UPSC Prelims 2009 Q48: Modern History – Constitutional Developments & British Plans (1909 - 1947)
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation
Checking two claims about the Government of India Act, 1935
These statements examine the lead-up to and content of this landmark constitutional legislation.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Third Round Table Conference discussions led to the GoI Act, 1935 | Correct | The series of Round Table Conferences, including the Third one, directly informed the drafting of the Government of India Act, 1935 |
| 2. The Act provided for an All India Federation of British India provinces and Princely States | Correct | The 1935 Act indeed envisioned a federal structure uniting British Indian provinces with the Princely States (though this federation never actually came into force) |
Government of India Act, 1935 facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Informed by | Round Table Conferences, including the Third |
| Proposed structure | All India Federation (provinces + Princely States) |
| Note | The federation part never actually materialized |
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 2 (federation provision) is also correct, so '1 only' is incomplete.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 (Round Table Conference link) is also correct, so '2 only' is incomplete.
- (c) CORRECT. Both the Round Table Conference lineage and the federation provision are accurate descriptions of the 1935 Act.
- (d) Incorrect. Since both statements are accurate, 'neither' is wrong.
Key point
The Third Round Table Conference's discussions informed the Government of India Act, 1935, which provided for (though never actually implemented) an All India Federation of British Indian provinces and Princely States — both statements are accurate.
Remember
Government of India Act, 1935: emerged from Round Table Conference discussions, and provided for an (unimplemented) All India Federation of provinces and Princely States.
Common mistakes
- Missing the Round Table Conference lineage behind the 1935 Act's drafting.
- Not knowing the Act's federation provision, even though it never actually came into effect.
- Confusing the Act's proposed structure with what was actually implemented in practice.
Exam tip
GoI Act, 1935 = informed by Round Table Conferences, proposed (but never implemented) an All India Federation of provinces + Princely States.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra — Modern India (NCERT textbook for Class XII)
- Government of India Act, 1935