Government of India Act 1935: Provisions, Background & Significance
UPSC Prelims & Mains
GS I
Modern History
Latest Update
Gajendra Singh Godara
Nov 20, 2025
20
mins read
The Government of India Act 1935 was a landmark British law that served as a new constitution for colonial India. It came at a time when Indians were demanding more self-rule. The Act was drafted after the Simon Commission (1927) and Round Table Conferences (1930–32) showed Indian leaders wanted real power. British officials and a special committee reviewed those recommendations and produced this Act. It was passed by the British Parliament in 1935 (the longest Act they had made for India) and largely took effect by 1937.
The major provisions included the plan for an All-India Federation of British provinces and princely states. The idea was that provinces would join automatically, while princely states could choose to join by voting (requiring at least half the states by number and population).
In practice, most rulers refused, and World War II intervened, so the federation never fully formed. At the centre under the GoI Act, 1935, the Governor-General had a Council of Ministers responsible to the federal legislature.
Provincial ministers were responsible to this legislature and handled all provincial subjects.
However, the Governor kept special powers over issues like tribal areas, minority protections or if a government fell.
The Act’s key features reshaped India’s governance.
It abolished the old dyarchy system in the provinces (where British officials and Indian ministers shared power). Instead, provinces got full autonomy.
Each province now had an elected legislature. Ministers ran almost all local affairs. The British-appointed governor still had some reserve powers.
Financial powers were divided: the central government got major taxes (customs, excise, railways) and provinces got land revenue and local taxes.
The Act set up a federal scheme of three lists of subjects – Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent.
Defence, foreign affairs and other key subjects were in the Federal List, handled by the central government.
Most other subjects were in the Provincial List, managed by provincial governments.
Some subjects (like education or public health) appeared on both lists (Concurrent), meaning both centre and provinces could make laws for them.
A Federal Railway Authority was established to oversee railways crossing provincial borders.
At the centre, the Act introduced a kind of dyarchy.
The Governor-General (also called Viceroy) remained head of the executive and kept “reserved” subjects under his direct control (defence, external affairs, currency, etc.).
An Indian Council of Ministers handled “transferred” subjects on his advice.
The centre now had a bicameral legislature: an upper house (Council of States) and a lower house (Federal Assembly).
Members of both came partly from provincial elected representatives and partly as nominees of princely states. Several provinces also had bicameral legislatures.
The Act greatly expanded the electorate with direct elections (roughly 35 million voters in 1937) but retained separate seats for different communities (Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, etc.).
The British kept safeguards in the Act.
The Governor-General and Governors were given special powers to override elected governments in the name of public order, security or minority rights. For example, they could dismiss a ministry or veto legislation.
On the positive side, the Act created new institutions: a Federal Court was inaugurated on October 1, 1937, Delhi to settle disputes between centre and provinces (though the British Privy Council in London remained the final court for many cases) and Public Service Commissions at federal and provincial levels to recruit civil servants.
It also reorganized territories: Sindh was carved out of Bombay, Orissa became separate from Bihar, and Burma and Aden were detached from British India.
This Act was based on earlier proposals and demands.
It drew on the Simon Commission (1927) report, which had already urged ending provincial dyarchy.
It followed the discussions at the Round Table Conferences (1930–32) that talked of a federation and increased Indian participation.
These ideas were turned into a White Paper in 1933 and then into a draft by a Joint Select Committee of British and Indian members in 1934.
It also built on the earlier Government of India Act 1919 (the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms).
By this time, Indian leaders were demanding dominion status or full self-rule; the British aimed to make a compromise short of granting full independence.
The 1935 Act was their answer to those demands – more autonomy for Indians, but keeping Britain in control of key areas.
The Government of India Act, 1935 was a milestone in India’s constitutional history, most notably for outlining certain features which would be included in the future Indian Constitution. Some of the most important features of the Act are:
1. Beginning of Federalism
This Act was the first to attempt a redistribution of the Centre and provincial powers in a quasi-federal system.
Although this system of governance was never fully adopted, it served as a model for the federal system after the independence of India.
2. Provincial Autonomy
This Act was the first to fully remove the dyarchy system at the provincial level, and consequently, Indian ministers were granted more power.
The Government of India Act, 1935 gave self-governing constitutional powers to the provinces which automatically began the transition to self-rule and responsible government.
3. The Act and Democracy
The Government of India Act, 1935 expanded the electorate and allowed almost 10 per cent of the adult population to vote.
This was important to the development of the democracy and the government system of the country as it promoted the citizens’ participation in governance, and strengthened representative democracy.
4. Model for the Indian Constitution
Several features from the Government of India Act, 1935 were incorporated into the first Constitution of India, 1950, including the division of powers, bicameral legislatures, and provisions for minority rights.
While the Government of India Act, 1935 introduced several progressive reforms, it also had major limitations that restricted India’s journey toward true self-governance.
1. Retention of British Control
Key areas like defence, external affairs, and finance remained under the control of British officials.
The Governor-General and Governors retained emergency powers, keeping the final authority with the British government.
2. Limited Democratic Representation
Only about 10% of adults were eligible to vote, meaning the system fell far short of universal adult franchise.
As a result, the political system remained elitist and exclusionary, limiting genuine public participation.
3. Communal Electorates and Divisive Politics
The Act continued and even expanded separate communal electorates, encouraging political divisions along religious lines.
This system deepened communal identities, which later contributed to political fragmentation.
4. Incomplete Federal Framework
The proposed All-India Federation never materialized because many princely states refused to join.
The central structure thus remained highly centralized, dominated by the Governor-General’s powers.
5. Nationalist Criticism and Demand for Independence
Indian leaders criticized the Act as a half measure that fell short of granting true self-rule.
It strengthened the demand for complete independence, which gained momentum in the years leading to 1947.
6. Post-Independence Transformation
After 1947, independent India retained the useful frameworks—like federalism, public service commissions, and judiciary systems—but removed British safeguards.
The President’s powers were made largely ceremonial, emergency provisions were limited, and communal electorates were abolished to promote national unity.
Since the Government of India Act, 1935 was the most comprehensive of the Constitutional Reforms introduced during British rule, it also faced the most criticism from Indian leaders and parties. The criticism largely arose from the inherent and self-imposed limitations of the Act.
1. The Overbearing Powers of the Governor-General and the Governors
The Act presented the illusion of provincial autonomy, but the Governor-General and the provincial governors kept discretionary powers of veto, and the power to override the will of the ministers.
The British ultimately kept the real power, and undermined the promise of a responsible government.
2. The Further Expansion of the Separate Communal Electorates
The Act also continued the practice of separate communal electorates, and this was a further expansion of the system.
3. An Unamended Constitution
The Constitution was also self-locked in the Act under the simple premise that no changes could be made to it, without the British parliament's approval, and it also silenced the Indian voices on the issue of changes.
4. Failure of the Federal Scheme
The proposed All-India Federation never saw the light of the day, simply because the princely states remained outside the federation.
The balance of power between the Centre and the provinces envisioned within the structure was not completed due to this failure.
5. Franchise and Representation
Under the Act, only 10% of the population had the right to vote, determined by property, income, and education levels, thereby denying the great bulk of the Indian population a voice in governance.
6. Political Rejection
The Act was rejected by major political formations, including the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, as they perceived it to be a hollow concession aimed to extend British control. This Act did not create a climate of cooperation; it fueled the demand for complete independence.
The Government of India Act, 1935 drew diverse reactions from different political groups and stakeholders in India. While it was the most extensive constitutional reform under British rule, it ultimately failed to meet Indian aspirations for full self-government, and instead, intensified the freedom struggle.
1. Indian National Congress (INC)
The Congress strongly criticized the Act, calling it inadequate and regressive.
Leaders argued that it did not grant full independence, as key powers such as defence, finance, and foreign affairs remained in British hands.
The limited provincial autonomy and continued discretionary powers of governors were seen as tools of imperial control.
Congress leaders viewed the Act as a half-hearted step that exposed Britain’s reluctance to transfer real power.
2. Muslim League
The Muslim League had a more cautious and mixed response.
While it too demanded greater autonomy, the League welcomed provisions like separate electorates and reserved seats, which it saw as recognition of Muslim political identity.
The Act thus provided a platform for the League’s future political consolidation.
3. Princely States
The princely states were largely unwilling to join the proposed All-India Federation.
They feared that doing so would erode their internal autonomy and bring them under greater central control.
Their resistance was one major reason why the federal scheme never materialized.
4. British Government
The British government viewed the Act as a pragmatic compromise, meant to balance Indian political aspirations with imperial interests.
However, instead of satisfying nationalist demands, it fuelled greater discontent and strengthened the call for complete independence.
Prelims
Q. With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: (2024)
It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Q. Consider the following statements: (2021)
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all women above the age of 21.
The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women reserved seats in the legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Q. In the Federation established by The Government of India Act of 1935, residuary powers were given to the ( 2018)
Federal Legislature
Governor General
Provincial Legislature
Provincial Governors
Answer: (b)
Mains
Q. Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss. (2016)
Frequently asked question (FAQs)
In conclusion, the Government of India Act 1935 was a major step in British India’s constitutional development. It introduced self-rule for provinces and many institutions that modern India inherited. However, it kept key powers with the British, so it was only a partial fulfillment of nationalist demands. Independent India kept its useful elements but removed its colonial controls. For UPSC preparation, remember both what the Act achieved and where it fell short to fully understand its role in India’s history.
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