The last major constitutional law for British India, which introduced provincial autonomy and proposed an All-India Federation, and which served as a key source for the Constitution of India.
- Provided for an All-India Federation of British provinces and princely states (the federation never came into being as the princes did not join).
- Introduced provincial autonomy, ending dyarchy in the provinces, but introduced dyarchy at the Centre; the first provincial elections under it were held in 1937.
- Divided powers into three lists, Federal, Provincial, and Concurrent, a scheme later adapted in the Indian Constitution's Seventh Schedule.
- Provided for a Federal Court (established 1937), the forerunner of the Supreme Court, and extended separate electorates further.
- The Governor and Governor-General retained wide discretionary and "safeguard" powers, so real authority stayed with the British.
It is a frequent source-of-the-Constitution item (federal scheme, three lists, provincial autonomy, Federal Court) and bridges history and polity.
The 1935 Act introduced provincial autonomy (ended dyarchy in provinces) but added dyarchy at the Centre; the federation it proposed never came into being.
1935 Act: provincial autonomy, proposed federation, three legislative lists; a major source of the Indian Constitution.