Introduction
The failure of successive constitutional reforms by the British in India contributed significantly to the demand for complete independence. While the British introduced several reforms with promises of gradual self-governance, these were often viewed as inadequate or deceptive by Indian leaders. The growing frustration among Indians, due to these reforms, led to a shift from demands for dominion status to the ultimate goal of complete independence.

Failure of Early Constitutional Reforms

1. Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919)
   The Government of India Act of 1919, based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, introduced dyarchy in the provinces, dividing subjects into transferred and reserved categories. While this was presented as a step toward self-governance, Indian leaders saw it as a limited concession that left real power in British hands.
   • Impact: The dissatisfaction with dyarchy led to the launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) under Mahatma Gandhi, which marked the beginning of mass demands for self-rule.
   • Recent Example: The legacy of early 20th-century reforms is often revisited in discussions about federalism and center-state relations in India, especially with the increasing demands for greater autonomy from certain states.
2. Simon Commission (1927) and Boycott
   The appointment of an all-British Simon Commission to review the 1919 reforms was seen as a betrayal, as no Indians were included in the process. The widespread boycott of the Simon Commission was a powerful expression of Indian discontent.
   • Impact: The failure of the Simon Commission to include Indian voices led to the formation of the Nehru Report (1928), which for the first time demanded dominion status for India, marking a significant shift toward constitutional self-governance.
   • Recent Example: The Simon Commission’s failure is often invoked in modern discussions about inclusive governance, such as in debates over the representation of marginalized communities in political decision-making processes.

Radicalization of Nationalist Movements

1. Failure of the Round Table Conferences (1930-1932)
   The Round Table Conferences were convened to discuss further constitutional reforms, but they failed to resolve key issues like the demand for responsible government. The failure of these talks, especially the lack of consensus on the Communal Award and representation, convinced Indian leaders that the British were unwilling to grant real power.
   • Impact: The failure of the conferences, especially the third one, fueled the demand for Purna Swaraj (complete independence), which had already been declared at the Lahore session of the Congress in 1929.
   • Recent Example: The 92nd anniversary of the Lahore Resolution in 2021 was marked by discussions about the continuing relevance of the demand for Swaraj in modern Indian democracy.
2. Government of India Act (1935)
   The Government of India Act of 1935 was the most comprehensive reform proposed by the British, introducing provincial autonomy and creating a federal structure. However, it was seen as flawed, as it kept real power with the British Viceroy and limited Indian control over defense and foreign affairs.
   • Impact: Though some Indian leaders participated in the 1937 provincial elections, the act failed to meet the Congress’s demand for full self-rule. The Congress Ministries resigned in 1939 after India was dragged into World War II without consultation, signaling a breakdown in trust.
   • Recent Example: The revocation of Article 370 in 2019, granting autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, has been compared to the autonomy provisions of the 1935 Act in debates over center-state relations and the limits of federalism.

The Push for Complete Independence

1. Quit India Movement (1942)
   The British response to the demands for complete independence during World War II, especially through the Cripps Mission (1942), was another major failure. The Cripps proposal for Dominion status after the war was seen as too little, too late, and was rejected by the Congress. This rejection led to the launch of the Quit India Movement, demanding immediate British withdrawal.
   • Impact: The Quit India Movement galvanized the masses and signaled the complete rejection of British authority, marking the final phase of India’s independence struggle.
   • Recent Example: The 75th anniversary of Quit India was commemorated in 2017, with discussions focusing on the enduring legacy of the movement in shaping India’s democratic ethos and its spirit of resistance.
2. Cripps Mission and the Cabinet Mission Plan (1946)
   The Cripps Mission in 1942 and the Cabinet Mission Plan in 1946 were British attempts to offer constitutional solutions to India’s demands for self-rule. However, both failed to bridge the gap between Indian aspirations and British intentions. The failure of the Cabinet Mission Plan, in particular, led to the growing inevitability of Partition and independence.
   • Impact: The rejection of these plans and the subsequent communal tensions further polarized Indian politics, making complete independence the only acceptable solution.
   • Recent Example: The decolonization of Indian governance structures continues to influence India’s constitutional debates, with scholars discussing how the legacy of these missions impacted the framing of India’s Constitution (1950).

Conclusion
The repeated failures of British constitutional reforms contributed significantly to the demand for complete independence in India. As each attempt at reform either failed to meet Indian aspirations or was viewed as insufficient, the national movement became more radicalized, culminating in the demand for Purna Swaraj. These failures exposed the limits of British willingness to grant genuine self-rule and accelerated India’s journey toward independence, leaving a lasting impact on its political trajectory.