Previous Year Question

The formation of the Interim Government of India was formally announced on 24 August 1946. On the same day, Viceroy Lord Wavell also announced the formation of the new government through a radio broadcast.

It is important to distinguish between the date of announcement and the date on which the Government assumed office—the announcement was made on 24 August 1946, while the Interim Government took office on 2 September 1946.

Jawaharlal Nehru was made Vice-President of the Viceroy's Executive Council. The Viceroy continued as President of the Council, but as Vice-President, Nehru was the principal Indian leader of the new Interim Government.

The Interim Government formed part of the constitutional process associated with the Cabinet Mission and was connected with the subsequent Constituent Assembly and the process of transfer of power.

The Muslim League did not initially join the Government. Thus, the Government began functioning on 2 September without the League. Muslim League representatives subsequently joined the Interim Government in October 1946.

The chronology can therefore be remembered as—24 August 1946: announcement → 2 September 1946: Government assumed office.