Q. The Government of India Act of 1935 had provision of establishing an All-India Federation. In this context, how this act differentiated Indian Princely States from the Governor’s Provinces?
1. Indian Princely states were mandatorily needed to join Indian federation whereas it was voluntary in case of Governor’s Provinces.
2. Unlike Princely States, in case of Governor’s Provinces the federal authority was extended to only legislative matters and not to executive matters.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Exp) Option d is the correct answer At the time of colonial rule, India was divided into two parts, British Indian Provinces, and the Indian Princely States. GOI Act, 1935 provided for the establishment of a “Federation of India”, to be made up of both British India and some or all of the “princely states”.
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the act, accession to the Federation was voluntary in the case of an Indian State and it was depended upon the option of the Ruler of the State. Whereas accession to the Federation was compulsory or automatic in the case of Provinces.
Statement 2 is incorrect: According to the act, in the case of the provinces, the authority of the Federation over the Provinces (executive as well as legislative) extended over the whole of the federal sphere outlined by the Act. Whereas in the case of the Indian States, the authority of the Federation could be limited by the Instrument of Accession.
