The primary reasons for the failure of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms were their half-hearted approach towards self-governance and the complexity of the administrative systems they introduced. The reforms, which aimed to introduce a 'diarchy' system in Indian provinces, were seen as too cautious and failed to address the demands of Indian nationalists for more substantial political power. The dual governance system created confusion and inefficiencies, as the division of responsibilities between British officials and Indian ministers was often unclear. Furthermore, the reforms did not touch upon significant areas such as law and order or finance, leaving key aspects of governance firmly under British control.

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact, signed in March 1931, had a significant impact on the Indian nationalist movement. The pact was an agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and the Viceroy, Lord Irwin, which marked the end of the Civil Disobedience Movement in return for concessions from the British. These concessions included the release of political prisoners and the right for Indians to make salt for their own use. The pact allowed Gandhi to attend the Second Round Table Conference in London as the representative of the Indian National Congress. While it temporarily halted the civil disobedience campaign, the pact was seen as a strategic move by Gandhi to re-engage with the British on equal terms, enhancing his stature and that of the INC in the process.

Indian leaders unanimously opposed the Simon Commission, primarily because it did not include any Indian members. The Commission was tasked with reviewing the political situation in India and suggesting constitutional reforms. However, the exclusion of Indian representatives was seen as a blatant disregard for the opinions and aspirations of the Indian people. This led to a nationwide campaign against the Commission, unified under the slogan "Simon, Go Back!" The opposition to the Simon Commission brought together various strands of the Indian political spectrum, consolidating the nationalist movement and intensifying the demand for self-rule.

The Rowlatt Act, passed in 1919 by the British government, significantly contributed to the unrest that culminated in the Amritsar Massacre. This Act authorised the British colonial government to imprison any individual suspected of terrorist activities and to detain them without trial for up to two years. It was widely seen as a direct attack on the civil liberties of Indians and provoked intense opposition and protests across the country. The Act's repressive nature intensified the existing dissatisfaction with British rule and set the stage for the tragic events at Jallianwala Bagh, where a peaceful protest against this Act turned into a massacre.

The Third Round Table Conference, held in 1932, was significant for its outcomes that deepened communal divisions in India. One of the key results was the British Government's announcement of the Communal Award, which proposed separate electorates for different religious and social groups, including Muslims, Sikhs, and Dalits (then referred to as "Depressed Classes"). This decision was met with strong opposition from many Indian leaders, including Gandhi, who viewed it as a divisive policy that undermined Indian unity. The Communal Award laid the groundwork for the eventual partition of India, as it institutionalised communal identities in politics, exacerbating tensions between different religious and social groups.