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Government of India Act, 1935

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

This Act is a cornerstone of modern Indian constitutional history, directly impacting the structure of legislative bodies and the evolution of governance, making it crucial for both GS1 (Modern History) and GS2 (Polity).

The Government of India Act, 1935, was a pivotal legislation enacted by the British Parliament, aiming to introduce a federal structure and provincial autonomy in British India, and significantly influenced the drafting of the Indian Constitution.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Bicameralism in provinces

Introduced bicameralism in several provinces, leading to the need for two legislative Houses.

Terminology change

Replaced the term 'Member' with 'Minister' for provincial executive heads.

Provincial autonomy

Provided for provincial autonomy, granting more powers to elected provincial governments.

Influence on Constitution

Served as a major blueprint for the Indian Constitution, particularly its federal features and parliamentary system.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance
Conceptual areaModern Indian History
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Pivotal British legislation for India.
  • Introduced bicameralism in provinces.
  • Shifted 'Member' to 'Minister' terminology.
  • Granted provincial autonomy.
  • Major influence on Indian Constitution.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Purpose or function of a policy tool, Factual recall

The artificially fixed rupee-sterling exchange rate prescribed by the Hilton-Young Commission (1926) was adopted by the British Government for which one of t...

Modern HistoryOpen question
2024Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

Modern HistoryOpen question
2023Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

Modern HistoryOpen question
2022Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into “Reserved” and “Transferred” subjects. Which of the following w...

Modern HistoryOpen question
2021Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age 21. 2. The Gov...

Modern HistoryOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?

Modern HistoryOpen question
2018Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

In the federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935. Residuary Power was given to the

Modern HistoryOpen question
2015Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined -

Modern HistoryOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & GovernanceModern Indian History
Prelims 2015· Conceptual understanding, Factual recall

The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined -

Open question
Prelims 2018· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

In the federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935. Residuary Power was given to the

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?

Open question
Prelims 2021· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age 21. 2. The Gov...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into “Reserved” and “Transferred” subjects. Which of the following w...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

Open question
Prelims 2024· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Purpose or function of a policy tool, Factual recall

The artificially fixed rupee-sterling exchange rate prescribed by the Hilton-Young Commission (1926) was adopted by the British Government for which one of t...

Open question

Beyond Fort St. George: Tamil Nadu government’s quest for an Assembly-Secretariat site is more than a century old

09 Sep 2026 · The article references the Government of India Act, 1935, as the reason for the establishment of two legislative Houses in provinces and the change in terminology from 'Member' to 'Minister', influencing the design and requirements for legislative buildings.

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Related topics

Current topic

Government of India Act, 1935

Often confused with

State Legislature

Open notes
Often confused with

Colonial Rule & Administration

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Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Government of India Act, 1935 in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Government of India Act, 1935

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements: 1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation base...

2024·Modern History
Solve

In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into “Reserved” and “Transferred” subjects. Which of the following w...

2022·Modern History
Solve

In the federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935. Residuary Power was given to the

2018·Modern History
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 recommended granting voting rights to all the women above the age 21. 2. The Gov...

2021·Modern History
Solve

The Government of India Act of 1919 clearly defined -

2015·Modern History
Solve

Which of the following statements correctly explains the impact of Industrial Revolution on India during the first half of the nineteenth century?

2020·Modern History
Solve

The artificially fixed rupee-sterling exchange rate prescribed by the Hilton-Young Commission (1926) was adopted by the British Government for which one of t...

2026·Modern History
Solve

By which one of the following Acts was the Governor General of Bengal designated as the Governor General of India?

2023·Modern History
Solve

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