UPSC Prelims 2012·GS1·polity-and-governance·federal structure

The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in their:

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  1. AMorley-Minto Reforms, 1909
  2. BMontagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919
  3. CGovernment of India Act, 1935Correct
  4. DIndian Independence Act, 1947

Explanation

The correct answer is C because the Government of India Act of 1935 introduced a federal structure for India. It established a clear division of powers by categorizing legislative subjects into three distinct lists: the Federal List for the Centre, the Provincial List for the provinces, and the Concurrent List for both. The Indian Constitution adopted this tripartite distribution of powers almost entirely, forming the basis of the current Seventh Schedule. While the 1919 Act introduced dyarchy at the provincial level, it was the 1935 Act that provided the comprehensive federal blueprint used in the modern Constitution.
polity-and-governance: The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided
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