An Analysis of The Government of India Act 1935

 

By- Sejal Tiwari

INTRODUCTION: 

The Government of India Act 1935 Act was arguably the most significant turning point in the history of the British administration in India- Andrew Muldoon

In the early 20th century, an uprise was seen in the Freedom struggle and the aggression against the British rule was visible. Followed by which Indians had increasingly been demanding greater role and power in the government of their country. Also, India’s support to Britain during the First World War (1914-1918) aided to the British acknowledgment of the need for the inclusion and presence of more Indians in the administration of their own country.

 In August 1935, the Government of India Act was passed by the British Parliament which later came into effect in 1937. The act was based on the report of the ‘Joint Select Committee’ which was led by Lord Linlithgow, the report was ultimately the outcome of the Joint Committee’s scrutiny of the ‘White Paper’ which was prepared by the British government following the Round Table conferences. The Simon Commission's report also played a significant role as it recommended that the dyarchy system has to be abolished and that "responsible administration in the province" be implemented instead. This report also aided in the enactment of the Government of India Act, 1935. The Government of India Act 1935 is considered to be one of the longest pieces of legislation, consisting of 32 sections, 14 parts and 10 schedules subsequently dividing into chapters. 

The Government of India Act 1935 was essential and played a key role in the formation of India's Constitution in 1950. The Act is also responsible for a large portion of the Constitution, notably the administrative sections which were borrowed from the act. Even though the previous acts had flaws, the Government of India Act 1935 proved to be a landmark act in Indian constitutional history because it established a new form of government that was appropriate for the modern biosphere.