1947 Act- India Independence Act 1947

1. India Independence Act
1947

2. Background
• Feb 20 1947: British PM Clement Atlee made
the announcement in the House of Commons
that it wanted to transfer power to Indian
Government by June 1948;

3. 5 July 1947 Act Passed
• Two Independent Dominions- India & Pakistan
• India would include British India except West
Punjab, Baluchistan, NWFP, Sind & East Bengal
• Indian States free to accede to any of the two
Dominions
• Each Dominion to have Governor-General
appointed by King
• The Legislature of the Two Dominions will have
the power to make Laws; A new Constituent
Assembly for Pakistan

4. • British Govt would cease responsibility from
15 Aug 1947
• The two Dominions alongwith provinces
would be governed by Govt of India Act 1935
till the Constituent Assembly makes the
constitution
• British Paramountcy over Princely States
would cease from 15 August 1947

5. • Emperor of India title abolished and title omitted from
the title of Queen
• Office of Secy of State for India would be abolished;
work transferred to Secy of State for Commonwealth
Affairs
• No Act of British Parliament on Appointed Day or after
shall extend to either Dominions as Law unless
extended by a law of the Legislature of the Dominion
• No order in Council made on appointed day under any
Act passed before 15 Aug 1947 will be part of the law
of the New Dominion. No order or rule of the UK
minister made after 15 August shall extend to India

6. • His Majesty’s UK Got will have no responsiblity
over India; All treaties, agreements, in force at
the time of the passage of India Independence
Act would lapse; No right in Tribal areas
• Division of Armed Forces & Civil Services
• The new Dominions will be represented by High
Commissioners in England
• An Act of Parliament, Council, Order, Rule not in
consistent with 1947 Act will not be in operation.
• COMMONWEALTH- 53 members