With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements : 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States. 2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Why the answer is (a)

• Statement 1 is correct: the Act provided for an All-India Federation of the British Indian provinces and the princely states, though it never came into being because the states did not accede.

• Statement 2 is wrong: Defence, External Affairs and Ecclesiastical Affairs were 'reserved' subjects administered by the Governor-General through his own councillors, outside the control of the federal legislature; only the 'transferred' subjects were under ministers responsible to the legislature (dyarchy at the Centre).

• The Act also introduced provincial autonomy, abolished dyarchy in the provinces, created the Federal Court and the Reserve Bank, and extended the franchise.

• Hence 1 only, option (a).

Why the other options are wrong

(b) 2 only: Statement 2 is wrong: defence and foreign affairs were reserved to the Governor-General.
(c) Both 1 and 2: Statement 2 is wrong, so both cannot be correct.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2: Statement 1 is correct: the Act did provide for an All-India Federation.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2024, held on 16 June 2024. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.