Background

The Round Table Conferences had failed, therefore, the British government established a Joint Select Committee with the task of formulating the new constitution for India. It comprised 16 members from the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Moreover, 20 representatives from British India and seven from the princely states also joined the committee. Lord Linlithgow (Viceroy of India) was appointed as the president of the Committee. After being signed by the King, it was enforced as the Government of India Act, 1935, on August 2, 1935.

Salient Features Government of India Act 1935

1. India was promised to be a Federation, which would comprise both the provinces and the princely states. 
2. The Viceroy remained the head of the central administration.
3. No finance bill could be placed in the Central Legislature without the consent of the Viceroy.
4. The Federal Assembly (lower house) and the Council of State (upper house) were to be the two houses that made up the Federal Legislature.
5. Diarchy, which had been established in the provinces by the Government of India Act of 1919, was to be established at the Center. However, in the provinces, it came to an end.
6. The Upper House was to consist of 260 members, out of whom 156 were to be elected from British India and 104 to be nominated from the princely states.
7. The Legislative Assemblies were to elect 250 of the total 375 members of the Lower House, while the remaining 125 were to be chosen by the rulers of princely states.
8. Moreover, the Government of India Act 1935 empowered the Central Legislature to have the right to pass any bill, but the bill required the approval of the Viceroy before it became Law.
9. The viceroy had the power to frame ordinances.
10. Sindh and Orissa were created.
11. Reforms were introduced in N. W. F. P. as were in the other provinces.
12. Separate electorates were continued as before.
13. In the Government of India Act 1935, the Muslims were given One-third representation in the Central Legislature.
14. Burma and Aden were separated from India.
15. The Federal Court was established in the Center.
16. The Reserve Bank of India was established through the Government of India Act 1935.