UPSC Prelims 2024 · GS Paper I
Question 62: History and Culture
With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements :
- 1.It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
- 2.Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
The Government of India Act, 1935 provided for an All India Federation of British Indian provinces and princely states, though the federal part never came into force because the states did not join. Statement 2 is wrong: defence and external affairs were reserved subjects under the Governor-General, outside the federal legislature's control. Remember: the Act brought provincial autonomy and proposed dyarchy at the Centre.
- 1. The Act provided for an All India Federation of provinces and princely states.
- 2. Defence and external affairs were reserved subjects under the Governor-General.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: The Act provided for an All India Federation of provinces and princely states.
The red flag in statement 1 is “all”. In UPSC’s papers, statements with “all” were true 41% of the time (76 statements). A hint, not a rule.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (c) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Defence and external affairs were reserved subjects under the Governor-General.
Only (a) is left. This one needs every statement.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: the Act provided for a federation, but defence and foreign affairs were kept out of the legislature's hands.
- (b) Wrong: defence and external affairs were reserved to the Governor-General.
- (c) Wrong: statement 2 is incorrect.
- (d) Wrong: statement 1 is correct.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2024, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.