Nehru Report (1928)
Overview
The Nehru Report (also called the Nehru Committee Report) was drafted in 1928, under the
leadership of Motilal Nehru, with Jawaharlal Nehru serving as Secretary. It was India’s first
comprehensive attempt to outline a constitutional framework and aimed for Dominion
Status within the British Commonwealth
It emerged in response to the Simon Commission (1928), which included no Indian
members. The report was finalized at the All-Parties Conference, convened in Lucknow on
August 28, 1928.
Key Provisions & Structure
1. Dominion Status
o Proposed India should attain status within the British Empire similar to Canada or
Australia, with a self-governing Parliament.
2. Bill of Rights
o Included nineteen fundamental rights such as:
Universal adult franchise (men and women over 21)
Freedom of conscience and religion
Protection of life, liberty, property, and prohibition of titles
o Several of these rights later influenced India’s political consciousness.
3. Federal Government Structure
o Advocacy for a federal system with residuary powers residing with the Centre
o Creation of a Supreme Court and a bicameral legislature at the Centre.
4. Equality & Secularism
o Men and women to have equal citizenship rights, and no state religion
5. Language
o Proposed Hindustani (Devanagari or Urdu) as the national language, while allowing
the continued use of English
6. Minority Representation
o Rejected formal separate electorates, but allowed reserved seats for minorities in
provinces where they made up at least 10% of the population
Reactions & Impact
The Muslim League objected, as it rejected separate electorates and weightage; Jinnah
issued his “Fourteen Points” in 1929 to provide an alternative framework
The Report was not adopted by the All-Parties Convention in Calcutta, December 1928
It laid intellectual groundwork for India’s later Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles,
influencing constitutional debates leading to the Government of India Act 1935 and the
Indian Constitution of 1950
Summary :
Theme Provisions Significance
Dominion Status Self-governance within Empire Demonstrated political maturity
Bill of Rights 19 Fundamental Rights Seeded future rights framework
Government Federalism, Supreme Court,
Blueprint for Constitution
Structure Bicameralism
Equality &
Gender equality, no state religion Modern and inclusive vision
Secularism
Reserved seats, no separate Half-step toward communal
Minorities
electorates representation
Opposition Muslim League’s Jinnah Points Marked beginning of communal rifts
Influenced 1935 Act and Foundation for independent India's
Legacy
Constitution governance
Source : the constitution of india website
