In Indian polity, which of the following sources exercised the most profound and wide ranging influence on the framing of the Constitution of India?

Introduction / Context:
This Indian polity question checks whether the learner knows which single legal source influenced the Constitution of India more than any other. Many comparative sources are often mentioned in textbooks, such as the British Constitution or the Constitution of the United States, but the most direct and detailed influence came from a colonial statute that already operated in the subcontinent, namely the Government of India Act of 1935. Understanding this helps candidates connect historical governance structures with modern constitutional provisions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question lists four possible sources of influence on the Constitution of India.
These sources include three foreign constitutions and one British statute that applied directly in India.
The task is to identify which source had the deepest and most extensive impact.
It is assumed that the learner is aware of the overall drafting process and borrowing of features.

Concept / Approach:
The standard approach is to recall how the Constituent Assembly borrowed features from different models. From the British Constitution, India adopted parliamentary form of government, rule of law and cabinet responsibility. From the United States came the ideas of a written constitution, federalism and fundamental rights. From Ireland came Directive Principles. However, the Government of India Act of 1935 provided the basic administrative framework, federal scheme, provincial autonomy and many institutional details that were carried over almost intact into the new Constitution. Therefore, it is considered the most profound and direct influence among the options given.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that multiple foreign constitutions influenced the drafters of the Constitution of India, including British, United States and Irish models. Step 2: Note that the British Constitution is unwritten and was a conceptual influence rather than a detailed structural template. Step 3: The United States Constitution contributed key ideas such as a written document, federalism and judicial review but not the day to day administrative blueprint. Step 4: The Irish Constitution mainly inspired Directive Principles of State Policy and some electoral devices, which is important but limited in scope. Step 5: The Government of India Act, 1935 supplied the federal structure, distribution of powers, provisions regarding governors, public service commissions and other administrative details. Step 6: Because this Act was already in operation in the country and large parts of it were adopted with modification, it is regarded as the most profound influence on the Indian Constitution.

Verification / Alternative check:
A good verification method is to recall how often the Government of India Act of 1935 is mentioned in standard polity books. Many chapters explain that nearly the entire administrative framework, including subjects like federal structure, provincial autonomy, bicameralism in some legislatures and emergency provisions, can trace their immediate origin to this Act. While the British, United States and Irish Constitutions provided valuable ideas, the 1935 Act provided the operational skeleton. This repeated emphasis in study material confirms that the most correct answer among the given options is the Government of India Act of 1935.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
British Constitution: This was an important conceptual influence but did not provide a complete written template that could simply be adapted and adopted.
US Constitution: It influenced rights, federal design and separation of powers, yet it did not supply the core administrative scheme used in India at independence.
Irish Constitution: It mainly contributed Directive Principles and some electoral concepts, which are significant but narrower in influence than the 1935 Act.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to assume that because the Indian system is parliamentary, the British Constitution must be the most important influence. Another error is to focus only on the presence of fundamental rights and therefore guess the United States Constitution. Learners sometimes overlook how much of the 1935 Act was copied or adapted while drafting. It is important to read not just lists of borrowed features but also to understand the practical impact and breadth of each source. Remember that the term most profound influence refers to depth and extent, not just prestige of the model country.

Final Answer:
The source that exercised the most profound influence in framing the Constitution of India was the Government of India Act, 1935.