Government of India Act, 1935

Introduction

During the course of the second Civil Disobedience Movement after the failure of the Second Round Table Conference, the government organised a third Round Table Conference in November 1932. The Congress did not participate in the conference but still the government went ahead to bring out reforms in the Indian government. As a result Government of India Act, 1935 was passed.

Features of the Act

• Formation of the bicameral legislature consisting of the Council of States and the Federal Assembly
• Elections to the Council of States were to be direct and for the Federal Assembly indirect
• At the Provinces, the diarchy was replaced by provincial autonomy

Political leaders from almost all political parties condemned the Act. The Congress party demanded that the British government should immediately convene a constituent assembly to frame a constitution for independent India.