The Indian Independence Act 1947 was passed by the British Parliament on 18th July 1947 and came into effect on 15th August 1947. It gave legal recognition to the partition of British India into two sovereign dominions: India and Pakistan.

The Act was based on the recommendations of the 3rd June Plan (Mountbatten Plan). It declared the end of British sovereignty over India and transferred powers to the newly created dominions. Both dominions were given the authority to frame their own constitutions, and until then, they would function under the Government of India Act 1935.

Key provisions included:

• Partition of India into India and Pakistan

• Termination of British suzerainty over princely states

• Creation of two Constituent Assemblies

• End of legislative authority of the British Parliament in Indian affairs

• Power to repeal or amend any existing law

• Appointment of Governor Generals in both dominions

The Act marked the formal legal creation of Pakistan on 14 August 1947 and India on 15 August 1947. It was the final step in the decolonization of British India, fulfilling the long struggle for independence and establishing Pakistan as a sovereign and independent state.