Interim Government: First Government of Independent India
On 2nd September 1946, the newly-elected Constituent Assembly formed interim government of India which existed till 15th August 1947. The executive branch of the interim government was served by the viceroy's executive council that was headed by the Viceroy of India. It was composed of 12 members including 3 Muslims nominated by the Congress. It was for the first time since the coming of British that the Government of India was in Indian's hand. On 26th October, five nominees of the League joined the Government. Congress appointees redesigned to make room for the League nominees (Two seats were already vacant while Mr. Sarat Bose, Syed Ali Zahir and Sir Shafat Ahmed Khan resigned). The portfolios of the composite fourteen member government were as follows:
| Members of Interim Government |
|
| Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru |
Vice President of the Executive Council, External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations |
| Vallabhbhai Patel |
Home, Information and Broadcasting |
| Baldev Singh |
Defence |
| Dr. John Mithai |
Industries and supplies |
| C. Rajagopalachari |
Education |
| C.H Bhabha |
Works, Mines and Power |
| Rajendra Prasad |
Food and Agriculture |
| Asaf Ali |
Railways |
| Jagjivan Ram |
Labour |
| Liaqat Ali |
Finance |
| TT Chundrigar |
Commerce |
| Abdur Rab Nistar |
Communication |
| Gazanfar Ali khan |
Health |
| Jogendra Nath Mandal |
Law |
Conclusion
The Congress decided to join the Interim Government in response to the call of the British Government to facilitate the process of transfer of power in August 1946. The Interim Government, which assumed office on 2nd September 1946.
