1. Regulating Act of 1773

• First step by British Parliament to control East India Company.
• Governor of Bengal → Governor-General of Bengal.
• Warren Hastings – First Governor-General.
• Established Executive Council of 4 members.
• Created Supreme Court in Calcutta (1774).
• Prohibited servants of the company from private trade/gifts.
• Laid foundation of central administration in India.

2. Pitt’s India Act, 1784

• Distinguished between commercial and political functions.
• Created a Board of Control (for political affairs) and Court of Directors (for commercial functions).
• Dual control introduced: Company & British Govt.
• Strengthened British control over the Company.

3. Charter Act of 1813

• Ended East India Company’s monopoly on trade in India (except with China & tea).
• Company’s trade opened to all British citizens.
• Allowed Christian missionaries to come to India.
• Provided for education: ₹1 lakh per year.

4. Charter Act of 1833

• Governor-General of Bengal → Governor-General of India.
• Lord William Bentinck became the first GGI.
• Legislative powers centralized in Governor-General’s Council.
• Company’s commercial activities ended → only administrative function.
• First attempt to codify Indian laws.
• Introduced the idea of open competition in civil services (but not implemented).

5. Charter Act of 1853

• Separation of legislative and executive functions of Governor-General’s Council.
• Introduced open competition for civil services.
• Macaulay Committee (1854) on ICS.
• Legislative Council expanded → added Indians as non-official members (limited participation).

Revolt of 1857 → Turning Point

• Also called Sepoy Mutiny, First War of Independence.
• Major outcome: End of Company Rule, beginning of Crown Rule.

6. Government of India Act, 1858

• Passed by British Parliament.
• Abolished East India Company.
• Rule transferred to British Crown.
• Created office of Secretary of State for India (member of British Cabinet).
• Secretary assisted by India Council (15 members).
• Governor-General became Viceroy (first Viceroy: Lord Canning).
• Centralized governance → British Parliament ultimate authority.

7. Indian Councils Act of 1861

• Introduced Indians in legislative process for the first time.
• Nominated Indians as non-official members (e.g., Raja of Benaras, etc.)
• Restored legislative powers to Bombay and Madras Presidencies.
• Decentralization began.
• Viceroy could issue Ordinances (emergency legislation).

8. Indian Councils Act of 1892

• Increased number of additional members (central & provincial councils).
• First indirect election: nominated members from associations like INC.
• Council could discuss budget & ask questions (limited control).

9. Indian Councils Act of 1909 (Morley-Minto Reforms)

• Introduced Indirect elections to legislative councils.
• First time: Separate electorates for Muslims.
• Increased Indian members in councils.
• Indians included in Executive Council of Viceroy (Satyendra Prasad Sinha).
• Limited role in governance → more of a reform appeasement.

10. Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms)

• Dual Government (Dyarchy) at provincial level:
  1. Reserved Subjects (e.g., police, finance) → Governor.
  2. Transferred Subjects (e.g., education, health) → Indian ministers.
• Bicameral legislature at the centre:
  1. Council of State (Upper House)
  2. Legislative Assembly (Lower House)
• Extended communal representation (Sikhs, Christians, etc.).
• Created Public Service Commission (1926).
• Introduced direct elections for the first time.
• Failed due to complexity of dyarchy & limited autonomy.

11. Simon Commission (1927)

• All-White commission, no Indian member.
• Strongly boycotted.
• Led to civil disobedience movement.

12. Government of India Act, 1935 (Most Important)

• Based on Simon Commission Report + Round Table Conferences + White Paper.
• Federal structure (not implemented).
• Provincial Autonomy introduced.
  1. Dyarchy abolished at provinces.
  2. Governors still had overriding powers.
• Dyarchy at Centre (never implemented).
• Bicameralism in provinces introduced (in some).
• Federal Court established (1937).
• Separate electorates continued.
• Burma and Aden separated from India.
• Provided for:
  1. All-India Federation
  2. Residuary powers to Viceroy
• Constitution of Independent India borrowed heavily from this Act.

13. Indian Independence Act, 1947

• Passed by British Parliament.
• Partitioned India into India and Pakistan.
• Ended British rule.
• India = Sovereign, Independent Nation.
• Constituent Assembly to frame Constitution.
• Governor-General to act as constitutional head.
• Princely states became free to join India or Pakistan.
• Abolished office of Secretary of State.
• India became Independent on 15 August 1947.

Summary of Evolution