MAINS 2016
GS2
12.5 marks
Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss.
WRITE IN
9 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss whether the Government of India Act, 1935 created a genuine federal constitution.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Federal features: proposed All-India Federation of provinces and princely states, three lists, provincial autonomy, Federal Court, bicameral federal legislature≈45 words
- 2Non-federal features: federation never came into force (princes did not accede), Governor-General's discretion and special responsibilities, residuary powers with GG, Section 93 emergency, British Parliament supreme≈45 words
- 3Verdict: federal in form, unitary in spirit; it shaped India's Constitution≈45 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Key provisionsFederal featuresUnitary featuresVerdictLegacy for 1950 Constitution
Where marks usually go
- Not noting the federation was never established
- Listing provisions without a verdict
Draw this
- Two columns: federal vs unitary features
Value addition
- FactFederal List had 59 items, Provincial List 54, Concurrent List 36; Federal Court began in 1937.GoI Act 1935
- QuoteNehru called the Act 'a machine with strong brakes but no engine' and a 'charter of slavery'.Nehru, 1936-37
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Alfred Thomas · Page 15 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · Page 15 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aditya Srivastava · AIR 1 · Page 29 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Alfred Thomas · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
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