How to Remember Progression – DYARCHY in British India

Aspect

Progress Over Time

Origin of Dyarchy

Introduced by Government of India Act, 1919 (based on Montagu– Chelmsford Report, 1918). Inspired by the idea of gradually preparing Indians

for self-governance.

Meaning of Dyarchy

From Greek di-archy = "double rule". A system where two sets of administrators governed a province:

1. Reserved Subjects – handled by Governor and Executive Council

(British officials, not responsible to legislature).

2. Transferred Subjects – handled by Indian ministers responsible to

elected legislature.

Subjects under Dyarchy (Provinces)

- Reserved Subjects: Police, Revenue, Law & Order, Irrigation - Transferred

Subjects: Education, Health, Agriculture, Local Self-Government

Implementation Period

Dyarchy at the provincial level operated from 1921 to 1937.

Challenges and Failures

- Real power remained with the Governor. - Governors often interfered in transferred subjects. - Ministers had no control over finances. - Frequent conflict between ministers and executive council. - Ministers had

responsibility, but not full authority.

Abolition at the Provincial Level

Government of India Act, 1935 abolished dyarchy in provinces. Replaced it with Provincial Autonomy, where elected ministers had full control over all subjects. Governors were to act on ministerial advice (except in special

circumstances).

Irony: Dyarchy at the Centre Introduced (1935 Act)

While dyarchy was removed in provinces, Government of India Act, 1935 introduced dyarchy at the Central level: - Reserved subjects (Defence, External Affairs) under Viceroy and Executive Council. - Transferred subjects (Education, Health, Industries, Labour) under Indian ministers. - This dyarchy at Centre was never implemented, as the proposed federation

under the Act never came into force.

Final Disappearance of Dyarchy

The system of dyarchy was completely removed after Independence (1947)

and formally replaced by Parliamentary democracy under the Constitution of India (1950).

Phase

Year(s)

Event

Introduction

1919 (Implemented in

1921)

Dyarchy introduced in provinces under GOI Act, 1919

Operation

1921–1937

Functioned with dual subjects and shared governance

Abolition (Provinces)

1935 (Effective 1937)

Abolished by GOI Act, 1935 → Provincial Autonomy

introduced

Reappearance (Centre)

1935

Dyarchy proposed at Central level (never implemented)