The Government of India Act of 1935 primarily aimed to:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Provide for a federal structure with provincial autonomy.
The Government of India Act of 1935 was a milestone in India's constitutional history. It proposed an All-India Federation consisting of British Indian provinces and Princely States. Crucially, it introduced Provincial Autonomy, replacing the system of Dyarchy in provinces with responsible government. It also divided powers into Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent lists. Although the federation never fully materialized due to the Princely States' refusal to join, the Act significantly shaped the current Constitution of India.
Other Options:
-
Complete Independence: This was not the goal; the British sought to maintain control while offering limited reforms to pacify Indian nationalists.
-
Dominion Status: Despite being a major demand of the Congress, the 1935 Act failed to explicitly promise or grant Dominion status to India.
-
Universal Adult Suffrage: The Act only slightly expanded the electorate based on property and education, covering about 10% of the population, not all adults.