The Constitutional Development of India

Total Questions: 41

31. The distribution of power between Centre and States as in the Constitution of India is based on which of the following plans? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2012]

Correct Answer: (c) Government of India Act, 1935
Solution:The separation of power was made by the Government of India Act, 1935. It divided the legislative powers between central and provincial legislatures and replaced "dyarchy in provinces with dyarchy at the Centre". The Act also envisaged establishment of 'Federation of India' made up of both British India and some of the Princely States. However, this part was never implemented.

Govt of India Act 1935 - Diarchy at the centre

1. The subjects under the Federal List were divided into two: Reserved and Transferred.

2. The reserved subjects were controlled by the Governor-General who administered them with the help of three counsellors appointed by him. They were not responsible to the legislature. These subjects included defence, ecclesiastical affairs (church-related), external affairs, press, police, taxation, justice, power resources and tribal affairs.

3. The transferred subjects were administered by the Governor-General with his Council of Ministers (not more than 10). The Council had to act in confidence with the legislature. The subjects in this list included local government, forests, education, health, etc.

4. However, the Governor-General had 'special powers to interfere in the transferred subjects also.

32. One amongst the following was not a salient feature of the Government of India Act, 1935: [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (b) Residuary subjects were allocated to provincial Legislatures
Solution:Residuary Subjects were neither allocated to the central nor provincial legislature. Residuary powers were vested in the Viceroy (Governor-General) of India. Thus (b) is not a salient feature of the Government of India Act, 1935.

Govt of India Act 1935 - Diarchy at the centre

1. The subjects under the Federal List were divided into two: Reserved and Transferred.

2. The reserved subjects were controlled by the Governor-General who administered them with the help of three counsellors appointed by him. They were not responsible to the legislature. These subjects included defence, ecclesiastical affairs (church-related), external affairs, press, police, taxation, justice, power resources and tribal affairs.

3. The transferred subjects were administered by the Governor-General with his Council of Ministers (not more than 10). The Council had to act in confidence with the legislature. The subjects in this list included local government, forests, education, health, etc.

4. However, the Governor-General had 'special powers to interfere in the transferred subjects also.

33. Which among the following introduced the Provincial Autonomy in British India? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (d) Government of India Act, 1919
Solution:The Provincial Autonomy in British India was initially introduced by Government of India Act 1919. In which central control over provinces was relaxed by seperation of central and provincial subjects.

It also separated provincial budgets from central budget and authorised provincial legislatures enact their budgets. The government of India Act 1935 further extended and established the Provincial Autonomy.

34. A 'Federal System' and 'diarchy' at the "Centre" was introduced in India by [U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

Correct Answer: (b) The Act of 1919
Solution:The Provincial Autonomy in British India was initially introduced by Government of India Act 1919. In which central control over provinces was relaxed by seperation of central and provincial subjects.

It also separated provincial budgets from central budget and authorised provincial legislatures enact their budgets. The government of India Act 1935 further extended and established the Provincial Autonomy.

The Government of India Act 1919 was a legislative framework designed to reform British India's governance. It was based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which was drafted by Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India at the time.

The primary goal of the Act was to introduce a more responsible form of government in India by increasing Indian participation in the administrative machinery while retaining ultimate authority with the British Crown.

The Act established a dual governance structure (dyarchy) at the provincial level and a more inclusive legislative framework, but with some limitations..

35. The provision for the establishment of All India Federation was included in the [U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]

Correct Answer: (c) Government of India Act, 1919
Solution:

The Provincial Autonomy in British India was initially introduced by Government of India Act 1919. In which central control over provinces was relaxed by seperation of central and provincial subjects.

It also separated provincial budgets from central budget and authorised provincial legislatures enact their budgets. The government of India Act 1935 further extended and established the Provincial Autonomy.

The Government of India Act 1919 was a legislative framework designed to reform British India's governance. It was based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which was drafted by Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India at the time.

The primary goal of the Act was to introduce a more responsible form of government in India by increasing Indian participation in the administrative machinery while retaining ultimate authority with the British Crown.

The Act established a dual governance structure (dyarchy) at the provincial level and a more inclusive legislative framework, but with some limitations..

36. Which one of the following Acts provided for a federal polity in India? [U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2010 ]

Correct Answer: (b) Government of India Act, 1919
Solution:The Provincial Autonomy in British India was initially introduced by Government of India Act 1919. In which central control over provide was relaxed by seperation of central and provincial subjects. It also separated provinces budgets from central budget and authorised provincial legislatures enact their budgets.

The government of India Act 1935 further extended and established the Provincial Autonomy. The Government of India Act 1919 was a legislative framework designed to reform British India's governance. It was based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which was drafted by Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India at the time.

The primary goal of the Act was to introduce a more responsible form of government in India by increasing Indian participation in the administrative machinery while retaining ultimate authority with the British Crown. The Act established a dual governance structure (dyarchy) at the provincial level and a more inclusive legislative framework, but with some limitations..

37. In the Federation establishment by the Government of India Act of 1935, Residuary powers were given to the [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2018, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]

Correct Answer: (b) Governor General
Solution:The Provincial Autonomy in British India was initially introduced by Government of India Act 1919. In which central control over provinces was relaxed by seperation of central and provincial subjects. It also separated provincial budgets from central budget and authorised provincial legislatures enact their budgets.

The government of India Act 1935 further extended and established the Provincial Autonomy. The Government of India Act 1919 was a legislative framework designed to reform British India's governance. It was based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which was drafted by Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India at the time.

The primary goal of the Act was to introduce a more responsible form of government in India by increasing Indian participation in the administrative machinery while retaining ultimate authority with the British Crown. The Act established a dual governance structure (dyarchy) at the provincial level and a more inclusive legislative framework, but with some limitations..

38. The Federal system proposed under the Government of India Act, 1935 was [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (b) Federation of India
Solution:The Provincial Autonomy in British India was initially introduced by Government of India Act 1919. In which central control over provinces was relaxed by seperation of central and provincial subjects. It also separated provincial budgets from central budget and authorised provincial legislatures enact their budgets.

The government of India Act 1935 further extended and established the Provincial Autonomy. The Government of India Act 1919 was a legislative framework designed to reform British India's governance. It was based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which was drafted by Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India at the time.

The primary goal of the Act was to introduce a more responsible form of government in India by increasing Indian participation in the administrative machinery while retaining ultimate authority with the British Crown. The Act established a dual governance structure (dyarchy) at the provincial level and a more inclusive legislative framework, but with some limitations..

39. Which one of the following is not an important and permanent constituent in the Constitutional History of India as adopted in the Government of India Act, 1935? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (a) A written Constitution for the country
Solution:Provision for a written Constitution for the country was not mentioned in the Government of India Act, 1935. The demand for a constitution was accepted in principle by the British Government in what is known as the 'August Offer of 1940, in which the British Government concurred that the framing of the new constitution should be primarily the responsibility of Indians themselves.

In 1942, Sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the British cabinet came to India with a draft proposal of the British Government on the framing of an independent constitution to be adopted after World War II.

40. Why is the Government of India Act, 1935 important? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (a) It is the main source of the Constitution of India
Solution:The Government of India Act, 1935 is an important source for the Constitution of India. Many provisions of Indian Constitution like, Federal Government, diarchy at the Centre, distribution of power between Centre and States and establishment of a Federal Court, have been taken from it.

The Government of India Act 1935 significantly impacted India's constitutional development and was the core foundation for the making of the constitution. Its significance can be understood through several key aspects:

Foundation for Federalism: Established a framework for federalism, though it was not fully implemented; this concept later became central to the Indian Constitution.

Provincial Autonomy: Abolished dyarchy and granted significant control to provincial governments, enhancing self-governance and Indian participation in administration.

Electoral Base Expansion: Increased the electorate to about 10% of adults, enabling greater political participation and fostering democratic governance.

Blueprint for Future Developments: Many of its provisions, such as power division, bicameral legislatures, and minority rights protections, influenced the Indian Constitution.

Encouragement of Political Mobilization: Fostered the rise of political parties and awareness, providing a platform for Indian leaders to shape future governance.