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?
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
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It was the longest Act passed by the British Parliament for India.
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Proposed an All India Federation of Provinces and Princely States.
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Introduced Provincial Autonomy, ending dyarchy in provinces.
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Introduced Dyarchy at the Centre, though it was never implemented.
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Created the Federal Court of India in 1937.
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Divided powers into Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent Lists.
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Extended the principle of separate electorates.
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Many provisions of the Act influenced the Constitution of India (1950).
Question 2 of 9 Government of India Acts
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