Your Comprehensive Guide for UPSC Preparation
The constitutional development in India during British rule laid the foundation for the present constitutional framework of India. The series of acts passed from 1773 to 1947 gradually transformed the British administration in India and introduced elements of representative government. Understanding these acts is crucial for UPSC aspirants as they form the basis of many provisions in the current Indian Constitution.
This was the first step taken by the British Parliament to regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Governor-General | Created the office of Governor-General of Bengal (Warren Hastings first) |
| Council | Established an Executive Council of 4 members |
| Supreme Court | Established Supreme Court at Calcutta (1774) with Elijah Impey as first Chief Justice |
| Company Control | Subordinated the presidencies of Bombay and Madras to Bengal |
| Significance | First attempt by British to regulate Company's affairs; recognized Company's political functions |
Key Points: Court of Directors to report on revenue, civil and military affairs; prohibited servants from private trade or accepting bribes.
Introduced to address the shortcomings of the Regulating Act and establish dual control.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Dual Control | Established dual system of control by Company (Commercial) and British government (Political) |
| Board of Control | Created Board of Control (6 members) to supervise civil, military and revenue affairs |
| Company's Court | Reduced strength of Governor-General's council to 3 members |
| Territorial Control | Company's territories in India were called "British possessions" for first time |
| Significance | British government got supreme control over Company's affairs in India |
Mainly focused on the Company's commercial privileges and administration.
Marked an important transition in British policy towards India.
This was the final step towards centralization in British India.
The last of the Charter Acts that introduced several important changes.
After the 1857 revolt, this act transferred power from Company to the Crown.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Company Rule Ends | East India Company's rule ended; British Crown took direct responsibility |
| Secretary of State | Created office of Secretary of State for India (member of British cabinet) |
| India Council | 15-member Council of India to assist Secretary of State |
| Governor-General | Title changed to Viceroy (Lord Canning first Viceroy) |
| Decentralization | Began process of decentralization by restoring legislative powers to Bombay and Madras |
Marked the beginning of representative institutions in India.
Introduced limited and indirect elections to legislative councils.
Marked an important step towards establishing a representative government.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Central Legislature | Increased size of Central Legislative Council (60 members) |
| Provincial Councils | Increased size of Provincial Legislative Councils |
| Elections | Introduced direct elections for first time (though limited) |
| Separate Electorates | Introduced separate electorates for Muslims (sowed seeds of communalism) |
| Functions | Members could ask supplementary questions; discuss budget and resolutions |
Note: Lord Morley was Secretary of State; Lord Minto was Viceroy.
Introduced dyarchy in provinces and expanded legislative councils.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Dyarchy | Introduced dyarchy in provinces (divided subjects into Reserved and Transferred) |
| Central Legislature | Bicameral legislature at center (Council of States and Legislative Assembly) |
| Franchise | Extended franchise (though only 3% of population got voting rights) |
| Separate Electorates | Extended separate electorates to Sikhs, Christians, Anglo-Indians |
| Public Service Commission | Provision for establishment of Public Service Commission |
Key Terms: Reserved subjects (controlled by Governor); Transferred subjects (controlled by ministers responsible to legislature).
The most comprehensive constitutional document before independence.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| All India Federation | Proposed establishment of All India Federation (never came into being) |
| Provincial Autonomy | Introduced provincial autonomy (abolished dyarchy in provinces) |
| Dyarchy at Center | Introduced dyarchy at center (Reserved and Transferred subjects) |
| Bicameral Legislature | Provided for bicameral legislatures in 6 provinces (Bengal, Bombay, Madras, Bihar, Assam, United Provinces) |
| Federal Court | Established Federal Court (inaugurated in 1937) |
| Reserve Bank | Provided for establishment of Reserve Bank of India |
| Federal Public Service Commission | Provision for Federal Public Service Commission |
| Federal List | Divided subjects into Federal, Provincial and Concurrent Lists |
Significance: This act became the basis for many provisions in the Indian Constitution after independence.
The final act that ended British rule and created two independent dominions.
The constitutional development from 1773 to 1947 represents a gradual evolution from Company rule to responsible government. Many features of the Government of India Act, 1935 were incorporated into the Indian Constitution. Understanding this historical development is crucial to appreciate the constitutional framework of independent India.
UPSC Relevance: Questions are frequently asked about key features of these acts, their significance, and how they shaped the current constitutional framework. Special attention should be paid to the 1919 and 1935 Acts, as well as the transition from Company rule to Crown rule.