RTC were a series of conferences, organised by british government, it was recommended by simon commission as well. they were held to discuss constitutional reforms in india. 3 conferences were held in london still nothing of substance was achieved and no significant issue resolved.
in 1930, labour party was in power who was more in favour to come to some agreement with indians on constitution, hence they held the first RTC. representatives of indian political leader, british political parties and princes were invited to discuss framework for a future indian constitution.
the first was attended by reps of all parties except congress.
it was agreed that a federal system of govt should be intorduced, all indian reps were unanimous in their stance that there should be a federal system. princes also declared that they would join the future federation of India, provided their rights are safeguarded.
it was also agreed that Diarchy was to be abolished. brit agreed that a responsible representative govt shud be introduced at provincial level.
A federation is an entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a federal government.
congress boycotted the conference, saying that british were still not giving self govt.
Congress wanted a clear promise. they wanted it in writing that anything agreed in the conference will be implemented and that the conference aim was to draft a constitution under which India would be given dominion status. No assurance was given to gandhi by british, hence he boycotted the conference.
another reason for failure was that, the outcome of conf werent encouraging because nothing of concreteness cud be achieved without the largest indian party (Congress). it was recognised that any progress without congress wud be impossible.
No agreement was reached on Muslim weightage in the future constitution of India and muslims werent ready to accept anything less than separate electorates. Hindus equally unwilling to make this concessions to muslims and result was a deadlock and the conf ended.
It was felt that second RTC wud be of little value without congress therefore lord irwin released gandhi and other congress leaders. gandhi-irwin negotiations took place. their agreement was called Delhi pact or gandhi-irwin pact.
irwin agreed to release all congress prisoners, arrested during non-cooperation movement, and returned properties seized by govt..
gandhi agreed to call off non-cooperation(civil disobedience) movement, and participate in next RTC. He agreed to give up his demand of full independence, for a promise from british that there should be a federal india and that Indians would have a genuine say in how they were governed and indians should be involvedin all matters
second RTC was held in london in 1931