Indian Councils Act

The Indian Councils Act of 1861 was a significant piece of legislation enacted by the British Parliament for India. It transformed the viceroy's Executive Council into a miniature cabinet, with members in charge of distinct government departments. This act also introduced a legislative council, which included non-official members, some of whom were Indian. While the viceroy retained veto power, the council's debates were open to the public, serving as an early indicator of public opinion and a "safety valve" for the government. The act was further expanded in 1892, increasing the number of non-official members and granting them limited powers to question the government and criticize the budget. The Indian Councils Act of 1909, formulated by John Morley, further introduced the elective principle to legislative councils and appointed the first Indian members to both the Secretary of State's council and the viceroy's Executive Council.12