Question

Which of the following is/are the principal feature(s) of the Government of India Act, 1919?
1. Introduction of Dyarchy in the executive government of the provinces.
2. Introduction of separate communal electorates for Muslims.
3. Devolution of legislative authority by the Centre to the provinces.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

• A. Only 1
• B. 2 and 3
• C. 1 and 3
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer 1

The correct option is C 1 and 3

The Government of India Act, 1919 divided the provincial subjects into two parts—transferred and reserved. The transferred subjects were to be administered by the governor with the aid of ministers responsible to the Legislative Council. The reserved subjects, on the other hand, were to be administered by the governor and his executive council without being responsible to the Legislative Council. This dual scheme of governance was known as ‘dyarchy’ which means the double rule. However, this experiment was largely unsuccessful. The government of India Act 1919 gave the provinces more legislative powers provided for the framing of rules for the devolution of authority between the Centre and the Provinces. However, judicial review was prohibited.