Indian Councils Act, 1861

This article talks about the Indian Council Act of 1861. Those who are preparing for competitive examinations like UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, RRB or State PSCs would certainly be benefitted from this article.

The Indian Councils Act 1861 was an act of the British Parliament that led to significant changes in the Governor-General’s Council. The Executive Council was now to be called as Central Legislative Council.

Features of Indian Council Act of 1861

1. At that time Lord Canning was the Governor-General and Viceroy who introduced the  portfolio system in which each member of Governor-General's council was assigned a  portfolio of a particular department. Hence, It was the first instance in which the portfolio of Council of Governor-General was incorporated.
2. The Executive Council was now to be called as Central Legislative Council.
3. With this act, through the Policy of Association of Indians in legislation Indians, might be nominated to the Council.
4. Lord Canning nominated three Indians to the Council in 1862 namely, the Raja of   Benaras, the Maharaja of Patiala and Sir Dinkar Rao.
5. In the Viceroy's Executive Council a fifth member who was to be a jurist, was added.
6. For legislation, the Executive Council of Viceroy was enlarged from 6 to 12 members in which half of the member were to be non-official. And thus the foundation of Indian legislature was laid down.
7. The Governor-General was conferred with the power to promulgate ordinances.
8. Governor-General’s assent was made compulsory for passing of any bill related to public revenue or debt, military, religion or foreign affairs.
9. The Secretary of State for India in Britain could also dissolve any act passed by the Governor-General’s Council.
10. The legislative powers of the Governor-Generals Councils of the Presidencies of Bombay and Madras which was taken away by the Charter Act of 1833 were restored.
11. Legislative councils were formed in other provinces too that is in Bengal in 1862, North West Frontier Province in 1886 and Punjab and Burma in 1897.

Also read:

Government of India Act 1858
Charter Act of 1853
Charter Act of 1833