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Question

Difficulty: MediumConstitutional Developments, Transfer of Power, and Partition of India

Regarding the constitutional reforms enacted during British colonial rule in India, which of the following provisions was specifically introduced by the Government of India Act of 1935?

  1. Abolition of dyarchy in the provinces and the introduction of provincial autonomyAnswer
  2. B
    Introduction of dyarchy at the provincial level with subjects divided into reserved and transferred lists
  3. C
    Establishment of a unicameral central legislature with direct election for all members
  4. D
    Retention of the Council of India to assist the Secretary of State for India in London

Answer

Abolition of dyarchy in the provinces and the introduction of provincial autonomy
The Government of India Act of 1935 abolished the system of dyarchy in the provinces introduced by the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919) and replaced it with provincial autonomy, granting provinces an independent legal status and responsible executive government.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the core provisions of the Government of India Act of 1935 regarding provincial governance.
The 1935 Act marked a significant shift by granting autonomy to the provinces, ending the dual system of governance (dyarchy) introduced earlier in the provinces.
Provincial autonomy allowed Indian ministers responsible to elected provincial legislatures to manage provincial administration.
2
Distinguish 1935 provisions from earlier acts like the 1919 Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
Dyarchy in provinces was introduced in 1919 and abolished in 1935. The 1935 Act proposed dyarchy at the Centre instead.
Confusing the introduction versus abolition of dyarchy across the 1919 and 1935 Acts is a common misattribution in constitutional history.

Key Concept

Provisions of the Government of India Act 1935
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Constitutional Developments, Transfer of Power, and Partition of India