The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the

Correct Option (c):

The Government of India Act, 1935, established a federal system in India by providing a clear distribution of legislative powers between the Centre and the Provinces. It introduced three lists for this purpose:

• Federal List (for the Centre)
• Provincial List (for the Provinces)
• Concurrent List (for both)

This scheme of power distribution significantly influenced the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which also delineates powers into Union, State, and Concurrent Lists.

Incorrect Options:

Option (a) Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909: These reforms primarily introduced separate electorates for Muslims and expanded the legislative councils, but they did not establish a comprehensive distribution of powers between the Centre and the Provinces.

Option (b) Montagu-Chelmsford Act, 1919: This Act introduced Dyarchy (dual rule) in the provinces, dividing provincial subjects into 'reserved' and 'transferred'. While it separated central and provincial subjects, it did not establish a full-fledged federal distribution of powers between the Centre and the States comparable to the 1935 Act.

Option (d) Indian Independence Act, 1947: This Act primarily granted independence to British India and provided for its partition into India and Pakistan. Its purpose was to effect the transfer of power, not to establish a detailed framework for the distribution of powers within the future Indian Constitution.