Constitutional Development (1773–1935)
Overview
| Cue Words | Notes |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Evolution Overview | Evolution moved from regulating EIC trading monopoly (1773) to direct Crown administration (1858) and federal representative governance framework (1935). |
1. Company Era Acts (1773–1853)
| Cue Words | Notes |
|---|---|
| Regulating Act (1773) & Pitt's India Act (1784) | 1773: Governor-General of Bengal (Warren Hastings) & Supreme Court at Calcutta. 1784: Board of Control (political) & Court of Directors (commercial). |
| Charter Acts (1813, 1833 & 1853) | 1813: Ended monopoly except Tea & China trade; ₹1 Lakh education fund. 1833: GG of India (William Bentinck), ended all commercial activities, Law member (Macaulay). 1853: Open competition for civil services, separated legislative and executive functions. |
2. Crown Era Acts: GOI Act 1858 & Council Acts (1861, 1892, 1909)
| Cue Words | Notes |
|---|---|
| Government of India Act 1858 | Transferred power to Crown; created Secretary of State for India and Viceroy (Lord Canning). |
| Indian Councils Acts (1861, 1892, 1909) | 1861: Portfolio System (Canning); restored legislative powers to Bombay/Madras. 1892: Indirect elections; budget discussion allowed. 1909 (Morley-Minto): Separate Electorates for Muslims; Satyendra Prasad Sinha 1st Indian in Viceroy Executive Council. |
📜 August Declaration (1917)
- Montagu's August Declaration (20 Aug 1917): Secretary of State Edwin Montagu announced in the British Parliament the goal of "increasing association of Indians in every branch of the administration" and the "gradual development of self-governing institutions, with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible government" — the first explicit British commitment to eventual self-government, and the direct precursor to the Government of India Act 1919.
3. Major Reform Acts: Mont-Ford (1919) & GOI Act (1935)
| Cue Words | Notes |
|---|---|
| Government of India Act 1919 (Mont-Ford) | Introduced Dyarchy in Provinces (Reserved vs Transferred subjects). Bicameralism and Direct Elections at Centre. Extended separate electorates to Sikhs, Anglo-Indians, Christians. |
| Government of India Act 1935 | Abolished Dyarchy in Provinces; introduced Provincial Autonomy. Proposed All-India Federation (never materialized). Introduced Dyarchy at Centre. Established Federal Court (1937) and RBI. Residuary powers given to Viceroy. |
UPSC High-Yield Recall & Exam Traps
| Cue Words | Notes |
|---|---|
| Centralization vs Decentralization | 1833 Act was peak of centralisation; 1861 Act restored legislative powers to provinces (decentralisation). |
| Dyarchy Confusion | Dyarchy in Provinces = 1919 Act. Dyarchy at Centre & Provincial Autonomy = 1935 Act. |
| Residuary Powers 1935 | Vested in Viceroy (not federal or provincial legislatures). |
| First Law Member & Executive Council Member | Macaulay (1833 Law Member); S.P. Sinha (1909 Viceroy Executive Council). |