Indian Independence Act, 1947

The British Government accorded formal approval to the Mountbatten Plan by enacting the Indian Independence Act on 18 July, 1947.

The salient features of this Act were:

• The partition of the country into India and Pakistan would come into effect from 15 August, 1947.
• The British Government would transfer all powers to these two Dominions.
• A Boundary Commission would demarcate the boundaries of the provinces of the Punjab and Bengal.
• The Act provided for the transfer of power to the Constituent Assemblies of the two Dominions, which will have full authority to frame their respective Constitutions.

The Radcliff Boundary Commission drew the boundary line separating India and Pakistan. On 15 August, 1947 India, and on the 14 August Pakistan came into existence as two independent states.

Lord Mountbatten was made the first Governor General of Independent India, whereas Mohammad Ali Jinnah became the first Governor General of Pakistan.