SSC
The division of powers between the Centre and the provinces into three lists (Federal, Provincial and Concurrent) was first introduced by the:
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Answer: Option A — Government of India Act, 1935
Detailed Solution
The Government of India Act of 1935 divided the powers between the Centre and the provinces into three lists: the Federal List, the Provincial List and the Concurrent List.
The three lists:
- The Federal List: subjects on which only the central (federal) legislature could make laws, such as defence, foreign affairs, currency and railways; it had 59 items.
- The Provincial List: subjects on which only the provincial legislatures could make laws, such as police, public health, education and agriculture; it had 54 items.
- The Concurrent List: subjects on which both could make laws, such as criminal law, marriage and divorce; it had 36 items.
- Residuary powers were given to the Governor-General.
- The Constitution of India adopted this scheme of three lists (Union, State and Concurrent Lists) in the Seventh Schedule.
Other main features of the Act of 1935:
- It provided for an All-India Federation of the British Indian provinces and the princely states; but the federation never came into existence, as the princes did not join.
- It introduced provincial autonomy: the provinces were given more powers, and ministers responsible to the provincial legislatures ran the provincial governments.
- It introduced dyarchy at the Centre, though this was never implemented.
- It extended the franchise; about 10 per cent of the population got the right to vote.
- It provided for a Federal Court, which was set up in Delhi in 1937.
- It provided for the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India.
Elections under the Act:
Provincial elections were held in 1937, and the Congress formed ministries in most provinces.
Significance:
- It was the longest Act passed by the British Parliament for India, with 321 sections and 10 schedules.
- Many provisions of the Constitution of India were taken from this Act.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The Acts of 1919 and 1909 did not create three lists.
- ✗The Indian Independence Act (1947) transferred power.
Quick tip
Remember: three lists (Federal, Provincial, Concurrent) = Government of India Act, 1935 (provincial autonomy; Federal Court 1937; RBI; 321 sections); adopted in the Seventh Schedule.
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British Acts & Policies — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of British Acts & Policies, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the constitutional and administrative acts passed during British rule, from the Regulating Act of 1773 and Pitt's India Act of 1784 to the Charter Acts, the Indian Councils Acts, the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935, and the Indian Independence Act of 1947, along with British economic, land revenue and education policies. Exam questions usually ask what a particular act introduced: the Indian Councils Act 1909 introduced separate electorates for Muslims, the Government of India Act 1919 brought dyarchy to the provinces, and the 1935 Act provided for a federation and provincial autonomy. Land revenue systems (Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari and Mahalwari) and education milestones such as Wood's Despatch (1854) are also tested. Practise the British acts and policies questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.