[UPSC Notes] Government of India Act 1919 – Indian Polity Notes For UPSC IAS Preparation

Introduction

The main purpose of the Government of India Act 1919 also known as the Councils Act 1919 was to expand the participation of the Indian people in the government.

The Act also provided for a Dual System of Government wherein all the government-controlled activities were divided into two lists. The UPSC Indian Polity and Governance Syllabus include

The Government of India Act 1919 (Montague-Chelmsford Reforms) which is described in this article.

Indian Polity Notes For UPSC IAS Preparation

Historical Background

• In June 1917, Edwin Montagu was appointed Secretary of State for India.
  • The Secretary of State, Edwin Montagu, presented a proposal to the Cabinet outlining his aim to work toward the gradual development of free institutions in India leading to ultimate self-government.
• Instead of developing free institutions, Lord Curzon advised Edwin Montagu to work toward strengthening Indian participation in every aspect of government and the gradual creation of self-governing institutions.
• Lord Curzon’s ideas were accepted by the Cabinet, and The Secretary of State for India Edwin Montagu’s plans were approved with Lord Curzon’s approval.

Indian Polity Notes For UPSC IAS Preparation

Objective

The main goal of the Indian Representation Act was to ensure that Indians were represented in the government. The Act ushered in reforms at both the federal and provincial levels of government.

Indian Polity Notes For UPSC IAS Preparation

Key Provisions

1. Diarchy

• Introduction of Diarchy at the Provincial Level. Diarchy means a dual set of governments where one set of government was accountable while the other was not.
• Control over provinces was relaxed by demarcating subjects as ‘central subjects’ and ‘provincial subjects

2. Division of Subjects

• The provincial government’s subjects were separated into two divisions.
• The reserved subjects were under the supervision of the province’s British governor, while the transferred subjects were assigned to the province’s Indian ministers.
• Local self-government, public works, sanitation, industrial research, and the establishment of new companies were all on the Transferred List.
• Justice Administration, Press, Revenue, Forests, Labour Dispute Settlements, Water, Agricultural Loans, Police, and Prisons were among the items on the Reserved List.
• The Secretary of State and the Governor-General had the authority to intervene in things covered by the reserved list, but only to a limited extent in matters covered by the transferred list.

3. Legislative Changes

• Legislature had no power to pass any bill without the assent of The Viceroy while on the contrary Viceroy could enact a bill without the legislature assent
• Bicameralism was introduced in the Central Legislature by this act.
  • The lower house was the Legislative Assembly, with 145 members serving three-year terms and the upper house was the Council of States with 60 members serving five-year terms.
• The legislators, under the new reforms, could now ask questions, pass adjournment motions and vote a part of the budget, but 75% of the budget was still not votable.
• Composition of Lower House
  • The Lower House would consist of 145 members, who were either nominated or indirectly elected from the provinces.
    • It had a tenure of 3 years.
  • 41 nominated (26 official and 15 non-official members)
  • 104 elected (52 General, 30 Muslims, 2 Sikhs, 20 Special).
• Composition Upper House
  • The Upper House would have 60 members.
  • It had a tenure of 5 years and had only male members.
    • 26 nominated
    • 34 elected
      • 20 General,
      • 10 Muslims,
      • 3 Europeans and
      • 1 Sikh.

4. Electoral provision

• The communal representation was extended to include Sikhs, Europeans and Anglo-Indians. The Franchise (Right of voting) was also granted but only to a limited number of people.
• There was a provision to provide reservation to the non-Brahmins in Madras and the depressed classes were also offered nominated seats in the legislatures.

5. Other Provisions

• The Act provided for the establishment of a Public Service Commission in India.
• The number of Indians in The Executive Council was three out of eight.
• It established an office of the High Commissioner for India in London.

Indian Polity Notes For UPSC IAS Preparation

Significance

• This act expanded the election area in India and people now began to understand the significance of voting.
  • Some women got the right to vote, for the first time
• By the Government of India Act, 1919 , the government for the first time showed its intention of gradual introduction of responsible government in India.
• Concept of Self Government in Provinces was introduced.
  • Power given to the people for administration and administrative pressure from the government was greatly reduced.
• Self Government now become a Government Policy therefore the demand of Nationalist and Home rule League could not be termed as seditious anymore
• Indians now become aware about the process of administration which makes them more awaken towards achieving the goal of Swaraj

Indian Polity Notes For UPSC IAS Preparation

Defects

• It further develop a sense of communalism as a representation of specific caste and religion was given
• Provincial ministers were not given any control over finances and over the bureaucrats.
• Ministers were often not consulted on important matters too and could be overruled by the governor on any matter that the latter considered special.
• Governor was given the power to make decisions on all important matters related to administration, he could also overrule the decisions taken by the council of ministers.
• Elected Indian ministers were given no real powers.

Indian Polity Notes For UPSC IAS Preparation

Conclusion

The Act ushered in reforms at both the federal and provincial levels of government. It provided for a Dual System of Government where all government-controlled activities were divided into two lists.

By the Government of India Act, 1919, the government for the first time showed its intention of the gradual introduction of responsible government in India. Power given to the people for administration and administrative pressure from the government was greatly reduced.

Indian Polity Notes For UPSC IAS Preparation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the significance of the Government of India Act 1919?

• This act expanded the election area in India and people now began to understand the significance of voting.
  • Some women got the right to vote, for the first time
• By the Government of India Act, 1919, the government for the first time showed its intention of gradual introduction of responsible government in India.
• Concept of Self Government in Provinces was introduced.
  • Power given to the people for administration and administrative pressure from the government was greatly reduced.
• Self Government now become a Government Policy therefore the demand of Nationalist and Home rule League could not be termed as seditious anymore
• Indians now become aware about the process of administration which make them more awaken towards achieving the goal of Swaraj.

How were the divisions of subjects made by the Government of India Act 1919?

• Subjects of the provincial government were also divided into two groups.
  • The British Governor of the province controlled the reserved subjects while the transferred subjects were given to the Indian ministers of the province.
• The Transferred List contained Local Self Government, Public Works, Sanitization, Industrial Research and setting up of new factories.
• The Reserved List contained Justice Administration, Press, Revenue, Forests, Labour Dispute Settlements, Water, Agricultural Loans, Police, Prisons etc.
• The Secretary of State and the Governor-General had power to interfere in matters under the reserved list, but could only do so up to a limited extent in the transferred list.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Critically analyse the provisions of Government of India Act 1919.