The Government of India Act of 1919 aimed to expand Indian participation in governing the country.

The Act introduced a dual scheme of governance, separating the central and provincial subjects, with a division of powers between the British Government and Indian authorities.

It established a dual system of government at the provincial level, known as diarchy. Certain subjects called Transferable subjects like education and health were placed under Indian ministers answerable to elected councils, while others called Reserved subjects remained under British control.