Which of the following was the biggest source for the Constitution of India ?
(A) The Government of India Act,
1919
(B) The Government of India Act,
1935
(C) The Indian Independence Act,
1947
Answer : B
Explanation : Certainly! The Government of India Act, 1935, was the most substantial piece of constitutional legislation enacted by the British Parliament concerning India during the colonial period. Although India gained independence in 1947, the Government of India Act, 1935, had a profound influence on the drafting of the Indian Constitution.
Here's why it was such a significant source:
1. **Federal Structure**: The Act proposed a federal system for India, dividing powers between the central government and the provinces. This concept of federalism was later adopted, with modifications, in the Indian Constitution.
2. **Division of Powers**: It outlined the distribution of legislative powers between the central and provincial governments. This division formed the basis for the distribution of powers between the Union and State governments in the Indian Constitution.
3. **Bicameral Legislature**: The Act introduced a bicameral legislature at the center and in some provinces, consisting of an Upper House (Council of States) and a Lower House (Legislative Assembly). This idea influenced the structure of the Indian Parliament.
4. **Judiciary**: The Act provided for a Federal Court, which served as the highest court of appeal in India. While the Indian Constitution established the Supreme Court as the highest court, the structure and functions of the judiciary were influenced by the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935.
5. **Administrative Setup**: The Act delineated the administrative setup, including the roles and responsibilities of the Governor-General, Governors, and civil services. Many of these provisions were reflected in the administrative structure established by the Indian Constitution.
While the Indian Constitution also drew from various other sources, including the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity from the French Revolution and the parliamentary system from the United Kingdom, the Government of India Act, 1935, provided the most comprehensive and immediate framework for the drafting of the Indian Constitution due to its detailed provisions for governance in India.