Recommendations of the Simon Commission
Modern History › Simon Commission and the Nehru Report · Topic 19.2
The Simon Commission published a two-volume report in May 1930. It proposed abolishing dyarchy and giving the provinces autonomy with representative government, rejected parliamentary responsibility at the Centre, retained separate communal electorates for the time being, accepted federalism only for the future, and suggested separating Sindh from Bombay and Burma from India.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Simon Commission and the Nehru Report
At a Glance
- Published May 1930, two volumes
- Provinces Abolish dyarchy; autonomy and representative government
- Centre No parliamentary responsibility
- Fate Overtaken by events and no longer relevant
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Simon Commission and the Nehru Report
Where Does It Fit?
This is the second topic of the category on the Simon Commission and the Nehru Report. The previous topic covered the appointment of the commission and the Indian response. This topic covers its report. The next topic covers the Nehru Report. Previous topic: Appointment of the Simon Commission and the Indian Response.
What Did the Report Propose for the Provinces?
The Simon Commission published a two-volume report in May 1930. It proposed the abolition of dyarchy and the establishment of representative government in the provinces, which were to be given autonomy. The governor was to have discretionary power in relation to internal security and administrative powers to protect the different communities. The number of members of provincial legislative councils was to be increased. Dyarchy is described in Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms and the Government of India Act, 1919.
What Did It Propose for the Centre?
The report rejected parliamentary responsibility at the Centre. The Governor-General would have complete power to appoint members of the cabinet, and the Government of India would have complete control over the high courts.
What Did It Say on Electorates, Federation and Regions?
The report proposed that separate communal electorates be retained, and extended to other communities, but only until tensions between Hindus and Muslims had died down. There was to be no universal franchise.
| Subject | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Federalism | Accepted in principle but not in the near future; a Consultative Council of Greater India including representatives of British provinces and princely states |
| North-West Frontier Province and Baluchistan | Local legislatures, and the right to be represented at the Centre |
| Sindh | To be separated from Bombay |
| Burma | To be separated from India as it was not a natural part of the Indian subcontinent |
| Army | Indianisation of the army, though British forces must be retained |
What Was Done for the Depressed Classes?
The report did grant reserved seats to the depressed classes, but on the condition that candidates first had their competence endorsed by the Governor of the province. Dr Ambedkar was most displeased with this, and in any case the report remained a dead letter. His own evidence is in Dr Ambedkar and the Simon Commission.
How Did the Report Compare With What Indians Wanted?
Indian opinion had asked for responsible government. The report gave something in the provinces, where dyarchy was to go and representative government and autonomy were to follow, but it kept the Centre irresponsible to the legislature. It also kept the governor’s discretionary power over internal security, which meant that the most sensitive subject would remain outside popular control.
The report kept communal electorates, which Indian nationalists had been trying to move away from, and it made no provision for a universal franchise. It treated federation as a distant goal. As an analytical point, each proposal moved a little towards Indian demands, but none of them gave the Centre to Indians, which is why the Indian response to the report, coming after the boycott of the commission itself, was negative.
Why Did the Report Lose Relevance?
By the time the report came out, it was no longer relevant, because several events had overtaken its recommendations. The Congress had already declared complete independence as its goal and was on the eve of the Civil Disobedience Movement, as described in Lahore Congress and Purna Swaraj, and the constitutional questions were taken up afresh at the Round Table Conferences, described in First and Second Round Table Conferences.
As an analytical point, the report offered more provincial autonomy while denying responsibility at the Centre, which meant that it moved in the opposite direction from the demand of Indian leaders for responsible government at the Centre, as expressed in Nehru Report, 1928. Its approach to communal electorates also set the terms for the debates that followed.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Recommendations list Items such as the Sindh and Burma proposals are Prelims facts
- Comparison with Nehru Report A frequent Mains comparison
- Link to later conferences Background to the Round Table Conferences
What Came Next?
The next topic describes the Nehru Report of 1928, the first major Indian attempt to draft a constitution. Next topic: Nehru Report, 1928.
Key People and Terms
- Dyarchy The dual system in the provinces that the report proposed to abolish
- Provincial autonomy Greater powers for provinces under representative government
- Communal electorates Separate electorates for communities
- Consultative Council of Greater India Suggested body with representatives of provinces and princely states
- Indianisation Raising the share of Indians in the army
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Report published May 1930, two volumes.
- Abolition of dyarchy; provincial autonomy.
- No parliamentary responsibility at the Centre.
- Separate electorates retained; no universal franchise.
- Separate Sindh from Bombay and Burma from India.
Do Not Confuse With
- Simon report and Nehru Report Simon: no responsible Centre; Nehru: responsible government at the Centre
- Provincial and central proposals Autonomy in provinces; no responsibility at the Centre
- Sindh and Burma Sindh from Bombay; Burma from India
Memory Hook
Autonomy below, none above, electorates kept, and the report arrived too late.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about the proposals and why the report was rejected. These points add depth.
- Provinces Autonomy
- Centre No responsibility
- Communal Retention of separate electorates
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Summarise the main recommendations of the Simon Commission and explain why they failed to satisfy Indian opinion.”
How to Answer
- Provinces Abolition of dyarchy and autonomy.
- Centre No parliamentary responsibility.
- Communal and regional Electorates, Sindh and Burma.
- Conclude Overtaken by events.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Simon Commission report published?
The Simon Commission published a two-volume report in May 1930. By then, several events had overtaken its recommendations and it was no longer relevant, as the Congress had already moved to a demand for complete independence.
What did the Simon report recommend for the provinces?
It proposed abolishing dyarchy and establishing representative government with autonomy in the provinces, increasing the size of provincial councils, and giving the governor discretionary power over internal security and administrative powers to protect different communities.
What did the Simon report say about the Centre?
It rejected parliamentary responsibility at the Centre. The Governor-General was to have complete power to appoint cabinet members, and the Government of India would have complete control over the high courts, so the executive would stay free of the legislature.
What did the Simon report propose on electorates and federation?
It proposed retaining separate communal electorates, extended to other communities, until tensions eased, with no universal franchise. It accepted federation only for the future, through a Consultative Council of Greater India with representatives of provinces and princely states.
Which territorial changes did the Simon Commission suggest?
It suggested giving the North-West Frontier Province and Baluchistan local legislatures and representation at the Centre, separating Sindh from Bombay, and separating Burma from India, since it was not a natural part of the subcontinent.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Simon Commission recommended abolition of dyarchy in the provinces.
It proposed provincial autonomy instead.
2 The Simon Commission recommended parliamentary responsibility at the Centre.
It rejected it.
3 The report suggested separating Burma from India.
It said Burma was not a natural part of the subcontinent.
4 The Simon report abolished all separate communal electorates.
It retained them until communal tension eased.
5 The report was published in May 1930.
It had two volumes.
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