Home/
IAS/
Article

Who was the Head of the Interim Government?

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 9th, 2023

The Head of the Interim Government of India was Jawaharlal Nehru. The Vice President of the Council of Ministers, held by Jawaharlal Nehru, the leader of the Interim Cabinet established in 1946, is given the prime minister’s authority. The Interim Government, also known as the Provisional Government of India, was founded on 2 September 1946, by the newly elected Constituent Assembly, with the aim of supporting British India’s transition to independence. It stayed in effect until 15 August 1947, the day of India’s independence (and partition) and the establishment of Pakistan.

Table of content

1. Head of the Interim Government
2. Who was the Head of the Interim Government?

Head of the Interim Government

The Interim Government was established as a temporary administration between an imperial organization and a democratic structure. It existed until August 15, 1947, when India gained independence and was divided into two countries, Pakistan and India.

This Interim Government was established by the Constituent Assembly, which was elected in August 1946.
The provincial assemblies chose representatives for the Constituent Assembly in a non-direct election.
The Indian National Congress (INC) won a majority in these elections, taking approximately 69% of the seats.
The Muslim League received 73 votes, while the Congress Party received 208.
The Interim Government’s version of the Council of Ministers was the Viceroy’s Executive Council, which served as the executive.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was its Vice President and de facto Prime Minister.
Despite its initial opposition to the Interim Government and insistence on an independent country, the Muslim League eventually joined it.
The League was “entering the Interim Government to acquire a foothold to struggle for the cherished aim of Pakistan,” in Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s words.

Summary: