Dominion status
Topic: Making of the Constitution: Constituent Assembly, Sources and Salient Features · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Dominion status means self-government within the Commonwealth, with the British Crown still the formal head of state. Under the Indian Independence Act 1947, India and Pakistan became two dominions, each free to leave the Commonwealth. The Governor-General became a constitutional head, meaning a formal head who acts on the cabinet's advice.
Example
India was a dominion from 15 August 1947 to 26 January 1950. Its Governors-General were Mountbatten and then, from June 1948, C. Rajagopalachari, the only Indian to hold the post. On 26 January 1950 India became a republic with an elected President.
Don't confuse with
- Republic: in a dominion, the British Crown stays the formal head of state. In a republic, the head of state is chosen by the people or their representatives, as India's President is.
- Purna Swaraj (1930): dominion status was the Nehru Report's demand. Purna Swaraj meant complete independence.