PET 2026 · History

Colonial reforms: what changed and what did not

Track the 1919 Act, the 1935 Act and the 1946 Cabinet Mission across provinces, federation and courts

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MINDMAPS FOR UPSCPET 2026 · VISUAL REVISION

Colonial reforms: what changed and what did not

Track the 1919 Act, the 1935 Act and the 1946 Cabinet Mission across provinces, federation and courts

Comparison
Constitutional Developments (1919–1946)

1919: Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms

  • The 1919 Government of India Act implemented the Montagu–Chelmsford reforms.
  • Provincial dyarchy split subjects between ministers and the governor’s executive council.
  • A two-House central legislature was created, without central responsible government.

1935: Government of India Act

  • Abolished provincial dyarchy and introduced provincial autonomy (ministries took office in 1937).
  • Provided for the establishment of the Federal Court of India, which began functioning in 1937.
  • Proposed an All-India Federation and central dyarchy, but the federation never came into operation.

1946: Cabinet Mission Plan

  • Arrived in India in March 1946 to negotiate the constitutional framework for transfer of power.
  • Comprised three British Cabinet ministers: Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps and A.V. Alexander.
  • Lord Mountbatten was not a member of the Cabinet Mission; he arrived later as Viceroy in March 1947.

Institutional & Exam Distinctions

  • Dyarchy divides executive subjects; bicameralism divides a legislature into two Houses.
  • Distinguish the Council of State (1919 Act upper house) from the Federal Court (1935 Act judiciary).
  • Separate the year an Act was passed (1935) from the year its institutions started functioning (1937).
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Sources & study notes · स्रोत

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