Explain Government of India Act, 1935.

The Government of India Act, 1935, was a significant piece of legislation enacted by the British Parliament to reform the constitutional structure of British India. The Act, which became operational in 1937, introduced several key provisions:

1. Federal Structure:
   The Act proposed a federal structure for India, establishing separate and autonomous provinces and princely states. It created a bicameral federal legislature with a Council of States and a Federal Assembly, but the federal framework was never fully implemented.

2. Provincial Autonomy:
   The Act granted increased autonomy to the provinces, allowing for elected provincial governments and legislative assemblies. However, certain key powers, such as defense and external affairs, remained under the control of the British government.

3. Separate Electorates:
   The Act retained the system of separate electorates, providing reserved seats for various religious and minority communities, which contributed to communal divisions.

4. Federal Court:
   It established the Federal Court of India as the highest court for interpreting the Act and resolving disputes between the provinces and the center.

5. Abolition of Diarchy:
   The Act abolished the diarchial system introduced by the Government of India Act, 1919, where certain responsibilities were divided between elected Indian ministers and British officials. It aimed to create a more centralized system.

Despite its intentions, the Government of India Act, 1935, faced criticisms and challenges, and it could not prevent the escalation of communal tensions. It served as the constitutional framework until India gained independence in 1947, providing the basis for the formation of the Constituent Assembly and the drafting of the Indian Constitution.