The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the
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- AMorley-Minto Reforms, 1909
- BMontagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919
- CGovernment of India Act, 1935
- DIndian Independence Act, 1947
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Answer: (C) Government of India Act, 1935
The distribution of powers between the Centre and States in the Indian Constitution (with Union List, State List, and Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule) is modeled on the Government of India Act, 1935.
The 1935 Act first introduced a three-fold division of powers (Federal List, Provincial List, Concurrent List) — the Indian Constitution adopted this framework almost entirely.
The 1909 Reforms dealt mainly with legislative councils.
The 1919 Act introduced dyarchy but not a comprehensive federal structure.
The 1947 Independence Act was about transferring power, not designing governance structures.
Answer: (c).
The Government of India Act, 1935 was the first to create the three-list system (Federal, Provincial, Concurrent) that India's Constitution directly copied as the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists in the Seventh Schedule.
UPSC tests whether students can distinguish between acts that introduced new governance structures versus those that only modified existing systems or transferred power.
Government of India Act, 1935
Indian Polity Government of India Act, 1935
Government of India Act, 1935: Blueprint for Indian Constitution
Government of India Act, 1935 provided the federal framework adopted by Indian Constitution
Introduced three-fold division of powers: Federal List, Provincial List, Concurrent List
Created All-India Federation with provinces and princely states
Established separate electorates and dyarchy at center
Constitutional Legacy
The Government of India Act, 1935 was the most comprehensive constitutional document for India before independence. It created the federal structure that became the backbone of our Constitution — the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule are directly borrowed from this Act's Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent Lists.
Key Features of 1935 Act
Feature | Details | Impact on Indian Constitution |
|---|---|---|
Federal Structure | All-India Federation with provinces and princely states | Adopted as Union of States |
Three Lists | Federal, Provincial, Concurrent Lists | Became Union, State, Concurrent Lists (7th Schedule) |
Dyarchy at Center | Reserved and transferred subjects | Rejected — parliamentary system adopted |
Provincial Autonomy | Self-government in provinces | Enhanced as state autonomy |
Federal Court | Supreme judicial authority | Became Supreme Court of India |
Question Context
This question tests knowledge of constitutional borrowings. The distribution of powers refers specifically to the three-list system in the Seventh Schedule — this was the 1935 Act's most important contribution to Indian federalism.
1947 Independence Act only transferred power — did not design governance structures
1919 Montagu-Chelmsford Act introduced dyarchy but not comprehensive federal lists
1909 Morley-Minto only reformed legislative councils — no federal structure
Seventh Schedule & Distribution of Powers
Indian Polity distribution of powers Centre and the States
Seventh Schedule: Distribution of Powers in Indian Constitution
Seventh Schedule contains three lists dividing powers between Union and States
Union List has 97 subjects under exclusive Union control
State List has 66 subjects under exclusive State control
Concurrent List has 47 subjects where both can legislate
Residuary powers belong to Union Parliament
Federal Framework
The Seventh Schedule (Article 246) creates India's federal structure by clearly dividing legislative powers. This prevents conflicts between Union and State governments and ensures efficient governance across different levels.
Three Lists Comparison
List | Subjects Count | Key Examples | Legislative Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
Union List | 97 subjects | Defence, Foreign Affairs, Currency, Railways | Parliament only |
State List | 66 subjects | Police, Agriculture, Local Government, Public Health | State Legislature only |
Concurrent List | 47 subjects | Education, Forests, Marriage & Divorce, Criminal Law | Both (Union law prevails in conflict) |
Important Principles
Union law prevails over State law in case of conflict on Concurrent subjects
Residuary powers (subjects not in any list) belong to Union Parliament
Emergency provisions can alter this distribution temporarily
42nd Amendment moved 5 subjects from State to Concurrent List
Don't confuse subject counts — Union: 97, State: 66, Concurrent: 47
Residuary powers are with Union, not States (unlike USA)
Concurrent List conflicts — Union law prevails, not State law
British Constitutional Reforms (1909-1947)
Modern Indian History Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909 Montagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919 Indian Independence Act, 1947
British Constitutional Reforms: 1909-1947 Overview
1909 Morley-Minto: Separate electorates and expanded legislative councils
1919 Montagu-Chelmsford: Dyarchy in provinces, bicameralism at center
1935 Government of India Act: Federal structure with three lists
1947 Independence Act: Power transfer and partition
Major British Constitutional Reforms
Reform | Year | Key Innovation | Limitation | Constitutional Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Morley-Minto | 1909 | Separate electorates, expanded councils | No executive responsibility | Communal division |
Montagu-Chelmsford | 1919 | Dyarchy in provinces | Reserved subjects with Governor | Limited self-government |
Government of India Act | 1935 | Federal structure, provincial autonomy | Federation never implemented | Constitutional framework |
Independence Act | 1947 | Power transfer to dominions | Partition of country | End of British rule |
Why 1935 Act Was Different
Comprehensive federal framework — not just administrative reforms
Three-list division became permanent constitutional feature
Provincial autonomy with elected governments and responsible ministers
Federal Court established as apex judicial authority
Question Strategy
UPSC tests which reform provided the structural framework for Indian Constitution. The 1935 Act alone created the federal architecture — other reforms were either preliminary steps (1909, 1919) or transfer mechanisms (1947).
1919 Act had dyarchy but only at provincial level — no comprehensive federal structure
1909 Reforms only dealt with legislative councils — no power distribution framework
1947 Act was about independence and partition — not constitutional design