The Government of India Act, 1935: Features, Significance, and Impact

The Government of India Act, 1935, was a landmark piece of legislation passed by the British Parliament. It laid the foundation for India’s future constitutional framework and was the most comprehensive law introduced by the British in colonial India. The Act marked a significant shift from a centralized system to a federal structure, granting limited autonomy to Indian provinces. However, it also contained several controversial provisions, reflecting Britain’s intent to maintain control over India.

This article explores the key features, significance, and impact of the Government of India Act, 1935, shedding light on its role in shaping India’s constitutional development.

Background: Why Was the Government of India Act, 1935, Introduced?

Before 1935, several constitutional reforms had attempted to address India’s demand for greater self-governance:

1. The Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms)
   
   
   • Introduced dyarchy, where certain subjects were administered by Indian ministers and others by the British.
     
     
   • Failed because Indians had limited power, and the British controlled crucial areas like finance and law enforcement.
     
     
2. The Simon Commission (1927)
   
   
   • A British commission sent to review the 1919 Act.
     
     
   • Indians opposed it because it lacked Indian representation.
     
     
3. The Round Table Conferences (1930-1932)
   
   
   • A series of discussions between British officials and Indian leaders.
     
     
   • The demand for Dominion Status (self-rule) was strongly raised but rejected by the British.
     
     
4. The Poona Pact (1932)
   
   
   • Agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar regarding representation for Depressed Classes (Scheduled Castes).
     
     
   • Highlighted the need for a new constitution that addressed all communities.

After reviewing these developments, the British drafted the Government of India Act, 1935, based on the recommendations of the Simon Commission and Round Table Conferences.

Key Features of the Government of India Act, 1935

1. Establishment of a Federal Structure

• The Act introduced federalism, dividing power between the British government, provinces, and princely states.
  
  
• British India was to be divided into three lists:
  
  
  • Federal List (controlled by the central government)
  • Provincial List (controlled by provinces)
  • Concurrent List (both federal and provincial governments had authority)
    
    
• The federal system never came into effect, as princely states refused to join.

2. Provincial Autonomy

• Provinces were granted autonomy in certain subjects.
  
  
• Dyarchy was abolished at the provincial level, meaning Indian ministers had full control over their subjects.
  
  
• Governors still had emergency powers and could override ministers, limiting true autonomy.

3. Bicameral Legislature

• A bicameral (two-house) legislature was introduced at the central level:
  
  
  • Council of State (Upper House)
  • Federal Assembly (Lower House)
    
    
• However, the British retained veto power, making Indian representation ineffective.

4. Expansion of Franchise (Voting Rights)

• The Act increased the number of eligible voters from 7 million to 35 million.
  
  
• However, this was still a small fraction of India’s total population.

5. Communal Representation

• Separate electorates were expanded to include Scheduled Castes, Sikhs, Anglo-Indians, Europeans, and Muslims.
  
  
• This deepened communal divisions and was seen as a British tactic to divide and rule.

6. Establishment of the Federal Court

• A Federal Court was established to resolve disputes between provinces and the central government.
  
  
• It had limited authority, as final appeals could still go to the Privy Council in Britain.

7. The Governor-General’s Powers

• The Governor-General (Viceroy) remained the most powerful authority.
  
  
• He had emergency powers to override laws, dismiss provincial governments, and rule by decree if needed.
  
  
• This ensured that ultimate control remained with the British.

8. Separation of Burma from India

• The Act separated Burma (Myanmar) from British India, making it a separate colony.
  
  
• This was seen as an attempt to weaken India by reducing its size.

9. Creation of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

• The Act provided for the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 1935 to regulate the economy.
  
  
• It played a crucial role in India’s financial management post-independence.

10. Indian Representation in Armed Forces

• Indians were allowed to be commissioned as officers in the British Indian Army, though in limited numbers.
  
  
• The British still controlled the military’s higher command.

Significance of the Government of India Act, 1935

1. Laid the Foundation for India’s Constitution

• Many provisions of the Indian Constitution (1950) were based on this Act.
  
  
• Concepts like federalism, bicameralism, provincial autonomy, and separate lists of powers were adopted.

2. Increased Indian Participation in Government

• The Act gave more responsibilities to Indian ministers in provinces.
  
  
• It created a sense of political awareness and governance experience among Indians.

3. Strengthened Communal Divisions

• The extension of separate electorates led to deeper divisions between Hindus, Muslims, and other communities.
  
  
• This eventually contributed to the partition of India in 1947.

4. British Retained Control

• Despite granting autonomy, the Governor-General’s powers ensured British control remained strong.
  
  
• This frustrated Indian leaders and fueled demands for complete independence.

Why Did the Government of India Act, 1935, Fail?

1. No Real Transfer of Power

• The British retained veto power, and governors could overrule elected ministers.
  
  
• This made provincial autonomy largely ineffective.

2. Opposition from Congress and the Muslim League

• Congress rejected the Act because it did not grant full independence.
  
  
• Muslim League opposed it because it did not give separate nationhood to Muslims.

3. Federal System Never Came into Effect

• The proposed federal structure never materialized because princely states refused to join.
  
  
• This left the Act partially implemented.

4. Continued British Control Over Key Areas

• The British still controlled finance, law enforcement, and defense.
  
  
• This meant Indian ministers had limited real authority.

Impact of the Government of India Act, 1935

Despite its flaws, the Act had a profound impact on India’s future:

1. Shaped India’s Constitutional Framework
   
   
   • Many provisions were later incorporated into the Indian Constitution (1950).
     
     
2. Political Awakening Among Indians
   
   
   • The expansion of voting rights increased political participation.
     
     
3. Rise of Communal Politics
   
   
   • The Act deepened divisions between Hindus and Muslims, eventually leading to the Pakistan movement.
     
     
4. Strengthened the Demand for Full Independence
   
   
   • Indians realized that the British would never grant true self-rule, leading to intensified demands for complete independence.
     
     
5. Set the Stage for the 1947 Independence Act
   
   
   • The failure of this Act contributed to the British decision to leave India in 1947.

Conclusion

The Government of India Act, 1935, was a major constitutional reform that sought to introduce federalism and grant autonomy to Indian provinces. However, due to its restrictive provisions, communal representation, and retention of British control, it failed to satisfy Indian aspirations. Instead, it strengthened nationalist movements, ultimately leading to India’s independence in 1947.