Q. 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
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: (a) 1 only
Question from UPSC Prelims 2024 GS Paper
Explanation:
1. “It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.”
This statement is correct. The Government of India Act, 1935 did indeed propose the creation of an All India Federation that would include both British Indian Provinces and Princely States. This was a significant feature of the Act, aiming to bring together the directly ruled British territories and the indirectly ruled princely states under a single federal structure.
2. “Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.”
This statement is incorrect. Under the Government of India Act, 1935, Defence and Foreign Affairs were not placed under the control of the federal legislature. These subjects, along with others like communications, currency, and coinage, were reserved for the Governor-General, who acted on behalf of the British Crown. These were known as “reserved subjects” and were kept under direct British control.
Therefore, only statement 1 is correct, making (a) the right answer.