Secretary of State for India) and Lord Chelmsford (Viceroy of India). These proposals formed the basis of the Government of India Act 1919, which introduced the system of dyarchy in provinces (dividing subjects into Transferred and Reserved categories), established bicameral legislature at the Centre (Council of State and Legislative Assembly), introduced direct elections for the first time (though with limited franchise), and separated provincial and central budgets. The reforms aimed at gradual introduction of responsible government in India.

Detailed Explanation:

The Government of India Act of 1919 (also called Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) clearly defined the jurisdiction of central and provincial governments by dividing subjects into Central List and Provincial List, thereby relaxing central control over provinces.

The Act introduced Dyarchy at the provincial level, dividing provincial subjects into Transferred subjects (administered by Governor with ministers responsible to Legislative Council) and Reserved subjects (administered by Governor with Executive Council).

Detailed Explanation:

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Government of India Act, 1919 introduced dyarchy in the provinces, dividing subjects into Reserved (controlled by Governor and Executive Council) and Transferred (controlled by elected Indian ministers).

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Separate communal electorates for Muslims were introduced by the Morley-Minto Reforms (Government of India Act, 1909), not the 1919 Act.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The 1919 Act introduced provincial legislative devolution through bicameralism at the Centre and expanded provincial legislatures with greater legislative powers.