Study Materials

Regulating Act, 1773

• The Governor of Bengal became Governor-General of Bengal (Warren Hastings first GG of Bengal).
• Governors of Bombay & Madras were made subordinate to the GG of Bengal.
• Created the Supreme Court at Calcutta (1774) with a Chief Justice & 3 judges.
• Prohibited the servants of the Company from engaging in any private trade.
• Court of Directors (CoD) to report on Indian affairs to the British Government.

• The first step taken by the British Government to control and regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India.
• For the first time, the political and administrative functions of the Company were recognized.
• Laid the foundations of central administration in India.

Pitt’s India Act, 1784

• Established a dual system of control — Board of Control for political matters and Court of Directors for commercial matters.
• Reduced the Company’s autonomy; the British Government strengthened its authority over Indian administration.

• The company’s territories in India were, for the first time, called “British possessions in India.”
• The British Government was given supreme control over the Company’s affairs and its administration in India.

Charter Act, 1813

• Abolished the East India Company’s trade monopoly in India, except for trade in tea and opium with China, which continued.
• Allowed Christian missionaries to come to India for the purpose of enlightening the people.
• Provided for the spread of western education among the inhabitants of British territories in India (₹1 lakh per year for education).
• Authorised local governments to impose taxes on persons, but they could not punish individuals for non-payment.

• Marked the beginning of State involvement in education in India.
• Opened India to other British traders and missionaries.

Charter Act, 1833

• The Governor-General of Bengal was made Governor-General of India, with all civil and military powers (Lord William Bentinck = first GG of India).
• The Governors of Bombay and Madras were deprived of their legislative powers.
• Ended the commercial activities of the East India Company — it became purely administrative.
• Attempted to introduce open competition for civil services, but this was later rejected due to opposition from the Court of Directors.

• Final step towards centralisation of Indian administration.
• Laid the foundation for the Indian Civil Service (ICS).
• Marked a major shift from a commercial body to an administrative body.

Charter Act, 1853

• Separated the legislative and executive functions of the Governor-General’s Council.
• Added 6 new legislative members, marking the beginning of a separate Legislative Council.
• Introduced open competition in civil services (merit-based recruitment).
• Extended the Company’s rule without prescribing a fixed tenure.

• First time Indians got representation in the legislative process.
• Laid the foundation of modern bureaucracy and legislature in India.

Government of India Act, 1858

• India to be governed in the name of Her Majesty.
• Governor-General of India redesignated as Viceroy of India (Lord Canning became the first Viceroy).
• Ended the system of double government by abolishing the Board of Control and Court of Directors.
• Created the Secretary of State for India, holding complete authority over Indian administration.
• Established a 15-member Council of India to assist the Secretary of State (purely advisory).
• Secretary of State-in-Council constituted as a body corporate, capable of suing and being sued in India and England.

• Marked the beginning of direct Crown rule in India.
• Strengthened the centralized bureaucracy under the British Parliament.
• Increased British political control and reduced Company influence.

Indian Councils Act, 1861

• Beginning of representative institutions—Indians associated with law-making for the first time.
• Decentralization initiated—legislative powers restored to Bombay & Madras.
• Provided for new Legislative Councils for Bengal, NW Provinces, and Punjab.
• Empowered the Viceroy to make rules/orders for the convenient transaction of council business.
• Recognized portfolio system (allocation of work among members).
• Empowered the Viceroy to issue ordinances independently for emergencies.

• Marked the shift from highly centralized rule to limited provincial decentralization.
• First step towards the association of Indians in legislation.

Indian Councils Act, 1892

• Increased the number of additional (non-official) members in Central & Provincial Councils, but official majority retained.
• Expanded council functions—members could discuss the budget and question the executive (limited).
• Provided for nomination of non-official members based on recommendations of Provincial Councils and local bodies.
• Introduced indirect elections (nomination from local bodies).

• Foundation of limited parliamentary practice.
• The first faint beginning of electoral politics in India.

Indian Councils Act, 1909 (Morley–Minto Reforms)

• Separate electorates for Muslims.
• Increased size of Central & Provincial Councils.
• Non-official majority in provinces.
• Indians allowed in the Viceroy’s Executive Council (S.P. Sinha first).
• Supplementary questions allowed.

• First time communal representation was introduced (basis of communal politics).
• Expanded legislative participation, but still limited powers.

Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms)

• Introduced diarchy in provinces (Transferred vs Reserved subjects).
• Bicameral legislature at the Centre.
• Direct elections were introduced.
• Separate provincial budgets.
• Extended communal electorates.
• Established Public Service Commission (1926).

• Beginning of responsible government in provinces.
• First time bicameralism and direct elections.

Government of India Act, 1935

• Abolished provincial diarchy; introduced provincial autonomy.
• Proposed All-India Federation (not implemented).
• Introduced diarchy at the Centre (not implemented).
• The Federal Court was established.
• Franchise extended to 10% population.
• RBI was established in 1935.

• Blueprint of the Indian Constitution.
• Basis for federal structure, judiciary, and provincial autonomy.

Indian Independence Act, 1947

• Ended British rule; created two dominions—India & Pakistan.
• Granted full sovereignty to both.
• Viceroy replaced by Governor-General (of respective dominions).
• Constituent Assemblies empowered to draft Constitutions.
• Princely states are free to join either dominion.

• Formal end of British sovereignty.
• India became independent on 15 August 1947.