Government of India Act, 1919: Key Features & Limitations|UPSC Notes

Government of India Act, 1919 was a landmark in the constitutional history of India. The British Parliament enacted this act to introduce reforms in the colonial administration. And also to meet the growing demands for Indian self-governance. It was a response to the Indian national movement, which had been gaining momentum in the early 20th century. It introduced political reforms but maintained British control over critical areas of governance. Important Points about the Government of India Act, 1919.

• Government of India Act, 1919 was a reaction to increasing Indian demands for political reform.
• It introduced the system of dyarchy in the provincial governments.
• The act expanded the legislative councils but still had British control over significant areas.
• It initiated reforms in local governance but still without real autonomy.
• The act paved the way for future constitutional changes but did not provide complete self-rule.

GS Paper	GS Paper II
Topics for UPSC Prelims	British Reforms in India (including the Government of India Act 1919), Government of India Act 1919 (Rowlatt Act, Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms)
Topics for UPSC Mains	Nature and Impact of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, Political and Administrative Changes under the Act

What is the Government of India Act, 1919?

The Government of India Act, 1919 was a legislative act passed by the British Parliament to govern India. It was based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which recommended gradual reforms in the political and administrative structure of British India.

And whereas the 1909 Act increased the size of the legislative councils and even introduced the concept of separate electorates to Muslims, the Government of India Act, 1919 went a step further for the introduction of self-government to the provincial legislatures while increasing the electorate.

Key Features of Government of India Act, 1919

The Government of India Act, 1919 was characterized by some very important features that were meant to give India its shape in the political setup of the British regime. The significant reforms in the Act were as follows:

Dyarchy in Provincial Government

The most significant feature of the Government of India Act, 1919 was the introduction of dyarchy at the provincial level. It implied that the provincial governments were divided into two categories: reserved and transferred subjects.

• Reserved subjects were those areas such as finance, law, and order, which remained directly under the control of the British Governor.
• Transferred subjects were those areas where Indian ministers could exercise power such as education and health.

Expansion of Legislative Councils

The Government of India Act, 1919 increased the number and size of legislative councils in the central and provincial jurisdictions. The Central Legislative Assembly, previously 59 members in size, was now enlarged to include 145 members that included both appointed and elected members. In a similar vein, the provinces now included more members than they did before, but again the electorate was very restricted.

• The Act permitted indirect elections wherein members of the provincial assemblies were elected through a limited franchise.
• Although Indians now comprised more members of the councils, the two key areas such as defense and foreign policy remained within British control.

Separate Electorates for Muslims

The Government of India Act, 1919 continued the tradition of separate electorates for Muslims that had been brought about by the 1909 Act. It allowed Muslims to have their own representatives elected for the legislative bodies without a joint electorate.

• This was presented as a way to preserve Muslim interests, but it created division between the different religious groups in India.
• One of the factors that fueled the growing divide between Hindus and Muslims in the decades that followed was the provision of separate electorates.

Indian Role in Central Government increased

For the first time, the Government of India Act, 1919 allowed a small number of Indians to be appointed to the executive council at the central government level. However, the Governor-General retained significant powers, and British control over important areas such as defense and foreign affairs remained intact.

• The Act allowed Indians to hold positions in the executive branch, but the Governor-General could still override decisions.
• This further limited the practical impact of the reforms and ensured that final authority rested with the British government.

Expansion of the Franchise

The Government of India Act, 1919 expanded the electorate in India though only to a tiny proportion of the population. The Act brought a system of indirect elections and voted on those who were judged by their property, education, or income.

• The franchise was extended to 10-12% of the population, but the vast majority of Indians were excluded from the political process.
• Though the Act expanded the scope for political participation, it was far from universal suffrage.

Limitations of the Government of India Act, 1919

The Government of India Act, 1919, presented the most important reforms but limited it in its inability to offer full self-governance and left the crucial powers to the British and maintained political inequalities.

No Full Self-Government

The Government of India Act, 1919 did introduce some self-governance but it was far from giving complete autonomy to India. Defence, foreign policy, and finance remained areas where the British continued their control.

• The Governor-General’s powers were almost entirely without check and he could veto decisions of the Indian ministers.
• It did not satisfy Indian demand for full self-rule that had now begun to gather strength in these years.

Division of Powers Under Dyarchy

The provincial level of the system of dyarchy was highly criticized. The subjects were divided into reserved and transferred areas, creating confusion and making governance difficult. The Indian ministers often lacked power in crucial areas while the British Governor remained at the helm.

• There was a lack of coordination between the two systems of governance, leading to inefficiency and frustration.
• The reforms failed to accomplish the desired balance of power between Indian ministers and British authorities.

Unrepresentative Franchise

The increased electorate under the Government of India Act, 1919 was still based on property and educational qualifications, thereby excluding a majority of Indians. The Act further restricted political participation to only a small section of privileged people.

• Most Indians, whether rural or lower-class individuals, were left out of this electoral process.
• The resulting limited franchise served as fuel for the people to vent their displeasure with a process of governance that left them completely outside of politics.

Impact and Legacy of the Government of India Act, 1919

The Government of India Act, 1919, was a significant piece of legislation that transformed the political scenario of India. Though it brought about some significant reforms, it was still far from what many Indians had hoped for. The Act marked a crucial moment in the history of India’s constitutional development, setting the stage for future reforms.

The limitations of the Government of India Act, 1919 led to increased demands for greater self-rule. The Act created discontent that fuelled the rise of the independence movement. And also set the stage for the eventual struggle for full independence from British rule.

Conclusion

The Government of India Act, 1919 was the first significant effort by the British to fulfill India’s rising political demands while at the same time maintaining control over critical elements of governance. Though the Act brought important reforms like dyarchy and increased legislative councils, it did not give the country full self-rule. 

Government of India Act, 1919 UPSC Notes

1. The Government of India Act, of 1919, was also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, named after the Secretary of State for India, Montagu, and the Viceroy, Chelmsford. 2. It introduced a dual system of governance, where powers were divided between the central government and provincial governments. This was called the diarchy system at the provincial level. 3. The Act expanded the legislative councils at both the central and provincial levels, allowing more Indian representation, though the majority of members remained British. 4. The central legislature was divided into two houses: the Council of State and the Legislative Assembly. The former had more appointed members, while the latter had more elected members. 5. The Act granted limited self-governance by introducing the concept of diarchy, but it retained significant British control, especially over key areas like defense, foreign affairs, and revenue. 6. It granted some limited rights to Indians, such as the right to elect representatives, but the electorate was highly restricted, based on property and education qualifications. 7. The Act allowed for the gradual expansion of Indian participation in governance, but it did not grant full self-rule, which led to dissatisfaction and disillusionment among Indian leaders. 8. The Government of India Act, 1919, paved the way for further constitutional reforms, but also contributed to the rise of more radical nationalist movements like the non-cooperation movement led by Gandhi.

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