UPSC Prelims 2000 · General Studies

Question 57: History and Culture

Which one of the following is not a feature of the Government of India Act of 1935?

aDiarchy at the Centre as well as in the provinces

bA bicameral legislature

cProvincial autonomy

dAn All-India Federation

AnswerThe answer is (a).

The Government of India Act, 1935 abolished diarchy in the provinces and gave them provincial autonomy. It introduced diarchy at the Centre instead, with defence and external affairs reserved to the Governor-General. The Act also provided for bicameral legislatures and an All-India Federation, which never came into being. So diarchy at the Centre as well as in the provinces is not a feature.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right: diarchy in the provinces was abolished; it applied at the Centre only.
(b) A bicameral legislature at the Centre, and in some provinces, was a feature of the Act.
(c) Provincial autonomy was a main feature of the Act.
(d) An All-India Federation was proposed in the Act, though it never came into being.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2000, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.