An All India Federation was an important provision of the Government of India Act 1935. All British Indian provinces, all chief commissioner's provinces, and all Indian states (princely states) were to be included in it. After the Act of 1919, the Government of India Act of 1935 marked the second milestone in India's transition to a fully responsible government. It was one of the longest Acts at the time, with 321 sections and 10 schedules. It was also the last constitution of British India before the country was divided into India and Pakistan in 1947. After the act was passed, the government realised that it was too long to be efficiently regulated, so it decided to divide it into two parts so that the act could function properly i.e, The 1935 Government of India Act and the 1935 Government of Burma Act. In this article, we will discuss the All India Federation which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Features of Govt of India Act 1935

• The establishment of a 'Federation of India,' consisting of two levels: a central executive and parliament, and provinces and princely states beneath it.
• It abolished the 'dyarchy' system at the provincial level, allowing popularly elected provincial legislatures to emerge. The Governor General exercised direct control over key subjects such as defence and foreign affairs after introducing dyarchy at the central level.
• A federal court was created.
• The franchise was increased from 3% to 14% of the population.
• Separate electorates were established for Muslims, Sikhs, and others, but not for the poor.
• The governor possessed critical emergency powers.

All India Federation - Features

• The India Act of 1935 proposed the formation of an All Indian Federation composed of British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
• The Federation's constituent units were 11 Governor's provinces, 6 Chief Commissioner's provinces, and all states that agreed to join it. The states had complete freedom to join or not join the proposed Federation.
• The formation of the federation was contingent on the following conditions being met:
  • states with allotments of 52 seats in the proposed Council of States agreeing to join the federation; and
  • the aggregate population of states in the above category being 50% of the total population of all Indian states.
• The ruler of the state was to execute an Instrument of Accession in favour of the Crown at the time of joining the Federation.
• The state became a unit of the Federation upon acceptance of that Instrument.
• The ruler was, however, authorised to extend the federal authority's functions in relation to his state by executing another instrument in its internal affairs.
• The act proposed that the federation of India could exist only if as many princely states were entitled to one-half of the seats in the upper house of the federal legislature.
• The terms offered to the Princes included the following:
  • Each Prince would choose his state's representative in the Federal Legislature;
  • There would be no pressure on Princes to democratise their administrations or allow elections for state representatives in the Federal Legislature.
• The Princes would benefit from a lot of weightage. The Princely States accounted for roughly a quarter of India's population but produced less than a quarter of its wealth.
• The federal portion of the Act, unlike the provincial portion, was to take effect only when half of the states by weight agreed to federate.
• Due to opposition from the rulers of the princely states, this never happened, and the establishment of the Federation was postponed indefinitely after the outbreak of World War II.
• The remaining provisions of the Act went into effect in 1937, at the same time as the first elections under the Act were held.

Division of Federal Subjects

• The federation scheme and provincial autonomy demanded a proper division of subjects between the centre and the provinces.
• The division in the 1919 Act was revised, and the 1935 Act included three lists.
  • Federal
  • Provincial
  • Concurrent Legislative

Conclusion

The All-India Federation, as envisioned in the act, never materialized due to opposition from various Indian political parties. On April 1, 1937, the British government decided to implement provincial autonomy, but the Central government continued to be governed in accordance with the 1919 Act, with minor modifications. The provisions of the Act of 1935 remained in effect until August 15, 1947.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What was a significant feature of the Government of India Act, 1935?

A) Abolition of diarchy
B) Establishment of a federal structure
C) Introduction of direct elections for all
D) Complete independence for India

2. How many provinces were governed under the Government of India Act, 1935?

A) 6
B) 11
C) 14
D) 9

3. What was the electorate expansion under the Government of India Act, 1935?

A) Only to landowners
B) Universal suffrage
C) Limited by property and education
D) Only to males

4. Which of the following was NOT a provision of the Government of India Act, 1935?

A) Establishment of a Central Legislative Assembly
B) Abolition of the princely states
C) Provision for diarchy in provinces
D) Federal structure with provincial autonomy

5. What was the main criticism of the Government of India Act, 1935?

A) It provided too much autonomy
B) It did not truly reflect Indian aspirations
C) It completely decentralized power
D) It encouraged more direct elections

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the impact of the Government of India Act, 1935 on the Indian political landscape.

Answer: The Government of India Act, 1935 significantly transformed the Indian political landscape by introducing a federal structure and granting considerable autonomy to provinces. It marked a shift toward self-governance, allowing for the establishment of provincial legislative assemblies and encouraging political participation among Indians. The Act's provision for diarchy created opportunities for political engagement but also led to challenges, as many Indian leaders felt it fell short of complete autonomy. This discontent fueled nationalist movements and intensified calls for independence, laying the groundwork for future political mobilization against colonial rule. Ultimately, the Act catalyzed the growth of political awareness and organization in India, shaping the trajectory toward eventual independence.

Q2: Discuss the limitations of the Government of India Act, 1935 in addressing Indian aspirations for self-governance.

Answer: While the Government of India Act, 1935 was a step towards self-governance, it had several limitations that failed to meet Indian aspirations. The Act retained substantial powers with the British government, particularly over defense, foreign affairs, and communications, limiting true autonomy. The electoral provisions were still based on property and education qualifications, excluding a large portion of the population from the democratic process. Additionally, the federal structure was weak and fragmented, with significant disparities in power distribution. The criticisms of the Act highlighted the dissatisfaction with British rule and spurred further demands for complete independence, showcasing the inadequacies of the reform in fulfilling the aspirations of the Indian populace.

Q3: Evaluate the significance of the Government of India Act, 1935 in the context of the Indian independence movement.

Answer: The Government of India Act, 1935 holds significant importance in the context of the Indian independence movement as it represented both progress and limitations in the struggle for self-rule. While it introduced reforms that allowed for greater political participation and provincial autonomy, it simultaneously reinforced British control over key areas of governance. The dissatisfaction with the Act’s provisions mobilized various political factions and intensified the independence movement. It led to the rise of more assertive demands for complete independence, as Indian leaders recognized the inadequacy of partial reforms. The Act ultimately served as a catalyst for political activism and the subsequent mass movements that culminated in India’s independence in 1947.

Previous Year Questions on the Government of India

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: What was the primary objective of the Government of India Act, 1935?

A) To grant complete independence
B) To establish a federal structure
C) To abolish all forms of government
D) To introduce universal suffrage

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The primary objective of the Government of India Act, 1935 was to establish a federal structure and provide a framework for self-governance in India.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Evaluate the changes brought about by the Government of India Act, 1935 in the context of Indian governance." Discuss its implications for the future independence movement.

Answer: The Government of India Act, 1935 brought about significant changes in Indian governance, establishing a federal structure with a degree of provincial autonomy. While it aimed to address the demands for self-governance, the limitations of the Act, such as retaining British control over key areas, led to widespread dissatisfaction among Indian leaders. This discontent fueled the independence movement, leading to increased political mobilization and demands for complete freedom. The Act served as a stepping stone toward greater political awareness and organization, ultimately shaping the trajectory of the struggle for India's independence.