Question

Which of the following act/s led to the transformation of Legislative council?
1. Indian Councils Act 1861
2. Pitts India Act 1984
3. Indian Councils Act 1892
4. None of the above

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Indian Councils Act 1861

The correct answer is option 1 i.e Indian Councils Act 1861.

• The Indian Councils Act 1861 was an act of the British Parliament that made significant changes in the Governor-General’s Council.
• Lord Canning, who was the Governor-General and Viceroy at the time, introduced the portfolio system. In this system, each member was assigned a portfolio of a particular department
• Lord Canning nominated three Indians to the Council in 1862 namely, the Raja of Benares, the Maharaja of Patiala, and Sir Dinkar Rao.
• Any bill related to public revenue or debt, military, religion, or foreign affairs could not be passed without the Governor-General’s assent.
• Pitt's India Act intended to address the shortcomings of the Regulating Act of 1773 by bringing the East India Company's rule in India under the control of the British Government.
• The Indian Council Act of 1892 empowered legislative councils in British India by increasing their size which laid the foundation of the Parliamentary system in India.