The Government of India Act 1935 was a major milestone in the history of India's constitutional development. It was the longest and most detailed constitution that India had ever had, and it served as the basis for the country's government for more than two decades.
The Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1935 and came into effect on April 1, 1937. It was the result of extensive consultations with Indian political leaders and was designed to provide a new constitutional framework for the governance of India.
One of the main aims of the Act was to devolve power from the central government to the provinces, and it did this by establishing a federal structure of government. The Act divided the country into 11 provinces, each with its own governor and legislature, and it also established a system of federal subjects, which were areas of shared jurisdiction between the central and provincial governments.
Another key feature of the Act was the introduction of a bicameral federal legislature, comprising the Council of States and the Federal Assembly. The Council of States was a upper house, with members chosen by the princely states and nominated by the governor-general, while the Federal Assembly was a lower house, with members elected by universal adult suffrage.
The Act also provided for the establishment of a Federal Court, which had the power to interpret the Constitution and to resolve disputes between the central and provincial governments. It also established a system of advisory committees, made up of representatives from various sectors of society, to provide input to the government on policy matters.
In addition to these structural changes, the Act also made significant advances in the area of civil liberties and individual rights. It introduced safeguards against arbitrary detention and provided for the freedom of expression, assembly, and association. It also granted women the right to vote and stand for election to the legislature.
Overall, the Government of India Act 1935 represented a major step forward in the development of India's constitutional democracy. It established the basic framework for the country's government and provided a solid foundation for the future growth and development of the nation.
