The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms or It is also known as the Government of India Act of 1919.
Government of India Act of 1919 were a series of constitutional reforms introduced by the Britishers into India with the aim of the gradually increasing the participation of the Indian in the governance. The Government of India Act 1919 was the reforms based on the report of Sir Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State for India and Lord Chelmsford the Viceroy of India.

Background to introduce the Government of India act 1919

– After World War I the growing the nationalism in India and political activism.
– The thinking of the Britishers was shifted towards the transfer of the power to Indian.
– The participation of Indians into politics and the desire for self-governance.

“The Montagu-Chelmsford Report”

– The Government of India Act 1919 was based on the report of Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, the Viceroy of India.
– The outline of the report was the constitutional reforms aimed at to establish a more responsible government in India.
– To increase the participation of Indians in the administrative or governmental machinery.

Key features of the Montagu-Chelmsford Report

– The Montagu-Chelmsford Report is base to the Government of India Act 1919.
– Montagu-Chelmsford Report was aim to increase the participation of Indians in the government of India.
– Montagu-Chelmsford Report sought to introduce a more responsible form of government in India with the greater powers to the Indian electorate and Indian administrators.
– Montagu-Chelmsford Report introduced “The Dyarchy” in the provinces.
– The provincial subjects were divided into two categories.
-Reserved List
-Transferred List
(i) Reserved List (It was under the Governor and his executive council)
(ii) Transferred List (It was under ministers responsible to the legislature).
– A bicameral legislature was established in which the Council of States and the Legislative Assembly included.
– The number of legislative councils was expanded with the proportion of elected members.
– When elections were introduced it was found that the number of voters were limited and not universal. The women and certain groups to voters were not included in some of the provinces. So some provisions were proposed in this direction.
– The reform proposed to establish a Public Service Commission in India for the first time.

What was the Significance of the The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms?

The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms marked the beginning of a more accountable and representative government in India.
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms proposed to establish a dual governance structure at the provincial level and a more inclusive legislative framework.
The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms was a first step towards self-governance government.

Dissatisfaction of the Indian Leaders

Some of the Indian leaders dissatisfied with this dual system of governance. They said that we fail to get full and responsible governance.

Impact of the The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms

The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms became helpful to laid down the groundwork for future constitutional developments in India and set the stage for India’s eventual independence in 1947.

MCQs on The Constitutional Development of India | Indian Polity | UPSC | SSC 

Wish you all the best for a brightest future