Act passed for British East India Company Rule is part of Indian Polity and Governance. Below are notes on 4 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers.

Charter Act of 1833: Complete End of Commercial Activities and Legislative Centralization

  • Designated the Governor-General of Bengal as the Governor-General of India.
  • Lord William Bentinck became the first Governor-General of India.
  • Vested the Governor-General of India with all civil and military powers.
  • Deprived the Governors of Bombay and Madras of their legislative powers.
  • Made the Governor-General in Council the sole legislative authority for the entire British India.
  • Laws made under this Act were called 'Acts,' replacing 'Regulations.'
  • Ended the commercial activities of the East India Company, making it a purely administrative body.
  • The Company's territories were held "in trust for His Majesty, His heirs and successors."
  • Added a fourth member (Law Member) to the Governor-General's Council for legislative purposes (initially without voting power). Lord Macaulay was the first Law Member.
  • Attempted to introduce an open competition system for the selection of civil servants (later negated by the Court of Directors).
  • Made the Governors of Bombay and Madras Presidencies subordinate to the GovernorGeneral of Bengal.
  • Provided for the establishment of a Supreme Court at Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1774.
  • The Supreme Court consisted of one Chief Justice and three other judges.
  • Prohibited the servants of the EIC from engaging in any private trade or accepting presents/bribes from natives.
  • Strengthened the control of the British Government over the EIC by requiring the Court of Directors (governing body of the Company) to report on its revenue, civil, and military affairs in India.
  • Stated that Indians should not be debarred from holding any place, office or employment under the Company (Section 87).

Constitutional Importance of the Charter Acts in Indian Governance

  • The Government of India Act, 1919 (Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms) introduced Dyarchy (dual rule) in provinces, dividing provincial subjects into Reserved (e.g., law & order, finance) and Transferred (e.g., education, local self-government).
  • Under the GoI Act, 1919, the Central Government remained largely responsible to the Secretary of State; the Governor-General held charge of the Foreign and Political Department (a Reserved subject at the Centre).
  • The GoI Act, 1919 introduced Bicameralism at the Centre, establishing the Council of State (Upper House, 60 members - 34 elected, 26 nominated) and the Legislative Assembly (Lower House, 145 members - 104 elected, 41 nominated).
  • The GoI Act, 1919 extended franchise to about 10% of the adult male population based on property, tax, or education; it enabled provincial legislatures to grant voting rights to women.
  • The Government of India Act, 1935 proposed an All-India Federation comprising British Indian provinces and princely states (though this federal part never materialized as states didn't join).
  • The GoI Act, 1935 abolished dyarchy in provinces and introduced Provincial Autonomy, making provincial ministers responsible to their provincial legislatures.
  • The GoI Act, 1935 provisioned for Dyarchy at the Centre (Reserved subjects like defence and external affairs, and Transferred subjects), but this also never fully came into operation.
  • The GoI Act, 1935 introduced a clear separation of powers between Centre and Province through three legislative lists in the Seventh Schedule: Federal List (59 items), Provincial List (54 items), and Concurrent List (36 items).
  • Under the GoI Act, 1935, Residuary powers were vested in the Governor-General.
  • The GoI Act, 1935 introduced bicameralism in 6 out of 11 provinces: Bengal, Bombay, Madras, Bihar, Assam, and the United Provinces.
  • The GoI Act, 1935 renamed the Central Provinces as Central Provinces and Berar.
  • The GoI Act, 1935 provided for a GovernorGeneral's Council of Ministers (not exceeding ten members) to aid and advise him, except in his discretionary functions.
  • The GoI Act, 1935 led to the establishment of the Federal Court in 1937 and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • The federal part of the 1935 Act, including the all-India federation and central dyarchy, never came into operation. Therefore, in practice, the central government in British India continued to operate largely under the provisions of the 1919 Act until 1947, albeit with the provincial autonomy introduced by the 1935 Act.

Early Reforms in Judicial and Administrative Systems under Company Rule

  • Prison Act, 1894: Codified laws relating to prisons and defined various acts as "prisonoffences" committed by a prisoner.
  • Section 42 of Prison Act, 1894, defines prison-offences including:
    • Wilfully disabling oneself from labour.
    • Contumaciously refusing to work.
    • Wilful damage to prison property.
    • Feigning illness.
    • Insurrection or incitement to insurrection.
    • Assaulting any officer of the prison or any other prisoner.
    • Abusing, insulting or assaulting any prisoner.

Regulating Act of 1773: Key Provisions and Constitutional Significance

  • First Act by British Parliament to regulate East India Company's (EIC) affairs in India.
  • Constitutional Significance:
    • First time recognized EIC's political & administrative functions.
    • Laid foundation of central administration in India.
  • Key Provisions:
    • Designated Governor of Bengal as Governor-General (GG) of Bengal.
    • Lord Warren Hastings: First GG of Bengal.
    • Created an Executive Council of four members to assist GG of Bengal.
    • Made Governors of Bombay and Madras Presidencies subordinate to GG of Bengal.
    • Established Supreme Court at Calcutta in 1774.
    • Supreme Court composition: One Chief Justice and three other judges.
    • Sir Elijah Impey: First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at Calcutta.
    • Prohibited EIC servants from engaging in private trade or accepting presents/ bribes.
    • Strengthened control of British Government over EIC by requiring the Court of Directors to report on revenue, civil, and military matters in India.

3. Act passed under the British Crown

Practice MCQs: Act passed for British East India Company Rule

Charter Act of 1833: Complete End of Commercial Activities and Legislative Centralization

  1. By which of the following Acts, the Governor General of Bengal was designated as the Governor General of India ?

    Asked in: APPSC Group II Mains paper 1 2025

    1. Charter Act of 1853
    2. Charter Act of 1793
    3. Charter Act of 1833
    4. Government of India Act 1858
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Charter Act of 1833

    The Charter Act of 1833 centralised the administration of British India. It made the Governor-General of Bengal the Governor-General of India, vesting in him all civil and military powers. This created a unified administrative authority over the entire British territory in India.

Constitutional Importance of the Charter Acts in Indian Governance

  1. In which of the following Act, Provision of Separation of Powers between Centre and Province was introduced?

    Asked in: BPSC Prelims Exam 66th · Department Recruitment 2024 (Archivist) 2024

    1. The Government of India Act, 1919
    2. The Indian Councils Act, 1892
    3. The Indian Councils Act, 1909
    4. The Government of India Act, 1935 C. The Government of India Act, 1919 D. The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Government of India Act, 1935 C. The Government of India Act, 1919 D. The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955

    Acts passed during the British rule formed the legislative framework that gradually shaped the administrative and constitutional structure in India, leading up to the Government of India Act, 1935, which served as a major basis for the Indian Constitution. Ans: D The Government of India Act, 1935, was a significant step towards federalism in India. It proposed the division of powers between the central government and the provincial governments through three lists: the Federal List, the Provincial List, and the Concurrent List. This division of legislative and administrative authority represented a form of separation of powers between the Centre and the Provinces.

  2. The number of Legislative List/s in the Seventh Schedule of the Government of India Act, 1935 was/were - - (5) Question not attempted

    Asked in: Librarian Grade II (School Edu.) 2024

    1. 4
    2. 2
    3. 3
    4. 1
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 3

    The Seventh Schedule of the Government of India Act, 1935, established a federal structure for legislative powers by creating three distinct lists.

  3. Which of the following statement is/are correct in reference to Government of India Act, 1935? (1) The Act envisaged a "Federation of All India" consisting of the British provinces and the Indian states. (2) The federal part of the 1935 Act came into operation as the princely states were persuaded to accede to the federation. (3) The Constitution of Central Government in India remained the same as it was under the Act of 1919 with certain modification. (4) The Power and Functions of the Central Legislature as provided in the 1919 Act remained unchanged until the Indian Independence Act, 1947. Code - (1) Only 1 is correct (2) Only 3 is correct (3) 1, 3 and 4 are correct (4) Both 2 and 4 are correct

    Asked in: School Lecturer (Sanskrit Edu.) 2022 6 2022

    1. Only 1 is correct
    2. Only 3 is correct
    3. 1, 3 and 4 are correct
    4. Both 2 and 4 are correct
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only 1 is correct

    The Government of India Act, 1935, aimed to establish an All-India Federation, but this part of the Act never came into force. The Act introduced significant changes to the structure of the central government and its legislature.

  4. Which of the following statement about Government of India Act, 1919? - (5) Question not attempted

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher (Sec. Edu.) Comp. Exam 2024 group c 2024

    1. Governor-General himself held the charge of the portfolio of the Foreign and Political Depart‐ ment.
    2. Members of the Governor-General’s Council were appointed on the recommendation of the Secretary of State for India.
    3. Governor-General’s Council was also known as the Governor-General’s Supreme Council.
    4. As Viceroy, Governor-General was the link between British India and Indian Princely States.
    Show answer

    Answer: D. As Viceroy, Governor-General was the link between British India and Indian Princely States.

    This question tests knowledge about the provisions and implications of the Government of India Act, 1919 (also known as the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms). It requires understanding the structure of governance, the roles of key officials, and how they interacted with different entities within British India.

  5. In how many provinces the bicameral system was implemented by the Act of 1935? - Question not attempted

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher (Sec. Edu.) Comp. Exam 2024 group d 2024

    1. Eight
    2. Five
    3. Six
    4. Seven
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Five

    This question pertains to the Government of India Act, 1935, and its provisions regarding provincial governance. It requires knowledge of how many provinces were granted bicameral legislatures under this Act.

  6. Government of India Act, 1935 provisioned to rename the Central Provinces as - (1) Central Provinces and Vidarbha (2) Madhya Bharat (3) Central Provinces and Berar (4) Central Provinces and Khandesh (5) Question not attempted

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher (Sec. Edu.) Comp. Exam 2024 group d 2024

    1. Central Provinces and Vidarbha
    2. Madhya Bharat
    3. Central Provinces and Berar
    4. Central Provinces and Khandesh
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Central Provinces and Berar

    This question relates to the administrative changes proposed by the Government of India Act, 1935, specifically concerning the naming of provinces. It requires knowledge of historical administrative divisions and nomenclature.

  7. Which of the following is not a feature of Government of India Act, 1935 ?

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher Gr II (Sanskrit Edu.) Exam 2018 1 2018

    1. Federation and Provincial autonomy
    2. Dyarchy in Centre
    3. Creation of Concurrent List
    4. Dyarchy in Provinces
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Dyarchy in Centre

    The Government of India Act, 1935, was a landmark piece of legislation that laid the foundation for the present-day Indian Constitution. It introduced significant constitutional reforms, including federalism and provincial self-governance.

  8. In the Federation under the Government of India Act of 1935 residuary powers were given to the :

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher Gr II (Sec. Edu.) Comp. Exam 2022

    1. Provincial Legislature
    2. Provincial Governor
    3. Governor General
    4. Federal Legislature
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Governor General

    (G.K. Group A)-2022 This question pertains to the distribution of powers in the federal structure proposed by the Government of India Act, 1935. It's important to know how residuary powers were allocated under this Act.

  9. Which section of the Indian population was given the right to vote under the Government of India Act, 1919 ?

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher Gr II (Sec. Edu.) Comp. Exam 2022

    1. All citizens of India
    2. Only British citizens living in India
    3. Only men who met certain property and educational qualifications
    4. Only women who met certain property and educational qualifications
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Only men who met certain property and educational qualifications

    (G.K. Group A)-2022 This question tests knowledge of electoral reforms and franchise expansion in India under British rule, specifically related to the Government of India Act,

  10. It highlights the limited nature of democratic rights at that time. 11. Under which Government of India Act, Federation and Provincial Autonomy were introduced in India ?

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher Gr II (Sec. Edu.) Comp. Exam 2022

    1. Govt. of India Act, 1935
    2. Govt. of India Act, 1947
    3. Govt. of India Act, 1861
    4. Govt. of India Act, 1909
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Govt. of India Act, 1935

    (G.K. Group B)-2022 The Government of India Act, 1935, introduced the concept of a federation (though it never fully came into being) and granted provincial autonomy, giving provinces more freedom from central control.

  11. How many members were to be appointed to the Indian Legislative Council under the Government of India Act 1919 ?

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher Gr II (Sec. Edu.) Comp. Exam 2022

    1. 150
    2. 100
    3. 75
    4. 50
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 100

    (G.K. Group B)-2022 Under the Government of India Act, 1919, the Indian Legislative Council (which later evolved into the Central Legislative Assembly) was to have a total of 100 members.

  12. which of the following statement is correct pertaining to governance structure under the government of India act 1935 ? - it did not provide for a federal structure in the country. - there was a reference to the collective or individual responsibility of the ministers to the federal legislature. - the governor-general was to have a council of ministers, not exceeding ten in number, to aid and advise him in the exercise of his functions, except his discretionary functions. - the upper chamber was conceived as not permanent body subject to periodic dissolution.

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher Gr II (Spl. Edu.) 2015

    1. 1 and 4
    2. 2 and 3
    3. 2, 3 and 4
    4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 2, 3 and 4

    The Government of India Act 1935 proposed a federal structure, established individual and collective responsibility of ministers to the legislature, and stipulated the size of the Governor-General's council. The upper chamber (Council of State) was designed as a permanent body, not subject to dissolution.

Early Reforms in Judicial and Administrative Systems under Company Rule

  1. According to the Prison Act, 1894, which of the following acts are declared to be prison- offences when committed by a prisoner ? (A) Wilfully disabling himself from labour (B) Contumaciously refusing to work (C) Wilful damage to prison property (D) Feigning illness. Choose the correct option : - Question not attempted

    Asked in: Deputy Jailor 2024

    1. Only (A) and (B) are correct.
    2. Only (A), (C) and (D) are correct.
    3. Only (A), (B) and (C) are correct.
    4. (A), (B), (C) and (D) are correct.
    Show answer

    Answer: D. (A), (B), (C) and (D) are correct.

    This question requires knowledge of the specific offenses defined under the Prison Act, 1894, that are applicable to prisoners within the jail premises.