What is GOI Act 1935?

The Government of India Act 1935 also known as the Indian Constitution Act 1935 was a major reform legislation passed by the British Parliament to provide a new constitution for British India. It aimed to increase representation of Indians in the government and establish a federal structure with powers divided between the central and provincial governments. The act served as the basis for India’s government until the country’s independence in 1947.

Overview of GOI Act 1935

Find below the tableau representaion of the overview of Governement of India Act 1935.

Alternate NameObjectiveEnacted DateEnacted ByCommencement
The Indian Constitution Act 1935To provide a new constitutional framework for British India and to increase Indian participation in government.April 4, 1935British ParliamentApril 1, 1937

Background of Government of India Act 1935

  • The GOI Act 1935 was a response to growing demands for greater Indian self-rule and constitutional reforms.
  • It was the result of Indian political movements and negotiations between British and Indian political leaders. a
  • It seeks to grant greater autonomy to India while preserving British control over defense, foreign affairs, etc.
  • The Act was based on the recommendations of the Simon Commission (1927) and the report of the Indian Round Table Conferences (1930-1932).
  • It aimed to expand the role of Indians in government and create a federal structure with powers divided between central and provincial governments.
  • The Act provided for the establishment of an elected legislative assembly and the creation of an All-India Federation.
  • A significant step towards greater self-government for India, but fell short of full independence.

Read Also:

  1. Simon Commission
  2. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms

Learn about the Evolution of India Constitution through the administrative and legislative reforms of India.

Government of India Act 1935 – Features and Provisions

There are various features and provisions of GOI Act 1935 which are briefly summarised under the below points and table.

Government Of India Act 1935 – Provisons
S.No.Features
1. Federal Structure
2.Provincial Autonomy
3.Legislative Assembly
4.Executive
5.All-India Federation
6.Joint Center-Province List
7.Separate Electorates
8.Communal Representation
9.Central Services
10.Indian Councils Act of 1909

Let’s understand the above features in brief –

Federal Structure

  • Divided powers between the central and provincial governments.
  • Created an All-India Federation of British Indian provinces and princely states.
  • Provided for the division of subjects between the center and the provinces.
  • Defined the powers of the center and the provinces.
  • Established the Governor General as the head of the central government.

Provincial Autonomy

  • Transferred certain powers from the central government to the provinces.
  • Placed education, public health, and local government under the control of the provinces.
  • Established the governor as the head of the provincial government.
  • Provided for the appointment of a minister responsible to the legislative assembly in each province.
  • Increased the financial autonomy of the provinces by transferring certain revenues to the provinces.

Legislative Assembly

  • Created an elected legislative assembly at the center and in each province.
  • Provided for the direct election of members of the legislative assembly.
  • Established the speaker as the head of the legislative assembly.
  • Provided for the quorum and procedure for the conduct of business in the legislative assembly.
  • Provided for the powers and privileges of the members of the legislative assembly.

Executive

  • Created an executive at the center and in each province.
  • Appointed the governor as the head of the executive in each province.
  • Provided for the appointment of a chief minister responsible to the legislative assembly in each province.
  • Provided for the powers and responsibilities of the governor and the chief minister.
  • Defined the powers and responsibilities of the central and provincial executive.

All-India Federation

  • Created an All-India Federation.
  • Controlled certain common subjects such as defense, foreign affairs, and communications.
  • Provided for the representation of the princely states in the All-India Federation.
  • Established the federal court as the highest court of appeal in the All-India Federation.
  • Defined the powers and responsibilities of the center and the states in the All-India Federation.

Joint Center-Province List

  • Specified the subjects on which the center and the provinces had concurrent powers.
  • Shared power over subjects such as trade, commerce, and criminal law.
  • Defined the procedure for the exercise of concurrent powers.
  • Provided for the allocation of revenue between the center and the provinces.
  • Defined the procedure for the settlement of disputes between the center and the provinces.

Separate Electorates

  • Continued the system of separate electorates for different religious communities.
  • Provided for the election of members of different religious communities through separate electorates.
  • Defined the procedure for the allocation of seats in the legislative assembly to different religious communities.
  • Provided for the reservation of seats for members of different religious communities in the legislative assembly.
  • Provided for the representation of different religious communities in the executive.

Communal Representation

  • Provided for the communal representation of different religious communities in the legislative assembly.
  • Ensured that members of different religious communities were represented in the assembly.
  • Provided for the reservation of seats for members of different religious communities in the legislative assembly.
  • Defined the procedure for the election of members from different religious communities.
  • Allocated seats to different religious communities in proportion to their population.

Representation of Indian States

  • Provided for the representation of the princely states in the federal and provincial legislative assemblies.
  • Established a chamber of princes to represent the interests of the princely states.
  • Allocated seats to the princely states in proportion to their population.
  • Defined the powers and responsibilities of the chamber of princes.
  • Provided for the representation of the princely states in the All-India Federation.

Federal Court

  • Established the federal court as the highest court of appeal in the All-India Federation.
  • Provided for the appointment of judges to the federal court.
  • Defined the jurisdiction of the federal court.
  • Provided for the appellate jurisdiction of the federal court over civil and criminal cases.
  • Provided for the power of the federal court to interpret the constitution and resolve disputes between the center and the provinces.