The Government of India Act 1935 MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for The Government of India Act 1935 - Download Free PDF

Correct answer Government of Indian Act, 1935Key Points

• The Indian Statutory Commission, led by  Sir John Simon, was sent to Burma in January 1929 to review the political structure put in place in 1921, when the diarchy system was introduced through an extension of the Government of India Act to Burma.
• In 1930, the Simon Commission recommended the immediate separation of Burma from India but there was no clear political consensus to do so among the British, Indian, and Burmese forces within Burma.
• The Government of Burma Act 1935 confirmed that separation would occur on April 1, 1937, ending 51 years of the country being ruled as a province of India.
• The act laid the foundations for Burma’s post-independence political system, with the establishment of a Westminster model of cabinet with nine Burmese ministers alongside an elected House of Representatives.
• The former anti-separatist Dr Ba Maw served as the first chief minister of Burma after the separation. 

Additional Information Salient Features of the Government of India Act 1935:

• Abolition of provincial dyarchy and introduction of dyarchy at the centre.
• Abolition of the Indian Council and introduction of an advisory body in its place.
• Provided for the establishment of a Federal Court to interpret the Act and adjudicate disputes relating to federal matters.
• Provision for an All India Federation with British India territories and princely states.
• Elaborate safeguards and protective instruments for minorities.
• The supremacy of the British Parliament.
• Increase in the size of legislatures, an extension of the franchise, division of subjects into three lists, and retention of the communal electorate.
• Separation of Burma from India.

The correct answer is 1937.

Key Points

• The Federal Court of India was established as per the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935.
• The court officially came into existence on October 1, 1937.
• It was the first court with jurisdiction over British India and served as a precursor to the Supreme Court of India.
• It had original jurisdiction in disputes between provinces and appellate jurisdiction over decisions of the high courts.
• The Federal Court was dissolved when the Supreme Court of India was established in 1950 under the Constitution of India.

Additional Information

• Government of India Act, 1935:
  • It was the most comprehensive legislation enacted by the British Parliament for India before independence.
  • The act introduced provisions for the establishment of a Federal Court, provincial autonomy, and an All-India Federation (though the federation was not implemented).
  • This act laid the foundation for many constitutional developments in India post-independence.
• Jurisdiction of the Federal Court:
  • The Federal Court had the authority to resolve disputes between provinces and the central government.
  • It also acted as an appellate court for decisions made by provincial high courts.
  • Its jurisdiction was limited to matters specified in the Government of India Act, 1935.
• Significance of the Federal Court:
  • The Federal Court marked the beginning of a centralized judicial system in India.
  • It served as a critical institution for interpreting laws and resolving constitutional disputes during British rule.
  • Its establishment was a major step toward the creation of an independent judiciary in India.
• Transition to the Supreme Court:
  • With the adoption of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950, the Federal Court was replaced by the Supreme Court of India.
  • The Supreme Court inherited much of the jurisdiction and responsibilities of the Federal Court.
  • Today, the Supreme Court serves as the highest judicial authority in India.

The Correct answer is Government of India Act, 1935.

Key Points

• The Government of India Act, 1935 was a landmark legislation in British India.
• This act abolished the system of dyarchy that was introduced under the Government of India Act, 1919.
• It introduced the concept of provincial autonomy, granting provinces the power to govern themselves in areas such as agriculture, health, and education.
• The act established a federal structure in India, although the federation never came into being due to opposition from princely states.
• It provided for the establishment of an All-India Federation, consisting of British provinces and princely states.
• The act introduced a bicameral legislature at the centre, consisting of the Federal Assembly and the Council of States.
• It extended the concept of communal representation by providing separate electorates for various communities, such as Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians.
• It also laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India in 1935 to regulate the financial system.

 Additional Information

• Government of India Act, 1919
  • Also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
  • Introduced the system of dyarchy in provinces, dividing subjects into "Reserved" and "Transferred" categories.
  • It expanded the legislative councils at both the central and provincial levels.
  • While it allowed limited participation of Indians in governance, it fell short of granting real autonomy.
• Indian Councils Act, 1909
  • Known as the Morley-Minto Reforms.
  • Introduced separate electorates for Muslims for the first time.
  • It aimed to increase Indian representation in the legislative councils.
  • Criticized for promoting communal divisions in Indian politics.
• Indian Independence Act, 1947
  • This act marked the end of British rule in India.
  • It provided for the creation of two independent dominions, India and Pakistan.
  • The act abolished the authority of the British Crown over Indian territories.
  • It granted complete sovereignty to the newly formed nations.

The correct answer is Government of India Act, 1935.

Key Points

• The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for the establishment of an All-India Federation consisting of provinces and princely states as units.
• This Act marked a significant shift from the previous Acts by proposing a federation and granting more autonomy to Indian provinces.
• It introduced provincial autonomy and proposed a federal structure, though the federation never came into being due to the lack of agreement from the princely states.
• The Act also introduced direct elections, thereby increasing the number of Indians who could vote.
• It was the last pre-independence constitution of India and remained in effect until the Constitution of India came into force in 1950.

Additional Information

• Provincial Autonomy:
  • The Act allowed provinces to act as autonomous units of administration in their defined spheres.
  • Provincial governments were given more control over various departments and subjects.
  • Governors were now required to act on the advice of ministers responsible to the provincial legislatures.
• Federal Structure:
  • The Act proposed a federal structure with a central government and provincial governments.
  • The federation was to include both British Indian provinces and princely states.
  • However, the federation never materialized as the princely states did not join.
• Reserved and Transferred Subjects:
  • The Act divided subjects into 'Reserved' and 'Transferred' categories.
  • Reserved subjects were administered by the Governor on behalf of the Crown, while transferred subjects were administered by ministers responsible to the legislatures.
• Introduction of Direct Elections:
  • The Act expanded the electorate and introduced direct elections for the first time.
  • This increased the number of Indians eligible to vote, laying the groundwork for future democratic processes.

The correct answer is Delhi Pact.

Key Points

• Members of Congress Working Committee were released on 25 January 1931.
• Discussions were initiated between Gandhiji and the viceroy, Lord Irwin.
• As a result of these discussions, a pact was signed between the viceroy and Gandhiji.
• This pact came to be known as Gandhi-Irwin Pact or Delhi Pact.
• It was signed in Delhi.
• Gandhi-Irwin Pact, agreement signed on March 5, 1931, between Mohandas K. Gandhi, leader of the Indian nationalist movement, and Lord Irwin British viceroy of India.

Additional Information

• Civil Disobedience Movement
  • The Civil Disobedience Movement was started by Gandhi on 12th March 1930 with his famous Dandi March. 
  • Together with 78 chosen followers, Gandhi walked nearly 375 km from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi, a village on the Gujarat sea coast.
  • On the morning of 6th April 1930, Gandhiji broke the salt law by making salt. Thousands of people followed suit.
  • This movement resulted in Gandhi-Irwin Pact on 5 March 1931.
  • Indians were allowed to make salt for domestic use.
  • Gandhiji attended the Second Round Table Conference in London as an ‘equal’.

The correct answer is Government of India Act, 1935.

Key Points

• The act originally received royal assent in August 1935.
• Because of Act's length, the Act was retroactively split by the Government of India Act, 1935 into two separate Acts are following
  • The Government of India act, 1935
    • Has 10 schedules and 321 sections.
  • The Government of Burma act, 1935
    • Has 6 schedules and 159 sections.

Additional Information

• Major Provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935
  • Established Provincial autonomy
  • Diarchy is abolished at provinces and introduced in Center
  • Bicameral Legislature is introduced in Parliament
  • Establishment of RBI.
  • Federal Court in 1937.
  • A Federal Railway Authority was set up to control Indian railways.
  • The Act also provided for the establishment of federal, provincial, and joint Public Service Commissions.
• Government of India Act of 1919
  • Bicameralism and direct elections were introduced for the first time in the country.
  • Dyarchy, meaning double rule, was introduced in the provinces.
  • The act provided for the establishment of a public service commission for recruiting civil servants.

The correct answer is provincial autonomy.

Important Points

•  The Government of India Act, 1935 was passed by British Parliament in 1935 and came into effect in 1937.
• It was based on the report by a Joint Select Committee led by Lord Linlithgow.
• It was organized into 11 parts and 10 schedules.
• Key features: The creation of a 'Federation of India' that consisted of two levels, a central executive and Parliament, and below it provinces and princely states.
  • It discarded the dyarchy system at the provincial level. And it was replaced with the Provincial Autonomy. Hence option 1 is correct.
  • A federal court was established.
  • It further extended the principle of communal representation by providing separate electorates for depressed classes (scheduled castes), women and labour (workers).

The correct answer is Jawaharlal Nehru.

• “It was a new Charter of Slavery”, was said by Jawaharlal Nehru about the Government of India Act, 1935.

Key Points

• The Government of India Act, 1935:
  • The Simon Commission report submitted in 1930 AD formed the basis for the Government of India Act, 1935. The Act:
    • introduced provincial autonomy;
    • abolished dyarchy in the provinces
    • made ministers responsible for the legislative and federation at the center.
    • The Act of 1935 was unanimously rejected by Congress.
    • Regarding the Government of India Act, 1935 Jawahar Lal Nehru remarked: It was a new charter of slavery.
    • Although Congress opposed the Act, yet it contested the elections when the constitution was introduced on 1st April 1937 AD, and formed ministries first in six provinces and then in another.
• Lord Wellington was the viceroy of India during the Government of India Act, 1935.

Additional Information

• Mahatma Gandhiji termed Cripps Mission was a postdated cheque in a crashing bank.
• ‘Give me blood and I will give you freedom.’– Subhash Chandra Bose (in his address to soldiers of Azad Hind Fauj).

The correct answer is Communal Award.

Key Points

• Poona Pact was signed by Dr. B R Ambedkar on 24 September 1932.
• The Poona Pact provided for the abandoning of the idea of separate electorates for the depressed classes.
• The Poona Pact was accepted by the British authorities as an amendment to the Communal Award.
• It gave nearly 147 seats to the depressed classes in provincial legislatures as opposed to 71 seats given by the Communal Award.  

The correct answer is the Government of India Act of 1935.Key PointsGovernment of India Act of 1935-

• It provided for a new system of government for the provinces on the basis of provincial autonomy.
• Abolished Dyarchy in the provinces and introduced provincial autonomy.
• It provided for the adoption of Dyarchy at the center in which the federal subjects were divided into reserved and transferred subjects.
• It provided for the establishment of an all-India Federation
• They divided the powers between the center and states based on three lists- Federal list, provincial list, and concurrent list. 
• Residuary powers were given to the viceroy.

Additional Information

• Government of India Act, 1892
  • The Indian Council Act of 1892 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that empowered legislative councils in British India by increasing their size which laid the foundation of the Parliamentary system in India.
  • The Act received royal assent on 20th June 1892.
• Charter Act of 1853-
  • Charter Act of 1853 was the last Charter Act passed for the East India Company.
  • The Charter Act of 1853 provided for the appointment of a new Governor, distinct from the Governor-General, for the Presidency of Bengal.
  • The Charter Act; of 1853 provided for the creation of the Governor General's Council for legislative purposes.
• Indian Independence Act of 1947
  • In 1947, the Indian Independence Act was passed. India and Pakistan became separate nations as a result of the act.
  • The Act abolished the usage of the title "Emperor of India" for the British Crown, as well as any previous treaties with princely nations.
  • Lord Mountbatten remained Governor-General, and Jawaharlal Nehru was named India's first Prime Minister.
  • Muhammad Ali Jinnah was named Governor-General of Pakistan, and Liaquat Ali Khan was named Prime Minister. 

The correct answer is The Government of India Act, 1935.

Important Points

•  The Government of India Act, 1935: The Government of India Act was passed by the British Parliament in August 1935. Its main provisions were as follows.
  • ​The Act contemplated the establishment of an All-India Federation.
  • Dyarchy, rejected by the Simon Commission, was provided for in the Federal Executive.
  • The Federal Legislature was to have two chambers (bicameral)—the Council of States and the Federal Legislative Assembly. The Council of States (the Upper House) was to be a permanent body.
  • There were to be three subject lists—the Federal Legislative List, the Provincial Legislative List, and the Concurrent Legislative List. Residuary legislative powers were subjected to the discretion of the governor-general.
  • Dyarchy in the provinces was abolished and provinces were given autonomy.
  • Provincial legislatures were further expanded.
  • The principles of ‘communal electorates’ and ‘weightage’ were further extended to depressed classes, women, and labour.
  • The Act also provided for a Federal Court (which was established in 1937).
  • The India Council of the Secretary of State was abolished.

The correct answer is Government of India act, 1935.

• Salient Features of the Act of 1935:
  • It consisted of 321 sections and 10 schedules.
  • It partly came into operation in 1936 when the general elections in the country were held on the lines prescribed by it.
  • It was fully enforced in April 1937.
  • The Act was largely disappointing because it did not hold out assurance about granting Dominion Status.
• Various Provision
  1. Provincial Autonomy 
  2. All India Federation 
• The Act of 1935 abolished dyarchy at the Provincial level and introduced it, at the Centre.
  • Provision for the establishment of Federal Court
  • Increase in the Size of Legislatures and Extension of Franchise
  • Division of Subject: three lists the Federal List, the Provincial List and the Concurrent list. The Federal list included 49 subjects, the Provincial list 54, and the Concurrent list 36. 

The correct answer is The Government of India Act, 1935.

Key Points

• The Government of India Act, 1935 was an Act adapted from the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
• The Act led to:
  • Establishment of RBI, FPSC, PPSC, JPSC.
    • Federal Court in 1937.
  • Bicameralism in 6 provinces (Bombay, Madras, Bengal, Bihar, Assam, and United Provinces) out of 11 provinces.

Additional Information

• The Government of India Act, 1919 provided for diarchy at the Centre as well as in the provinces. 
• The 1861 Act restored the legislative powers of Bombay and Madras Presidencies taken away by the Charter Act of 1833.
• The Indian Councils Act 1892 was an Act of the British Parliament that introduced various amendments to the composition and function of legislative councils in British India. 

The Correct Answer is Option 1 i.e No provincial autonomy.

Key Points

• Government of India Act 1935:
  • Few provisions were:
    • Provincial autonomy was granted.
    • Dyarchy was abolished in the provinces but was introduced at the centre.
    • The federal scheme for Government of India was prescribed.
    • Bicameralism at the centre in the form of the council of states and federal assembly.
    • The federal court was set up at Delhi.
    • Burma was separated from India.
    • Council of the secretary of state was abolished.