MAINS 2015
GS1
12.5 marks
It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting the Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience gained with the Government of India Act, 1935. Discuss.
WRITE IN
9 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss how the GoI Act 1935 and the provincial governance experience under it helped the Constituent Assembly finish in about three years.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Borrowed framework: federal scheme, three lists, Governor's office, emergency powers, public service commissions, Federal Court, administrative detail≈35 words
- 2Working experience: provincial autonomy and Congress ministries 1937-39 trained leaders in parliamentary government≈35 words
- 3Other factors: Congress dominance, committee system, Nehru's Objectives Resolution, B.N. Rau's draft, global constitutions, Partition removing a key dissent≈35 words
- 4Departures: universal franchise, Fundamental Rights, no dyarchy - so the Act was a base, not a blueprint≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Assembly timelineProvisions taken from 1935 Act1937-39 experienceOther enablersDeparturesConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Listing the 1935 Act's features without linking them to speed of drafting
- Ignoring other reasons for quick completion
Draw this
- Table: 1935 Act provision → corresponding Article in the Constitution
Value addition
- DataThe Constituent Assembly took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days; about 250 provisions are commonly said to derive from the 1935 Act.Constituent Assembly records
- QuoteNehru called the 1935 Act 'a machine with strong brakes but no engine'.Jawaharlal Nehru
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Ajay R Raj · AIR 109 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Akansh Dhull · AIR 3 · Page 23 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Monika Srivastava · AIR 16 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
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