The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The institutional design of the Indian Constitution was not crafted in isolation but evolved from the political experiences and administrative frameworks established during British rule, particularly the Government of India Act, 1935.- Statement 1 is Correct: The experience gained by Indians in the working of legislative institutions under British rule proved to be very useful for the country in setting up its own institutions. This familiarity facilitated a consensus on the institutional design and administrative procedures required for independent India.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Indian Constitution did not reject all institutional details from colonial laws. On the contrary, the Constituent Assembly adopted many institutional details and procedures from colonial legislations to ensure administrative continuity. Approximately 75% of the Constitution is said to be derived from the Government of India Act, 1935.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The elections held in 1937 to the Provincial Legislatures did not establish fully democratic governments. The franchise was restricted based on criteria such as tax, property, and education (covering only about 10-15% of the population), and the British Governors retained significant veto powers and control over the administration.
Key Takeaway: The Indian Constitution represents a synthesis of democratic ideals and administrative continuity, heavily borrowing structural details from the Government of India Act, 1935, rather than completely discarding the colonial legal framework.