August Offer

The August Offer was an offer made by Viceroy Linlithgow in 1940 promising the expansion of the Viceroy's Executive Council to include more Indians, the establishment of an advisory war council, the giving of full weight to minority opinion, and the recognition of the Indians' right to frame their own constitution after the end of the war. In return, it was hoped that all parties and communities in India would co-operate in Britain's efforts during the Second World War. However, the proposal was rejected by the Indian National Congress.

Moreover, the minorities, especially the All-India Muslim League, were assured that no constitutional scheme was acceptable to the government without their agreement, which thus provided a veto power to the League. As the Offer did not give any clear assurance towards the demand for Pakistan, the Muslim League did not fully accept it. However, it welcomed the emphasis on minority safeguards and the assurance that no future constitutional arrangement would be imposed without minority consent.