UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2024

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?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer

Correct Answer

1 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: the Government of India Act, 1935 envisaged an All-India Federation comprising British Indian provinces and princely states, although the federation never came into operation because the required princely states did not join. Statement 2 is incorrect: Defence and External Affairs were reserved to the Governor-General, rather than being placed under the control of the federal legislature. Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.

Topics: constitutional developments under british rule, government of india act 1935, history, modern india